Heather Humphreys on the News at One asked about her government's failings on issues like housing. She points to what they inherited in the construction sector and the economy. Unrelated: She has thanked Bertie Ahern, Mary Coughlan and Mary Harney for their endorsements since yesterday. #Aras25

I dressed as Heather Humphreys at Second Captains’ live show and failed to beat Catherine Connolly’s keepy uppy record. I’m sorry Heather. It’s over

You’ll notice that new developments in generative AI are always accompanied by new ways of depicting women without their consent—undermining their autonomy and harassing them—almost like it’s a pillar of the technology and its evolution

So, people are going to have to pass A level english to live here are they? I hope they study what I did at A level, Translations by Brian Friel, about the colonial evil of the English forcing people to adopt the English language

// Catherine Connolly Was There for Artists When It Mattered – Heather Humphreys Was Not // bit.ly/476RdnF Heather Humphreys is a former Minister for Arts who made a serious funding misjudgement during her tenure; Catherine Connolly’s support for artists offers a contrast, writes Toner Quinn.

I really think “We’ve made up a rapist. He doesn’t exist. Why won’t you condemn him?!?” is some of the most bizarre Brass Eye stuff we’ve ever seen

If anyone needs me I will be in the museum, lying down next to the bog bodies.

Two families stood waiting in Ramallah, one to welcome their loved one, one to mourn that they may never see theirs.

No no. No, we won't be doing that. We won't be brushing the last two years under the carpet just because there is a current ceasefire. This is appalling, Israel should not be allowed to participate until Palestine is free and Netanyahu is behind bars for war crimes, where he belongs.

“Israel forbade people from celebrating the prisoners’ release on Monday, firing teargas at family members and journalists waiting near Ofer prison.” Some Palestinians have been held prisoner with little food for decades but it was this detail that really got me. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

Palestinian families awaiting return of imprisoned relatives are shocked to learn they will be deported.

This bit in particular: what, our leaders just decided that the UN aid agency were terrorists, then replaced them with mercenaries firing machine guns at starving civilians? Everyone involved needs to be tried for war crimes then sent to prison for decades.

Let no man throw a stone at the foreigner; he may hit his own clan. - James Connolly 1908. Recalled in Cork 2025. Seagull approves.

Alarming -- and some useful practical suggestions at the end on how to avoid some forms of exposure www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Can we take him to court over this behaviour that is putting all of our lives at risk?

Fresh from his triumphant Áras campaign backing Jim Gavin, Micheál Martin again shows his deft political touch with this latest wheeze, one worthy of CJH himself or his FF mentor Bertie. Shocking stuff.

MM refusing to do anything on climate shows that he puts disproportionate weight on the opinions of lobbyists for data centers, car manufacturers, dairy, etc cause support for government action on climate change actually unites people across the country..so who is he talking about?

@rteradio1.bsky.social refreshed its line up -9-11am it’s David McCullagh, 11-1pm it’s Oliver Callan, 1.45-3pm it’s Kieran Cuddihy-so except for news where there may be a woman presenter, between 9-3pm it’s man, man, man. How refreshing it that? #manel #speirgorm #missedoppertunity #sameoldsameold

A message from Catherine on World Mental Health Day. As a former clinical psychologist, Catherine has a long legacy of calling for increased investment in mental health services and supports. On 24th October, vote for a President who will be a voice for those who are struggling to find their own.

I like this - vote for hope!

RTÉ Radio 1 is planning to add 5 extra hours a week to their sports coverage, presumably alongside the regular short bulletins in the morning and evening on weekdays and 8+ hours of sport on the weekends. There is no extra arts coverage announced. www.thejournal.ie/rte-radio-1-...

They did not ask about it. #aras25

As someone who has lost all the writing I published on sites I didn't own, DO THIS 👇

Affordable art space in Dublin City Centre, available now #speirgorm

And she was asked again on the Drivetime debate this evening about the cases she took on, as if it was by choice.

The Bar Council have been put in the position of having issue a statement correcting the false claims in both the IT and the Indo that Connolly took cases by choice when in fact she was meeting her professional and legal obligations as all barristers do. www.lawlibrary.ie/statement-fr... #Áras25

Here's Palantir's Louis Mosley, grandson of Britain's most famous fascist leader, talking about the importance of AI, if you aren't convinced yet that this is one big co-ordinated push towards the destruction of everything good in life. www.politicshome.com/news/article...

It’s always special to see authors holding their book. Earlier this week, we stopped by the Irish Theatre Institute to hand deliver copies of WTF Happened to its authors, Sarah Durcan and Lian Bell, and we were joined by Niamh O’Donnell of ITI. 🔗 Order a copy: bit.ly/wtf-happened

While it feels appropriate to leave the #WTFHappened launch early to go to the Gaiety to see a play by a female playwright, I'm still sorry to miss all the speeches - what a moment in Irish theatre, what a movement!

It happened. Last night I was feeling despair about a lot of different things and I realized I needed to enlist my dog’s help to make me feel better. I present to you Maggie the Pug as Cher Pugowitz.

New favorite octopus fact

Author and TD among five Irish people on board latest Gaza flotilla intercepted by Israel #speirgorm #stopthegenocide jrnl.ie/6838266

Five Irish citizens have been detained by Israel on new Gaza-bound flotilla, including author Naoise Dolan and independent TD Barry Heneghan. The others named by organisers as Fionn Macarthur, Veronica O’Keane, and Mutaz Jadaan. www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...

Survivors of childhood abuse (now aged in their 60's & 70's) are on day 16 of hunger strike outside the Dail over redress. Why is the State treating victims so abysmally that elderly people are hunger striking and sleeping on the streets to get justice? #Speirgorm www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

And why is it means tested based on your partner's income if you cohabitate? I am disabled and can't work and yet I can't marry or even live with my partner of almost four years or I'll be forced to depend on his income which, through no fault of his, is not large enough to support two people.

Mmm, the easiest solution here is probably get rid of 500,000 cars

The Basic Income for the Arts Scheme is €325 a week, similar to what they gave out during the pandemic. This is how much they've deemed one needs in order to live in Ireland. So why is disability benefit only €244? Why are disabled and sick people expected to live so far below the poverty line?

The amount of people I know who were suspect of Connolly's keepy-uppy video being AI and who looked closer to be sure of it is a good sign for media literacy.

An amazing detail. And kinda makes the Indo look like cops in America saying "WE GOT HIM" after someone phones in a tip saying "he's my son and I'm turning him in"

Some of the details included here of the treatment of the flotilla abductees are appalling

Israel has killed or injured more than 10 percent of Gaza's population over the past 24 months.

Last chance to check if your vote will be counted. checktheregister.ie/en-IE/ #OutForTheCount #Áras25 #HowManyKeepyUppies

Was there just about to be a set of questions about Jilly Cooper on University Challenge, rudely interrupted by the gong?

Hi friends. I'm writing an article about renting in Ireland! So please reply or DM with any renting stories you think would be interesting or reflective of modern life in Ireland. This can be anonymous or not, up to you. And feel free to share this. Thanks so much! #journorequest #speirgorm

Books Upstairs is a fine store with a particularly excellent poetry section. Why not support them by ordering your books online instead: booksupstairs.ie

Aw, Jilly Cooper. Always had a soft spot for her. Remember decades ago, deep into the last century, reading a short profile. She was asked to nominate a Happy Moment. She chose doing her make-up and stuff upstairs and hearing her husband downstairs uncorking wine with a pop for the imminent party.👑

New Gist: Jim Bows Out “For anyone who has ever had to deal with a landlord who took their cash this is the stuff of legend. You would let the monkey paw get you for it. “Who needs a soul?“, Faust would have said as he traded for this outcome.” www.thegist.ie/the-gist-jim...

Oooh! Game on! I’ve been surprised at the number of people who met Humphreys as a Minister and had very negative experiences. Heather called one (very gentle) friend “very aggressive” and said she would never meet with her again. #aras25

ENJOY your life! If it’s not fun, change it. You only get one ride on the rollercoaster. In my early 30s I had a job I didn’t enjoy & I kind of thought “well that’s how it is” but it’s really not. You get to make choices about your path in life. If the word “should” is involved… well…