I can’t change anything happening in the US, so I try not to spend time talking about its lamentable situation But I did want to say it seems clear that the US president was hesitating over starting his land war against Venezuela He called a national briefing where he was expected to make his case

The fucking state of the British government. The pettiness of this.

Evil people promote indifference to politics as well as resentment of 'the other' They've lots of practice.

Sometime ago I was on here looking for a probation officer who was working in 2010 in the UK and who also might have worked with prisoners pre release. I can’t remember who got in touch but if there is anyone who fits the bill, pls get in touch. It’s for a book, Many thanks. Please repost ;)

Vase of 'flowers' - Citrine, agate, jasper, chalcedony, rock crystal, silver, gold, enamel Dionysio Miseroni, 1647/1648 (Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien)

James Connolly's business card, 1898.

imagine my surprise that 2 of the 6 in NI are Yanks

Not much. I know very little, as it turns out!

Down to -5.4c at my station at 22:11

And there ya have it… Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”

Northern Ireland has always had talent; what it lacked was courage in politics. Being named by the Belfast Telegraph as a 2026 rising star is more than recognition for Mal O’Hara, it’s proof that values-driven leadership is breaking through. 1/4

‘Some nights I do not sleep’: Families remember 16 sectarian killings in 24 hours in North. To mark the 50th anniversary of the Kingsmill, O’Dowd and Reavey murders, I spoke to relatives of the victims, who are angry at the insults added to injury over the years. www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...

It means absolutely nothing to anyone concerned right now but here's what the United Nations says about kidnapping Heads of State. legal.un.org/ilc/texts/in...

#DerelictIreland is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to dysfunctional Ireland. All the below is true, and people continue to shrug and say “what can we do”? “We have no choice for Govt but FFG”!

This morning the United States launched an unprovoked attack on Venezuela and has claimed it kidnapped President Nicolas Maduro. People Before Profit denounces this attack and calls for the Irish Government to condemn the US and demand the release of President Maduro. People Before Profit TD Paul

Yes, a democratic transition in Venezuela is urgently needed. BUT: Violent air strikes to enforce regime change destroy a rules based world order. They do not offer a lasting path to peace or democracy. But bring more violence. The EU has to clearly react and stand up to defend international law.

After five years of reviewing translated fiction for @irishtimes.com this is my last column. It has been a real privilege and I have loved doing it, but I need to focus on my writing and lighten my workload. Thanks sincerely to @martindoyle.bsky.social for the opportunity and to all the readers 🙏

NEW: A mass propaganda event is about to engulf the US news cycle and what, if anything, survives it will be a lesson for our times. But it’s what the rest of the world does now that’s key. When someone tells you who they are, believe them. broligarchy.substack.com/p/the-threat...

Today at around 5pm, The Earth was at its closest point in its orbit of Sun to the Sun. For the next 6 months we will move away from the Sun. ☀️ Astronomy fact of he day.

Well worth reading, excellent article from @justinemc.bsky.social of @irishtimes.com : www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...

We actually made our first meme. Of 2026.

And “they” are also “us” which is what really stings. I think I need to stop kidding myself that the EU is a democracy in any meaningful sense. There is an unaccountable elite with a completely different set of priorities to the rest of us calling the shots.

We need to do something about our over reliance on US FDI #SpeirGorm Will Micheál Martin condemn the attack on Venezuela or does he think it would be merely “performative” like he does with the Occupied Territories Bill?

What a load of bollox by Landlord Minister Michael Healy-Rae on short-term lets & with record homeless figures too He must really hate rural Ireland & all it represents if he wants it to be full of empty homes He's a harsh reminder of our colonial landlords #DerelictIreland #SpeirGorm

Unoccupied short-term lets, wide scale vacancy & dereliction & record homelessness All enabled by politicians such as the Landlord Minister Michael Healy-Rae It shouldn't make sense but when you throw in greed & the money making opportunities things become much clearer #DerelictIreland #SpeirGorm

4.2m beds offered to tourist 45k potential homes* used as hotels These empty homes won't appear on @GeoDirectory_ie or @ESBNetworks vacant homes data even though 96% of them lie empty this month #VacantIreland #DerelictIreland #everyoneshouldhaveahome #spéirgorm *If average homes is 3 bed

Crap news for Micheál Martin, on the US list of "People we need to kidnap when talking over Ireland", he's behind Mr. Tatyo and Daniel O'Donnell. #SpeirGorm #spéirgorm

Solidarity is beautiful ❤️ Cork City Ireland now #speirgorm

Genuinely wonder how European and Irish leaders do respond to this. How are Denmark, Greenland or indeed the people of Ukraine and Taiwan feeling too?

BREAKING: Israel has explained it had no choice but to ban Doctors Without Borders after discovering the organisation had been infiltrated by doctors x

The truth about the #TripleLock halfway down this article www.thejournal.ie/readme/opini...

Some story for one story!

They are not too bright, that is for sure. Venal yes, self-interested yes, bright no.

This is the first time in history that a County Clare hotelier has kidnapped the leader of another country

Like when a thief transitions your wallet to his pocket.

Lo, they hath emerged, the Queens Of Winter ❄️ Prints: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...

The Tánaiste, speaking in June last, said plainly that the EU is not in line with international law in regard to the occupied Palestinian territories. That is beyond question. So EU statements today suggesting that it always upholds international law are simply false.

Breaking...

Artists as the world crumbles around us

Bronze Age Complex at Kealkill • Cork West Cork is one of the best places in Ireland to explore Bronze Age monuments thanks to its rich copper deposits. This evocative example of a Bronze Age ritual landscape is hidden in the Maughanclea Hills at Kealkill. #Ireland #SpéirGhorm #Archaeology 🏺

I know the EU is still on holiday (complimentary) but we should see the same speed of response here. And what happened to Minister Patrick O’Donovan’s plans to protect children on the internet, now X dot com is generating actual CSAM of real children? Is he only interested in surveillance?

There is a file in De Valera's papers concerning this forest. www.ucd.ie/archives/col...

Ní duitse a chum mé an dán. Féach, níor mhol mé thusa ann. Ní buar ná bólacht ná gabhar bán atá dlite dom mar chúiteamh ann. Ní bóramha don Bhé ach oiread é - ós ag caint ar eallach mé. Ní do chúirt filíochta ach oiread é ná don aos dána ar an ngiúiré.

An Irish rainforest sky at dusk Nature's artistry.

“If we are serious about protecting our children, we could start by protecting them from the politics of fear” ~Colin Sheridan @colinivan Irish Examiner ☕️🥐

A fresh appeal has been made for information in the case of a woman who disappeared without a trace from Waterford more than three decades ago. Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the disappearance of 22-year-old Imelda Keenan. www.thejournal.ie/imelda-keena...

Destitute despairing #DerelictIreland

Customized for #speirgorm