Ali Mack
Ali Mack
@alimack13.bsky.social
Does Theatre, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, books of all kinds, a bit of IT, some environental caring and a touch of emergency planning. Worries about keeping freedom of choice, how we treat refugees and each other. She/Her
Reposted by Ali Mack
For the uninitiated, these are Irish Throwing Stars, an ancient weapon wielded by St. Brigid during the 1916 Rising, striking fear into the hearts of the British, and responsible for the eventual smiting of both Cromwell and Thatcher.
February 1, 2026 at 2:12 PM
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And once again, a personal appeal if anyone knows a hay supplier in any county around Dublin/Wicklow, I’ve lost mine for the coming months (rain crisis) and only have about a 3,week supply left for a small equine herd 😳
January 31, 2026 at 4:19 PM
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My first remarks since being arrested last night.
January 30, 2026 at 11:30 PM
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C'mon Ireland, we're nearly there.
Ireland:
8,305 signatures
10,080 quota
82.39%of quota

#gaza #israel #eu #petition #ireland #speirgorm #EuropeanUnion
It's baffling to me how Ireland is only on 65.30% of our quota for this (see citizens-initiative.europa.eu/initiatives/...) given our apparently vehement support of Palestinians. If you've not signed yet, do it, and get 5 friends to do it too. eci.ec.europa.eu/055/public/#... #speirgorm
Initiative detail | European Citizens' Initiative
citizens-initiative.europa.eu
January 29, 2026 at 12:42 PM
#spiergorm @octocon.bsky.social short story sessions and because we support our Irish authors. Also #booksky mini. Do we have a #shortstorysky?
My short story "The Cold Moon Crown" will be appearing in the Winter edition of WAXEN, which goes on sale February 1.

If you're into Christmas stories involving weird old-money families with skeletons in the closet, I daresay you might enjoy it.
January 29, 2026 at 7:53 AM
Consultation response time. Save our seaweed, our foreshore, our natural resources, our environment, our Ireland!

Over the top? Maybe a bit, but as we know now, small ripples turn into tsunamis when public opinion comes together to make a difference.
#speirgorm
Ireland desperately needs to put in place legally enforceable Marine Protected Areas. This is becoming a dangerous joke. The Ascophyllum is already dangerously overharvested as it is and will take 5 years to regenerate the way it's being cut.

www.maritimeregulator.ie/wp-content/u...

#Spéirgorm
www.maritimeregulator.ie
January 29, 2026 at 3:44 AM
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While we've all been distracted by the ongoing chaos in the US, cowboys keep cowboying around the world. I'm shocked that anyone would be so bold as to think any of this will get approved. But please write to relevant authorities and TDs to oppose this villainous attempt to destroy our environment.
January 28, 2026 at 4:03 PM
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I've never understood how nobody has ever written a novel about this before, but there was a brief time when the *Irish republican movement* possessed the first fully functional submarine.

Yes, you heard that right.

A short thread . . . 1/

#SpeirGorm #JohnPhilipHolland #Submarine
January 28, 2026 at 1:27 PM
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There's something in the water . . .

My new novel, coming soon.

#SpéirGhorm #SpeirGorm #Submarine
January 26, 2026 at 4:50 PM
The alt text for this picture is sublime. All kudos to @georgepenney.bsky.social
Here's the beach in question, taken on an unexpectedly charming sunny morning. (More in alt text)
January 26, 2026 at 2:53 AM
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River Slaney and Derneen very high this morning after the recent rainfall but some blue skies appearing this morning with just the odd shower. Sadly more rain to come with heavy rain Monday and especially Tuesday.
January 25, 2026 at 10:09 AM
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No way we let Sweden get over the line on this ahead of Ireland.

Tell your friends. This isn’t just any old petition, this mechanism has EU clout.
358 806 signatures for the full suspension of the EU-Israel association, more than 1/3 of what is needed and 4 of the 7 countries needed over 100%.
tinyurl.com/mv8fzdhu

☑️Belgium 103%
☑️Finland 100.5%
☑️France 296%
Ireland 58.7%
Italy 79.8%
Netherlands 31%
Poland 51.4%
☑️Spain 111.9%
Sweden 81.6%
January 25, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Reposted by Ali Mack
Our early bird memberships for Octocon 2026 are selling fast! (Weekend Attending & Concession only.)
Get yours asap to make sure you can join in all this year's activities.
octocon.com/join-us
#Octocon #SciFi #Fandom #Fantasy #conventions #Ireland #SpéirGhorm #SpeirGorm
January 24, 2026 at 1:45 PM
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358 806 signatures for the full suspension of the EU-Israel association, more than 1/3 of what is needed and 4 of the 7 countries needed over 100%.
tinyurl.com/mv8fzdhu

☑️Belgium 103%
☑️Finland 100.5%
☑️France 296%
Ireland 58.7%
Italy 79.8%
Netherlands 31%
Poland 51.4%
☑️Spain 111.9%
Sweden 81.6%
January 24, 2026 at 1:35 PM
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Board of Peace - Season 1
January 24, 2026 at 7:45 AM
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An observation test for your inner 8-year-old.
You’ll be doing well to spot 12 deliberate mistakes.

From Treasure magazine, 1963
Official answers coming soon

(Even if you don’t reply, could you please ‘like’ or share this one?)
January 24, 2026 at 8:17 AM
#speirgorm in case anyone would like to save a bit of history
UCD #CitizenScience event🌀
Met Éireann is calling on the public to help rescue millions of historic weather observations currently held in handwritten paper records.

Dr. Rhonda McGovern will run a free hands-on workshop on 27 Jan in James Joyce Library Link 3.

Register: buff.ly/sRvPXca
January 24, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Reposted by Ali Mack
The New Yorker wanted this but I said I’d put it up on Bluesky at half 8 in the morning instead.
January 24, 2026 at 8:36 AM
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The average winter temperature inside a British house in the early 1970s was 12C. And probably considerably colder 50, 100 or 150 years before then when more people relied on hearths. I usually find it implausible in historical movies set in eg a medieval castle if actors strip off for a sex scene 🥶
Was intrigued, rereading the wonderful The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, to find somebody’s house having central heating being noted as remarkable. In 1973!

And indeed, only about 30 percent of UK homes would have had central heating when the book was published.
January 24, 2026 at 8:56 AM
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Weather models total rainfall forecast up to midday Wednesday on first 2 images are concerning with a lot more rain to come and possibly even more after that as last 2 images show totals up to midday Friday.
January 23, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Ali Mack
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

Two tiny humans (1?) are being carried in different directions down a busy street. Their mums cross paths and Tiny Human Strangers reach out their hands, momentary touching fingers, expressions marvelling at seeing another so small as themselves. (1)
January 22, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Reposted by Ali Mack
Getting ready to fall over for the night, but just to say: Gotta buy a hearing aid soon, and it’s unfortunately gonna be pricey. Want to assist? Buy a stack of DRM-free ebooks, cheap! (Offer not available in the UK due to Brexit—sorry.) https://ebooks.direct/products/ebooks-direct-whole-store-bundle
Ebooks Direct Whole Store Bundle
This ebook bundle (not available in the UK: details below) contains our complete inventory of non-new-release* works. All our ebooks are DRM-free, and come with the usual EBD lifetime replacement guar...
ebooks.direct
January 23, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Commissioned authors announcement!!! We're delighted to announce our third and final commissioned author is the one and only Ian McDonald 🚀🚀🚀

If you'd like to see your work alongside Ian's then get your submissions to us before 31st January!!!

#sciencefiction #ireland #author #kindofabigdeal
January 22, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Ali Mack
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand:

A woman (20s?) in a sunny yellow gingham dress is standing in a sunbeam outside a cafe. Holding a tiny new human to her chest and gently rocking side to side. Looking down at Tiny New Human with a soft smile. This is love. (1)
January 21, 2026 at 11:14 PM