Last May was bookish bliss… so I'm doing it again! (Am I mad? Possibly 🙈) Plans are brewing, authors incoming & green t-shirts at the ready. Watch this space for confirmed guests over the next week or so and, most importantly, save 4th–10th May! #DromoreBookFestival

I really enjoyed doing this. Please do listen in on Sunday (or listen back afterwards) to hear me discuss Leonard and Hungry Paul with James Naughtie and a roomful of readers with interesting questions.

Christmas Morning 1949. True story by Sylvia Seymour Akin, read by Paul Auster. Your antidote to the negativity in the world. edcyphers.com/2014/12/17/c...

Wait, what? My son’s friend, traveling in China, is staying at a hotel chain called ‘James Joyce Coffetel’, and instead of a Gideon Bible, they leave a copy of Ulysses by the bedside.

Huge thanks to @markcarruthers7.bsky.social and Colin Davidson for being such entertaining and inspiring guests at tonight’s @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social event in Dromore Cathedral. Lovely to see so many people there - and to hear their very positive reactions afterwards. #TwelvePaintings

Dromore Cathedral is the beautiful venue for our event with Colin Davidson, @markcarruthers7.bsky.social, and @mikephilpott.bsky.social tomorrow evening at 7.30pm ♥️

Thanks to @stubailie.bsky.social for coming along last night to entertain us with tales from the music world over the past 40 years. Everyone really enjoyed it! Thanks, as ever, to @mikephilpott.bsky.social for hosting. You can pick up all of Stuart's books in-store now!

So sorry to learn of the death of lovely Charlie Warmington. The first producer I worked with on my first day at the BBC, and one of the good guys.

Yup it is.

Grandson James makes his (brief) TV debut tonight in the wonderful Trespasses on Channel 4. Here he is on set with his dad Adam, First Assistant Director. If you listen carefully you might hear my voice as a newsreader, too.

@junec.bsky.social Hi June, just got the email containing your Personal Anthology. I’ve read a few (such as Bullet in the Brain and Fox 8) but thanks for introducing me to the others.

I’ll be in conversation with Mark Carruthers and Colin Davidson on Dec 2, courtesy of @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social Really looking forward to this very special event. Tickets are selling fast. Get yours at www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...

We had a wonderful evening with #IrishBookWeek ambassador @sheilawriter.bsky.social last night. Sheila chatted openly and warmly with @mikephilpott.bsky.social and spent time signing and posing for photos with her army of fans! It was just lovely to be in her company ♥️

Tomorrow evening, an actual legend of Irish fiction will be in Dromore! Join us for an evening with @sheilawriter.bsky.social chatting with @mikephilpott.bsky.social. Plus, I've just remembered that tomorrow is my birthday so you absolutely must come along! www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...

Can we take a moment to talk about our event with @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social... Everyone was absolutely enthralled and could have sat until morning listening to Wendy chat to @mikephilpott.bsky.social about her work, her influences, and what's next. When I grow up, I want to be as cool as Wendy!

What a magnificent evening’s conversation with the wonderful @wednesdayerskin.bsky.social organised by @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social One of those guests you just feel lucky to have met.

@ronanhession.bsky.social Hi Rónán, just watched the first three episodes of Leonard and Hungry Paul. What beautiful, slow-paced, heartfelt television. Nothing will ever top the book, but they’ve certainly done it justice.

I will again say that my favourite way of telling someone to fuck off in French (often chanted to opposition crowds at football games) is rentre chez toi, ta mère a fait des gaufres. It means "go back home, your mother made you waffles"

Watch out for this in a couple of months’ time. One of the Guardian’s autumn TV highlights. @louisekennedy.bsky.social

Another autumn event added! On Mon 6th Oct, it will be a real pleasure to welcomeStephen Travers (Miami Showband)to Dromore to chat with @mikephilpott.bsky.social about his new book, The Bass Player. This will be one not to be missed! Tickets 👇 www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...

My most treasured possession. It was extremely rare for him to sign an autograph in case they were sold on eBay.

So sorry to learn of the death of Commander Jim Lovell, one of the bravest of the brave. Had the honour of meeting him in 2004, when he told me he was sorry the Apollo 13 story overshadowed the achievements of Apollo 8, the first time humans had reached the moon.

Thought for the day.

i saw this man tie a damsel to the train tracks while wearing a top hat

Say hello to the ✨LIMITED EDITION✨ #BooksAreMyBag tote for #BookshopDay (11 Oct)! Designed by Ashwin Chacko, this one is a beauty! £15.99 — BUT you can pre-order now for just £12.99! Perfect for books, snacks, or a small cat -it's your choice. bridgebooksdromore.co.uk/product/limi...

Donald Sutherland Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978) #OnePerfectShot

This is the last thing the BBC needs

Not sure this is something I’d be crowing about.

I’ll be in Dromore Cathedral as part of the #DromoreBookFestival tomorrow evening to mark the launch of The One You Least Suspect at 7.30pm with the brilliant Stuart Neville and @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social Tickets available here: www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/co-...

This should be a fascinating event at #DromoreBookFestival with two former BBC colleagues! Tickets available here 👇 @mikephilpott.bsky.social www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...

Got to pick a sister event, which the code will also work with. Sarah Gilmartin, Caoilinn Hughes and @garrettcarr.bsky.social in conversation with @mikephilpott.bsky.social will be a very special evening. www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...

Two weeks today 😱 The nerves have really started to kick in. If you want to help settle them, you could book a ticket... www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books

I'll be at the Irish Literary Salon in London tomorrow evening with Annie Macmanus and Michael Magee. There will also be music from Maria Kelly. Click below for tickets 🎟️ londonirishcentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

A timeline cleanser. Lovely. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

5 famous people you’ve met but one is a lie: Margaret Thatcher King Charles James Lovell Michelle Pfeiffer Tom Hanks

Still one of my favourite photographs. David Bowie and Tilda Swinton as each other.

Finally, somebody says it as it is. www.instagram.com/reel/DIAxSJB...

Many old Irish sayings contain wisdom that’s applicable today. But my favourite is a proverb warning against launching into something that’s impractical, poorly planned, or just plain unhinged. It goes ná bolt do dhoras riamh le cairéad bruite and it means “never bolt your door with a boiled carrot”

Spotlight on the #DromoreBookFestival guests continues with Brian Rowan. Brian, an award-winning journalist and former BBC correspondent, brings his powerful book Living With Ghosts to the festival where he will chat with former colleague @mikephilpott.bsky.social. Expect craic!

The Dromore Book Festival spotlights continue! Next up: Brian McGilloway in conversation with Stuart Neville. Two of my favourite authors, so i can’t wait for this one! Brian's new book, The One You Least Suspect, will be available on the night! Pls share! www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/co-...

Let’s have an hour of blues and jazz. Here’s Jimmy Witherspoon and Ben Webster. youtu.be/j6R-mKBYOeg?...

Just been on Twitter. I think I need a bath.

Bread and circuses, as Juvenal would have said. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

How curious - 2 Medal of Honour winners, one - US born Charles C Rodgers - had his US DOD page erased and replaced with 'DEI Medal' - the other - Irish emigrant to the US - Joe H Thompson - was untouched...

Are you free between the 5th and 10th of May? If you are, why not come along to Dromore's first ever book festival! Check out the fantastic line-up of authors via the link, and while you're there, why not treat yourself to a week of bookish chats & craic! www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books

A prime example of why these ‘plans’ for ‘efficiency’ rarely succeed. More frequent reassessments cost money and take time, add stress and make people sicker.

If ITV had carried on making Heartbeat it would be set in the 1990s by now, meaning the characters would be able to settle down and watch the first few series of Heartbeat.

One of the finest artists of our time with one of the finest songs. The age of his face finally matching the age of his voice. youtu.be/pbktJytZvTY?...

*Taps Screen* I'VE ONLY GONE AND WON THE ISLAND OF IRELAND INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOP OF THE YEAR IN THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS!! *Faints*

Two wrongs have never made a right - and will never.