Mark

Having to update the firmware of a lightbulb. Truly, modern life is so efficient. Now. Where’s the app?

The photo shows four images of the same Roman iron stylus pen, one below the other. The knib to the left. It has an inscription which runs along its length on four sides. The four images show the four lines of inscribed text which read: ‘ab urbe v[e]n[i] munus tibi gratum adf(e)ro
acul[eat]um ut habe[a]s memor[ia]m nostra(m)
rogo si fortuna dar[e]t quo possem
largius ut longa via ceu sacculus est (v)acuus’ ‘I have come from the City. I bring you a welcome gift with a sharp point that you may remember me.
I ask, if fortune allowed, that I might be able (to give) as generously as the way is long (and) as my purse is empty.’ The pen was used to write on wax-filled wooden writing tablets. Found in London (Roman ‘Londinium’) by MOLA. Photo by Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA

Timeless humour!

A 2,000 year-old Roman souvenir pen with a joke inscription roughly equivalent to:

“I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen!" 😂

Dated circa 70 AD, this iron stylus pen was recovered in London during excavations by MOLA.
📷 Juan Jose Fuldain/MOLA

#Archaeology

A large red-brick Georgian-style building with a central clock above the entrance, tall sash windows, and a steep stone spire topped with a weather vane. The building has symmetrical chimneys and steps leading up to the main doorway, with bright sunlight creating a lens flare in the bottom right corner.

Just 1 week to go until #EHOD! Join us at Clifton House on Sat 13 Sept, 10am-12pm for a drop-in open day.

Explore Belfast’s historic gem, meet our guides, and discover its rich history—no booking needed. Onsite parking available.

I still get notions if I bag the front seat of a double decker up the Antrim Road.

Picture of front facade of Old Museum Belfast

BNH&PS Inaugural Lecture
3 September 2025
6.30pm Old Museum Building

Belfast Natural History & Philosophical Society with Sir Ronnie Weatherup, President of the Belfast Charitable Society on ‘The Poorhouse, Poores Money and Poor Relief’- including the development of Clifton House.

Just chillin in Athens

Mural removed from Grand Central Station before unveiling - BBC News The BBC understands the portrait was of singer Van Morrison and remained covered for a month after its installation.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

The public art bit didn’t work out well either!

At least they have a Brewdog.
Oh.

*Grand

Also. Translink missed a trick with their pointlessly voluminous new train station in Belfast.

This is one of the most impressive pieces of architecture I’ve ever seen. And by a Dublin based couple of architects - Heneghan Peng Architects. Róisín Heneghan and her husband Shi-Fu Peng. Even the details of the many names of Egypt in the main door columns are perfectly placed.

One of the fun things about the Grand Egyptian Museum is the buggy that takes you from ticketing to the main entrance. Every museum needs buggies!

Visited Great Egyptian Museum today, with its official opening in October. Stunning. Hard to show scale of place with phone pics. Wonderful collection of artefacts.

Let’s just say the main thought going through my mind watching this was, “Why?!”

Wasn’t there a time that parents rioted at Belfast’s old Mayfield Leisure Centre, I think over a fake Barney the Dinosaur?

Great day today at Belfast Potters’ Market in No2 Royal Avenue. And picked up an early Halloween gift from @jamesstanleywatson.bsky.social Brilliant to see No2 Royal Avenue packed out.

It appears to be correcting itself now

Here comes your AI medical / technical / military future.

I managed to install my new laser printer last month by completely and utterly ignoring the installation instructions.

Just pedestrianise it. No more faffing #HillStreet #Belfast

Photo portrait of Baroness May Blood

Meet Baroness May Blood, the third remarkable woman in our Belfast Women’s Talk! She left school at 14 to work in Blackstaff Linen Mill, proud to be a Milly for 38 years.

Join us on August 5 at Clifton House, 1pm—few tickets left!

cliftonhousebelfast.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Pictures of MARY ANN MCCRACKEN, WINIFRED CARNEY AND BARONESS MAY BLOOD

BELFAST’S REMARKABLE WOMEN TALK: MARY ANN MCCRACKEN, WINIFRED CARNEY AND BARONESS MAY BLOOD
Clifton House Belfast 1pm
5 Aug 2025 visitbelfast.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

Table football (futbolín). The classic version was invented by Galician anarchist poet Alejandro Finisterre. While convalescing in Montserrat, Catalonia after wounded by a fascist bomb in Madrid in 1936. He felt sorry that the amputee kids couldn't play real football, so he came up with idea.

Dear Erin - This Is Not Us - EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin | Official Site We created a trailer for a film that we hope never gets made, and filled it with all of the tired, clichéd portrayals of Irish people often seen in Hollywood movies.

Well played EPIC, well played...

epicchq.com/dear-erin-th...

Clifton House will be closed from tomorrow, Friday 11th July, through to Monday 14th July. There will be no tours this weekend.

But don’t worry — we’ve got some exciting tours coming up soon!
Check out our upcoming schedule and plan your visit to enjoy the history of Clifton House with us.

Join Us for an Inspiring Talk at Clifton House as part of the @FeileBelfast with @laurensmytg.bsky.social and others.
Hear how Mary Ann McCracken championed the rights of the poor & explore how Winifred Carney & May Blood challenged political barriers. visitbelfast.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/...

#OnThisDay 1770 Mary Ann McCracken was born to Captain John McCracken+his wife Ann. She would go on to led one of the most remarkable lives Belfast’s history.

Her motto, which accurately sums up her character, was that it was ‘better to wear out than to rust out’.

#womenshistory #HERstory