Erin Bair
@eebair.bsky.social
Lover of long novels, old friends, and black coffee. Aunt of four, priest, doctoral student, former redhead, newbie Irishwoman.
I’m flying back to the US next week for several weeks. Things I’m looking forward to, in no particular order:
American-size washing machines
Tacos
Garbage disposals
Tacos
La Croix
Tacos
A bathtub (there are bathtubs in 🇮🇪, I just don’t have one)
Snow
Tacos
American-size washing machines
Tacos
Garbage disposals
Tacos
La Croix
Tacos
A bathtub (there are bathtubs in 🇮🇪, I just don’t have one)
Snow
Tacos
November 12, 2025 at 1:12 AM
I’m flying back to the US next week for several weeks. Things I’m looking forward to, in no particular order:
American-size washing machines
Tacos
Garbage disposals
Tacos
La Croix
Tacos
A bathtub (there are bathtubs in 🇮🇪, I just don’t have one)
Snow
Tacos
American-size washing machines
Tacos
Garbage disposals
Tacos
La Croix
Tacos
A bathtub (there are bathtubs in 🇮🇪, I just don’t have one)
Snow
Tacos
“The times are urgent; let us slow down.”
- Báyò Akomolafe
- Báyò Akomolafe
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
“The times are urgent; let us slow down.”
- Báyò Akomolafe
- Báyò Akomolafe
As someone who’s back in an academic setting for the first time since 2007, can I just say that reference management software is AMAZING?
November 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
As someone who’s back in an academic setting for the first time since 2007, can I just say that reference management software is AMAZING?
Someone on this train has a donkey braying as their ringtone.
I’ll grant you, it’s not as bad as nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing against styrofoam. But it might be close.
I’ll grant you, it’s not as bad as nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing against styrofoam. But it might be close.
November 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Someone on this train has a donkey braying as their ringtone.
I’ll grant you, it’s not as bad as nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing against styrofoam. But it might be close.
I’ll grant you, it’s not as bad as nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing against styrofoam. But it might be close.
I took the train from Dublin to Belfast today, and I got more done in those 2 hours than I have all week.
I’m starting to think maybe I should just start riding trains randomly around the country to see if I could actually get somewhere on this dissertation.
I’m starting to think maybe I should just start riding trains randomly around the country to see if I could actually get somewhere on this dissertation.
November 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I took the train from Dublin to Belfast today, and I got more done in those 2 hours than I have all week.
I’m starting to think maybe I should just start riding trains randomly around the country to see if I could actually get somewhere on this dissertation.
I’m starting to think maybe I should just start riding trains randomly around the country to see if I could actually get somewhere on this dissertation.
For those who say the protesters yesterday were extremists who hate America and capitalism, I give you my parents—including my dad, a veteran and a banker. #NoKings
October 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
For those who say the protesters yesterday were extremists who hate America and capitalism, I give you my parents—including my dad, a veteran and a banker. #NoKings
Well, I continued my habit of seeking out incredibly depressing art for “fun” — but @abbeytheatre.bsky.social’s production of “The Boy” was absolutely worth it. One day, two plays, and many stellar performances — especially Eileen Walsh and Frank Blake. Highly recommend.
October 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Well, I continued my habit of seeking out incredibly depressing art for “fun” — but @abbeytheatre.bsky.social’s production of “The Boy” was absolutely worth it. One day, two plays, and many stellar performances — especially Eileen Walsh and Frank Blake. Highly recommend.
“There are many forms of patriotism—and telling the truth is one of them.”
- Anderson Cooper, on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social
- Anderson Cooper, on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
“There are many forms of patriotism—and telling the truth is one of them.”
- Anderson Cooper, on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social
- Anderson Cooper, on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social
One of these things is not like the others…
The Trump family has made $3.4 billion since he has been in office. Meanwhile, the Irish presidential candidate from one of the largest parties has just withdrawn from the race because 15 years ago a tenant overpaid him €3300 and he never paid it back.
The Trump family has made $3.4 billion since he has been in office. Meanwhile, the Irish presidential candidate from one of the largest parties has just withdrawn from the race because 15 years ago a tenant overpaid him €3300 and he never paid it back.
October 6, 2025 at 12:10 PM
One of these things is not like the others…
The Trump family has made $3.4 billion since he has been in office. Meanwhile, the Irish presidential candidate from one of the largest parties has just withdrawn from the race because 15 years ago a tenant overpaid him €3300 and he never paid it back.
The Trump family has made $3.4 billion since he has been in office. Meanwhile, the Irish presidential candidate from one of the largest parties has just withdrawn from the race because 15 years ago a tenant overpaid him €3300 and he never paid it back.
I’ve got a birthday coming up next week. I’m turning I-just-bought-a-nightlight-for-the-hall-to-the-bathroom-but-I-still-don’t-need-readers years old.
September 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
I’ve got a birthday coming up next week. I’m turning I-just-bought-a-nightlight-for-the-hall-to-the-bathroom-but-I-still-don’t-need-readers years old.
Can vouch for both Emily (the mom) and Michelle (the organizer). If you’ve got even a few dollars to contribute, it would be a great help!
My friend is suddenly in need of a new-to-her car. Can you give or share? Thanks!
gofund.me/66355d64c
gofund.me/66355d64c
Donate to Help a single mom replace her car, organized by Michelle Steinmetz
Emily is a hardworking and dedicated single mom who always puts her family first.… Michelle Steinmetz needs your support for Help a single mom replace her car
gofund.me
September 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Can vouch for both Emily (the mom) and Michelle (the organizer). If you’ve got even a few dollars to contribute, it would be a great help!
It was awfully nice of Northern Virginia to be all rainy when I flew in this evening, just to make me feel at home…
September 18, 2025 at 1:37 AM
It was awfully nice of Northern Virginia to be all rainy when I flew in this evening, just to make me feel at home…
Well, looks like I’m at least doing something right…
September 3, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Well, looks like I’m at least doing something right…
Let’s play a little game called “Guess what day Erin sprained her ankle”…
To be followed by a one-question quiz: “True/False: Having walked farther today than she has all week, Erin is spending her Friday night at home with her ankle elevated.”
To be followed by a one-question quiz: “True/False: Having walked farther today than she has all week, Erin is spending her Friday night at home with her ankle elevated.”
August 29, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Let’s play a little game called “Guess what day Erin sprained her ankle”…
To be followed by a one-question quiz: “True/False: Having walked farther today than she has all week, Erin is spending her Friday night at home with her ankle elevated.”
To be followed by a one-question quiz: “True/False: Having walked farther today than she has all week, Erin is spending her Friday night at home with her ankle elevated.”
I’m serious. In Ireland, you can have a gun—for hunting or target shooting or “killing pests or for the humane killing of animals.” You have to have a license for that gun, which requires training and safe storage.
And somehow Ireland remains a democracy.
And kids don’t get shot in school.
And somehow Ireland remains a democracy.
And kids don’t get shot in school.
A lot of kids here in Dublin started back to school today. I’m sure their parents were worried about any number of things the kids might experience at school.
I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.
America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.
America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
August 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I’m serious. In Ireland, you can have a gun—for hunting or target shooting or “killing pests or for the humane killing of animals.” You have to have a license for that gun, which requires training and safe storage.
And somehow Ireland remains a democracy.
And kids don’t get shot in school.
And somehow Ireland remains a democracy.
And kids don’t get shot in school.
A lot of kids here in Dublin started back to school today. I’m sure their parents were worried about any number of things the kids might experience at school.
I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.
America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.
America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
August 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM
A lot of kids here in Dublin started back to school today. I’m sure their parents were worried about any number of things the kids might experience at school.
I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.
America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.
America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
Ireland — where even sprained ankles come with lovely views.
Glen Beach cliff walk, you haven’t seen the last of me…
Glen Beach cliff walk, you haven’t seen the last of me…
August 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Ireland — where even sprained ankles come with lovely views.
Glen Beach cliff walk, you haven’t seen the last of me…
Glen Beach cliff walk, you haven’t seen the last of me…
“The behemoths opposite are all dusty-windowed multi-occupancy nightmares, full of art students, old people with a hundred cats, and bewildered Nigerians.”
Evidently housing in Europe hasn’t changed much in 50 years. 😂
(quote from “Light Perpetual,” Francis Spufford)
Evidently housing in Europe hasn’t changed much in 50 years. 😂
(quote from “Light Perpetual,” Francis Spufford)
August 16, 2025 at 5:58 PM
“The behemoths opposite are all dusty-windowed multi-occupancy nightmares, full of art students, old people with a hundred cats, and bewildered Nigerians.”
Evidently housing in Europe hasn’t changed much in 50 years. 😂
(quote from “Light Perpetual,” Francis Spufford)
Evidently housing in Europe hasn’t changed much in 50 years. 😂
(quote from “Light Perpetual,” Francis Spufford)
Watching Slow Horses is an exercise in walking the tightrope between marveling at Gary Oldman’s acting and feeling an overwhelming urge to have someone tie him in a chair and wash his hair.
August 14, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Watching Slow Horses is an exercise in walking the tightrope between marveling at Gary Oldman’s acting and feeling an overwhelming urge to have someone tie him in a chair and wash his hair.
“In the wake of World War II there had been a lot of heart-searching about the failure of ordinary church members to stand up to Nazism and to defend the Jews from persecution and the eventual Holocaust. They concluded that church members had not been equipped for their witness in the social…
August 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
“In the wake of World War II there had been a lot of heart-searching about the failure of ordinary church members to stand up to Nazism and to defend the Jews from persecution and the eventual Holocaust. They concluded that church members had not been equipped for their witness in the social…
9 pm, August 2nd: As I sit outside, it’s twilightish — which seems early after the long, long days of early summer. A few leaves on the birch tree in the back garden are turning yellow.
The rhythm of the seasons is so different here. My soul and my body don’t quite know what to make of it yet.
The rhythm of the seasons is so different here. My soul and my body don’t quite know what to make of it yet.
August 2, 2025 at 8:15 PM
9 pm, August 2nd: As I sit outside, it’s twilightish — which seems early after the long, long days of early summer. A few leaves on the birch tree in the back garden are turning yellow.
The rhythm of the seasons is so different here. My soul and my body don’t quite know what to make of it yet.
The rhythm of the seasons is so different here. My soul and my body don’t quite know what to make of it yet.
Patty Griffin followed by REM?!? The soundtrack for S4E8 of The Bear is killing me in the best possible way.
July 30, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Patty Griffin followed by REM?!? The soundtrack for S4E8 of The Bear is killing me in the best possible way.
Signs you’re acclimating to life in Ireland:
Me: “Gosh, it seems to be getting dark early.”
Also me: checks clock as it’s dusky on a cloudy evening.
9:59 pm.
Me: “Gosh, it seems to be getting dark early.”
Also me: checks clock as it’s dusky on a cloudy evening.
9:59 pm.
July 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Signs you’re acclimating to life in Ireland:
Me: “Gosh, it seems to be getting dark early.”
Also me: checks clock as it’s dusky on a cloudy evening.
9:59 pm.
Me: “Gosh, it seems to be getting dark early.”
Also me: checks clock as it’s dusky on a cloudy evening.
9:59 pm.
This morning I sit in Sarajevo, reading a book about the early days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and seeing headlines about the assassination & attempted assassination of American legislators and the president’s unconstitutional use of the military to put down protests.
June 15, 2025 at 8:25 AM
This morning I sit in Sarajevo, reading a book about the early days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and seeing headlines about the assassination & attempted assassination of American legislators and the president’s unconstitutional use of the military to put down protests.