Mike Spillane
@spillanemike.com
Cork, cycling, tech, data, beer, bread, cheese, car free, cranky bollox, sometimes Connemara
mastodon @spillanemike@mastodon.ie
#cork #cycling
mastodon @spillanemike@mastodon.ie
#cork #cycling
Pinned
Mike Spillane
@spillanemike.com
· Nov 23
Antonia's Bookstore
Independent Bookshop based in Trim, Co. Meath, Ireland
buff.ly
I don't buy from Amazon, so I try to buy books from Irish stores (where possible) (posted similar previously)
Here are my go to stores
antoniasbookstore.com
booksatone.ie
alanhannas.com
philipsbookshop.com
gutterbookshop.com
kennys.ie
vibesandscribes.ie
#independentBookshopsIreland
#supportLocal
Here are my go to stores
antoniasbookstore.com
booksatone.ie
alanhannas.com
philipsbookshop.com
gutterbookshop.com
kennys.ie
vibesandscribes.ie
#independentBookshopsIreland
#supportLocal
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Brilliant initiative!
Just say no to single use clothes !
Just say no to single use clothes !
November 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Brilliant initiative!
Just say no to single use clothes !
Just say no to single use clothes !
Reposted by Mike Spillane
The other day I was parking up and a Tesla arrived. They locked up and the confirmation sound was the "swoosh swoosh swoosh" noise from KITT in Knight Rider.
A Swasticar appropriating the sound of a vehicle that did good and whose driver fought evil.
#Speirgorm
A Swasticar appropriating the sound of a vehicle that did good and whose driver fought evil.
#Speirgorm
November 9, 2025 at 6:50 PM
The other day I was parking up and a Tesla arrived. They locked up and the confirmation sound was the "swoosh swoosh swoosh" noise from KITT in Knight Rider.
A Swasticar appropriating the sound of a vehicle that did good and whose driver fought evil.
#Speirgorm
A Swasticar appropriating the sound of a vehicle that did good and whose driver fought evil.
#Speirgorm
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Update on this cycle-lane. Last Thursday, someone came to clear the drains, but left all the leaves & rubbish in place in clumps. So when it rained again, all the shores blocked again.
The problem isn't the leaves; it's the sh1tty design & no maintenance.
@irishcycle.com @dublincycling.bsky.social
The problem isn't the leaves; it's the sh1tty design & no maintenance.
@irishcycle.com @dublincycling.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Update on this cycle-lane. Last Thursday, someone came to clear the drains, but left all the leaves & rubbish in place in clumps. So when it rained again, all the shores blocked again.
The problem isn't the leaves; it's the sh1tty design & no maintenance.
@irishcycle.com @dublincycling.bsky.social
The problem isn't the leaves; it's the sh1tty design & no maintenance.
@irishcycle.com @dublincycling.bsky.social
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Whatever your view on judicial review and NIMBY-ism, this is an appalling attack on the rule-of-law —
If a person successfully (successfully!) proves wrongdoing by the state, the state will bankrupt them?
Cui bono? Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael conies and the worst days of An Bord Pleanála corruption.
If a person successfully (successfully!) proves wrongdoing by the state, the state will bankrupt them?
Cui bono? Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael conies and the worst days of An Bord Pleanála corruption.
Objectors will be on the hook to pay six-figure legal costs under judicial reviews clampdown
Objectors will have to foot six-figure legal bills for successful judicial review cases in a new move being brought to the Cabinet to speed up the supply of infrastructure and housing.
www.independent.ie
November 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Whatever your view on judicial review and NIMBY-ism, this is an appalling attack on the rule-of-law —
If a person successfully (successfully!) proves wrongdoing by the state, the state will bankrupt them?
Cui bono? Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael conies and the worst days of An Bord Pleanála corruption.
If a person successfully (successfully!) proves wrongdoing by the state, the state will bankrupt them?
Cui bono? Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael conies and the worst days of An Bord Pleanála corruption.
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Hello Cork Based #SpeirGorm.
A Christmas fair is taking place on Sunday at the Sacred Heart, Western Road, Cork. There are some fantastic local craftspeople selling some gorgeous gifts. all welcome. Could you share 😃
A Christmas fair is taking place on Sunday at the Sacred Heart, Western Road, Cork. There are some fantastic local craftspeople selling some gorgeous gifts. all welcome. Could you share 😃
November 3, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Hello Cork Based #SpeirGorm.
A Christmas fair is taking place on Sunday at the Sacred Heart, Western Road, Cork. There are some fantastic local craftspeople selling some gorgeous gifts. all welcome. Could you share 😃
A Christmas fair is taking place on Sunday at the Sacred Heart, Western Road, Cork. There are some fantastic local craftspeople selling some gorgeous gifts. all welcome. Could you share 😃
Local Greenway opposition mobilising... In the parish newsletter 🤔
November 8, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Local Greenway opposition mobilising... In the parish newsletter 🤔
33km on the bike today for a food shop, flu vaccine, bicycle tubes, stroll around town, coffee, etc
Doesn't seem a lot, but I suppose if you were driving you'd be stuck in a fair amount of traffic 🤷🏻
I did forget the receipt for a rug I was supposed to collect and I forgot the keys for the locks 🤦🏻
Doesn't seem a lot, but I suppose if you were driving you'd be stuck in a fair amount of traffic 🤷🏻
I did forget the receipt for a rug I was supposed to collect and I forgot the keys for the locks 🤦🏻
November 8, 2025 at 5:42 PM
33km on the bike today for a food shop, flu vaccine, bicycle tubes, stroll around town, coffee, etc
Doesn't seem a lot, but I suppose if you were driving you'd be stuck in a fair amount of traffic 🤷🏻
I did forget the receipt for a rug I was supposed to collect and I forgot the keys for the locks 🤦🏻
Doesn't seem a lot, but I suppose if you were driving you'd be stuck in a fair amount of traffic 🤷🏻
I did forget the receipt for a rug I was supposed to collect and I forgot the keys for the locks 🤦🏻
Reposted by Mike Spillane
My unpopular opinion: those of us advocating for non-car travel need to stop apologetically saying "I know not everybody can cycle!" Obviously not everyone can cycle, but that's also true of driving. I fear we're just giving our opponents' attack lines legitimacy by shouting them out for free
November 7, 2025 at 7:26 PM
My unpopular opinion: those of us advocating for non-car travel need to stop apologetically saying "I know not everybody can cycle!" Obviously not everyone can cycle, but that's also true of driving. I fear we're just giving our opponents' attack lines legitimacy by shouting them out for free
Reposted by Mike Spillane
How about Jim O' Callaghan and all govt TDs/bodies/orgs get off X.
Start with that. Like that would be one easy and simple step that would have instant effect.
Start with that. Like that would be one easy and simple step that would have instant effect.
The Minister for Justice has said that he wants social media companies to do more to ensure their platforms are not used to "freely spread incitement or hatred of others"
Call for action against spread of hatred on social media
The Minister for Justice has said that he wants social media companies to do more to ensure their platforms are not used to "freely spread incitement or hatred of others".
www.rte.ie
November 7, 2025 at 7:49 PM
How about Jim O' Callaghan and all govt TDs/bodies/orgs get off X.
Start with that. Like that would be one easy and simple step that would have instant effect.
Start with that. Like that would be one easy and simple step that would have instant effect.
Reposted by Mike Spillane
This looks like a massively ambitious project. How will it be funded ? How much more disruption to hard-pressed Leeside commuters ?
For context: Here is what councillors were expecting (circled in red) vs what is being put forward.
The proposed plans are not being brought forward by Cork City Council or Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the two roads authorities — but by the Port of Cork as a private application.
The proposed plans are not being brought forward by Cork City Council or Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the two roads authorities — but by the Port of Cork as a private application.
November 7, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This looks like a massively ambitious project. How will it be funded ? How much more disruption to hard-pressed Leeside commuters ?
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Valuable lesson here from one-time #climate “hero” Bill Gates: never, ever trust billionaires – on any subject. Only thing they care about is themselves, as I explained to Matt Cooper yesterday.
Oh, and not sure about Micheál Martin either.
www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the...
Oh, and not sure about Micheál Martin either.
www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the...
Why Bill Gates Is Wrong About Climate Change
Climate scientists have criticised billionaire Bill Gates for comments he made on climate change last week.Gates published a 17-page memo in which he called ...
www.todayfm.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Valuable lesson here from one-time #climate “hero” Bill Gates: never, ever trust billionaires – on any subject. Only thing they care about is themselves, as I explained to Matt Cooper yesterday.
Oh, and not sure about Micheál Martin either.
www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the...
Oh, and not sure about Micheál Martin either.
www.todayfm.com/podcasts/the...
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Thanks to Amy Nolan and the Echo for reporting the bombshell announcement by the Port of Cork.
The plan for development of Tivoli was for 70% sustainable transport and an eastern access that is bus priority.
Instead, what's proposed is a multi-lane interchange — and not a jot of housing!
The plan for development of Tivoli was for 70% sustainable transport and an eastern access that is bus priority.
Instead, what's proposed is a multi-lane interchange — and not a jot of housing!
Massive Cork docks plan came as a ‘bombshell’ says councillor
In line with the Port of Cork Masterplan 2050, PoCC plans to continue to consolidate its port operations at Ringaskiddy and at Marino Point, and to ...
www.echolive.ie
November 7, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Thanks to Amy Nolan and the Echo for reporting the bombshell announcement by the Port of Cork.
The plan for development of Tivoli was for 70% sustainable transport and an eastern access that is bus priority.
Instead, what's proposed is a multi-lane interchange — and not a jot of housing!
The plan for development of Tivoli was for 70% sustainable transport and an eastern access that is bus priority.
Instead, what's proposed is a multi-lane interchange — and not a jot of housing!
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Is anyone remotely surprised that the CEO in question thinks all Cork needs is more cars?
November 7, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Is anyone remotely surprised that the CEO in question thinks all Cork needs is more cars?
If that visual is indicative of the final design anyone on a bike looks to be dumped into a shared space and left dealing with a junction.
POC trying to pull a fast one?
Ps I've an interest in this as I work in little island and have to deal with the shit fest that is the lower glanmire road
POC trying to pull a fast one?
Ps I've an interest in this as I work in little island and have to deal with the shit fest that is the lower glanmire road
Massive Cork docks plan came as a ‘bombshell’ says councillor
In line with the Port of Cork Masterplan 2050, PoCC plans to continue to consolidate its port operations at Ringaskiddy and at Marino Point, and to ...
www.echolive.ie
November 7, 2025 at 2:42 PM
If that visual is indicative of the final design anyone on a bike looks to be dumped into a shared space and left dealing with a junction.
POC trying to pull a fast one?
Ps I've an interest in this as I work in little island and have to deal with the shit fest that is the lower glanmire road
POC trying to pull a fast one?
Ps I've an interest in this as I work in little island and have to deal with the shit fest that is the lower glanmire road
Reposted by Mike Spillane
they are destroying US climate science on purpose, and it hurts my heart. but take it from an MIT-trained nerdass:
all most of us need to know is that we have to stop burning stuff
stop burning stuff for heat
stop burning stuff for make car go
stop burning stuff for power
we have the tools
all most of us need to know is that we have to stop burning stuff
stop burning stuff for heat
stop burning stuff for make car go
stop burning stuff for power
we have the tools
September 30, 2025 at 2:27 AM
they are destroying US climate science on purpose, and it hurts my heart. but take it from an MIT-trained nerdass:
all most of us need to know is that we have to stop burning stuff
stop burning stuff for heat
stop burning stuff for make car go
stop burning stuff for power
we have the tools
all most of us need to know is that we have to stop burning stuff
stop burning stuff for heat
stop burning stuff for make car go
stop burning stuff for power
we have the tools
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Absolutely. And of course it means less cars on the road which benefits rural areas but is unlikely to be counted in the "plus" column in any budget spreadsheet.
November 6, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Absolutely. And of course it means less cars on the road which benefits rural areas but is unlikely to be counted in the "plus" column in any budget spreadsheet.
Reposted by Mike Spillane
One worry I have about the local link is if they cut the funding or didn't renew a contract. And slowly more and more people will begin to rely on it. Connectivity is key and we have to maintain it
I'm a bit of a nerd about this - but it's hard to quantify just how popular Local Link buses have been in 'rural Ireland' - new one will link villages from Cork to Kerry that haven't had a bus service since the 1960s... www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-n...
New Local Link rural bus link from North Cork to Kerry
Six buses a day - seven days a week
www.corkbeo.ie
November 6, 2025 at 10:00 AM
One worry I have about the local link is if they cut the funding or didn't renew a contract. And slowly more and more people will begin to rely on it. Connectivity is key and we have to maintain it
Reposted by Mike Spillane
I'm a bit of a nerd about this - but it's hard to quantify just how popular Local Link buses have been in 'rural Ireland' - new one will link villages from Cork to Kerry that haven't had a bus service since the 1960s... www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-n...
New Local Link rural bus link from North Cork to Kerry
Six buses a day - seven days a week
www.corkbeo.ie
November 6, 2025 at 9:51 AM
I'm a bit of a nerd about this - but it's hard to quantify just how popular Local Link buses have been in 'rural Ireland' - new one will link villages from Cork to Kerry that haven't had a bus service since the 1960s... www.corkbeo.ie/news/local-n...
Reposted by Mike Spillane
And even when they've planned like Bus Connects and Dart plus they've 'delivered' at a glacial pace. 8 years and counting on Bus Connects
November 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
And even when they've planned like Bus Connects and Dart plus they've 'delivered' at a glacial pace. 8 years and counting on Bus Connects
Reposted by Mike Spillane
I'm sorry but this recent blitz on bureaucracy really boils my fucking piss.
You've been in government for 15 fucking years lads. 15! If this is a problem you fucking created it. Jesus wept
#IrishPolitics #SpéirGorm
You've been in government for 15 fucking years lads. 15! If this is a problem you fucking created it. Jesus wept
#IrishPolitics #SpéirGorm
Bureaucracy, indecisiveness, and institutional inertia is acting as a hidden tax on progress, Minister of State Robert Troy has warned
Bureaucracy acting as hidden tax on progress, warns Troy
Bureaucracy, indecisiveness, and institutional inertia is acting as a hidden tax on progress, a Minister of State has warned.
www.rte.ie
November 5, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I'm sorry but this recent blitz on bureaucracy really boils my fucking piss.
You've been in government for 15 fucking years lads. 15! If this is a problem you fucking created it. Jesus wept
#IrishPolitics #SpéirGorm
You've been in government for 15 fucking years lads. 15! If this is a problem you fucking created it. Jesus wept
#IrishPolitics #SpéirGorm
Reposted by Mike Spillane
The Irish far-right: "We're just concerned citizens".
Also the Irish far-right: "To express these concerns, we will mutilate farm animals and burn babies while they sleep".
Also the Irish far-right: "To express these concerns, we will mutilate farm animals and burn babies while they sleep".
November 4, 2025 at 8:21 PM
The Irish far-right: "We're just concerned citizens".
Also the Irish far-right: "To express these concerns, we will mutilate farm animals and burn babies while they sleep".
Also the Irish far-right: "To express these concerns, we will mutilate farm animals and burn babies while they sleep".
Reposted by Mike Spillane
There's a lot of Irish ppl who are quietly DELIGHTED their homes and rental properties are valued at €1m or more - and they vote.
If we wanted a solution - it would have happend a decade ago.
If we wanted a solution - it would have happend a decade ago.
November 4, 2025 at 8:24 PM
There's a lot of Irish ppl who are quietly DELIGHTED their homes and rental properties are valued at €1m or more - and they vote.
If we wanted a solution - it would have happend a decade ago.
If we wanted a solution - it would have happend a decade ago.
Reposted by Mike Spillane
I think in general I have a fairly high “politician forgiveness” threshold because I understand they face a firehose of shit everyday and also in a democracy they have to comprise all the time, but Simon Harris not standing up for immigrants in this moment feels like one that crosses that threshold
November 3, 2025 at 2:11 PM
I think in general I have a fairly high “politician forgiveness” threshold because I understand they face a firehose of shit everyday and also in a democracy they have to comprise all the time, but Simon Harris not standing up for immigrants in this moment feels like one that crosses that threshold
Reposted by Mike Spillane
So they're telling us that Doing Nothing has not moved the dial ? Wow!
April: If we don’t get Housing right in seven months, we’re screwed.
November: Housing crisis here until 2040.
November: Housing crisis here until 2040.
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
So they're telling us that Doing Nothing has not moved the dial ? Wow!
Reposted by Mike Spillane
Dear ex-Teen Vogue writers.
Best of luck with whatever comes next, but please, if you must set up a newsletter, go somewhere other than substack.
Best of luck with whatever comes next, but please, if you must set up a newsletter, go somewhere other than substack.
November 3, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Dear ex-Teen Vogue writers.
Best of luck with whatever comes next, but please, if you must set up a newsletter, go somewhere other than substack.
Best of luck with whatever comes next, but please, if you must set up a newsletter, go somewhere other than substack.