Eimear O'Sullivan

President Catherine Connolly has called for action on war, genocide and climate change, saying the normalisation of war “has never been and will never be acceptable” to Ireland, a nation with a long tradition of neutrality and peacekeeping.

#VMNews

"Tír gan teanga, tír gan anam"💚🇮🇪☘️

Uachtarán Catherine Connolly🙌
@president.ie

The Future Speaks Irish! Why Ireland’s new confidence in its own language has unsettled the establishment

"When The Sunday Times columnist Alison O’Connor warned that the rise of the Irish language might be “creating a them-and-us situation,” she revealed less about the language than about the anxieties of Ireland’s establishment commentariat."

substack.com/@senmacbrdai...

Not because I had a small part to play but because now more than ever we need to amplify kindness and human connection, let me share with you the Tale of Kathleen & John

After I had given directions to Kathleen (as I was to learn was her name) she headed off with her trusty walking frame, Esmeralda

We've transformed our city in many ways in the last five years. This street used to be full of cars. Now there's music, laughter, food, people sitting down. Life slows down a little bit on Parliament Street.

Bodléar le @darachoscolai.bsky.social foilsithe ag @leabharbreac.bsky.social

Fiche le Colm ó Ceallacháin, foilsithe ag Leabhar Breac

Foilsithe ag Cló Iar Chonnacht

Festschrift do Phádraig ó Héalaí ( ó UCG/NUIG ) foilsithe ag Cló Iar Chonnacht

Roinnt teidil nua as Gaeilge ar ais sa stoc inniu, tá sár chuntas tugtha ag @ronanmaccon.bsky.social sa leabhar Gluaiseacht ar scéal Chearta Sibhialta na Gaeltachta. #gaeilge

Some of the reactions to President Connolly intending to make Irish the working language of the Áras really give a glimpse into the "fastest goalposts in Ireland" environment that Gaeilge is forced to justify its existence in.

The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.

Ní fada uainn ócáid mhór na An Post Irish Book Award nuair a bhaileoidh údair, craoltóirí, foilsitheoirí, maisitheoirí agus teaghlaigh le chéile do fhógairt na mbuaiteoirí an gheall seo:
Léigh tuilleadh ag www.loveleabhargaeilge.ie/fogairt-ghea...

@forasnagaeilge.bsky.social

Comhghairdeas leat, Jackie!

Spare a thought for those who don’t talk the (Irish) talk new The Kneecap factor is making Irish trendy but there is a danger of creating a ‘them and us’ situation between those who understand it and those who do not

It’s impossible not to look at this in the context of how nationalism in various forms seems to be sweeping the globe. It is expressed varyingly. We see it with the weaponising of the tricolour in neighbourhoods as an anti-immigrant symbol. Clearly wanting to see more Irish spoken is of an entirely different order. Yet, given the times we live in, there were high levels of zealotry in the recent campaign. Whether people like to admit it or not, the shaming of Humphreys on the language front fed the sectarian abuse that was fomented by some during the campaign. Those who wish to speak or relearn Irish should feel entirely free to do so. Some are doing it in ways that attempt to be inclusive. It would, I think, be a matter of regret to almost every Irish person if the language disappeared. But there is a danger of it being talibanised. There are so many of us out there who simply don’t understand it, no matter how beautiful the Irish being spoken. Some might even consider it rude to continue at length in a language in which statistically over half of those present in the room will not understand what is being said.

Being a professional full-time "opinion columnist" is akin to a career as a Victorian hat maker.

It doesn't matter how stable, thoughtful, and intelligent you are at the outset; the working conditions will inevitably turn you into a dribbling, incoherent lunatic.

Every far-right riot and protest that was tolerated, every racist dog whistle from public reps, every bit of hate and misinformation allowed to spread by social media companies, all led to this moment in Drogheda last night where someone felt emboldened enough to try to burn children alive.

A brilliant night at our pub quiz this evening! Great people, lots of fun, and as always, full solidarity with our Palestinian sisters and brothers. Thanks to all! #FreePalestine #SolidarityIsAVerb

Irish Times headline: "Remain calm, keep time low: What experts advise if 'doorstepped' by the Burke family"

Imagine being such a family of melts that a national paper issues a guide to dealing with you where the advice is similar to that of if you encounter a bear while hiking.

I talk to so many people who say they don't want to be there but "feel they have to".

You don't if you don't want to.

It's dead.

Move on.

I left in 2023 and haven't regretted it for a second...

It's 2 years since the launch of my chapbook Traces in Pearse St Library - such a special evening with family, friends, neighbours & work colleagues all cheering me on😍 It still amazes me that I published a book and I am very proud of it! If you're thinking of doing it yourself I'd recommend it.

The Past Knocking on the Door by Caitríona O’Sullivan Caitríona O’Sullivan is a writer of personal essays, memoir and poetry. Her work has appeared in the Irish Independent and her poems have placed in the Knocklyon Literary Festival and the Cat…

"The 'bing-bong' of our old-school doorbell chimed. The answer to who was there was not given by a camera doorbell but simply evidenced by which day of the week it was."

www.writing.ie/tell-your-ow...

A lovely, evocative piece written by my sister Caitríona. Instantly recognisable to anyone who grew up in 1980s/1990s Dublin.

The Past Knocking on the Door by Caitríona O’Sullivan Caitríona O’Sullivan is a writer of personal essays, memoir and poetry. Her work has appeared in the Irish Independent and her poems have placed in the Knocklyon Literary Festival and the Cat…

"The 'bing-bong' of our old-school doorbell chimed. The answer to who was there was not given by a camera doorbell but simply evidenced by which day of the week it was."

www.writing.ie/tell-your-ow...

Saying that it's "too hard" to get on the Irish president ballot when an independent woman got the entire Irish left to back her, got the biggest vote ever and beat two historically dominant parties is not just wrong - it is breathtakingly offensive and outrageously dishonest.
#Aras25 #Speirgorm

Catherine Connolly got more votes than any other president in history - any pol corr or commentator trying to convince you that the story is actually the spoiled votes is showing you their whole arse, and should be treated accordingly.

An illustration of a tall man with glasses looking at a woman in a pink shirt, leaning against the covers of this year’s nominees

Our Song has been shortlisted for an Irish Book Award! It’s up for the Popular Fiction Book of the Year prize and you can (and should) vote for it here: www.irishbookawards.ie/vote/

I think Ireland should pride itself that people consider uprooting and starting new lives here. It wasn't too long ago that people were leaving this country in their droves for new pastures elsewhere.

What I learnt from Irish folk singing sessions Fame means nothing; sing for the room you’re in; slow down and listen. Patrick Freyne’s lyrical lessons for life

I’ve a piece in the Financial Times magazine about the stuff I’ve learned from singing sessions www.ft.com/content/3954...

What ATF Insiders could win in October! Season of the witch? Season of the GIVEAWAYS more like, with our paying subscribers, going in the draw for day of the dead dinners, restaurant vouchers, and fancy food and wine hampers. Everyone…

It's not scary season, it's giveaway season 🤩. Here's the line up of prizes you'll be in the draw for if you're signed up to ATF Insiders in October, & how to sign up to Dublin's most essential club for food and restaurant lovers 👑 www.allthefood.ie/single-post/what-atf-insiders-could-win-in-october

RTÉ Arena Live | Fri 24 Oct, 6.50pm - Pavilion Theatre Join Arena and the RTÉ Short Story Competition judges for insights into the art of the short story, live music and performances from this year’s shortlist, and the announcement of the top prizes.

You should come out and join me for a live show next Friday night...

We have @jancarsonwrites.bsky.social, @neilhegarty.bsky.social, Tristan Rosenstock, live music from David Kitt, and live readings from a host of Irish actors...

www.paviliontheatre.ie/events/view/...

Happy Friday!! It's Leonard and Hungry Paul day💛 First two episodes on tonight on BBC 1 starting at 9pm.
Really chuffed for my pals
@ronanhession.bsky.social @ofmooseandmen.bsky.social

This is exactly why we do what we do, and don't accept invites or gifted experiences. People's hard earned money is of VALUE, most don't have the spare cash to throw around on substandard experiences. They deserve honesty at the least, but if you just want free content you'll get what you pay for 🥜🐒

Three weeks after opening, and a massive media storm, it looks like Entrecôte Dublin has permanently closed. Here's the story if you missed it... www.allthefood.ie/single-post/...

Ní fada uainn anois Seachtain na Leabhar Éireannach! 📚☘️

Bí linn ó 18 - 25 Deireadh Fómhair le moltaí léitheoireachta a fháil ‘chuile lá!

@forasnagaeilge.bsky.social #LoveLeabharGaeilge #SeachtainNaLeabharÉireannach #IrishBookWeek