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Clare

@claredalune.bsky.social

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Clare @claredalune.bsky.social · Jun 22

If you see this, post an image you saved because it made you laugh

A tea urn filled with holy water, with a bucket to catch any drips of holiness

Clare

@claredalune.bsky.social

I went back to my home town in Ireland this weekend. An awful arson attack was made on accommodation for asylum seekers. The local reaction was one of unqualified compassion for the residents, and outrage that people seeking safety could be made unwelcome in our community. I'm posting this as...

Drogheda residents ‘shocked’ after fireworks thrown into IPAS centre

YouTube video by RTÉ News

youtube.com

November 3, 2025 at 2:14 PM

Clare

@claredalune.bsky.social

What fresh hell is this?

Notification email to tell me that, unsolicited, 'An AI created a podcast' of an article I co-authored a couple of decades ago

June 25, 2025 at 7:27 PM

Reposted by Clare

University and College Union (UCU)

@ucu.org.uk

Great turnout for the @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social strike rally

We hope management are listening ✊ 📣

UCU Scotland @ucuscotland.bsky.social · Jun 20

Rally in the sun 😎 @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social hearing speakers on why £140m cuts unnecessary and demanding uni senior management rule out comp redundancies. We don't want to, but we'll be back out on strike in Sept unless @edinburghuni.bsky.social management see sense #StopTheCuts

June 20, 2025 at 11:21 AM

Reposted by Clare

Scott Santens

@scottsantens.com

This will be of no surprise to any artist here on Bluesky but a new qualitative report has been published about the Basic Income for Artists pilot in Ireland and it turns out that the impact has been far-ranging and has affected all aspects of artists' lives

booksirelandmagazine.com/basic-income...

More than 50 artists and creative arts workers were interviewed by a sociologist to talk about the changes that the BIA has brought to their lives. This report provides additional context to the data collected this far by the Department as part of the BIA research programme, including quotes from participants.

Minister O’Donovan said that the research shows that the impact of the basic income is far-ranging and affects all aspects of recipients’ lives.

As the pilot ends, it’s important to hear from the artists themselves. I am struck by the stories collected in this report. This paper complements my Department’s research to date which shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact for those in receipt of it. Artists are investing more time and more money into their practice, completing more new artistic output, experiencing reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.’

This qualitative report clearly demonstrates that the BIA has helped to sustain individual creative practice, boost ambition and creative outputs, as well as strengthen artists’ connections to their local communities. In addition, the pilot scheme has supported artists to secure more sustainable housing, address health issues, start families and even establish pension schemes. The findings affirm what the arts sector has long known: the deep precarity of the arts requires sustained, courageous support—support that not only transforms the lives of artists, but also strengthens the society they help to shape.”

The paper published today finds that the stability of the payment has significantly reduced underlying financial stress, has allowed recipients to devote time to research and experimentation which resulted in improved quality and opened new career trajectories. Recipients invested in upskilling and equipment. Recipients are also better able to take care of their physical and mental health. They report a sense of legitimacy and validation and mentioned the importance of ‘giving back’ to their community.

May 26, 2025 at 1:08 PM

Reposted by Clare

In Quires and Places where they meme

@quiresandplaces.com

"Holy Week is coming" to the tune of the Coca Cola Christmas advert.

April 10, 2025 at 10:40 AM

Clare

@claredalune.bsky.social

Andy Zaltzman @zaltzcricket.bsky.social was brilliant last night in Edinburgh! Thank you so much for your, as ever, clever, funny and compassionate take on the world's news - a tiny respite of hope and humour from the grind of the daily newsfeeds. And beer. A great night all in all.

February 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM

Reposted by Clare

Michael Spicer

@michaelspicer.bsky.social

Radio 3 vs Classic FM.

January 20, 2025 at 12:17 PM

Clare

@claredalune.bsky.social

Just been to see Dr Strange love in Dublin - fantastic! Thanks @aiannucci.bsky.social and all cast and production for a brilliant performance. Very timely...😬

February 6, 2025 at 10:16 PM