Eoin Ó Nialláin
@eoinneylon.bsky.social
MSc's in Engineering and Astrophysics. Former politico. Occasional writer. Casual psephologist. Sports nuts. Dublin based, but home will always be the Wild Atlantic Way.
Clare is a fantastic, stuuning place to be from.... but something about Kerry just hits different. What a thoroughly beautiful part of the world! #Ireland is just a wonderful island, especially when the sun is out!
June 25, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Clare is a fantastic, stuuning place to be from.... but something about Kerry just hits different. What a thoroughly beautiful part of the world! #Ireland is just a wonderful island, especially when the sun is out!
Reminder: Partial #SolarEclipse this Saturday, March 29th.
From #Ireland the times are:
Start time ~ 9 am.
Finish time ~ Noon.
Max ~ 11am.
40% - 47% sun coverage depending on location on the island.
Nice warm up for much larger one (90 - 95%) in Aug '26.
WRNG: Never look directly at the sun!
From #Ireland the times are:
Start time ~ 9 am.
Finish time ~ Noon.
Max ~ 11am.
40% - 47% sun coverage depending on location on the island.
Nice warm up for much larger one (90 - 95%) in Aug '26.
WRNG: Never look directly at the sun!
March 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Reminder: Partial #SolarEclipse this Saturday, March 29th.
From #Ireland the times are:
Start time ~ 9 am.
Finish time ~ Noon.
Max ~ 11am.
40% - 47% sun coverage depending on location on the island.
Nice warm up for much larger one (90 - 95%) in Aug '26.
WRNG: Never look directly at the sun!
From #Ireland the times are:
Start time ~ 9 am.
Finish time ~ Noon.
Max ~ 11am.
40% - 47% sun coverage depending on location on the island.
Nice warm up for much larger one (90 - 95%) in Aug '26.
WRNG: Never look directly at the sun!
Reposted by Eoin Ó Nialláin
Irish businesses will struggle to compete with Amazon ie, both online and in the high street.
Shop direct with your Irish retailers, who already exist.
Support local, not the billionaires.
Shop direct with your Irish retailers, who already exist.
Support local, not the billionaires.
March 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Irish businesses will struggle to compete with Amazon ie, both online and in the high street.
Shop direct with your Irish retailers, who already exist.
Support local, not the billionaires.
Shop direct with your Irish retailers, who already exist.
Support local, not the billionaires.
Thread for all those cheering recent failures. Yes, it is great to see more and more people try.... but let's not forget that there are organisations like NASA, ESA, etc with a long history of success. But because they're Govt agencies, people are trying to kill them off.
Let's debunk this whole "space is hard" mantra.
Looking at all NASA-led missions launched since 2000, only 4 out of ~60 missions experienced total failures.
Two of these were due to issues with the commercial launch vehicle, & two were spacecraft issues.
That is a *93% success rate.* (1/n)
Looking at all NASA-led missions launched since 2000, only 4 out of ~60 missions experienced total failures.
Two of these were due to issues with the commercial launch vehicle, & two were spacecraft issues.
That is a *93% success rate.* (1/n)
March 7, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Thread for all those cheering recent failures. Yes, it is great to see more and more people try.... but let's not forget that there are organisations like NASA, ESA, etc with a long history of success. But because they're Govt agencies, people are trying to kill them off.
State body rejected me today I "... don't have sufficient experience in HE governance" despite application stating I was on the board of NUIG for 4 years. 🤦🏻♂️ Reminded me of the pen pushers who claimed I hadn't the maths ability for a course I applied to before; I've MScs in Engineering & Astrophysics
February 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
State body rejected me today I "... don't have sufficient experience in HE governance" despite application stating I was on the board of NUIG for 4 years. 🤦🏻♂️ Reminded me of the pen pushers who claimed I hadn't the maths ability for a course I applied to before; I've MScs in Engineering & Astrophysics
Have known Minister Lawless for a long time, before ever he was an elected politician. All that time, he's been a consistent and vocal supporter of Ireland joining @cern.bsky.social. It's very apt that he should be the one there to officially sign the country up.
As some who has worked at CERN I cannot understand why this took so long
An Irish delegation led by Minister James Lawless will visit the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva tomorrow, marking a significant step in Ireland’s bid to become a member of the scientific organisation
jrnl.ie/6626446
jrnl.ie/6626446
February 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Have known Minister Lawless for a long time, before ever he was an elected politician. All that time, he's been a consistent and vocal supporter of Ireland joining @cern.bsky.social. It's very apt that he should be the one there to officially sign the country up.
Reposted by Eoin Ó Nialláin
The Planetary Society strongly opposes the sudden, indiscriminate dismissal of more than 1,000 scientists, engineers, and explorers at NASA — the largest involuntary workforce reduction since the end of the Apollo program.
Read more on our stance. ⬇️
Read more on our stance. ⬇️
The Planetary Society Strongly Opposes Mass Layoffs of Probationary…
Sudden, indiscriminate layoffs at NASA do not serve the national interests in space leadership.
www.planetary.org
February 18, 2025 at 4:47 PM
The Planetary Society strongly opposes the sudden, indiscriminate dismissal of more than 1,000 scientists, engineers, and explorers at NASA — the largest involuntary workforce reduction since the end of the Apollo program.
Read more on our stance. ⬇️
Read more on our stance. ⬇️
The best piece of evidence based writing I've seen thus far on the issue of rent controls in Ireland:
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
This by Dr. Michael Bryne (Lecturer in political economy at UCD) is a must read for anyone looking at issue of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland.
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
This by Dr. Michael Bryne (Lecturer in political economy at UCD) is a must read for anyone looking at issue of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland.
The truth about RPZs: all the evidence and analysis in one place
The Week in Housing bonus post
theweekinhousing.substack.com
February 17, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The best piece of evidence based writing I've seen thus far on the issue of rent controls in Ireland:
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
This by Dr. Michael Bryne (Lecturer in political economy at UCD) is a must read for anyone looking at issue of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland.
theweekinhousing.substack.com/p/the-truth-...
This by Dr. Michael Bryne (Lecturer in political economy at UCD) is a must read for anyone looking at issue of Rent Pressure Zones in Ireland.
Something for the more tech savy; Is there any way to auto-follow everyone you were following on Twitter, who has a BlueSky account, over here? (Yes I'm aware that I'm sounding more and more like my father every day.... as tech gets away from me! 🤪)
February 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Something for the more tech savy; Is there any way to auto-follow everyone you were following on Twitter, who has a BlueSky account, over here? (Yes I'm aware that I'm sounding more and more like my father every day.... as tech gets away from me! 🤪)
With the dust settled on the Seanad elections, 20 out of 49 seats are filled by women (40.8%) this is the best return so far for female politicians. If the Taoiseach nominates 10 women out of his 11 nominees, then Ireland would have a 50/50 split in a house of the Oireachtas for the first time ever.
February 4, 2025 at 2:23 PM
With the dust settled on the Seanad elections, 20 out of 49 seats are filled by women (40.8%) this is the best return so far for female politicians. If the Taoiseach nominates 10 women out of his 11 nominees, then Ireland would have a 50/50 split in a house of the Oireachtas for the first time ever.
For anyone interested here on #speirgorm, the list of candidates for the 5 vocational panels of Seanad Éireann elections #SE25 has been published. I've done some sleuthing to find people's affiliations/what whip they said they might take if elected. I've also put the expected outcome of each panel.
January 8, 2025 at 10:38 PM
For anyone interested here on #speirgorm, the list of candidates for the 5 vocational panels of Seanad Éireann elections #SE25 has been published. I've done some sleuthing to find people's affiliations/what whip they said they might take if elected. I've also put the expected outcome of each panel.
I need to start getting these framed and hung at this stage! Framer suggestions welcome #speirgorm people.
Nice surprise to get in the post following the Christmas celebrations. #Astrophysics
Nice surprise to get in the post following the Christmas celebrations. #Astrophysics
December 28, 2024 at 5:02 PM
I need to start getting these framed and hung at this stage! Framer suggestions welcome #speirgorm people.
Nice surprise to get in the post following the Christmas celebrations. #Astrophysics
Nice surprise to get in the post following the Christmas celebrations. #Astrophysics
The outside panel is set to close nominations today (external nominating bodies) for the Seanad Election #SE25. Prospect of gender balance isn't looking great with 20 women and 44 men nominated so far for the 43 seats on offer. Agriculture panel is the worst offender with 3 women up against 14 men.
December 18, 2024 at 6:05 PM
The outside panel is set to close nominations today (external nominating bodies) for the Seanad Election #SE25. Prospect of gender balance isn't looking great with 20 women and 44 men nominated so far for the 43 seats on offer. Agriculture panel is the worst offender with 3 women up against 14 men.
Might not agree with her politically on a number of things but still a positive move to see a woman elected as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann today. Record number of women TDs took their seats today also.
Hopefully this continues and we see a record number of women Senators elected next month.
Hopefully this continues and we see a record number of women Senators elected next month.
December 18, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Might not agree with her politically on a number of things but still a positive move to see a woman elected as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann today. Record number of women TDs took their seats today also.
Hopefully this continues and we see a record number of women Senators elected next month.
Hopefully this continues and we see a record number of women Senators elected next month.
One question that's still open from #GE24 is just how off is the electoral register. Using Census 2022 data, and EU voter registration averages of 80% to 90%, we see that it's off by anything from 174,000 to 564,000 people. This is something the Electoral Commission badly needs sorting! #speirgorm
December 12, 2024 at 12:28 PM
One question that's still open from #GE24 is just how off is the electoral register. Using Census 2022 data, and EU voter registration averages of 80% to 90%, we see that it's off by anything from 174,000 to 564,000 people. This is something the Electoral Commission badly needs sorting! #speirgorm
In perfect Irish timing, the post election lul on social media is gonna be broken by the #latelatetoyshow tomorrow night. In preparation, I submit for #speirgorm use your #toyshow 2024 bingo card! #Ireland I wish you well tomorrow evening. (Please drink responsibility!)
December 5, 2024 at 8:31 PM
In perfect Irish timing, the post election lul on social media is gonna be broken by the #latelatetoyshow tomorrow night. In preparation, I submit for #speirgorm use your #toyshow 2024 bingo card! #Ireland I wish you well tomorrow evening. (Please drink responsibility!)
The 2024 election is 1 of only 3 where the combined FF+FG vote share hasn't dropped in my lifetime. The 28% drop in their combined vote in that time has coincided with a 13% rise in IND support (vast majority of which are centrists). Overall drop in combined support coincides with 3 key events.
December 3, 2024 at 2:55 PM
The 2024 election is 1 of only 3 where the combined FF+FG vote share hasn't dropped in my lifetime. The 28% drop in their combined vote in that time has coincided with a 13% rise in IND support (vast majority of which are centrists). Overall drop in combined support coincides with 3 key events.
If the register is out by this much, then turnout on Friday was around 69%, not the official almost 60% figure reported.
Unsurprising, however. Political parties (of all hues) used to go door-to-door between elections updating the register. This stopped >10 years ago.
www.rte.ie/news/electio...
Unsurprising, however. Political parties (of all hues) used to go door-to-door between elections updating the register. This stopped >10 years ago.
www.rte.ie/news/electio...
Register could be off by 500,000 names - commission
The head of the electoral body, An Coimisún Toghcháin, has acknowledged that the electoral register is "not as accurate as it should be" and that there could be as many as 500,000 people who should no...
www.rte.ie
December 3, 2024 at 12:47 PM
If the register is out by this much, then turnout on Friday was around 69%, not the official almost 60% figure reported.
Unsurprising, however. Political parties (of all hues) used to go door-to-door between elections updating the register. This stopped >10 years ago.
www.rte.ie/news/electio...
Unsurprising, however. Political parties (of all hues) used to go door-to-door between elections updating the register. This stopped >10 years ago.
www.rte.ie/news/electio...
Had chats with people prior the election on this. These reports should outline how long people have been here, what they've contributed to our society, and how difficult a process it was to attain citizenship more.
A lot of people have the wrong impression citizenship is frivolously handed out.
A lot of people have the wrong impression citizenship is frivolously handed out.
Over 6,000 people are set to receive their Irish citizenship at seven ceremonies held at the INEC Killarney in Co Kerry
Over 6,000 people to become Irish citizens at ceremonies
Over 6,000 people are set to receive their Irish citizenship at seven ceremonies in Killarney, Co Kerry.
www.rte.ie
December 3, 2024 at 11:23 AM
Had chats with people prior the election on this. These reports should outline how long people have been here, what they've contributed to our society, and how difficult a process it was to attain citizenship more.
A lot of people have the wrong impression citizenship is frivolously handed out.
A lot of people have the wrong impression citizenship is frivolously handed out.
Let it never be said I'm not willing to put my money where my mouth is. Backed my own statistical analysis and projection model it produced ahead of #GE24. It's proven profitable! Mathematical skills are good for your wallet folks. Who said an MSc in Astrophysics doesn't have its uses!? 😝
December 2, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Let it never be said I'm not willing to put my money where my mouth is. Backed my own statistical analysis and projection model it produced ahead of #GE24. It's proven profitable! Mathematical skills are good for your wallet folks. Who said an MSc in Astrophysics doesn't have its uses!? 😝
Ah you'd miss the cut and trust of politics the odd time alright. Looking in from the outside at the various counts and the highs and the lows on all sides, brings back a lot of good memories too. #GE24
December 2, 2024 at 7:23 PM
Ah you'd miss the cut and trust of politics the odd time alright. Looking in from the outside at the various counts and the highs and the lows on all sides, brings back a lot of good memories too. #GE24
With all #GE24 counted, there are a whopping 50 casual vacancies on local authorities across the country as a result.
These are broken down as:
13 FG
12 FF
8 SF
5 LAD
5 SD
4 IND
1 each for Aontú, S/PBP and II.
Lots of conventions to come shortly to replace them. 7 on Dublin City Council alone!
These are broken down as:
13 FG
12 FF
8 SF
5 LAD
5 SD
4 IND
1 each for Aontú, S/PBP and II.
Lots of conventions to come shortly to replace them. 7 on Dublin City Council alone!
December 2, 2024 at 6:07 PM
With all #GE24 counted, there are a whopping 50 casual vacancies on local authorities across the country as a result.
These are broken down as:
13 FG
12 FF
8 SF
5 LAD
5 SD
4 IND
1 each for Aontú, S/PBP and II.
Lots of conventions to come shortly to replace them. 7 on Dublin City Council alone!
These are broken down as:
13 FG
12 FF
8 SF
5 LAD
5 SD
4 IND
1 each for Aontú, S/PBP and II.
Lots of conventions to come shortly to replace them. 7 on Dublin City Council alone!
Looking at #ge24 #exitpoll and something just doesn't seem to align with constituency polls I've seen. Not massively out, but more than reported margin of error (1.4%). That said, putting those numbers through the model, so many last seats are just too hard to call now. Transfers are everything!
November 30, 2024 at 12:44 AM
Reposted by Eoin Ó Nialláin
On this day in 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell from Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, confirmed the existence of #pulsars —one of the greatest discoveries in #astrophysics. Then a 24-year-old PhD student, she expanded our understanding of the universe.
📺 youtu.be/z_3zNw91MSY
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyn...
📺 youtu.be/z_3zNw91MSY
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyn...
Journeys of Discovery: Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Pulsars
YouTube video by Cambridge University
youtu.be
November 28, 2024 at 12:59 PM
On this day in 1967, Jocelyn Bell Burnell from Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, confirmed the existence of #pulsars —one of the greatest discoveries in #astrophysics. Then a 24-year-old PhD student, she expanded our understanding of the universe.
📺 youtu.be/z_3zNw91MSY
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyn...
📺 youtu.be/z_3zNw91MSY
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jocelyn...