"This wasn't our fault, but we don't feel safe to go back to the area knowing that these people who did this could be walking among us, in the shops, when we're driving, in the park." Awful story, and a way to help the victims: A fundraiser to help the family has been set up on website chuffed.org..

My word. The Taoiseach, in China, says "platforms can be misused and abused or they can be used for positive reasons as well..." and says that should be considered carefully "before jumping to conclusions" on whether it's appropriate for the Government to be on X.

THE MACHINE - BY DESIGN - IS ALLOWING PEOPLE TO REMOVE WOMEN'S CLOTHING WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT AND TO MAKE CSAM. How are we at 'good sides to it too, you know?'?

Folks, @womensaidireland.bsky.social have closed their X account on principle. Follow them here, give them some real engagement to acknowledge both the rightness of that decision, but also of letting go of high follower numbers (even if the algorithm meant that no longer signified actual reach).

Nollaig na mBan Shona daoibh go léir, Happy Women's Christmas - a great day to celebrate and recognise all Irish women writers and their contributions. We are so lucky to have them all!

I'll be chatting about books I love in Kevin St Library (10 min walk from St Stephens Green) next Tuesday at 6.30pm if you're looking for great book recommendations to get you through the winter. @dublincitylibs.bsky.social dublincity.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spyd...

Happier January - Day 1: Find three things to look forward to this year actionforhappiness.org/happier-janu... #HappierJanuary

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir! 🎊 Happy New Year! 🎉

Sorry but we literally debunked this like last month when he did this dog whistle. Fintan O'Toole literally did the maths, in the Times no less, that showed that this isn't true. Why are we bothering to publish such an obvious lie when we know it's a lie?

I'm alive because of regular platelet donors like these. There are only 2,000 donors in Ireland, and platelets are vital for neo-natal units, cancer treatment and post-surgery. As 2026 resolutions go, becoming a donor is a good one. More info at giveblood.ie/platelets www.rte.ie/news/2025/12...

This is true and I was the only one on set excited about it (and playing the song on my phone to blank stares)

My plea to all Irish-language publishers: ebooks. Please. Please make things available as ebooks (across various platforms, ideally).

Big thank you to all the people working through Christmas looking after everyone

Nollaig Shona ó TG4 🎅🏻 Sheasfá sa sneachta ag éisteacht le Séamus & Caoimhe ✨

This is an almost shockingly wise essay. I'm glad I've finally read it.

A CHRISTMAS CAROL This night 26 years ago was the lowest point in my adult life. After six months in Sweden I had no job, no prospects and about three euro in my pocket. I didn't want to be here any more. In truth, I didn't want to be anywhere any more. I was a total failure.

Antifascist stickers spotted in Dundee, Scotland

It was such a joy to celebrate Hanukkah with Mandy, Kathryn and their son, Gideon. As Jewish New Yorkers across our city prepare to light candles and mark the seventh night today, I wish you and your families a Hanukkah full of light and love. youtu.be/KIxAKyioXng

Manhattan Peanut factory owner reacts to Luas Finglas project

Great letter in today's Irish Times refuting the ridiculous assertion that standing in solidarity with the Palestinian people is unfairly 'singling out' Israel, in fact the apartheid state is singled out by the so-called international community but for total impunity for its crimes. #FreePalestine

Má tá spéis agat i scéalta stairiúla, is fiú go mór 'Tír Bheag' a léamh! 📚 Is úrscéal do dhaoine fásta é seo a bhuaigh Gradam de Bhaldraithe ag Na Gradaim Foilsitheoireachta i 2025. Léigh an léirmheas ag LoveLeabharGaeilge.ie

Friends. €2,500 gets us to target... The appeal is open until Christmas, but if we do this by Friday I can knock off for the break 🙂 Donate €2.50, €25 or the full €2,500(!!!!!) Shares also hugely welcome! Almost there....... www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...

Fuinneog speisialta ag Charlie Byrne's bunaithe ar Liosta Mór na Leabhar in Comhar! 📚

Would you like to win €250 to spend in Cantina Valentina? €200 for Coppinger or Orwell Road? THREE different boutique stays in Waterford, Kilkenny or Cork? Here's what we're giving away in December... www.allthefood.ie/single-post/what-atf-insiders-are-going-into-the-draw-for-in-december

Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama. Us: Across your entire career? Reiner: In a 6 year period. Us: That sounds- Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.

The cultural impact of Rob Reiner cannot be understated. Legend isn't big enough a word. It goes to 11. You can't handle the truth. As you wish. I'll have what she's having. I'm your number one fan. You guys wanna see a dead body? The very idea of a bucket list. The West Wing. All from his movies.

As a director, Rob Reiner released these five movies all in a row 1986 Stand by Me 1987 The Princess Bride 1989 When Harry Met Sally… 1990 Misery 1992 A Few Good Men All remarkable and vastly different films, showing extraordinary range and talent

📌 ciaraioch.com is now taking Christmas orders for prints, cards, and vouchers - each archival-quality print on heavy art paper is made in Ireland, ships internationally in eco-friendly packaging with discount tracked postage, and comes with a FREE card and treats for every customer 🎁 #SpéirGorm

Horrific news emerging from Sydney. A murderous attack on its Jewish community as they meet to celebrate Hanukkah. Antisemitism is never acceptable in any form - this is unbridled hate at its absolute worst. Please hold the Jewish community in your thoughts and in your hearts.

Extraordinary courage from Ahmed al Ahmed, a Muslim, 43-year-old father of two, who bravely risked his life to save his neighbors celebrating Hanukkah. Praying for his full & speedy recovery. And so deeply inspired by his example.

🙏📽️ Thanks so very kindly, Carolita 🙏 Because of you, I added Bᴇᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ᴏғ Hɪᴍ (1946) to my "🚂 LADY ON A TRAIN (1945) 🚂" Letterboxd list. "Deanna Durbin sings 'Danny Boy' for Charles Laughton in BECAUSE OF HIM (1945)" www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymWr... What a vox❣️ #KindlyCarolita #DeannaDurbin 👩‍🎤🎙️ 🙏📽️

Rud a d'fhan liom ón seoladh oíche Dé Máirt, ná go ndúirt an tUachtarán gur d'fhoglaim sí an teanga arís mar dhuine fásta. Iontach tábhachtach go bhfuil scéaltaí mar curtha chun cinn.

Eist le seo, leabhair Ghaeilge den scoth!

It was such a busy day I didn't notice an immense act of generosity, and not for the first year, from the incredible @jconnollybooks.bsky.social in my Xmas Appeal. He is one of the great ones... That puts us just shy of €12,000. Every €10 and every €1,000 helps! www.idonate.ie/rick

"A contemporary monolingual dictionary is an essential resource in any living language, in which the language itself and its uniqueness are defined in its own words and by its own community, instead of constantly being defined through the medium of another language," said President Connolly.

We've hit ten grand in my Xmas Appeal this year, anything you can do to get us to eleven would be amazing... www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/r...

*COVER REVEAL* for Tonight the Music Seems So Loud: The Meaning of George Michael. It has been a dream to spend a year and a half on this subject and I'm excited for people to read the book in 2026. Pre-orders now open for UK and US editions, early signed editions, etc. Link: shorturl.at/qhPlJ

2025 Favourite Reads🧵 9th year posting a list of books I've enjoyed

So apart from being very talented my brother David is very brave. While his film Eternity was being wrapped up he had a very serious diagnosis and he has written about it here time.com/7339094/eter...

The great Martin Parr has died. I was a huge fan... I spoke to him only six weeks ago on Arena and he was full of plans for the future. It's well worth the listen. www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...

Always a fantastic appeal to support, donate if you can. Good on you Rick! 🙌🏻

I'll be giving a talk in Cabra Library next Thurs at 6.30pm about books to help you get through the winter. 24 recommendations - fiction, essays, poetry & memoir. Something for everyone, hopefully! Part of @dublincitylibs.bsky.social Wintering Well programme dublincity.spydus.ie/cgi-bin/spyd...

I hate the modern "spectacle" of draws for football competitions with the fire of a thousand suns. As you were. #WorldCup

Ireland will not participate in next year's Eurovision Song Contest, and it will not be broadcast by RTÉ, after the European Broadcasting Union confirmed that Israel will be allowed to take part

You shouldn't expect to sing in the singing competition or play international football or be welcomed into the wider culture while committing genocide, creating famine, and murdering journalists with impunity.

My head nearly fell off. The actual Minister for Health said this? m.independent.ie/irish-news/t...

Loving the 'Our Flag' initiative. This is exactly what we need. Us people of migrant background reclaiming the Irish flag as our own and emphasising this is our home too.

Finally it's time to bring out the big guns... You probably already know that we adopted our three boys from the NSPCA over the last few years - George and TJ Back in 2020 during lockdown... 🧵

I've been busy reading over the last while because I've been asked by @dublincitylibs.bsky.social to give a talk about books to brighten up the winter evenings! 📚 💕 I'll be in Raheny Library on Wed 10th and Cabra Library on Thurs 11th Dec at 6.30pm Please share 🙏 www.dublincity.ie/events/books...