Marion McGarry
@marionmcgarry.bsky.social
Irish heritage, folklore, material culture, design. Author: Irish Customs and Rituals & more. PhD /SFHEA / Lecturer ATU. Contributor to RTE Brainstorm. All views my own.
https://www.rte.ie/author/1241485-marion-mcgarry/
https://www.rte.ie/author/1241485-marion-mcgarry/
Pinned
As so many are sharing memories of President Michael D Higgins as he departs Áras an Uachtaráin, here’s a selected highlight of my visit there in 2018 when he let us pet the dogs… 😍 he was a great president and will be missed
Reposted by Marion McGarry
“Who knows how many children I & my friends would have with [secure high quality affordable housing] certainly enough to maintain pension-paying workforce. Govt’s strategy of pinning pension hopes on migrant workers is short-sighted & a tragedy for Irish women” 💯 www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
‘I cannot express how seriously the housing crisis has impacted me (35 years old and female) and my friends’
On a recent visit to a friend in Copenhagen, I was struck by how many couples in their young 20s had multiple babies
www.irishtimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“Who knows how many children I & my friends would have with [secure high quality affordable housing] certainly enough to maintain pension-paying workforce. Govt’s strategy of pinning pension hopes on migrant workers is short-sighted & a tragedy for Irish women” 💯 www.irishtimes.com/opinion/lett...
Heartening to see growing interest in these topics and thanks to @rte.ie allowing me a platform to educate the public about old Irish traditions:
another ‘most read’ piece on @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
another ‘most read’ piece on @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
November 12, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Heartening to see growing interest in these topics and thanks to @rte.ie allowing me a platform to educate the public about old Irish traditions:
another ‘most read’ piece on @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
another ‘most read’ piece on @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
Reposted by Marion McGarry
Why November 11th was a day for blood sacrifice rites in Ireland. @marionmcgarry.bsky.social ATU on how blood sacrifices involving pigs, sheep or geese were practiced in Ireland well into living memory on Martinmas www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
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 8:01 AM
Why November 11th was a day for blood sacrifice rites in Ireland. @marionmcgarry.bsky.social ATU on how blood sacrifices involving pigs, sheep or geese were practiced in Ireland well into living memory on Martinmas www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Reposted by Marion McGarry
@mcculld.bsky.social nice scoop having Ivan Yates on as first guest! Great listening while I’m stuck in STANDSTILL traffic jam
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 AM
@mcculld.bsky.social nice scoop having Ivan Yates on as first guest! Great listening while I’m stuck in STANDSTILL traffic jam
@mcculld.bsky.social nice scoop having Ivan Yates on as first guest! Great listening while I’m stuck in STANDSTILL traffic jam
November 10, 2025 at 9:09 AM
@mcculld.bsky.social nice scoop having Ivan Yates on as first guest! Great listening while I’m stuck in STANDSTILL traffic jam
Reposted by Marion McGarry
‘Stop, that’s my case’ - Áine Ryan on adventures on the Westport non-express
‘Stop, that’s my case’ - Áine Ryan on adventures on the Westport non-express
I was joined by two young bucks worse for wear and, in the case of the one ... appear to be experiencing some very psychedelic thoughts
www.irishtimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 AM
‘Stop, that’s my case’ - Áine Ryan on adventures on the Westport non-express
Reposted by Marion McGarry
A 2022 study showed that international travel for students can increase their carbon footprint by 50%. Virtual exchanges are a way of addressing this, while maintaining valuable intercultural learning.
Join this free webinar about Virtual Exchanges on Weds 12 November.
Join this free webinar about Virtual Exchanges on Weds 12 November.
Webinar: Virtual Exchange/Collaborative Online International Learning - a practical tool for Education for Sustainable Development
Webinar: Virtual Exchange/Collaborative Online International Learning - a practical tool for Education for Sustainable Development
www.tudublin.ie
November 9, 2025 at 11:40 PM
A 2022 study showed that international travel for students can increase their carbon footprint by 50%. Virtual exchanges are a way of addressing this, while maintaining valuable intercultural learning.
Join this free webinar about Virtual Exchanges on Weds 12 November.
Join this free webinar about Virtual Exchanges on Weds 12 November.
November 11, Martinmas:
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
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 10, 2025 at 5:21 AM
November 11, Martinmas:
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
As so many are sharing memories of President Michael D Higgins as he departs Áras an Uachtaráin, here’s a selected highlight of my visit there in 2018 when he let us pet the dogs… 😍 he was a great president and will be missed
November 8, 2025 at 7:19 PM
As so many are sharing memories of President Michael D Higgins as he departs Áras an Uachtaráin, here’s a selected highlight of my visit there in 2018 when he let us pet the dogs… 😍 he was a great president and will be missed
Reposted by Marion McGarry
Ladybird book in the spotlight.
‘The Princess and the Pea’ 1967
Artist: Eric Winter
‘The Princess and the Pea’ 1967
Artist: Eric Winter
October 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Ladybird book in the spotlight.
‘The Princess and the Pea’ 1967
Artist: Eric Winter
‘The Princess and the Pea’ 1967
Artist: Eric Winter
Amazing sunrise marking the start of the Celtic New Year on 1st November / Samhain, the Christian Feast of All Saints Day.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
November 1, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Amazing sunrise marking the start of the Celtic New Year on 1st November / Samhain, the Christian Feast of All Saints Day.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
At Carrowmore megalithic site, Sligo, the chamber at Listoghill faces the Ballygawley Mountains & sunrise in this position coincides with the start and the end of winter.
Reposted by Marion McGarry
‘They killed civilians in their beds’: chaos and brutality reign
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘They killed civilians in their beds’: chaos and brutality reign after fall of El Fasher
Thousands have fled the North Darfur city in terror with stories of the Rapid Support Forces attacking and killing civilians
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
‘They killed civilians in their beds’: chaos and brutality reign
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘They killed civilians in their beds’: chaos and brutality reign
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘They killed civilians in their beds’: chaos and brutality reign after fall of El Fasher
Thousands have fled the North Darfur city in terror with stories of the Rapid Support Forces attacking and killing civilians
www.theguardian.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:41 AM
‘They killed civilians in their beds’: chaos and brutality reign
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Appalling events and genocide is occurring in Sudan 👇
www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Marion McGarry
Multiple reports of strange light moving in sky over Ireland in last 15 minutes with some describing as a like a big object with light in front but no noise and moving very quickly. Reports from Southeast, Midlands and West. Moving West to East. Anyone else spot it
October 29, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Multiple reports of strange light moving in sky over Ireland in last 15 minutes with some describing as a like a big object with light in front but no noise and moving very quickly. Reports from Southeast, Midlands and West. Moving West to East. Anyone else spot it
Reposted by Marion McGarry
The superstitions and mysteries around Ireland's 'fairy forts'. Many ringforts in rural Ireland were associated with fairy activity and supernatural happenings in the recent past, writes @marionmcgarry.bsky.social ATU www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... #Halloween
October 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The superstitions and mysteries around Ireland's 'fairy forts'. Many ringforts in rural Ireland were associated with fairy activity and supernatural happenings in the recent past, writes @marionmcgarry.bsky.social ATU www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2... #Halloween
Reposted by Marion McGarry
“More than 150,000 people have died across the country and about 12 million have fled their homes, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises.”
This is a genocide in Sudan.
This is a genocide in Sudan.
El-Fasher: Rebel group claims capture of key city in Sudan
The fall of el-Fasher would cement the RSF's control of the west and reinforces a de facto split in the nation.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 27, 2025 at 8:50 PM
“More than 150,000 people have died across the country and about 12 million have fled their homes, creating one of the worst humanitarian crises.”
This is a genocide in Sudan.
This is a genocide in Sudan.
My annual Hallowe’en brack appreciation post… looking forward to enjoying this in about two days with a strong cupán tae 😀
October 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
My annual Hallowe’en brack appreciation post… looking forward to enjoying this in about two days with a strong cupán tae 😀
Reposted by Marion McGarry
Lovely to feature on Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 reading my piece about BNM peat briquettes and bungalow bliss.
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The Last Briquette by Marion McGarry
On a father’s appreciation of that iconic Irish design item: the Bord Na Móna peat briquette
www.rte.ie
October 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Lovely to feature on Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 reading my piece about BNM peat briquettes and bungalow bliss.
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Lovely to feature on Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 reading my piece about BNM peat briquettes and bungalow bliss.
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The Last Briquette by Marion McGarry
On a father’s appreciation of that iconic Irish design item: the Bord Na Móna peat briquette
www.rte.ie
October 26, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Lovely to feature on Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio 1 reading my piece about BNM peat briquettes and bungalow bliss.
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
The theme was ‘Writing the Bog’ in association with the Irish Architecture Foundation & 12th Field
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/radio/radio1...
Reposted by Marion McGarry
Pod of this morning’s interview on NewsTalk Breakfast on Hallowe’en excesses is now available.
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
“The most frightening thing about Halloween is the waste" | Newstalk
“The most frightening thing about Halloween is the waste. From plastic decorations to synthetic...
www.newstalk.com
October 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Pod of this morning’s interview on NewsTalk Breakfast on Hallowe’en excesses is now available.
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
www.newstalk.com/podcasts/hig...
Reposted by Marion McGarry
Like Versailles it began as a hunting lodge, and it’s design may have inspired the White House... As we approach the presidential election in Ireland, my piece for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social on Áras an Uachtaráin
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
7 things you probably didn't know about Áras an Uachtaráin
Here are some things you may not have known about the presidential residence in the middle of Dublin's Phoenix Park
www.rte.ie
October 14, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Like Versailles it began as a hunting lodge, and it’s design may have inspired the White House... As we approach the presidential election in Ireland, my piece for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social on Áras an Uachtaráin
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Reposted by Marion McGarry
My piece @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
How Bord na Móna peat briquette became an icon of Irish design
The briquettes were not only once a convenient, inexpensive fuel for Irish people, they were also an industrial design icon
www.rte.ie
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 AM
My piece @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
My piece @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
How Bord na Móna peat briquette became an icon of Irish design
The briquettes were not only once a convenient, inexpensive fuel for Irish people, they were also an industrial design icon
www.rte.ie
October 21, 2025 at 7:24 AM
My piece @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
on the Bord na Móna peat briquette, a once popular fuel for Irish people & an Irish industrial design icon.
Their memory is the source of much nostalgia and their demise, while good for the environment, represents the end of an era.
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Reposted by Marion McGarry
I really enjoyed Conor O'Brien's book 'the Living and the Dead' about some of the animals that have been driven out of Ireland and some that have made it back. His article here is a great summation... highly recommended!
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
You can’t choose the times you live in. And sadly we live in an age of extinction
I wonder who the last person in Ireland was to hear a wolf howl. Did they realise the magnitude of what they were hearing?
www.irishtimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:33 AM
I really enjoyed Conor O'Brien's book 'the Living and the Dead' about some of the animals that have been driven out of Ireland and some that have made it back. His article here is a great summation... highly recommended!
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
Like Versailles it began as a hunting lodge, and it’s design may have inspired the White House... As we approach the presidential election in Ireland, my piece for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social on Áras an Uachtaráin
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
7 things you probably didn't know about Áras an Uachtaráin
Here are some things you may not have known about the presidential residence in the middle of Dublin's Phoenix Park
www.rte.ie
October 14, 2025 at 7:05 AM
Like Versailles it began as a hunting lodge, and it’s design may have inspired the White House... As we approach the presidential election in Ireland, my piece for @rtebrainstorm.bsky.social on Áras an Uachtaráin
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
@atu-ie.bsky.social @oflynnatu.bsky.social
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...