Dr Laura Watson
@lauracwatson.bsky.social
Musicologist/Associate Professor, Maynooth University | BOOKS: Paul Dukas: Composer and Critic (2019); Dukas: Legacies of a French Musician (2019); Women and Music in Ireland (2022) | Sounding the Feminists | Memoirs | she/her
Pinned
Dr Laura Watson
@lauracwatson.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Feminist Musical Activism in Ireland (2016–21) and Feminist Musicology - MURAL - Maynooth University Research Archive Library
mural.maynoothuniversity.ie
mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/18459/
'Feminist Musical Activism in Ireland (2016 - 21) and Feminist Musicology', Ethnomusicology Ireland 8 (2022): 1 -22.
'Feminist Musical Activism in Ireland (2016 - 21) and Feminist Musicology', Ethnomusicology Ireland 8 (2022): 1 -22.
Reposted by Dr Laura Watson
Documents from newly released files indicate that @bardcollege.bsky.social president Leon Botstein visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island in 2012. Botstein admits that he was in the Caribbean but claims he does not remember whether he visited Epstein’s island. www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov
February 7, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Documents from newly released files indicate that @bardcollege.bsky.social president Leon Botstein visited Jeffrey Epstein’s island in 2012. Botstein admits that he was in the Caribbean but claims he does not remember whether he visited Epstein’s island. www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
Musicologist Leon Botstein in the Epstein files. Disgusting.
Bard College President Leon Botstein appears in the Epstein files more than 2,500 times, including arranging travel to Epstein’s island, hosting a visit with “girls” to campus and telling the child sex predator, “I miss you.”
Sarah Trafton reports:
www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
Sarah Trafton reports:
www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
‘I miss you’: Emails detail close ties between Jeffrey Epstein and Bard President Leon Botstein
Leon Botstein’s name appears in the Epstein files more than 2,500 times, including arranging travel to Epstein’s island and a visit with “girls” to the college.
www.timesunion.com
February 7, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Musicologist Leon Botstein in the Epstein files. Disgusting.
Reposted by Dr Laura Watson
this is all known already, but seeing the sheer amount of desperate "leon botstein is trying to contact you" notes in these emails is wild www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Leon Botstein received $150,000 from Jeffrey Epstein
Leon Botstein, the president of Bard College, personally received a gift of $150,000 in 2016 from Jeffrey Epstein, the late, disgraced billionaire convicted in 2008 of sexually abusing children. The N...
www.insidehighered.com
January 31, 2026 at 6:34 PM
this is all known already, but seeing the sheer amount of desperate "leon botstein is trying to contact you" notes in these emails is wild www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Spot on.
So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde
Obsessing over individual players and political chaos leaves less time to focus on the misogyny. And that’s for the best, isn’t it guys, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Spot on.
So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
So the Epstein scandal is about politics? Silly me for thinking it’s about the mass abuse of women and girls | Marina Hyde www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Chomsky on friendly terms with Woody Allen and Steve Bannon as well as Epstein. Also insinuated that abused women were 'hysterical.' Grotesque.
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship
Latest communications undermine Chomsky’s earlier claims that he primarily had financial dealings with Epstein
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Chomsky on friendly terms with Woody Allen and Steve Bannon as well as Epstein. Also insinuated that abused women were 'hysterical.' Grotesque.
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Newly released files shed new light on Chomsky and Epstein relationship: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
What does the @irishtimes.com style guide says about omitting full stops from last sentences in a subheading? E.g. see the text preceding the body of the article. I find it jarring. Not just the Irish Times doing this either.
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
Message from the Editor: it’s the way we say it
IT Sunday: We’re making changes to our stylebook - an in-house bible that codifies our style, spelling and grammar conventions
www.irishtimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:44 AM
What does the @irishtimes.com style guide says about omitting full stops from last sentences in a subheading? E.g. see the text preceding the body of the article. I find it jarring. Not just the Irish Times doing this either.
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
www.irishtimes.com/media/2026/0...
Two good things in one day! Just been alerted to another very recent and generous review of Women and Music in Ireland, this time by Denise Neary, published in Music and Letters.
academic-oup-com.may.idm.oclc.org/.../4/672/82... #musicology #womeninmusic #speirghorm @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
academic-oup-com.may.idm.oclc.org/.../4/672/82... #musicology #womeninmusic #speirghorm @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Two good things in one day! Just been alerted to another very recent and generous review of Women and Music in Ireland, this time by Denise Neary, published in Music and Letters.
academic-oup-com.may.idm.oclc.org/.../4/672/82... #musicology #womeninmusic #speirghorm @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
academic-oup-com.may.idm.oclc.org/.../4/672/82... #musicology #womeninmusic #speirghorm @boydellandbrewer.bsky.social
Another nice review of Women and Music in Ireland. Review by Anne-Marie O'Farrell just published in the JSMI, Journal of the Society for Musicology in Ireland. jsmi.musicologyireland.ie/index.php/jo... #womeninmusic #musicology #speirghorm #rhodacoghill
January 23, 2026 at 10:50 AM
Another nice review of Women and Music in Ireland. Review by Anne-Marie O'Farrell just published in the JSMI, Journal of the Society for Musicology in Ireland. jsmi.musicologyireland.ie/index.php/jo... #womeninmusic #musicology #speirghorm #rhodacoghill
Hello, #spéirghorm #speirghorm #speirgorm. I'm looking to talk to anyone involved in the Voices for Choice choir in 2017/18. Any contacts would be appreciated. Go raibh maith agat. #Repeal
January 21, 2026 at 10:22 AM
Hello, #spéirghorm #speirghorm #speirgorm. I'm looking to talk to anyone involved in the Voices for Choice choir in 2017/18. Any contacts would be appreciated. Go raibh maith agat. #Repeal
Do I just give up on essays as a tool for assessing very large undergraduate classes and go back to written exams? I hate what AI is doing to education, to basic intellectual curiosity, to the ability to read or listen to music.
January 20, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Do I just give up on essays as a tool for assessing very large undergraduate classes and go back to written exams? I hate what AI is doing to education, to basic intellectual curiosity, to the ability to read or listen to music.
Why are Irish universities still posting on X? While individuals might need to use the site to maintain personal networks, surely the same cannot be said for public institutions. The continued use of official accounts on X arguably lends a veneer of respectability to a platform that actively harms.
January 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Why are Irish universities still posting on X? While individuals might need to use the site to maintain personal networks, surely the same cannot be said for public institutions. The continued use of official accounts on X arguably lends a veneer of respectability to a platform that actively harms.
@rteradio1.bsky.social celebrating 100 years of Irish radio. Hope the musician #RhodaCoghill will be acknowledged? She was Station Accompanist at Radio Éireann & RTÉ for 30 years. Also performed on the station in its earliest 2RN days. #speirghorm
www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
RTÉ to mark 100 years of Irish radio with GPO broadcasts
RTÉ radio will mark 100 years of public service broadcasting in Ireland with a series of broadcasts from the GPO.
www.rte.ie
January 15, 2026 at 8:47 AM
@rteradio1.bsky.social celebrating 100 years of Irish radio. Hope the musician #RhodaCoghill will be acknowledged? She was Station Accompanist at Radio Éireann & RTÉ for 30 years. Also performed on the station in its earliest 2RN days. #speirghorm
www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
www.rte.ie/news/2026/01...
Melbourne has ruined me for coffee. Best I've ever tasted and the stuff I used to love at home now tastes like coffee-flavoured water.
January 14, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Melbourne has ruined me for coffee. Best I've ever tasted and the stuff I used to love at home now tastes like coffee-flavoured water.
From my experience over the last couple of weeks, Australia, especially Melbourne, seems much more affordable and liveable than Ireland. The supermarket and eating out cost way less than at home and the quality of food is superb. Public transport is excellent too. Can see why people stay here.
January 3, 2026 at 11:19 PM
From my experience over the last couple of weeks, Australia, especially Melbourne, seems much more affordable and liveable than Ireland. The supermarket and eating out cost way less than at home and the quality of food is superb. Public transport is excellent too. Can see why people stay here.
Coffee with the locals in Sydney
December 31, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Coffee with the locals in Sydney
Currently jetlagged in Melbourne, Australia but loving the culture, Christmas sun, friendly people, and some of the tastiest food and coffee I've ever had. And thrilled to see my youngest sister again 💗
December 24, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Currently jetlagged in Melbourne, Australia but loving the culture, Christmas sun, friendly people, and some of the tastiest food and coffee I've ever had. And thrilled to see my youngest sister again 💗
Really enjoyed speaking at the Marxism Festival 2025, at UCD, on Sunday. I discussed Sinéad O'Connor and feminism in Irish music, with a lovely audience. #SinéadOConnor
November 18, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Really enjoyed speaking at the Marxism Festival 2025, at UCD, on Sunday. I discussed Sinéad O'Connor and feminism in Irish music, with a lovely audience. #SinéadOConnor
All welcome to my talk on feminism and music in Ireland, at the Marxism Festival in UCD tomorrow afternoon. It'll be way less stressful than watching Ireland play Hungary!
November 15, 2025 at 6:14 PM
All welcome to my talk on feminism and music in Ireland, at the Marxism Festival in UCD tomorrow afternoon. It'll be way less stressful than watching Ireland play Hungary!
The destruction of fertility clinics in Gaza has to be one of the IDF's most egregious acts of genocide. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
A single shell, fired by the IDF at a fertility clinic: peace prize recipient explains what lies behind her genocide finding
Former UN inquiry chair Navi Pillay says ‘what’s so unusual about this genocide’ is that ‘we are all witnesses to it’
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The destruction of fertility clinics in Gaza has to be one of the IDF's most egregious acts of genocide. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Dr Laura Watson
So much talk about spoiled votes, but virtually zero about the 900,000+ Irish citizens who voted for Connolly and the 15,000 volunteers who campaigned for her - nothing about what they want and represent and hope for.
No, Irish media and politics insist you engage with those who can't be bothered.
No, Irish media and politics insist you engage with those who can't be bothered.
October 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
So much talk about spoiled votes, but virtually zero about the 900,000+ Irish citizens who voted for Connolly and the 15,000 volunteers who campaigned for her - nothing about what they want and represent and hope for.
No, Irish media and politics insist you engage with those who can't be bothered.
No, Irish media and politics insist you engage with those who can't be bothered.
Reposted by Dr Laura Watson
Saying that it's "too hard" to get on the Irish president ballot when an independent woman got the entire Irish left to back her, got the biggest vote ever and beat two historically dominant parties is not just wrong - it is breathtakingly offensive and outrageously dishonest.
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
October 26, 2025 at 9:11 AM
Saying that it's "too hard" to get on the Irish president ballot when an independent woman got the entire Irish left to back her, got the biggest vote ever and beat two historically dominant parties is not just wrong - it is breathtakingly offensive and outrageously dishonest.
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
#Aras25 #Speirgorm
Get out and vote if you've yet to do so. Voting rights were hard won for ordinary people, especially women. #ConnollyforPresident #CatherineConnolly #Aras25 #Áras25
October 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Get out and vote if you've yet to do so. Voting rights were hard won for ordinary people, especially women. #ConnollyforPresident #CatherineConnolly #Aras25 #Áras25
October 24, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Reposted by Dr Laura Watson
🗣️ "Are we going to have a conversation, on the level that you are about deportations here, about the crisis of male violence against women in this country?” - News Correspondent, The Journal Eimer McAuley
#TonightVMTV
#TonightVMTV
October 22, 2025 at 10:02 PM
🗣️ "Are we going to have a conversation, on the level that you are about deportations here, about the crisis of male violence against women in this country?” - News Correspondent, The Journal Eimer McAuley
#TonightVMTV
#TonightVMTV
Obviously #CatherineConnolly is a brilliant presidential candidate anway for #Áras25 #Aras2025; her support for the arts is another reason to vote for her. @journalofmusic.bsky.social journalofmusic.com/opinion/cath...
Catherine Connolly Was There for Artists When It Mattered – Heather Humphreys Was Not
Heather Humphreys is a former Minister for Arts who made a serious funding misjudgement during her tenure; Catherine Connolly’s support for artists offers a contrast, writes Toner Quinn.
journalofmusic.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Obviously #CatherineConnolly is a brilliant presidential candidate anway for #Áras25 #Aras2025; her support for the arts is another reason to vote for her. @journalofmusic.bsky.social journalofmusic.com/opinion/cath...