Appaling from Ireland.
November 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Appaling from Ireland.
My article in today's Irish Times looks at the unintended consequences of the free booksheme for physical books in homes.
November 4, 2025 at 7:27 AM
My article in today's Irish Times looks at the unintended consequences of the free booksheme for physical books in homes.
This is not an enjoyable game.
Ref, surface, coverage, all awful.
Ref, surface, coverage, all awful.
November 1, 2025 at 8:59 PM
This is not an enjoyable game.
Ref, surface, coverage, all awful.
Ref, surface, coverage, all awful.
Appaling from whomever is directing the TV coverage so far.
November 1, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Appaling from whomever is directing the TV coverage so far.
Here's a trailer for a doc called Brothers on Three about a West Point rugby team. Seems alright until you see a player jump out of a tackle...
(It's against the laws of rugby to jump out of a tackle)
youtu.be/hoX_CtU7p8c?...
(It's against the laws of rugby to jump out of a tackle)
youtu.be/hoX_CtU7p8c?...
Brothers on Three (Trailer) -- OPENING IN THEATERS NOVEMBER 7TH!
YouTube video by Five By Eight Productions
youtu.be
October 25, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Here's a trailer for a doc called Brothers on Three about a West Point rugby team. Seems alright until you see a player jump out of a tackle...
(It's against the laws of rugby to jump out of a tackle)
youtu.be/hoX_CtU7p8c?...
(It's against the laws of rugby to jump out of a tackle)
youtu.be/hoX_CtU7p8c?...
What happened to Henshaw and Rignrose?
Why persist in trying to out muscle Munster?
Great win!
Why persist in trying to out muscle Munster?
Great win!
October 18, 2025 at 6:18 PM
What happened to Henshaw and Rignrose?
Why persist in trying to out muscle Munster?
Great win!
Why persist in trying to out muscle Munster?
Great win!
Was that a kick for 3 points or for Andy Farrel?
October 18, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Was that a kick for 3 points or for Andy Farrel?
This is from today's Irish Times and reveals just how ridiculous the Junior Cycle English Specification is.
There's no way to cover all the material, yet we are expected to cover it all.
In the same sentence that short stories "non-literary" texts are mentioned.
How many?
What kinds?
No idea.
There's no way to cover all the material, yet we are expected to cover it all.
In the same sentence that short stories "non-literary" texts are mentioned.
How many?
What kinds?
No idea.
October 8, 2025 at 1:09 PM
This is from today's Irish Times and reveals just how ridiculous the Junior Cycle English Specification is.
There's no way to cover all the material, yet we are expected to cover it all.
In the same sentence that short stories "non-literary" texts are mentioned.
How many?
What kinds?
No idea.
There's no way to cover all the material, yet we are expected to cover it all.
In the same sentence that short stories "non-literary" texts are mentioned.
How many?
What kinds?
No idea.
My article in Tuesday's Irsish Times asked whether it is time to make Shakespeare an option at Higher Level English rather than being compulsory, as he is now.
September 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
My article in Tuesday's Irsish Times asked whether it is time to make Shakespeare an option at Higher Level English rather than being compulsory, as he is now.
Reposted by Conor Murphy
Fortnightly 192:
Nicholas Carr's 'Superbloom' | Rachel Cusk |
@j-amesmarriott.bsky.social on reading in crisis | @conorsmurf.bsky.social
on Shakespeare | @timothysnyder.bsky.social on Ukraine and kindness | AI guidelines from @irishsciteach.bsky.social
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/192-wherev...
Nicholas Carr's 'Superbloom' | Rachel Cusk |
@j-amesmarriott.bsky.social on reading in crisis | @conorsmurf.bsky.social
on Shakespeare | @timothysnyder.bsky.social on Ukraine and kindness | AI guidelines from @irishsciteach.bsky.social
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/192-wherev...
192: Wherever life pours ordinary plenty
Nicholas Carr, Rachel Cusk, Caoilinn Hughes, Kyra Davis Lurie, James Marriott, Daisy Christodoulou, Conor Murphy, Mary Oliver, Timothy Snyder. And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
September 27, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Fortnightly 192:
Nicholas Carr's 'Superbloom' | Rachel Cusk |
@j-amesmarriott.bsky.social on reading in crisis | @conorsmurf.bsky.social
on Shakespeare | @timothysnyder.bsky.social on Ukraine and kindness | AI guidelines from @irishsciteach.bsky.social
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/192-wherev...
Nicholas Carr's 'Superbloom' | Rachel Cusk |
@j-amesmarriott.bsky.social on reading in crisis | @conorsmurf.bsky.social
on Shakespeare | @timothysnyder.bsky.social on Ukraine and kindness | AI guidelines from @irishsciteach.bsky.social
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/192-wherev...
Reposted by Conor Murphy
I have been waiting a good many years for a new Shane Meadows to come along and it turns out he is Irish. Canty is a major talent.
September 19, 2025 at 2:06 PM
I have been waiting a good many years for a new Shane Meadows to come along and it turns out he is Irish. Canty is a major talent.
Anyone know where I can get a DVD copy of Song of Granite?
Want to use it in school.
(Easier when it's a dvd)
Want to use it in school.
(Easier when it's a dvd)
September 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Anyone know where I can get a DVD copy of Song of Granite?
Want to use it in school.
(Easier when it's a dvd)
Want to use it in school.
(Easier when it's a dvd)
Highest 2 Lowest doesn’t quite work. The pacing is off and the a turning point feels unearned.
But the film is fascinating in its exploration of culture, of doubles, of "class."
It's a film with lots to say, and lots for us to discuss.
Watch it.
But the film is fascinating in its exploration of culture, of doubles, of "class."
It's a film with lots to say, and lots for us to discuss.
Watch it.
September 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Highest 2 Lowest doesn’t quite work. The pacing is off and the a turning point feels unearned.
But the film is fascinating in its exploration of culture, of doubles, of "class."
It's a film with lots to say, and lots for us to discuss.
Watch it.
But the film is fascinating in its exploration of culture, of doubles, of "class."
It's a film with lots to say, and lots for us to discuss.
Watch it.
Reposted by Conor Murphy
To be fair though the oral is mentioned, and they don't seem capable of implementing it, so isn't this just a fantasy text?
September 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
To be fair though the oral is mentioned, and they don't seem capable of implementing it, so isn't this just a fantasy text?
Has Shakespeare been removed as a requirement for HL Leaving Cert English?
He's not mentioned in the new spec, published today.
He was in the Requirements section if the draft, but absent from it now!
www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/cea...
He's not mentioned in the new spec, published today.
He was in the Requirements section if the draft, but absent from it now!
www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/cea...
www.curriculumonline.ie
September 2, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Has Shakespeare been removed as a requirement for HL Leaving Cert English?
He's not mentioned in the new spec, published today.
He was in the Requirements section if the draft, but absent from it now!
www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/cea...
He's not mentioned in the new spec, published today.
He was in the Requirements section if the draft, but absent from it now!
www.curriculumonline.ie/getmedia/cea...
Reposted by Conor Murphy
Fortnightly 190 is out:
Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/190-all-th...
Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/190-all-th...
190: All things begin in dreams
Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
August 30, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Fortnightly 190 is out:
Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/190-all-th...
Florence Knapp, Adrian Lester on Othello, R.C. Sherriff, Anne Enright and Joseph O’Connor on John McGahern, essays on Leaving Certificate English, Oscar Wilde's trials and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/190-all-th...
This blog asks whether it's time for Shakespeare to be optional at Higher Level Leaving Cert English.
It opened up an interesting debate on Facebook, but not much on twitter.
Which is interesting.
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com/2025/08/is-i...
It opened up an interesting debate on Facebook, but not much on twitter.
Which is interesting.
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com/2025/08/is-i...
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com
August 30, 2025 at 8:19 AM
This blog asks whether it's time for Shakespeare to be optional at Higher Level Leaving Cert English.
It opened up an interesting debate on Facebook, but not much on twitter.
Which is interesting.
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com/2025/08/is-i...
It opened up an interesting debate on Facebook, but not much on twitter.
Which is interesting.
thevideotrolley.blogspot.com/2025/08/is-i...
Drama, Film and Theatre, an LC subject, update:
1. No equipment
2. Last minute text change
3. Possibly no computers. Thus, no ability to actually complete the Film aspect of the course. (That's 50% of the course)
4. Schools still struggling with finding, adapting, rooms
1. No equipment
2. Last minute text change
3. Possibly no computers. Thus, no ability to actually complete the Film aspect of the course. (That's 50% of the course)
4. Schools still struggling with finding, adapting, rooms
August 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Drama, Film and Theatre, an LC subject, update:
1. No equipment
2. Last minute text change
3. Possibly no computers. Thus, no ability to actually complete the Film aspect of the course. (That's 50% of the course)
4. Schools still struggling with finding, adapting, rooms
1. No equipment
2. Last minute text change
3. Possibly no computers. Thus, no ability to actually complete the Film aspect of the course. (That's 50% of the course)
4. Schools still struggling with finding, adapting, rooms
Reposted by Conor Murphy
Our latest episode is now online, with @conorsmurf.bsky.social and @natashawaugh.bsky.social joining us to talk about Celine Song’s “Past Lives”, which is on the new Drama, Film and Theatre Studies course on the Irish Leaving Certificate.
www.soundcloud.com/the250/431-p...
www.soundcloud.com/the250/431-p...
431. Past Lives - Leaving Cert 2025 (#---)
Hosted by Andrew Quinn and Darren Mooney, with week with special guests Conor Murphy and Natasha Waugh, The 250 is a weekly trip through some of the best (and worst) movies ever made, as voted for by
www.soundcloud.com
August 16, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Our latest episode is now online, with @conorsmurf.bsky.social and @natashawaugh.bsky.social joining us to talk about Celine Song’s “Past Lives”, which is on the new Drama, Film and Theatre Studies course on the Irish Leaving Certificate.
www.soundcloud.com/the250/431-p...
www.soundcloud.com/the250/431-p...
Reposted by Conor Murphy
Our latest episode is now online, with @conorsmurf.bsky.social & @niallmurphy.bsky.social talking about "The Quiet Girl", one of the films on the new Leaving Certificate Drama, Film & Theatre Course.
We discuss the Irish language, stocism and - of course - biscuits.
soundcloud.com/the250/430-a...
We discuss the Irish language, stocism and - of course - biscuits.
soundcloud.com/the250/430-a...
430. An Cailín Ciúin (The Quiet Girl) - Leaving Cert 2025 (#---)
Hosted by Andrew Quinn and Darren Mooney, with week with special guests Conor Murphy and Niall Murphy, The 250 is a weekly trip through some of the best (and worst) movies ever made, as voted for by I
soundcloud.com
August 9, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Our latest episode is now online, with @conorsmurf.bsky.social & @niallmurphy.bsky.social talking about "The Quiet Girl", one of the films on the new Leaving Certificate Drama, Film & Theatre Course.
We discuss the Irish language, stocism and - of course - biscuits.
soundcloud.com/the250/430-a...
We discuss the Irish language, stocism and - of course - biscuits.
soundcloud.com/the250/430-a...
An article in The Echo about my wife, Aislinn, and the work she does. This one looks at the gender affirming tattooing she offers.
August 6, 2025 at 8:44 AM
An article in The Echo about my wife, Aislinn, and the work she does. This one looks at the gender affirming tattooing she offers.
Reposted by Conor Murphy
Our podcast schedule for the next few weeks.
AUG. 2: "I'm Not Scared", w/ @conorsmurf.bsky.social
AUG. 9: "An Cailín Ciúin", w/ Conor & @niallmurphy.bsky.social
AUG. 16: "Past Lives", w/ Conor & @natashawaugh.bsky.social
AUG. 23: "The Green Mile", w/ Charlene Lydon & @cethanleahy.com.
AUG. 2: "I'm Not Scared", w/ @conorsmurf.bsky.social
AUG. 9: "An Cailín Ciúin", w/ Conor & @niallmurphy.bsky.social
AUG. 16: "Past Lives", w/ Conor & @natashawaugh.bsky.social
AUG. 23: "The Green Mile", w/ Charlene Lydon & @cethanleahy.com.
August 4, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Our podcast schedule for the next few weeks.
AUG. 2: "I'm Not Scared", w/ @conorsmurf.bsky.social
AUG. 9: "An Cailín Ciúin", w/ Conor & @niallmurphy.bsky.social
AUG. 16: "Past Lives", w/ Conor & @natashawaugh.bsky.social
AUG. 23: "The Green Mile", w/ Charlene Lydon & @cethanleahy.com.
AUG. 2: "I'm Not Scared", w/ @conorsmurf.bsky.social
AUG. 9: "An Cailín Ciúin", w/ Conor & @niallmurphy.bsky.social
AUG. 16: "Past Lives", w/ Conor & @natashawaugh.bsky.social
AUG. 23: "The Green Mile", w/ Charlene Lydon & @cethanleahy.com.
Reposted by Conor Murphy
This week, we're kicking off the first of three weeks looking at the films added to the Irish Leaving Cert Curriculum with @conorsmurf.bsky.social.
This week, a film making a surprise return to the English curriculum, Gabriele Salvatores' "I'm Not Scared."
soundcloud.com/the250/429-i...
This week, a film making a surprise return to the English curriculum, Gabriele Salvatores' "I'm Not Scared."
soundcloud.com/the250/429-i...
429. Io Non Ho Paura (I'm Not Scared) - Leaving Cert 2025 (#---)
Hosted by Andrew Quinn and Darren Mooney, with week with special guest Conor Murphy, The 250 is a weekly trip through some of the best (and worst) movies ever made, as voted for by Internet Movie Data
soundcloud.com
August 2, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This week, we're kicking off the first of three weeks looking at the films added to the Irish Leaving Cert Curriculum with @conorsmurf.bsky.social.
This week, a film making a surprise return to the English curriculum, Gabriele Salvatores' "I'm Not Scared."
soundcloud.com/the250/429-i...
This week, a film making a surprise return to the English curriculum, Gabriele Salvatores' "I'm Not Scared."
soundcloud.com/the250/429-i...
Ryan has clearly been told to keep an eye on Skelton.
Love it.
Love it.
August 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Ryan has clearly been told to keep an eye on Skelton.
Love it.
Love it.
Darcy Graham coming off upset is the highlight of the tour so far, it shows us cynical tyoes that the team does matter.
Feel sorry for the guy. I'd have him over VDM.
Feel sorry for the guy. I'd have him over VDM.
July 22, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Darcy Graham coming off upset is the highlight of the tour so far, it shows us cynical tyoes that the team does matter.
Feel sorry for the guy. I'd have him over VDM.
Feel sorry for the guy. I'd have him over VDM.