The NI peace process was like a game of chess

Not too long back from David Porter's leaving do at the Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland (formerly ECONI). Quite alarming the number of attendees who were also bloggers. And nice to see Gareth Higgins again in the flesh - as opposed to listening to his thoughtful cinematic musings on The Film Talk podcast alongside co-host and former Belfast flâneur Jett Loe.

For someone involved in reconciliation and making a thoughtful contribution into the religious and political mire in the long build-up to the Good Friday agreement, the leaving present was close to perfect.

A marvellously carved and painted Northern Ireland political chess set.