Tom Gleeson
@tggleeson.bsky.social
Datasmith (retired) same handle on the Bird Site.
The Orange Order, An tOrd Flannbhuí, nah, An tOrd Orásiste, nah; the origin of the political Orange is neither the colour nor the fruit, but the County/City of Orange in Southern France whose name evolved separately and independently from that of the fruit. An tOrd Oráisteach it is so. #speirgorm
November 10, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Orange Order, An tOrd Flannbhuí, nah, An tOrd Orásiste, nah; the origin of the political Orange is neither the colour nor the fruit, but the County/City of Orange in Southern France whose name evolved separately and independently from that of the fruit. An tOrd Oráisteach it is so. #speirgorm
First time we've had deer in the garden, at least during the day, sure sign they're at over-population levels, a doe and her fawn; neither showed any real fear, unlike the tomcat who was freaked out. #speirgorm
October 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
First time we've had deer in the garden, at least during the day, sure sign they're at over-population levels, a doe and her fawn; neither showed any real fear, unlike the tomcat who was freaked out. #speirgorm
The gaming of the US constitution. The US like Ireland created, and codified, a King like role (with a popular mandate) in the form of the Presidency. Unfortunately at the time of the US codification English Kings, unlike in the 1930s, had executive powers. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
October 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
The gaming of the US constitution. The US like Ireland created, and codified, a King like role (with a popular mandate) in the form of the Presidency. Unfortunately at the time of the US codification English Kings, unlike in the 1930s, had executive powers. www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/ideas/law/th...
This is a Citroën Ami using its Type 2 adapter, it can only charge at max 16 amps so no speed advantage over a standard home socket. In UK & Ireland Ami is not supplied with a three-pin plug on the car's cable, type 2 only; so official line is no home charging unless a €1000+ charger installed! 1>>
October 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
This is a Citroën Ami using its Type 2 adapter, it can only charge at max 16 amps so no speed advantage over a standard home socket. In UK & Ireland Ami is not supplied with a three-pin plug on the car's cable, type 2 only; so official line is no home charging unless a €1000+ charger installed! 1>>
A lot of more of something like this in towns would be helpful.
October 23, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A lot of more of something like this in towns would be helpful.
The period between un-controlled tobacco ads and a total ban was great for creatives and provided some classics such as Winston's Wok in a Black Forest. I remember the ad (was common on Tube platforms in 80's London) but always thought it was a Silk Cut ad, so maybe not that effective.
October 17, 2025 at 12:56 PM
The period between un-controlled tobacco ads and a total ban was great for creatives and provided some classics such as Winston's Wok in a Black Forest. I remember the ad (was common on Tube platforms in 80's London) but always thought it was a Silk Cut ad, so maybe not that effective.
Mild weather back again, last night's warmth suited the the now flowering Viburnum bushes; their night-rime scent was the strongest yet and the two bushes are in nearly 30 years, being very large and with lots of flowers this year helps I guess.
October 14, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Mild weather back again, last night's warmth suited the the now flowering Viburnum bushes; their night-rime scent was the strongest yet and the two bushes are in nearly 30 years, being very large and with lots of flowers this year helps I guess.
A succulent Chinese Seal.
October 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
A succulent Chinese Seal.
Coigeal na Ban Sí (or Sidhe in the old spelling). The Banshees' Distaff (for holding unspun flax etc during spinning) #speirgorm
October 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Coigeal na Ban Sí (or Sidhe in the old spelling). The Banshees' Distaff (for holding unspun flax etc during spinning) #speirgorm
I knew Maria Steen's mood/coat & handbag combo remined me of somebody. “Bernd das Brot” the always-in-a-bad-mood German children's TV character. www.goethe.de/prj/ger/en/i....
September 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
I knew Maria Steen's mood/coat & handbag combo remined me of somebody. “Bernd das Brot” the always-in-a-bad-mood German children's TV character. www.goethe.de/prj/ger/en/i....
Young deer separated from the rest of the family group who were across the other side of Featherbed Lane; awaiting anxiously for me to be on my way so she can join them. #speirgorm
September 25, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Young deer separated from the rest of the family group who were across the other side of Featherbed Lane; awaiting anxiously for me to be on my way so she can join them. #speirgorm
Make Ireland Crate Again.
September 23, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Make Ireland Crate Again.
Frost on the cars this morning but now warm enough to tempt out the last of the butterfliers. Commas mainly but one or two Red Admirals whose Summer it was, never seen so many as this year.
September 22, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Frost on the cars this morning but now warm enough to tempt out the last of the butterfliers. Commas mainly but one or two Red Admirals whose Summer it was, never seen so many as this year.
An example of "dropping the a and keeping the n before a vowel" in a placename: Nobber - An Obair - 'N'obair
www.logainm.ie/en/38299/
Kings of the Hill, Nobber, County Meath by Larry Angier #speirgorm
www.logainm.ie/en/38299/
Kings of the Hill, Nobber, County Meath by Larry Angier #speirgorm
September 19, 2025 at 10:11 AM
An example of "dropping the a and keeping the n before a vowel" in a placename: Nobber - An Obair - 'N'obair
www.logainm.ie/en/38299/
Kings of the Hill, Nobber, County Meath by Larry Angier #speirgorm
www.logainm.ie/en/38299/
Kings of the Hill, Nobber, County Meath by Larry Angier #speirgorm
A thread.
How spoken Irish handles/handled the definite article “an” is worth knowing when investigating anglicised placenames. #speirgorm (1/11)>>
How spoken Irish handles/handled the definite article “an” is worth knowing when investigating anglicised placenames. #speirgorm (1/11)>>
September 17, 2025 at 3:05 PM
A thread.
How spoken Irish handles/handled the definite article “an” is worth knowing when investigating anglicised placenames. #speirgorm (1/11)>>
How spoken Irish handles/handled the definite article “an” is worth knowing when investigating anglicised placenames. #speirgorm (1/11)>>
Bonlea (Bawnlea, aka Palatine Street) Methodist Chapel, built in 1815 (replacing an earlier 1790 chapel). Sold in 1968 for £50 as a farm store. methodisthistoryireland.org/index-of-iri...
September 13, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Bonlea (Bawnlea, aka Palatine Street) Methodist Chapel, built in 1815 (replacing an earlier 1790 chapel). Sold in 1968 for £50 as a farm store. methodisthistoryireland.org/index-of-iri...
... in fact the community's chapel survived up until the early 1960s ( not sure when the Palatine school shut); unlike Kilcooly School, now a community centre, the chapel now has no function other than as a very rundown cow shed. (2/) #speirgorm
September 12, 2025 at 11:32 AM
... in fact the community's chapel survived up until the early 1960s ( not sure when the Palatine school shut); unlike Kilcooly School, now a community centre, the chapel now has no function other than as a very rundown cow shed. (2/) #speirgorm
We always assumed Derrynabrone was Wood of the Sorrows, but it could be the genitive of bró (quern) too. Considering that whoever hid the hoard never returned likely due to being massacred by the Dane, blood and sorrows would have make for suitable companions in a desolate landscape (2/) #speirgorm
September 9, 2025 at 12:55 PM
We always assumed Derrynabrone was Wood of the Sorrows, but it could be the genitive of bró (quern) too. Considering that whoever hid the hoard never returned likely due to being massacred by the Dane, blood and sorrows would have make for suitable companions in a desolate landscape (2/) #speirgorm
"no threat to peace" and of course in the short term it is true, nobody wants to go back to war save a few headbangers, it took 40 years for NI to explode 1st time. Smacks of: Yeah we were duplicitous, violence in the only thing we respect, so unless ye're up for it we're tearing up the agreement.
September 1, 2025 at 9:35 AM
"no threat to peace" and of course in the short term it is true, nobody wants to go back to war save a few headbangers, it took 40 years for NI to explode 1st time. Smacks of: Yeah we were duplicitous, violence in the only thing we respect, so unless ye're up for it we're tearing up the agreement.
Lady in Red. The more sensible and serene of the two household cats. Indoors that is, when she's outside she's a skittish lunatic with a liking for fresh meat. #speirgorm
August 29, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Lady in Red. The more sensible and serene of the two household cats. Indoors that is, when she's outside she's a skittish lunatic with a liking for fresh meat. #speirgorm
Was in Doogort last week 1st time since 2007, always assumed it was from Dubhghort but it's Dumha Goirt. Only had 2G Edge reception, I recalled it had 3G last time but I misremembered, it would have been Edge but back then an Ericson mobile with Opera browser would provide internet unlike modern kit
August 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM
Was in Doogort last week 1st time since 2007, always assumed it was from Dubhghort but it's Dumha Goirt. Only had 2G Edge reception, I recalled it had 3G last time but I misremembered, it would have been Edge but back then an Ericson mobile with Opera browser would provide internet unlike modern kit
To complement the two Éad/Éid Towns there are also two Islands, Islandeady (Oileán Éadaí) www.logainm.ie/en/1774 town in Mayo and the depopulated Island Eddy (Oileán Eide) www.logainm.ie/en/18613 in Galway Bay. Both likely old Gaelic placenames so no connection to the 14thC Anglo-Norman Ed's towns
August 24, 2025 at 2:40 PM
To complement the two Éad/Éid Towns there are also two Islands, Islandeady (Oileán Éadaí) www.logainm.ie/en/1774 town in Mayo and the depopulated Island Eddy (Oileán Eide) www.logainm.ie/en/18613 in Galway Bay. Both likely old Gaelic placenames so no connection to the 14thC Anglo-Norman Ed's towns
Watched Poitín last night, obviously seen it before as I've the memory of Cyril Cusack putting the Súgra bags into the mash but it hadn't made an impression on me other than that. Very dark, The Quiet Man it ain't. Excerpt: youtu.be/uMsJoIuC9R4 good example of the Slender R in obair. #speirgorm
August 23, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Watched Poitín last night, obviously seen it before as I've the memory of Cyril Cusack putting the Súgra bags into the mash but it hadn't made an impression on me other than that. Very dark, The Quiet Man it ain't. Excerpt: youtu.be/uMsJoIuC9R4 good example of the Slender R in obair. #speirgorm
Never seen North Connemara/South Mayo so dry, mossy ground crispy under foot, lakes at low levels, dry river beds, the usually reliably impressive Aasleagh Falls didn't look like this this week. #speirgorm
August 22, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Never seen North Connemara/South Mayo so dry, mossy ground crispy under foot, lakes at low levels, dry river beds, the usually reliably impressive Aasleagh Falls didn't look like this this week. #speirgorm
Turns out it was closer to 18 years since I was last in Achill, stayed at the now long closed Greys Guesthouse. Not only connectivity that's improved but the food offerings too if this unassuming café in Achill Sound is anything to go by: The Aelph, excellent and good value lunch. #Speirgorm
August 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Turns out it was closer to 18 years since I was last in Achill, stayed at the now long closed Greys Guesthouse. Not only connectivity that's improved but the food offerings too if this unassuming café in Achill Sound is anything to go by: The Aelph, excellent and good value lunch. #Speirgorm