“This will be our sixth nitrates derogation since 2006. Every time the derogation is extended, we hear the same commitments that water quality will improve. It has yet to happen. In fact, our waterways are continuing to deteriorate." Well said, Jennifer Whitmore 👏 www.agriland.ie/farming-news...

Next time I'm back I want to get a photo of white wading birds on the river in Kilkenny - just so I can title it "Nore egrets"

It was wonderful working with @jessiepb.bsky.social and Marie on Montgomery's drafts of Cruiskeen Lawn articles. We learned so much about the co-authorship of many of the Myles na gCopaleen pieces and about O'Nolan as an editor.

To mark the opening of the 8th @flannobriensoc.bsky.social conference, here's the prog for the 1st ever Flann O'Brien symposium, in Dublin 1986. With remarks from Evelyn O'Nolan, Hugh Kenner, John Ryan, Anthony Cronin, John Wyse Jackson & readings from Paul Muldoon, Cyril Cusack, Michael Longley etc

Very cool audio conference report by @maebhm.bsky.social from this summer's International Flann O'Brien Society conference in Strabane - both helping and exacerbating my FOMO for having missed it. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1...

"From this summer's International Flann O'Brien Society conference in Strabane ."

He stressed that Croatia could play a key role in ensuring stability for neighboring countries that are still dependent on Russian oil.

🇭🇷Croatia offers 🇭🇺Hungary and 🇸🇰Slovakia to replace Russian oil supplies. Croatian Prime Minister said that Hungary and Slovakia could replace Russian oil by importing it through the Adriatic oil pipeline. The supply volumes would meet the needs of the two countries.

pontalopud.hr/book-bridge-2025/ gets a kind mention in today's Irish Diary: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-i...

pontalopud.hr/book-bridge-2025/ gets a kind mention in today's Irish Diary: www.irishtimes.com/opinion/an-i...

Referring to events in Ballymena as "disturbances" is a euphemism too far. We are witnesses to a pogrom. And it behoves us to say so, loud and clear. www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle-co...

Just lovely to read this. Thank you so very much, Jude.

A superb piece of writing worth reading: #104: Campiones open.substack.com/pub/brussels...

Now over 990 people have signed, please add your name to support climate action, action on health and action on improving mobility: my.uplift.ie/petitions/tr...

This is the kind of thing that, if you saw it in a history book, you'd have a hard time believing it was possible www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

At the cloitre rouge

Not a great day for the Ket Klutz Klan

"Get a move on, dude - Marco Rubio's waiting for you to do his cross"

Of all the lies of the Holiday Home 'Ndrangheta, the first is that they're not asking Europe to fix Brexit for them. That is exactly what they're asking for. Here is Andrew Hesselden, noted collaborator of @bremaininspain.com , saying exactly that. 1

The South Africans will be up in arms over this.

@lauren o'connell

Plus ça change...... music.youtube.com/watch?v=x46x...

Frederick Douglas came to Ireland and met with Daniel O'Connell

I mean, here's the mood as regards third-country citizens being given extra rights in our countries. Esp. when you consider that France Visa Free demands more rights than any third country and indeed more than a MS. For **zero** contribution www.lbc.co.uk/news/france-...

#82: Brussels is trying to kill you open.substack.com/pub/brussels... another timely well written piece by one E Walsh.

In the latest @chrisgrey.bsky.social this gem is pointed out by the author with regard to Tim Shipman's new book. (Busman's holiday for you Chris, this Christmas?) This problem afflicts not just Mr Shipman's account, but also the wider Brexit and #JoinEU movements. A 🧵

💥Deadline Extension for An Fód Dúchais: Home, Heritage and Origins, the 8th International Flann O’Brien Conference💥 Get your proposals in by 14 February 2025. Join us and amazing keynote speakers Dr Tobias W. Harris (Birkbeck), Dr Michael Pierse (QUB), Dr Emily Ridge (Galway)

Montenegro Shooting Kills 10, Including 2 Children, Officials Say www.nytimes.com/2025/01/01/w...

Are the pollution numbers for Sarajevo really that bad?

Reading (I assume books) is such a relief isn't it? How long before "product placement" comes to books?

if you made art this year, you did well. a sketch, even if it was scrapped ; a poem, even if it was deleted — mattered. you put thought to paper, you engaged with the creative alchemy of turning feeling to something tangible. doesn't matter if you weren't productive "enough." or good "enough."

🇺🇦❤️‍🔥 Fury hugs Usyk RESPECT to Tyson! 🇬🇧✊

Extremely generous

Very excited to listen to the new 38 track album from Limerick born artist Aphex Twin open.spotify.com/album/72pxRH...

china’s population…one of the more important charts you’ll see.

graffiti art

Am excellent, hits-home piece by @patrickfreyne.bsky.social on burnout, capitalism, doing too much and remembering to make time for the people and things you love. www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...

This @patrickfreyne.bsky.social article is one of the best I've read in 2024. It's not the funny Patrick Freyne (although he is still very funny in it), it's a manifesto for better lives. I would also 100% buy his book "Dawdle". www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...

Come on...

Choose empathy. Read.

Yesterday I spent hours grilling a chicken, yet it still wouldn’t tell me why it crossed the road

Something is not quite right about this headline.... www.irishtimes.com/culture/tv-r...

Proper order.

Flanders is tuning down pork production with a sort of an early retirement program for the farmers!

As seen in London. Our nation seems to have matured and cast of some of the shame that held back empathy and a sense of justice. How much did Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan contribute to this? The quiet power of literature.

One of the reasons I like taking a spin on the bike is that it clears my mind of the daily grind leaves room for grander thoughts.

Anyone else getting weird follows on Bluesky lately........