Seán O Regan

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Syria: Council statement on the lifting of EU economic sanctions The Council issued a statement on the lifting of EU economic sanctions on Syria.

EU lifts economic sanctions on Syria

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Tánaiste welcomes announcement of EU review of Association Agreement with Israel

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Tánaiste's joint statement with 🇮🇸 🇱🇺 🇳🇴 🇸🇮 and 🇪🇸 colleagues, expressing grave concern about the Israeli plans and actions in Gaza. The international community must act now at this decisive moment to avert further catastrophe.

Tánaiste's Statement on the situation in Gaza

Tánaiste's statement on Gaza

Ireland is a guest at the G20 meeting in South Africa this week.
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a circular bronze shield, decorated with a series of six concentric repoussé ribs, six intermediary rows of bosses and a large circular boss in the centre

This fine example of sheet bronze-working was found after drainage works lowered the levels of water at Lough Gur.

It is believed to date to around c.1000—700 BCE. The shield is very light, and may have been used for ceremonial or display purposes rather than in war.

Statement from An Tánaiste, Simon Harris, T.D.

Statement by the Taoiseach on the Agreement between Israel and Hamas

Statement by the Tánaiste on the Middle East Ceasefire

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Statement by the Tánaiste

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Still life by Margaret Pickering O Regan. Mum would have been 91 yesterday.

Serendipity sent this my way yesterday. Can corporate entities be bullies?

Statement by the Tánaiste.

Following on from the other day, another four beautifully original butter wrappers: Freshford, Outrath, Greybridge and Golden Vein. Enjoy! 😊 BM

Winter morning sky

Statement on Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

EU colleagues in Tehran, including the Irish Ambassador, marked the start of 16 days of activism. #orangetheworld

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Family history!

Swan with wings aloft in canal alongside barge

Grand Canal this morning:

Malta

My grandfather cut more turf in a day Than any other man on Toner’s bog. Once I carried him milk in a bottle Corked sloppily with paper. He straightened up To drink it, then fell to right away Nicking and slicing neatly, heaving sods Over his shoulder, going down and down For the good turf. Digging. The cold smell of potato mould, the squelch and slap Of soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edge Through living roots awaken in my head. But I’ve no spade to follow men like them. Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it. from ‘Digging’ by Seamus Heaney

‘Between my finger and my thumb
The squat pen rests.
I’ll dig with it.’

We’re getting started here on Bluesky, and thought the best possible way to introduce ourselves on a new platform would be our poem of the week, ‘Digging’ by Seamus Heaney.

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My first #posting was in #Helsinki and I always enjoy going back there.

I was in Amman recently for a meeting with colleagues in the region.

Looking for gardeners to follow here on Blue Sky too. My Dublin garden has been my pet project since I moved back from London and bought the house in 2020. The Ma and Aunt were great plantswomen and I picked up some of their know-how. Always want to learn too...