Shannon Kelly Donahue
@shannonkellydonahue.com
Writer ~ Editor ~ Advocate
Wildlife, Banshees, Climate, Language, Grief, Music, Gaeilge
Ciarraí Abú!
Words in Catamaran, Forum, Writers Rebel
2025 Evangeline Atwood Fellow at Storyknife
Honored to live in Alaska on Jilkáat Aani
shannonkellydonahue.com
Wildlife, Banshees, Climate, Language, Grief, Music, Gaeilge
Ciarraí Abú!
Words in Catamaran, Forum, Writers Rebel
2025 Evangeline Atwood Fellow at Storyknife
Honored to live in Alaska on Jilkáat Aani
shannonkellydonahue.com
Pinned
Hello BlueSky!
I'm an environmental writer & advocate living on Jilkáat Aani, also known as Haines, Alaska. I also spend time in Corca Dhuibhne, the westest of West Kerry, Ireland, where I write, improve my Irish, and play with dogs.
I write creative nonfiction, poetry, and advocacy pieces.
I'm an environmental writer & advocate living on Jilkáat Aani, also known as Haines, Alaska. I also spend time in Corca Dhuibhne, the westest of West Kerry, Ireland, where I write, improve my Irish, and play with dogs.
I write creative nonfiction, poetry, and advocacy pieces.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
The last paragraph of The Dead is perhaps the most compelling argument for continuing to use abverbs in your writing.
January 6, 2026 at 10:44 PM
The last paragraph of The Dead is perhaps the most compelling argument for continuing to use abverbs in your writing.
Today was the last of the Celtic Omen Days. Every time I got bogged down emotionally today and started to spiral, I looked up just in time to see a rainbow.
January 6, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Today was the last of the Celtic Omen Days. Every time I got bogged down emotionally today and started to spiral, I looked up just in time to see a rainbow.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
As harrowing as it is to drive through the snow maze, it’s very whimsical to walk through…
January 5, 2026 at 2:45 AM
As harrowing as it is to drive through the snow maze, it’s very whimsical to walk through…
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Oh, just get vaccinated (part 5,000)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Oh, just get vaccinated (part 5,000)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Some people may be considering writing a novel this year.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
January 3, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Some people may be considering writing a novel this year.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
You could be from Southeast Alaska if you go to Ireland in December and manage to get a tan....
January 2, 2026 at 8:18 PM
You could be from Southeast Alaska if you go to Ireland in December and manage to get a tan....
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
A group of Homer folks launched their own news publication this morning, with Homer News veteran @maarmstrong.bsky.social at the helm as editor! Exciting things happening for the south pen!
#aknews
homerindependentpress.com/2026/01/01/h...
#aknews
homerindependentpress.com/2026/01/01/h...
Homer Independent Press Launches Today – Homer Independent Press
By Karen Wuestenfeld Homer Independent Press Today, NZP4H, a nonprofit corporation, launches the Homer Independent Press. This online news outlet will provide unbiased and factual weekly reporting foc...
homerindependentpress.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:45 PM
A group of Homer folks launched their own news publication this morning, with Homer News veteran @maarmstrong.bsky.social at the helm as editor! Exciting things happening for the south pen!
#aknews
homerindependentpress.com/2026/01/01/h...
#aknews
homerindependentpress.com/2026/01/01/h...
The Mary Wallopers at the INEC in Killarney tonight. One of the best gigs I’ve been to in a long time.
December 31, 2025 at 1:22 AM
The Mary Wallopers at the INEC in Killarney tonight. One of the best gigs I’ve been to in a long time.
Jinx Lennon supporting the Mary Wallopers in the INEC in Killarney tonight. Such a treat.
December 31, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Jinx Lennon supporting the Mary Wallopers in the INEC in Killarney tonight. Such a treat.
Today was a three holy wells kind of day: Tobar Eoin Báiste, Tobar na nGealt, and Saint Moling’s Well.
The first eased a crick in my back, the second brought peace, and the third was unexpectedly affecting, shaking up the storms inside me, both from my recent losses and from generational grief.
The first eased a crick in my back, the second brought peace, and the third was unexpectedly affecting, shaking up the storms inside me, both from my recent losses and from generational grief.
December 29, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Today was a three holy wells kind of day: Tobar Eoin Báiste, Tobar na nGealt, and Saint Moling’s Well.
The first eased a crick in my back, the second brought peace, and the third was unexpectedly affecting, shaking up the storms inside me, both from my recent losses and from generational grief.
The first eased a crick in my back, the second brought peace, and the third was unexpectedly affecting, shaking up the storms inside me, both from my recent losses and from generational grief.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Don't think I've spoken to a single artist who didn't struggle this Christmas, and I spoke to a lot, so even if it's not my work I'd really encourage people to try to support a local artist that you like instead of big corporations - every single sale makes a real, tangible difference to their life.
If, like me, you did NOT get the ONE thing you wanted from Santy (a 95-year-old bachelor farmer with plenty land and a bad cough), treat yourself to a print from an Irish doodler instead - big discounts across the shop, including on bundles, so go on. Go on go on go ON.
www.ciaraioch.com/artprints
www.ciaraioch.com/artprints
December 28, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Don't think I've spoken to a single artist who didn't struggle this Christmas, and I spoke to a lot, so even if it's not my work I'd really encourage people to try to support a local artist that you like instead of big corporations - every single sale makes a real, tangible difference to their life.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
THREAD. A collection of photographs of excellent trees I have met on walks.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
November 19, 2025 at 6:31 PM
THREAD. A collection of photographs of excellent trees I have met on walks.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
You will find the captions to each photo in the alt text.
The tranquility before the boys showed up and started shooting skeet over the cliff edge.
December 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The tranquility before the boys showed up and started shooting skeet over the cliff edge.
Observations from Kerri ní Dochartaigh for those who may wish to observe the Omen Days (26 December - 6 January). Kerri has removed the paywall for this post. kerrindochartaigh.substack.com/p/the-omen-d...
The Omen Days
On witnessing the world
kerrindochartaigh.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Observations from Kerri ní Dochartaigh for those who may wish to observe the Omen Days (26 December - 6 January). Kerri has removed the paywall for this post. kerrindochartaigh.substack.com/p/the-omen-d...
I am amused by this triptych of book titles on the shelf where I am staying. (With apologies to The Men.)
December 27, 2025 at 11:02 AM
I am amused by this triptych of book titles on the shelf where I am staying. (With apologies to The Men.)
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Things have improved - but what dark dreary days.
December 27, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Things have improved - but what dark dreary days.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Celebrants don weird and wonderful costumes in parts of Ireland for Wren Day (via @thejournal_ie) jrnl.ie/6912847
Celebrants don weird and wonderful costumes in parts of Ireland for Wren Day
Revellers don colourful costumes for Wren Day on 26 September every year.
jrnl.ie
December 26, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Celebrants don weird and wonderful costumes in parts of Ireland for Wren Day (via @thejournal_ie) jrnl.ie/6912847
I absolutely fell in love with Colum McCann this year. Such an empathetic writer.
fave new 2025 books you actually read this year?
tbh i loved this one and thought about it long after i finished reading colummccann.com/twist/
tbh i loved this one and thought about it long after i finished reading colummccann.com/twist/
Twist | Colum McCann
A propulsive novel of rupture and repair in the digital age, delving into a hidden world deep under the ocean—from the New York Times bestselling author of Apeirogon and Let the Great World Spin.
colummccann.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
I absolutely fell in love with Colum McCann this year. Such an empathetic writer.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
December 26, 2025 at 8:49 PM
The ice is usually forming at Cape Churchill in western Hudson Bay in the first week of November. This year the air temperature remained above freezing even at night that week.
Arctic sea ice *lowest on record.*
2 million km2 below the 1980s.
The Arctic may be going first, but everywhere else will follow.
2 million km2 below the 1980s.
The Arctic may be going first, but everywhere else will follow.
Friday ice update - #Arctic sea ice extent is currently the *lowest* on record (JAXA data) 🛠️🧪
• about 500,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 1,110,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,670,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,000,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...
• about 500,000 km² below the 2010s mean
• about 1,110,000 km² below the 2000s mean
• about 1,670,000 km² below the 1990s mean
• about 2,000,000 km² below the 1980s mean
More: zacklabe.com/arctic-sea-i...
December 26, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The ice is usually forming at Cape Churchill in western Hudson Bay in the first week of November. This year the air temperature remained above freezing even at night that week.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
26 December carries centuries of winter customs: from old traditions like Lá an Dreoilín (Wren Day) and Shelf yn Dreean to those more common in modern times like St. Stephen’s Day and Boxing Day. Today, we’re honing in on the Welsh wassailing folk tradition of the Mari Lwydm.
#CrawfordArtGallery
#CrawfordArtGallery
December 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
26 December carries centuries of winter customs: from old traditions like Lá an Dreoilín (Wren Day) and Shelf yn Dreean to those more common in modern times like St. Stephen’s Day and Boxing Day. Today, we’re honing in on the Welsh wassailing folk tradition of the Mari Lwydm.
#CrawfordArtGallery
#CrawfordArtGallery
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Lá an Dreoilín shona daoibh.
December 26, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Lá an Dreoilín shona daoibh.
I let go of some of the sharper edges of my grief today at Tobar na nGealt under a milky sky. I lit a beeswax candle I rolled on the Antrim Coast on Winter Solstice morning & offered a few drops of melted wax.
As painful as fresh raw grief is, sometimes letting go of that pain can be even harder.
As painful as fresh raw grief is, sometimes letting go of that pain can be even harder.
December 26, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I let go of some of the sharper edges of my grief today at Tobar na nGealt under a milky sky. I lit a beeswax candle I rolled on the Antrim Coast on Winter Solstice morning & offered a few drops of melted wax.
As painful as fresh raw grief is, sometimes letting go of that pain can be even harder.
As painful as fresh raw grief is, sometimes letting go of that pain can be even harder.
Reposted by Shannon Kelly Donahue
Happy Wran's Day!
The Wren, or Lá An Dreoilín, is still strong in parts of Ireland (notably Kerry), with elements entwined with nature and the pagan roots of this time of year.
"Up with the kettle
And down with the pan
Give us a penny to bury the wran"
Prints: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
The Wren, or Lá An Dreoilín, is still strong in parts of Ireland (notably Kerry), with elements entwined with nature and the pagan roots of this time of year.
"Up with the kettle
And down with the pan
Give us a penny to bury the wran"
Prints: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
December 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
Happy Wran's Day!
The Wren, or Lá An Dreoilín, is still strong in parts of Ireland (notably Kerry), with elements entwined with nature and the pagan roots of this time of year.
"Up with the kettle
And down with the pan
Give us a penny to bury the wran"
Prints: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
The Wren, or Lá An Dreoilín, is still strong in parts of Ireland (notably Kerry), with elements entwined with nature and the pagan roots of this time of year.
"Up with the kettle
And down with the pan
Give us a penny to bury the wran"
Prints: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
Raising a glass to my father’s spirit with a friend’s dead father’s spirits to close out this Christmas of deeply intertwined grief and stark beauty.
December 26, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Raising a glass to my father’s spirit with a friend’s dead father’s spirits to close out this Christmas of deeply intertwined grief and stark beauty.