As of the time of writing, all boats from the Somud Flotilla have been intercepted by Israel, their crews kidnapped and now in Israeli custody. I, like many people, fear for their safety. While Israel has returned members of previous flotillas that they intercepted to their home countries, the Somud flotilla was such a massive … Continue reading The Somud Flotilla Has Been Intecepted, What Has It Achieved, And What Now?
Gaza, Is It Time For A Different Type Of Hope?
It's coming up to October. Which means, we have spent the last two years witnessing one of the worst genocides of the 21st century. Live-streamed. There are horrors burned into my mind that I don't think I'll ever forget. The last ever phone call of Hind Rajab. Learning of human beings being deliberately burned to … Continue reading Gaza, Is It Time For A Different Type Of Hope?
What About The Other Injustices?
If you are an activist for trying to end the mass slaughter of the people in Gaza, a question you will sometimes be asked is, what about the other injustices in the world, surely it's not just Gaza where there is a mass slaughter happening? And that is absolutely true. The sad, horrifying reality of … Continue reading What About The Other Injustices?
Trying To Make Sense Of Absolute Insanity
This blogpost is partly inspired by this video, featuring Taigh Hickey and Greta Thunberg: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bQQy0D6UCgg Before this video was released, if you told me there was going to be a video with Taigh and Greta, I'd have been like, "Yes, this is the best thing that ever happened ever! Like one of those Marvel crossover … Continue reading Trying To Make Sense Of Absolute Insanity
The Cynical Canonization Of Charlie Kirk
To start with an obvious statement, the assassination of Charlie Kirk is completely unacceptable, and has no place in any civilized society, or even semi-civilized society. The police already have a man in custody, and, if he is found guilty, he deserves to spend a very long time in prison (I don't agree with the … Continue reading The Cynical Canonization Of Charlie Kirk
Shorts, T-Shirt, And A Raincoat, A Battle Between Summer And Winter On The Nagle Mountains
It's September 14th now, so, it's around that time when you start to to accept, Winter will arrive, our time is limited, better enjoy the last days of sunshine. But it's a quite ambiguous time of year, on previous years, the week after this day could be, bitter cold, like Winter came early, or, beautiful … Continue reading Shorts, T-Shirt, And A Raincoat, A Battle Between Summer And Winter On The Nagle Mountains
New Sights And Sounds Around Courtmacsherry
I often see or hear new birds I've never seen before around Courtmacsherry. This is in large part because the area is effectively three bird friendly environments in one. It's got few if any of those Coilte plantations, and I've written about those here: https://autismneurodiversity.com/2025/06/12/bottlehill-forest-is-a-great-place-to-listen-to-bird-song-but-it-shouldnt-be/ And a lot more proper woodlands that are nice places … Continue reading New Sights And Sounds Around Courtmacsherry
The Strange Tale Of How The Courtmacsherry Estuary Became A Haven For Birds
https://imgur.com/wXmJSh8 A curlew flying over the Courtmacsherry Estuary. One of my passions is getting clear photos of curlews in flight. I see that splendid plumage and the elegant, elephant like beak, and the camera is at the ready. Sometimes it's nice and clear like the one you see here, and sometimes it's a blurry mess. … Continue reading The Strange Tale Of How The Courtmacsherry Estuary Became A Haven For Birds
The Wonderful Birdlife Of The Coolim Cliffs
Last year, during my yearly visit to the Coolim Cliffs, I wrote this: https://autismneurodiversity.com/2024/08/16/magnificent-insects-on-the-coolim-cliffs/ And perhaps some of you are thinking, wouldn't it be great if I wrote another post about the birds of the Coolim Cliffs? Well, your wish will very soon be granted, and by very soon I mean immediately, because that's what … Continue reading The Wonderful Birdlife Of The Coolim Cliffs
How I Went From Hating The Irish Language To Wishing I Was Able To Speak It.
Like most Irish people, I'm a monolingual English speaker. That's broadly how it is across the country. Within Europe, Ireland is a weird outlier in that way. Before I developed severe travel anxiety, I visited Germany, France, Portugal, Hungary, Poland, Iceland, Italy and Norway, and there, people who speak both their native language and English … Continue reading How I Went From Hating The Irish Language To Wishing I Was Able To Speak It.