Greg Daly
@gregdaly.bsky.social
Jack of all trades, master of some. Dublin-born and Drogheda-based author of Cannae: The Experience of Battle' and editor of ‘1916: The Church & the Rising', Nine-time CMA award winner. One-time future world leader. Mostly tired.
Odd thing. Back in November I was trying to find an article I’d once written, and discovered that Google was under the impression I’d written a book called ‘The Reformation of the Republic: The Catholic Church and the American Civil War’, which sounds great. Alas no. If only.
January 11, 2026 at 7:31 PM
Odd thing. Back in November I was trying to find an article I’d once written, and discovered that Google was under the impression I’d written a book called ‘The Reformation of the Republic: The Catholic Church and the American Civil War’, which sounds great. Alas no. If only.
It’s funny how people still talk about AI-generated images as though the person commissioning them is their creator. That person is better understood as a patron, a commissioner, or a client. It’s the tool itself that produces the images, a bit like an artist following a brief.
January 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM
It’s funny how people still talk about AI-generated images as though the person commissioning them is their creator. That person is better understood as a patron, a commissioner, or a client. It’s the tool itself that produces the images, a bit like an artist following a brief.
It’s kind of mad that Robin Hood has been filmed four times to superb effect, and plenty of other times less impressively, and yet studios keep wheeling out mediocre takes on the story. I wish King Arthur inspired such commitment. That’s never had an adaptation that’s really shone.
January 7, 2026 at 6:15 PM
It’s kind of mad that Robin Hood has been filmed four times to superb effect, and plenty of other times less impressively, and yet studios keep wheeling out mediocre takes on the story. I wish King Arthur inspired such commitment. That’s never had an adaptation that’s really shone.
The world may be going to hell but there are at least flickers of joy to be had. Last night saw me heading from Drogheda to Dublin to enjoy the company of four friends I’ve had for almost forty years. Good to be reassured that we’re still ourselves, no matter how much else has changed!
January 4, 2026 at 11:42 PM
The world may be going to hell but there are at least flickers of joy to be had. Last night saw me heading from Drogheda to Dublin to enjoy the company of four friends I’ve had for almost forty years. Good to be reassured that we’re still ourselves, no matter how much else has changed!
I’ve been reading lots of Orwell lately, and keep find myself sighing when he criticises philofascist tendencies among Catholics. I sigh for a few reasons, not the least of which are how even today we have regime clergy - misrepresenting Church social teaching and leading people astray.
January 3, 2026 at 7:20 PM
I’ve been reading lots of Orwell lately, and keep find myself sighing when he criticises philofascist tendencies among Catholics. I sigh for a few reasons, not the least of which are how even today we have regime clergy - misrepresenting Church social teaching and leading people astray.
It would be nice if the Land of the Free™ remembered that it also claims to be the Home of the Brave™ and found the guts to do the right thing in the right way.
January 3, 2026 at 11:13 AM
It would be nice if the Land of the Free™ remembered that it also claims to be the Home of the Brave™ and found the guts to do the right thing in the right way.
I think I remember this guy from Harry Potter.
December 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
I think I remember this guy from Harry Potter.
Get yourself someone who looks at you the way this guy looks at this burger.
December 27, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Get yourself someone who looks at you the way this guy looks at this burger.
I’m not sure. This feels unethical.
December 25, 2025 at 5:48 PM
I’m not sure. This feels unethical.
Santa’s out of control.
December 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Santa’s out of control.
Every year I mean to get these framed and propped or hung up decoratively ahead of and for the Christmas season. Maybe next time.
December 21, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Every year I mean to get these framed and propped or hung up decoratively ahead of and for the Christmas season. Maybe next time.
Very happy with how our Christmas tree is looking. It’s a bit less “Charlie Brown Christmas” than the one in work. (In the background at home, just to say, you’ll spot the great cinematic Yuletide parable of our time.)
December 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Very happy with how our Christmas tree is looking. It’s a bit less “Charlie Brown Christmas” than the one in work. (In the background at home, just to say, you’ll spot the great cinematic Yuletide parable of our time.)
I have about twelve words of French. Despite that, people in Paris this autumn reacted with at least polite smiles when I tried to use them in shops and cafes etc. Sometimes much more! it was the complete opposite of all the cliches.
I’m convinced that this map is reflecting reality perfectly.
December 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
I have about twelve words of French. Despite that, people in Paris this autumn reacted with at least polite smiles when I tried to use them in shops and cafes etc. Sometimes much more! it was the complete opposite of all the cliches.
‘Before writing off the totalitarian world as a nightmare that can’t come true, just remember that in 1925 the world of today would have seemed a nightmare that couldn’t come true.’ George Orwell, 1942.
December 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
‘Before writing off the totalitarian world as a nightmare that can’t come true, just remember that in 1925 the world of today would have seemed a nightmare that couldn’t come true.’ George Orwell, 1942.
It’s interesting watching online opposition to German hate-speech laws, claiming that these are new things, rather than simply the application in today’s context of the 1949 Constitution introduced under Allied oversight, and post-reunification 1990s updates to the criminal code. 1/3
December 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
It’s interesting watching online opposition to German hate-speech laws, claiming that these are new things, rather than simply the application in today’s context of the 1949 Constitution introduced under Allied oversight, and post-reunification 1990s updates to the criminal code. 1/3
Well, the crib is up - though the manger shall remain suitably empty for another couple of weeks. Our flock might well be economically viable at this point. Another angel or two would do no harm, mind. And maybe a howdah for the elephant.
December 10, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Well, the crib is up - though the manger shall remain suitably empty for another couple of weeks. Our flock might well be economically viable at this point. Another angel or two would do no harm, mind. And maybe a howdah for the elephant.
So, having spent a few days in Strasbourg and witnessed what goes on at La Knackerie, I never want to hear anybody cast aspersions on coddle ever again.
December 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
So, having spent a few days in Strasbourg and witnessed what goes on at La Knackerie, I never want to hear anybody cast aspersions on coddle ever again.
Call me old-fashioned, but I often think all our democracies would be improved by an occasional dose of ostracism.
November 30, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Call me old-fashioned, but I often think all our democracies would be improved by an occasional dose of ostracism.
Rereading a silly “just asking questions” article by Ireland’s chief celebrity economist, I noticed this nonsense ahead of the odd fair point and determined refusal to consider actual explanations. In the UK, Heathrow alone does more than five times as many US flights as Ireland. 1/2
November 29, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Rereading a silly “just asking questions” article by Ireland’s chief celebrity economist, I noticed this nonsense ahead of the odd fair point and determined refusal to consider actual explanations. In the UK, Heathrow alone does more than five times as many US flights as Ireland. 1/2
Really, the Unofficial Official State Historian is a tedious sort. His latest article can be summarised as follows: “A religious family does mad stuff, and in the past some people from a different confession said wild things, so obviously these things are related at the root.” /1
November 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Really, the Unofficial Official State Historian is a tedious sort. His latest article can be summarised as follows: “A religious family does mad stuff, and in the past some people from a different confession said wild things, so obviously these things are related at the root.” /1
Given it’s been winter for a few weeks, I’m not sure it makes sense to whinge about current decorative lighting displays being called “winter lights” rather than “Christmas lights”, while regularly pointing out that it’s not even Advent and won’t be Christmas for another month. You can’t do both.
November 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Given it’s been winter for a few weeks, I’m not sure it makes sense to whinge about current decorative lighting displays being called “winter lights” rather than “Christmas lights”, while regularly pointing out that it’s not even Advent and won’t be Christmas for another month. You can’t do both.
Reading this about Martinmas sacrifices - www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... - and a 1939 ‘Béaloideas’ article, and indeed having read numerous pieces recently from the School’s Folklore Collection, I’m still puzzled by the assumption of pagan connections. /1
Why November 11th was a day for blood sacrifice rites in Ireland
Blood sacrifices involving pigs, sheep or geese were practiced in Ireland well into living memory on Martinmas
www.rte.ie
November 11, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reading this about Martinmas sacrifices - www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... - and a 1939 ‘Béaloideas’ article, and indeed having read numerous pieces recently from the School’s Folklore Collection, I’m still puzzled by the assumption of pagan connections. /1
Reading this about Martinmas sacrifices - www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... - and a 1939 ‘Béaloideas’ article, and indeed having read numerous pieces recently from the School’s Folklore Collection, I’m still puzzled by the assumption of pagan connections. /1
Why November 11th was a day for blood sacrifice rites in Ireland
Blood sacrifices involving pigs, sheep or geese were practiced in Ireland well into living memory on Martinmas
www.rte.ie
November 11, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Reading this about Martinmas sacrifices - www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... - and a 1939 ‘Béaloideas’ article, and indeed having read numerous pieces recently from the School’s Folklore Collection, I’m still puzzled by the assumption of pagan connections. /1
Reposted by Greg Daly
Friends, as a member of the Religious Liberty Commission I am watching the Body of Christ be denied to Catholic detainees, and inspired by the great twentieth-century Trappist Thomas Merton I am meeting this moment with the most powerful tool in the contemplative’s arsenal: silence.
November 1, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Friends, as a member of the Religious Liberty Commission I am watching the Body of Christ be denied to Catholic detainees, and inspired by the great twentieth-century Trappist Thomas Merton I am meeting this moment with the most powerful tool in the contemplative’s arsenal: silence.
Today being All Souls’ Day, I’ve accordingly updated my blog with my annual list of the dead: thethirstygargoyle.blogspot.com/2025/11/for-... I really should consider doing more with the blog than just listing each year people to pray for, but still: that’s something.
For those who have gone before
Today being the feast of All Souls, or The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, as my missal has it, it's once again time to revisit ...
thethirstygargoyle.blogspot.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Today being All Souls’ Day, I’ve accordingly updated my blog with my annual list of the dead: thethirstygargoyle.blogspot.com/2025/11/for-... I really should consider doing more with the blog than just listing each year people to pray for, but still: that’s something.