Claire Mitchell
@clairemitchell.bsky.social
writer, mamaí, history and politics, Belfast/County Down, she/her.
📖 The Ghost Limb: Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798
www.clairemitchell.net
📖 The Ghost Limb: Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798
www.clairemitchell.net
Pinned
I've been doing that Irish thing of being too embarrassed to say hello, would you like my book?
It's The Ghost Limb: Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798. A tribe of 20 modern day northern dissenters go walking around the sites of 1798, asking what this politics could mean for today.
It's The Ghost Limb: Alternative Protestants and the Spirit of 1798. A tribe of 20 modern day northern dissenters go walking around the sites of 1798, asking what this politics could mean for today.
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
This massive Canadian agtech company has put in an application to harvest seaweed from basically the entire west coast. The maps are actually shocking www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
FS006108 Arramara Teoranta Harvesting of Seaweed
Seaweed Harvesting
www.gov.ie
January 28, 2026 at 10:27 PM
This massive Canadian agtech company has put in an application to harvest seaweed from basically the entire west coast. The maps are actually shocking www.gov.ie/en/departmen...
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
Blocking Burnham wasn’t just about protecting Starmer. It was about defending the Westminster system: open.substack.com/pub/abolishw... - by me
Blocking Burnham wasn't just about protecting Starmer, it was about defending the Westminster club
Andy Burnham offered the system a chance to reform itself. It turned him down.
open.substack.com
January 29, 2026 at 1:12 PM
Blocking Burnham wasn’t just about protecting Starmer. It was about defending the Westminster system: open.substack.com/pub/abolishw... - by me
Chuir an tUachtarán Catherine Connolly fáilte roimh Seanadóir Frances Black agus an tUrramach Karen Sethuraman ar chuairt chúirtéise inniu ag Áras an Uachtaráin.
This afternoon President Connolly welcomed Senator Frances Black and Reverend Karen Sethuraman to Áras an Uachtaráin on a courtesy call.
This afternoon President Connolly welcomed Senator Frances Black and Reverend Karen Sethuraman to Áras an Uachtaráin on a courtesy call.
January 28, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
I think a lot of us get hope wrong. Hope, I do not believe, is an emotion. In fact, hope makes space for lots of emotions to exist alongside it. You can DO hope scared, angry, sad etc...
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
January 25, 2026 at 2:05 AM
I think a lot of us get hope wrong. Hope, I do not believe, is an emotion. In fact, hope makes space for lots of emotions to exist alongside it. You can DO hope scared, angry, sad etc...
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
Hope doesn't find us. We make hope through action and struggle. It's a practice of living and is re-made daily.
This was a really splendid conversation, this Flash segment notwithstanding. Would really recommend for anyone trying to imagine what a response to this political moment could look like in Ireland.
New Tortoise Shack podcast with Rory Hearne, the brilliant @jennymaguire.bsky.social and Dublin 9-based superhero The Flash!
Listen/Watch now: www.patreon.com/posts/patron...
Listen/Watch now: www.patreon.com/posts/patron...
January 23, 2026 at 7:53 PM
This was a really splendid conversation, this Flash segment notwithstanding. Would really recommend for anyone trying to imagine what a response to this political moment could look like in Ireland.
Winter summer school with Glór na Móna next weekend, January 30-31, at an Cultúrlann on the Falls Road, Belfast.
January 23, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Winter summer school with Glór na Móna next weekend, January 30-31, at an Cultúrlann on the Falls Road, Belfast.
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
"...after the government decided not to award a £2bn contract to the Israeli arms company subsidiary Elbit Systems UK..."
January 15, 2026 at 4:31 PM
"...after the government decided not to award a £2bn contract to the Israeli arms company subsidiary Elbit Systems UK..."
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
‘A new start is preferable’ – report recommends replacing RTÉ and BBC in event of united Ireland
Dr Phil Ramsey from Ulster University, said the research "kick-starts a debate" on what the future of media might look like across Ireland.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/a...
Dr Phil Ramsey from Ulster University, said the research "kick-starts a debate" on what the future of media might look like across Ireland.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/a...
‘A new start is preferable’ – report recommends replacing RTÉ and BBC in event of united Ireland
A new public service broadcaster should be considered in the event of a united Ireland, researchers have said.
www.independent.ie
January 13, 2026 at 8:08 PM
‘A new start is preferable’ – report recommends replacing RTÉ and BBC in event of united Ireland
Dr Phil Ramsey from Ulster University, said the research "kick-starts a debate" on what the future of media might look like across Ireland.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/a...
Dr Phil Ramsey from Ulster University, said the research "kick-starts a debate" on what the future of media might look like across Ireland.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/a...
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
The story this week is so important, in my view.
It's about the morals of Big Tech and billionaires with riches and power beyond limit - but just far broader than that how far are government and authorities here and around the world willing to let them go.
(1/2)
It's about the morals of Big Tech and billionaires with riches and power beyond limit - but just far broader than that how far are government and authorities here and around the world willing to let them go.
(1/2)
January 10, 2026 at 9:33 AM
The story this week is so important, in my view.
It's about the morals of Big Tech and billionaires with riches and power beyond limit - but just far broader than that how far are government and authorities here and around the world willing to let them go.
(1/2)
It's about the morals of Big Tech and billionaires with riches and power beyond limit - but just far broader than that how far are government and authorities here and around the world willing to let them go.
(1/2)
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
What would happen to the BBC and RTÉ in a united Ireland?
We argue that there should be a new public media organisation – tentatively called Public Media Ireland
An opinion piece in the @irishnews.com written by my colleague Phil Ramsey and I.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
We argue that there should be a new public media organisation – tentatively called Public Media Ireland
An opinion piece in the @irishnews.com written by my colleague Phil Ramsey and I.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
What would happen to the BBC and RTÉ in a united Ireland?
We argue that there should be a new public media organisation – tentatively called Public Media Ireland
www.irishnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:39 AM
What would happen to the BBC and RTÉ in a united Ireland?
We argue that there should be a new public media organisation – tentatively called Public Media Ireland
An opinion piece in the @irishnews.com written by my colleague Phil Ramsey and I.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
We argue that there should be a new public media organisation – tentatively called Public Media Ireland
An opinion piece in the @irishnews.com written by my colleague Phil Ramsey and I.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
Must read from @stephenbaker.bsky.social
and Phil Ramsey on public service media in a reunified Ireland.
We need ‘a media capable of contributing to a rich, participatory democracy… truthful and as culturally creative and convivial as the people who live here’.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
and Phil Ramsey on public service media in a reunified Ireland.
We need ‘a media capable of contributing to a rich, participatory democracy… truthful and as culturally creative and convivial as the people who live here’.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
What would happen to the BBC and RTÉ in a united Ireland?
We argue that there should be a new public media organisation – tentatively called Public Media Ireland
www.irishnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Must read from @stephenbaker.bsky.social
and Phil Ramsey on public service media in a reunified Ireland.
We need ‘a media capable of contributing to a rich, participatory democracy… truthful and as culturally creative and convivial as the people who live here’.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
and Phil Ramsey on public service media in a reunified Ireland.
We need ‘a media capable of contributing to a rich, participatory democracy… truthful and as culturally creative and convivial as the people who live here’.
www.irishnews.com/opinion/what...
Gorgeous doc on Christy Moore on TG4 to start the new year. www.tg4.ie/ga/player/se...
Cartlann Christy Moore | Seinnteoir | Irish Television Channel, Súil Eile
Labhraíonn an t-amhránaí mór le rá Christy Moore le Liam O'Connor atá ina stiúrthóir ar Thaisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann chun súil siar a chaitheamh ar a shaothair ceoil. Bronnann Moore a chartlann pears...
www.tg4.ie
January 1, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Gorgeous doc on Christy Moore on TG4 to start the new year. www.tg4.ie/ga/player/se...
I have a thing for audio books. Just finished The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine. Can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. So real, unsettling, tender, awful, brilliant. They'll all be living in my brain and heart for a long time.
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I have a thing for audio books. Just finished The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine. Can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. So real, unsettling, tender, awful, brilliant. They'll all be living in my brain and heart for a long time.
RIP Bill Kirk. Newtownards communist, documentary photographer, champion cyclist, ragged trousered philanthropist and comrade.
Words by @stubailie.bsky.social
www.digwithit.com?p=3546
Words by @stubailie.bsky.social
www.digwithit.com?p=3546
December 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM
RIP Bill Kirk. Newtownards communist, documentary photographer, champion cyclist, ragged trousered philanthropist and comrade.
Words by @stubailie.bsky.social
www.digwithit.com?p=3546
Words by @stubailie.bsky.social
www.digwithit.com?p=3546
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
The EU is preparing a gift for pesticide giants: toxic pesticides could stay on the market forever, with no safety tests at all. Yes, forever approvals. Yes, this is real. Sign now to stop it. action.wemove.eu/sign/2025-12...
Protect Our Food From Toxic Pesticides
The EU is preparing a gift for pesticide giants, and a nightmare for the rest of us. A new proposal could let toxic pesticides, including glyphosate, stay on the market forever.Yes, forever approvals....
action.wemove.eu
December 12, 2025 at 6:31 AM
The EU is preparing a gift for pesticide giants: toxic pesticides could stay on the market forever, with no safety tests at all. Yes, forever approvals. Yes, this is real. Sign now to stop it. action.wemove.eu/sign/2025-12...
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
Ireland has secured a three-year extension to the controversial nitrates derogation.
An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, said the decision is "actually shocking".
"Recent EPA data on water quality is unambiguous. We are going backwards," An Taisce said.
jrnl.ie/6897863t
An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, said the decision is "actually shocking".
"Recent EPA data on water quality is unambiguous. We are going backwards," An Taisce said.
jrnl.ie/6897863t
'Bad day for clean water': EU votes to extend Ireland's nitrates derogation by three years
The conditions of the extension are yet to be fully ironed out, according to the Minister for Agriculture.
jrnl.ie
December 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Ireland has secured a three-year extension to the controversial nitrates derogation.
An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, said the decision is "actually shocking".
"Recent EPA data on water quality is unambiguous. We are going backwards," An Taisce said.
jrnl.ie/6897863t
An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, said the decision is "actually shocking".
"Recent EPA data on water quality is unambiguous. We are going backwards," An Taisce said.
jrnl.ie/6897863t
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
I made a new dashboard on Northern Ireland election results since 1921. You can explore results by party or community designation and filter by different election types (Westminster, Assembly, etc.)
salmonofdata.com/dashboards/n...
salmonofdata.com/dashboards/n...
December 3, 2025 at 7:43 PM
I made a new dashboard on Northern Ireland election results since 1921. You can explore results by party or community designation and filter by different election types (Westminster, Assembly, etc.)
salmonofdata.com/dashboards/n...
salmonofdata.com/dashboards/n...
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
My take-away from this is that "Ireland, awash with cash from a corporation tax bonanza paid by global firms with big operations in the country", is being told it should spend that money defending market assets, like cables under the Atlantic, rather than on housing and health.
When it comes to modern war, Ireland is a high-value target: its waters on the western fringe of Europe contain three-quarters of all undersea cables in the northern hemisphere. Despite this, is unprotected and unprepared.
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
An #FTEdit 🧵 on why this determinedly neutral nation is Europe's weak link 👇
November 26, 2025 at 8:37 AM
My take-away from this is that "Ireland, awash with cash from a corporation tax bonanza paid by global firms with big operations in the country", is being told it should spend that money defending market assets, like cables under the Atlantic, rather than on housing and health.
Looking forward to taking part in this discussion in Armagh next Thursday evening, 27th November. Everyone welcome.
November 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Looking forward to taking part in this discussion in Armagh next Thursday evening, 27th November. Everyone welcome.
At the Tyrone Guthrie Centre with, coincidently, a big bunch of writers for children & young adults. Just had some readings. Omg. Through animals and banshees, stories about love of all shapes and sizes, they’re showing kids (and adults) how to do life and feel less alone. The absolute best of us.
November 14, 2025 at 10:37 PM
At the Tyrone Guthrie Centre with, coincidently, a big bunch of writers for children & young adults. Just had some readings. Omg. Through animals and banshees, stories about love of all shapes and sizes, they’re showing kids (and adults) how to do life and feel less alone. The absolute best of us.
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
I see the good people across Belfast Lough are having similar NIMBY-driven issues to us in Greenisland. What is it going to take to actually allow people to get access to our generational rightful paths? @aaron-skinner.bsky.social @barryndgreen.bsky.social
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/north-d...
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/north-d...
Calls for public action over closure of essential coastal access path
The path, which crosses privately owned land, has been used by local residents and visitors for decades as a convenient and highly regarded connection to the coast
www.belfastlive.co.uk
October 30, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I see the good people across Belfast Lough are having similar NIMBY-driven issues to us in Greenisland. What is it going to take to actually allow people to get access to our generational rightful paths? @aaron-skinner.bsky.social @barryndgreen.bsky.social
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/north-d...
www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/north-d...
Reposted by Claire Mitchell
Song of the Sea is leaving Netflix soon and it’s a gorgeous Sunday night movie. Halloween appropriate too. It’s such a work of art in every way
October 26, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Song of the Sea is leaving Netflix soon and it’s a gorgeous Sunday night movie. Halloween appropriate too. It’s such a work of art in every way