I’m struck by how the scramble for an All-Ireland ticket mirrors my academic research. It feels very much like the myth of meritocracy, largely about who you know. Systems that seem fair often hide deeply embedded gatekeeping. Am I onto something, or just in need of a break? Up the Kingdom! 💚💛

Very excited after the first meeting of the Irish Judicial Studies Network this morning. We have just set up an account here: @IrishJSN.bsky.social - follow for news and events!

Registration is now open for the upcoming conference 'Law &… Reflections on Law and Interdisciplinarity with Early Career Researchers from Ireland and the UK' 📅 June 12 2025 📍 NUI Building, Merrion Square, Dublin 💡 Full programme ➡️ registration link 🔗 Register: lnkd.in/e2Q5yJ4x.

Registration is now open for the upcoming conference 'Law &… Reflections on Law and Interdisciplinarity with Early Career Researchers from Ireland and the UK' 📅 June 12 2025 📍 NUI Building, Merrion Square, Dublin 💡 Full programme ➡️ registration link 🔗 Register: lnkd.in/e2Q5yJ4x.

In this piece for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social I look at the idea of 'unconstitutional constitutional amendments' (and its problems) through the prism of recent rule changes to Gaelic football – do sports and constitutions have a core essence which are *unchangeable*? www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...

Call for Papers: The Irish Political Constitution. Symposium date: Friday 28th November 2025, NUI Merrion Square. Deadline for Abstracts: 30 May 2025 We have an agreement in principle to publish a special issue of the Irish Jurist containing papers presented at the symposium

From Super Junior Ministers to the role of an Ceann Comhairle the political constitution is a hot topic atm. If you research in this area, consider putting in an abstract for our conference on this in Dublin on 28th November, a special ed of the Irish Jurist will follow. Abstracts due 30th May.

Am co-organising a symposium on the Irish Political Constitution with @alangreene.bsky.social and @laurcah.bsky.social Call for papers is currently live. If you have any interesting ideas on the topic, or know anyone who does, please do submit an abstract.

Great talks on power imbalances yesterday at UCD #PostdocsSpotlight by @saoirseenright.bsky.social, @cballantine.bsky.social and Mohammad Altaf Hossain @ucdgearyinst.bsky.social Here all gathered for the discussion panel, moderated by @josietaylor.bsky.social #UCDResearchCulture

Worth a listen.

Credit to @saoirseenright.bsky.social for alerting us to these - an interview with Brian Walsh with the original audio www.insidelives.org/politics/jud...

FAO any scholars interested in judicial studies - I am hoping to establish an Irish Judicial Studies Network to develop this area of legal studies in Ireland and to create opportunities for research collaboration. If interested - or if you know anyone who might be interested - please let me know!

New book arrived in hardbook - thanks to all the amazing authors. It is available open access here: www.lhlt.mpg.de/publications...

Thrilled to see the latest edition of the DULJ arrive on my desk this morning. What an opportunity it was to comment alongside @laurcah.bsky.social on the work of Conor Casey and @orandoyle.bsky.social A pre-publication draft of our Afterword is available at: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is seeking someone to take a leading role on its Tanzania and Zambia programmes.

Thrilled to see the latest edition of the DULJ arrive on my desk this morning. What an opportunity it was to comment alongside @laurcah.bsky.social on the work of Conor Casey and @orandoyle.bsky.social A pre-publication draft of our Afterword is available at: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is recruiting a legal research, knowledge management and training manager.

With my PhD submitted, viva imminent, and only a short time left in my current role. Anyone know of any vacancies coming up? Happy to consider academic roles, public sector, NGOs, or any other industry requiring a legal researcher. Ideally on the island of Ireland, or flexible/remote posts.

C'mon Littler!!

Only in the Kingdom 😝

The recommendation to research diversity in the Judiciary to inform a diversity strategy for appointments, coupled with efforts to enhance diversity in the solicitor and barrister professions, is essential for creating a fair and inclusive legal system that reflects the society it serves.

We also recommend further research be carried out into diversity in the Judiciary to inform a diversity strategy for appointments as well as research on the impact issues such as salary, pension, retirement restrictions, etc have on recruitment of judges in Ireland. 4/6

Today my report with Carol Lynch on Judicial Selection Procedures, funded by IRC has been published by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties: www.iccl.ie/2024/report-... 1/6

2 yr Post-doc, Edinburgh-- Leverhulme-funded, ‘A History of Hurt Feelings and the Law, c.1750-present’. Collaboration betw Prof Chloë Kennedy (Edinburgh), Prof Katie Barclay (Macquarie) and Dr Alice Krzanich (Aberdeen). elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/Candid... #skystorians 🗃️ #c18th #c19th

Saturday strolls 🥰

Former Law Society president Michele O’Boyle SC and former Bar Council chairperson Paul McGarry SC are among six new appointments to the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).

Applications are open for the Professional Cert in Social Justice,a 10 credit programme offered by UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice.The programme allows you to take one masters module,covering a variety of topics,in either 1st or 2nd semester. www.ucd.ie/socialpolicy...

Never too far from the Kingdom!

Terms like 'disadvantaged' reinforce stigma. Education that values merit based on privilege, rather than capability and effort, reflects the inequalities inherent in our society. People with power would do well to reflect on the broader impact of their decisions. www.irishtimes.com/ireland/educ...

Everything You Didn’t Really Want To Know, And Therefore Didn’t Really Care To Ask, About The Seanad Elections! (🧵)

Doing Feminist Legal Work have partnered up with the Law School at UL to have an event on Feminist Drafting: Legislation Activism & Reflection - more details in the link below #feminism #feministlegalstudies #DFLW dflw.ie/feminist-dra...

This encounter highlights a key limitation of legal biography, as it underscores the challenges of obtaining relevant personal insights when direct engagement is not possible.

Back in the hen house. Today is off to a good start #THL

The use of ‘exile’ is both powerful and evocative in this context. It prompts a reflection on a crucial aspect of Walsh J’s legacy that offers valuable lessons for the superior courts of today.

The sign of a tough day 🤷🏼‍♀️