Brian O'Halloran
@playingwithdust.bsky.social
Die hard Cruyffian. Ex astrophysicist. QPR devotee, for my multiple sins. Single parent.
Pinned
Time for a (re) introduction for my new followers! I'm Brian, a fallen astrophysicist living on the Copper Coast in Waterford, Ireland. Most of my feed will be photos of this gorgeous part of the world, plus my astrophotography.
Oh, plus terrible football takes.
Oh, plus terrible football takes.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
You go to the United States this can happen to you, too, my fellow Europeans.
"A modern-day concentration camp ... People have been killed by the staff here." Irish citizen Seamus Culleton has been in ICE detention since September, despite having a valid work permit and his own business in the US.
February 10, 2026 at 5:54 PM
You go to the United States this can happen to you, too, my fellow Europeans.
Contrast with the spinelessness of the Irish government, off to kiss the ring next month
No way will I attend the White House dinner with this President.
I’m standing with @govwesmoore.bsky.social and @colorado.gov — and standing against Trump’s corruption and hatred.
And I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to do the same.
I’m standing with @govwesmoore.bsky.social and @colorado.gov — and standing against Trump’s corruption and hatred.
And I’m calling on my Republican colleagues to do the same.
Democratic governors to boycott White House dinner
More than a half dozen Democrats said Donald Trump disinviting two of their colleagues is the latest example of administration's 'chaos and division.'
www.usatoday.com
February 10, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Contrast with the spinelessness of the Irish government, off to kiss the ring next month
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
February 10, 2026 at 8:53 AM
This is pretty menacing.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Sarah Pochin wrote to Bangor's university student run debating society requesting that she attend to "answer questions from students."
When they said "no" Reform rolled all it's tanks onto the lawns and said they'll cut funding to the entire university if they win.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Happy 13th anniversary to this pair of matching news headlines.
February 10, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Happy 13th anniversary to this pair of matching news headlines.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Carbon Dating
https://xkcd.com/3205/
This dating is corroborated by the presence of stone tools at the site, rather than earlier and less effective helium ones.
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3205
https://xkcd.com/3205/
This dating is corroborated by the presence of stone tools at the site, rather than earlier and less effective helium ones.
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3205
February 10, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Carbon Dating
https://xkcd.com/3205/
This dating is corroborated by the presence of stone tools at the site, rather than earlier and less effective helium ones.
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3205
https://xkcd.com/3205/
This dating is corroborated by the presence of stone tools at the site, rather than earlier and less effective helium ones.
Explain xkcd: https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php/3205
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
now that's the power of a union
The Ford worker who heckled Trump during a visit to the company's plant still has his job and "has no discipline on his record," a union official said
Ford worker who heckled Trump keeps job, 'no discipline' for incident
The United Auto Workers union said TJ Sabula remains employed and called out the president for making an obscene gesture toward the worker.
www.detroitnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
now that's the power of a union
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
I shared this earlier with my 16 yo who plans to be a historian. He said, "Historians can do that?!" I was so happy to say that they do!
Not at all surprised to learn that Bad Bunny has a historical adviser. His halftime show was a reminder that our history and culture are deeply intertwined with the rest of the western hemisphere. We should think of his performance as part of #America250. #SuperBowl
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
news.wisc.edu/pop-star-bad...
Pop star Bad Bunny needed a Puerto Rican history scholar. UW–Madison had just the one.
Bad Bunny collaborated with UW–Madison history professor Jorell Meléndez-Badillo on Puerto Rican narratives that accompany the new album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
news.wisc.edu
February 9, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I shared this earlier with my 16 yo who plans to be a historian. He said, "Historians can do that?!" I was so happy to say that they do!
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
U.K. might lose a prime minister because a guy who worked for him knew another guy who hung out with Epstein. Meanwhile the U.S. opposition party is telling our President, who was Epstein's best friend, that his secret police should get better training so their public street murders look less messy.
February 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM
U.K. might lose a prime minister because a guy who worked for him knew another guy who hung out with Epstein. Meanwhile the U.S. opposition party is telling our President, who was Epstein's best friend, that his secret police should get better training so their public street murders look less messy.
Delighted to announce that, after a gap of 2 years, I finally have the British Channels back.
Game changer, etc.
(Had the satellite dish replaced: the old one which came with the house eventually rusted away & broke. I just never got around to replacing it, relying on streaming instead.)
Game changer, etc.
(Had the satellite dish replaced: the old one which came with the house eventually rusted away & broke. I just never got around to replacing it, relying on streaming instead.)
February 9, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Delighted to announce that, after a gap of 2 years, I finally have the British Channels back.
Game changer, etc.
(Had the satellite dish replaced: the old one which came with the house eventually rusted away & broke. I just never got around to replacing it, relying on streaming instead.)
Game changer, etc.
(Had the satellite dish replaced: the old one which came with the house eventually rusted away & broke. I just never got around to replacing it, relying on streaming instead.)
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
February 9, 2026 at 5:46 AM
“I’m mad I can’t understand Bad Bunny’s lyrics because they’re not in English”
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
my brother millions of metalheads around the world have been happily listening to incomprehensible Finnish shrieks and Japanese death grunts since we were teens, you’re just boring and racist
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Google must have finally incorporated AI into Google Maps. How do I know?
It just told me I needed to leave now to be at Dublin Airport by 13:30 now to catch 9am Citylink that arrives in Dublin Airport at 11am. Then I should take the 11:45 Kells bus to Ballymun and walk back one hour to the airport
It just told me I needed to leave now to be at Dublin Airport by 13:30 now to catch 9am Citylink that arrives in Dublin Airport at 11am. Then I should take the 11:45 Kells bus to Ballymun and walk back one hour to the airport
February 9, 2026 at 8:23 AM
Google must have finally incorporated AI into Google Maps. How do I know?
It just told me I needed to leave now to be at Dublin Airport by 13:30 now to catch 9am Citylink that arrives in Dublin Airport at 11am. Then I should take the 11:45 Kells bus to Ballymun and walk back one hour to the airport
It just told me I needed to leave now to be at Dublin Airport by 13:30 now to catch 9am Citylink that arrives in Dublin Airport at 11am. Then I should take the 11:45 Kells bus to Ballymun and walk back one hour to the airport
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Weeks of severe storms and catastrophic flooding across the country — all made worse and more frequent by climate change.
Our politicians’ response?
Our Minister for Climate Action’s response?!
More emissions.
Our politicians’ response?
Our Minister for Climate Action’s response?!
More emissions.
Exclusive: Dublin Airport passenger cap to be permanently removed under new laws
www.businesspost.ie
February 8, 2026 at 10:47 AM
Weeks of severe storms and catastrophic flooding across the country — all made worse and more frequent by climate change.
Our politicians’ response?
Our Minister for Climate Action’s response?!
More emissions.
Our politicians’ response?
Our Minister for Climate Action’s response?!
More emissions.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
My almost 105 year old abuelita-in-law is VERY excited for Bad Bunny. She came from the island, and for her entire life, she’s been an American citizen! Voted for FDR! 🇵🇷🇺🇸
February 8, 2026 at 7:11 PM
My almost 105 year old abuelita-in-law is VERY excited for Bad Bunny. She came from the island, and for her entire life, she’s been an American citizen! Voted for FDR! 🇵🇷🇺🇸
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
I never noticed this either.
February 8, 2026 at 7:09 PM
I never noticed this either.
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Never Forget
February 10, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Never Forget
An Phoblacht: Deep Cover Agent Successfully Completes Mission
Tomorrow's Headlines
The Telegraph: Starmer Next!
The Guardian: Morgan McSweeney's Gone, Thank God!
The Irish Times: Irishman forced out of UK Labour Role
The Irish (Cork) Examiner: Having Completed Michael Collins' Work, and brought low the British Government, Macroom Calls it's Son Home
The Telegraph: Starmer Next!
The Guardian: Morgan McSweeney's Gone, Thank God!
The Irish Times: Irishman forced out of UK Labour Role
The Irish (Cork) Examiner: Having Completed Michael Collins' Work, and brought low the British Government, Macroom Calls it's Son Home
February 8, 2026 at 7:21 PM
An Phoblacht: Deep Cover Agent Successfully Completes Mission
Yet another blow for Cork
BREAKING: Morgan McSweeney quits as Keir Starmer's chief of staff amid fall-out from the Mandelson scandal
February 8, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Yet another blow for Cork
An appeal for Japanese voters to come together for the greater good
February 8, 2026 at 2:15 PM
An appeal for Japanese voters to come together for the greater good
Reposted by Brian O'Halloran
Time and again the clear and obvious dangers that such provisions, which are meant to make us safer, have been highlighted. Time and again Ireland’s Government has sought to lead the EU into ignoring these warnings.
- Emmet Ryan
www.irishtimes.com/business/inn...
- Emmet Ryan
www.irishtimes.com/business/inn...
EU’s push for digital IDs won’t reduce harmful behaviour online
Any system brought in to verify identification will be hacked
www.irishtimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Time and again the clear and obvious dangers that such provisions, which are meant to make us safer, have been highlighted. Time and again Ireland’s Government has sought to lead the EU into ignoring these warnings.
- Emmet Ryan
www.irishtimes.com/business/inn...
- Emmet Ryan
www.irishtimes.com/business/inn...
For the first time in an eternity...I've bought a paper, with a TV guide for the week @deshocks.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 11:26 AM
For the first time in an eternity...I've bought a paper, with a TV guide for the week @deshocks.bsky.social
So, looking at all my broadband options, I note with dismay that the TV options are a) all streaming now; b) are expensive & c) don't really let you record anything. The DVR has gone as an option!
So, am going old school: getting a satellite dish & Saorview plus my own DVR box.
So, am going old school: getting a satellite dish & Saorview plus my own DVR box.
February 8, 2026 at 9:42 AM
So, looking at all my broadband options, I note with dismay that the TV options are a) all streaming now; b) are expensive & c) don't really let you record anything. The DVR has gone as an option!
So, am going old school: getting a satellite dish & Saorview plus my own DVR box.
So, am going old school: getting a satellite dish & Saorview plus my own DVR box.