Boab: re Red Hand - we've touched on this before. The symbol is an ancient one for the whole of Ulster, 9 counties, not Northern Ireland's 6 only. It appears on the O'Neill Coat of Arms. "Great" Hugh O'Neill was, arguably, one of Ireland's first and greatest nationalists, with his battle success at Clontibret in 1595(!) History goes back a long way in these parts. For me, the Red Hand will remain a symbol of the whole of Ulster, including Glencolumbcille ("valley of Columba's prayer cell or church") in Donegal (where I was born) even though 10% (at most) of 66% of the geographical area have tried to appropriate it, and quite successfully too.

Re kids going into the into music business (this is for you LH!): Bob Dylan, who's forgotten more than most of us will ever know about it, wasn't too keen on his son becoming a "rock star", but he did anyway. Kids will usually do their own thing and parents will always worry about them!