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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob
@robosullivan.bsky.social
2.7K followers 1.3K following 4K posts
Science Communicator. Lefty. Irish. Hobbies: Wild food, gardening, playing music. Star Trek nerd. I won't follow back if you're not using alt text on images. I can't share every fundraiser I'm tagged in but I'll do my best to share what I can
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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · Dec 2
Bluesky buds outside of Ireland. I realise I'm posting more frequently about Irish politics to the point of potential annoyance. If you want to see less of it I'd recommend muting the terms FFG and #FFG as a start. That'll cover like 90% of my rants. Apologies but we've got some work to do here.
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gronya.bsky.social
Gráinne Lynch @gronya.bsky.social · 2h
I like this - vote for hope!
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
My partner's letter in today's Clare Champion. I'm very proud of her. Catherine Connolly's campaign is giving hope to people who have felt disenfranchised for so long. #spéirgorm ##Áras2025
Young people do have a future in Ireland I’m not a very political person. That’s a strange thing to admit as someone with two degrees in politics, but whatever enthusiasm I had for political engagement was quickly snuffed out as I graduated into an Ireland of austerity and dwindling opportunities. I knew change was needed and I was excited to vote for it, but time and again I was shown that change wasn’t possible. I voted to elect Labour - I got Fine Gael. I voted to elect the Greens - I got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. If I just stayed home, I still got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Time after time, Ireland’s youth begged for changes that would give us some hope for the future, but every time we were told that our lives mattered less than rising house prices. It was obvious there was no future for me in Ireland, so I took the same path as so many others before me and sought a better life in Australia. I had no intention of coming back. Ireland had turned her back on me long before I turned my back on her. Covid forced me back home and I wasn’t happy about it. I met someone when I returned and we’ve done our best to build a life here, but always with one foot out the door. Melbourne has never stopped calling to me. On September 22nd, my partner happened to be watching Catherine Connolly’s campaign launch and sitting beside him I felt something stir that I thought was long gone - hope. Catherine Connolly and the people she shared that stage with shared a vision for Ireland’s future that had a place for me in it. I heard Holly Cairns express that the presidency can be a role that highlights who we want to be, not just accepting the shortcomings of who we are right now. I heard Mary Lou McDonald speak of an Ireland where the aspirations and wellbeing of the people come first. I heard Paul Murphy reassure us that there is indeed hope that the 100 year rule of Fine Fáil and Fine Gael can be ended. Finally, when Catherine herself spoke, I saw why each of these le… A photo of 4 women and a man canvassing for Catherine Connolly. It's a selfie style shot and most people are wearing Catherine Connolly badges or clothing.
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Reposted by Rob
joenoonan.bsky.social
Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 3h
🧵
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
Canvassing this evening in my own neighbourhood and it's clear that a huge number of people are completely disillusioned with politics. They don't see the point in engaging and I'm 100% sympathetic to that viewpoint.
Unfortunately it's a viewpoint that benefits those currently in power #spéirgorm
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mousketeer.bsky.social
Denise Murray/Donnacha Ní Mhuireadhaigh @mousketeer.bsky.social · 2h
I was a young graduate (all of 18) when the hysteria about abortion led to the 8th and showed me Ireland was no place for me. I, like many others, left.
In 1990 something shifted. A woman named Mary called on Mná na hÉireann. A nation answered.

This is another such moment.

#Áras25 #SpéirGhorm
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
My partner's letter in today's Clare Champion. I'm very proud of her. Catherine Connolly's campaign is giving hope to people who have felt disenfranchised for so long. #spéirgorm ##Áras2025
Young people do have a future in Ireland I’m not a very political person. That’s a strange thing to admit as someone with two degrees in politics, but whatever enthusiasm I had for political engagement was quickly snuffed out as I graduated into an Ireland of austerity and dwindling opportunities. I knew change was needed and I was excited to vote for it, but time and again I was shown that change wasn’t possible. I voted to elect Labour - I got Fine Gael. I voted to elect the Greens - I got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. If I just stayed home, I still got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Time after time, Ireland’s youth begged for changes that would give us some hope for the future, but every time we were told that our lives mattered less than rising house prices. It was obvious there was no future for me in Ireland, so I took the same path as so many others before me and sought a better life in Australia. I had no intention of coming back. Ireland had turned her back on me long before I turned my back on her. Covid forced me back home and I wasn’t happy about it. I met someone when I returned and we’ve done our best to build a life here, but always with one foot out the door. Melbourne has never stopped calling to me. On September 22nd, my partner happened to be watching Catherine Connolly’s campaign launch and sitting beside him I felt something stir that I thought was long gone - hope. Catherine Connolly and the people she shared that stage with shared a vision for Ireland’s future that had a place for me in it. I heard Holly Cairns express that the presidency can be a role that highlights who we want to be, not just accepting the shortcomings of who we are right now. I heard Mary Lou McDonald speak of an Ireland where the aspirations and wellbeing of the people come first. I heard Paul Murphy reassure us that there is indeed hope that the 100 year rule of Fine Fáil and Fine Gael can be ended. Finally, when Catherine herself spoke, I saw why each of these le… A photo of 4 women and a man canvassing for Catherine Connolly. It's a selfie style shot and most people are wearing Catherine Connolly badges or clothing.
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Reposted by Rob
tomquinn.bsky.social
Tom Quinn @tomquinn.bsky.social · 5h
Kidnapped in international waters, extraordinary rendition to a genocidal state, and then imprisoned indefinitely.

You'd think this would trigger the immediate expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador for these inexcusable actions against an Australian citizen.
earleyedition.bsky.social
Dave Earley @earleyedition.bsky.social · 5h
An Australian woman who has not agreed to sign a waiver acknowledging she sought to 'illegally break Israel’s naval blockade' on Gaza will be “indefinitely detained” in Israel’s Ketziot prison unless she agrees to sign the waiver.
Australian woman on pro-Palestinian aid flotilla will be ‘indefinitely detained’ by Israel unless she signs waiver
Madeleine Habib, who captained the Conscience ship, was arrested by Israeli forces on 8 October and detained in Israel’s Ketziot prison
www.theguardian.com
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jennyshipway.bsky.social
Jenny Shipway @jennyshipway.bsky.social · 5h
TONIGHT is the last chance to join in our beginners' stargazing challenges 100hours.online . It looks like there will be clear skies in the North East up from Leeds and into Aberdeenshire. Look up, it's a treasure hunt in the sky!
Screengrab of weather map showing clear skies from Leeds up the North East coast and another clear patch a bit just north east of Birmingham. Ad for the event with the logo, url, and tagline "Look up!". The image is of a normal friendly looking woman, maybe late twenties, holding a disposable coffee cup and looking up at a starry sky from a suburban environment. Thanks Mission Astro for letting us use this great photo!
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saoirsemc.bsky.social
Saoirse McHugh @saoirsemc.bsky.social · 7h
So bloody useless
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irishlittimes.bsky.social
Irish Literary Times @irishlittimes.bsky.social · 1d
Irish novelist Naoise Dolan has been abducted by Israel.
lithub.com/irish-noveli...
Irish novelist Naoise Dolan has been abducted by Israel.
Naoise Dolan, one of Ireland’s most acclaimed young novelists, was earlier today abducted and detained by Israeli forces after the aid flotilla on which she was traveling to Gaza was intercep…
lithub.com
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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 5h
GRMA
Reposted by Rob
oisinmcgann.bsky.social
Oisín McGann @oisinmcgann.bsky.social · 6h
“I don’t think we can mitigate for climate change,” he said.

The fact that we are stuck with politically beige leaders like this is so demoralising.

WE ARE FACING A CRISIS THAT COULD DESTROY OUR COUNTRY. STEP UP, YOU FUCKERS. SHOW SOME FUCKING LEADERSHIP.

www.independent.ie/business/tec...
Taoiseach says some climate projects will not be fulfilled because they risk polarising society
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has rowed back on climate change commitments, saying Ireland may not be able fulfil all current initiatives due to the polarising effect it could have on society.
www.independent.ie
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trishyb.bsky.social
Trish Byrne @trishyb.bsky.social · 6h
So you’re saying you think you’ll have more spare time as president? You don’t think it’s a full-time job?
thejournal.ie
The Journal @thejournal.ie · 21h
Heather Humphreys has recommitted to learning Irish, 11 years after first making this pledge.
In 2014, Humphreys became the Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Minister, but faced criticism due to her lack of Irish.
http://jrnl.ie/6840258
Heather Humphreys says she was too busy to learn Irish before but recommits to learning it for Áras
She first committed to learning Irish when she became the Gaeltacht Minister in 2014.
jrnl.ie
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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 6h
Mo cheathrú lá ag foghlaim na Gaeilge. Ag éisteacht le RnaG. Tuigim focal amháin as fiche 😅 #spéirgorm
A photo of the radio station display in the car. It shows RnaG. Don't worry, I'm the passenger, not the driver.
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tupped.bsky.social
Simon McGarr @tupped.bsky.social · 8h
The Situationists “sought to exploit new technologies and media, new performative strategies and interventions in everyday life in order to express a conflict between what they understood to be two sides of a new kind of war: not East versus West, but freedom and play versus oppression and horror.”
adamserwer.bsky.social
Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 13h
www.wweek.com/culture/2025...
Can you put into words what that purpose is? You and the frog have really become icons of this protest. There’s been a nice overall whimsy that has shown up. The frog is amazing. We had a bunch of other inflatable people here last night, too. I saw people playing Twister the other day. What they rely on is fear. So by coming out in an absurdist manner, it speaks to them, to some extent, that we’re actually not that afraid. It also dismantles their narrative a little bit. When they try to describe this situation as “war-torn,” it becomes much harder to take them seriously when they have to post a video saying [U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security] Kristi Noem is up on the balcony staring over the Antifa Army and it’s, like, eight journalists and five protesters and one of them is in a chicken suit.
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margaretcahillbsky.bsky.social
Margaret Cahill @margaretcahillbsky.bsky.social · 15h
"...time and again I was shown that change wasn’t possible. I voted to elect Labour - I got Fine Gael. I voted to elect the Greens - I got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. If I just stayed home, I still got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil."
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
My partner's letter in today's Clare Champion. I'm very proud of her. Catherine Connolly's campaign is giving hope to people who have felt disenfranchised for so long. #spéirgorm ##Áras2025
Young people do have a future in Ireland I’m not a very political person. That’s a strange thing to admit as someone with two degrees in politics, but whatever enthusiasm I had for political engagement was quickly snuffed out as I graduated into an Ireland of austerity and dwindling opportunities. I knew change was needed and I was excited to vote for it, but time and again I was shown that change wasn’t possible. I voted to elect Labour - I got Fine Gael. I voted to elect the Greens - I got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. If I just stayed home, I still got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Time after time, Ireland’s youth begged for changes that would give us some hope for the future, but every time we were told that our lives mattered less than rising house prices. It was obvious there was no future for me in Ireland, so I took the same path as so many others before me and sought a better life in Australia. I had no intention of coming back. Ireland had turned her back on me long before I turned my back on her. Covid forced me back home and I wasn’t happy about it. I met someone when I returned and we’ve done our best to build a life here, but always with one foot out the door. Melbourne has never stopped calling to me. On September 22nd, my partner happened to be watching Catherine Connolly’s campaign launch and sitting beside him I felt something stir that I thought was long gone - hope. Catherine Connolly and the people she shared that stage with shared a vision for Ireland’s future that had a place for me in it. I heard Holly Cairns express that the presidency can be a role that highlights who we want to be, not just accepting the shortcomings of who we are right now. I heard Mary Lou McDonald speak of an Ireland where the aspirations and wellbeing of the people come first. I heard Paul Murphy reassure us that there is indeed hope that the 100 year rule of Fine Fáil and Fine Gael can be ended. Finally, when Catherine herself spoke, I saw why each of these le… A photo of 4 women and a man canvassing for Catherine Connolly. It's a selfie style shot and most people are wearing Catherine Connolly badges or clothing.
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Reposted by Rob
queen-crafty.bsky.social
Teresa Collins @queen-crafty.bsky.social · 16h
#Vote
joenoonan.bsky.social
Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 17h
Much more interesting is Sorca Clarke TD's description of the groundswell of support for Catherine Connolly TD.
As she says, 'people *like* Catherine Connolly.'

#aras2025 @catherinegalway.bsky.social
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uilliammac.bsky.social
Uilliam Mac ᚒᚔᚂᚂᚔᚐᚋ @uilliammac.bsky.social · 16h
"a provo in the Park"

"I'm not saying it's true... it's just the narrative you put out there"

#Áras25
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
The Connolly campaign see the Presidency as an opportunity to further Catherine's lifelong mission of helping people. Fine Gael see it as a strategy game to be won at any cost. Straight from the horse's mouth #spéirgorm #Áras2025
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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 16h
❤️
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 16h
23 minutes into the Calling It Podcast on the Presidential campaign. It's legit. There's another section in the middle clipped out, but they said all of this.
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jogil.bsky.social
Jo Ní Ghiolla Shúiligh @jogil.bsky.social · 16h
Beautiful stuff.

I can relate, even though I’m in my late 40’s. Catherine Connolly and a united left gives me hope for change too.

I genuinely do feel like I have a voice when I hear her speak.
robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
My partner's letter in today's Clare Champion. I'm very proud of her. Catherine Connolly's campaign is giving hope to people who have felt disenfranchised for so long. #spéirgorm ##Áras2025
Young people do have a future in Ireland I’m not a very political person. That’s a strange thing to admit as someone with two degrees in politics, but whatever enthusiasm I had for political engagement was quickly snuffed out as I graduated into an Ireland of austerity and dwindling opportunities. I knew change was needed and I was excited to vote for it, but time and again I was shown that change wasn’t possible. I voted to elect Labour - I got Fine Gael. I voted to elect the Greens - I got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. If I just stayed home, I still got Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Time after time, Ireland’s youth begged for changes that would give us some hope for the future, but every time we were told that our lives mattered less than rising house prices. It was obvious there was no future for me in Ireland, so I took the same path as so many others before me and sought a better life in Australia. I had no intention of coming back. Ireland had turned her back on me long before I turned my back on her. Covid forced me back home and I wasn’t happy about it. I met someone when I returned and we’ve done our best to build a life here, but always with one foot out the door. Melbourne has never stopped calling to me. On September 22nd, my partner happened to be watching Catherine Connolly’s campaign launch and sitting beside him I felt something stir that I thought was long gone - hope. Catherine Connolly and the people she shared that stage with shared a vision for Ireland’s future that had a place for me in it. I heard Holly Cairns express that the presidency can be a role that highlights who we want to be, not just accepting the shortcomings of who we are right now. I heard Mary Lou McDonald speak of an Ireland where the aspirations and wellbeing of the people come first. I heard Paul Murphy reassure us that there is indeed hope that the 100 year rule of Fine Fáil and Fine Gael can be ended. Finally, when Catherine herself spoke, I saw why each of these le… A photo of 4 women and a man canvassing for Catherine Connolly. It's a selfie style shot and most people are wearing Catherine Connolly badges or clothing.
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Reposted by Rob
mousketeer.bsky.social
Denise Murray/Donnacha Ní Mhuireadhaigh @mousketeer.bsky.social · 18h
Seems like Journalists can get their hands on any kind of data they want in Ireland.
And as usual the government are worse than useless.

Is the media running amok?
#SpéirGhorm
queen-crafty.bsky.social
Teresa Collins @queen-crafty.bsky.social · 19h
Dodgy one here from the Govt.
johnnyryan.bsky.social
Johnny Ryan @johnnyryan.bsky.social · 6d
This peculiar and alarming.

Labour leader @ivanabacik.bsky.social Ivana Bacik asks Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan what he has done to ensure the DPC finally acts against the data free-for-all that sends people's movements to countless data brokers.

vimeo.com/1124123069?f...
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catherinegalway.bsky.social
Connolly for President @catherinegalway.bsky.social · 19h
This Saturday is Super Saturday! A day of action to bring together everyone who supports Catherine and reach out to all those still undecided.

Sign up for an activity near you at connollyforpresident.ie/super-saturday
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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 16h
You're very kind. She'll be delighted to hear that.
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gronya.bsky.social
Gráinne Lynch @gronya.bsky.social · 20h
And she was asked again on the Drivetime debate this evening about the cases she took on, as if it was by choice.
uilliammac.bsky.social
Uilliam Mac ᚒᚔᚂᚂᚔᚐᚋ @uilliammac.bsky.social · 21h
The Bar Council have been put in the position of having issue a statement correcting the false claims in both the IT and the Indo that Connolly took cases by choice when in fact she was meeting her professional and legal obligations as all barristers do.
www.lawlibrary.ie/statement-fr...

#Áras25
Statement from the Council of The Bar of Ireland: The fundamental importance of an independent referral Bar - Law Library
It is the duty of barristers to be independent and free from any influence, especially such as may arise from their personal interests or external pressure, in the discharge of their professional duti...
www.lawlibrary.ie
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davidbrace2.bsky.social
David Brace @davidbrace2.bsky.social · 18h
In progress: "crush squeeze splatter", oil on watercolour paper, 5 1/4 x 7 1/4" #art #wip
A small painting of a crushed corona can, black, white & gold, with a mutilated wedge of lime above it.
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philipoconnor.bsky.social
Philip O'Connor @philipoconnor.bsky.social · 18h
Can we stop doorstepping both candidates with stupid questions like this? Connolly has a record of public service and statements that can be scrutinised and analysed deeply without resorting to this "gotcha!" tabloid nonsense.
irishexaminer.bsky.social
Irish Examiner @irishexaminer.bsky.social · 18h
Catherine Connolly clarifies she would not hire someone on the sex offenders list
It followed Ms Connolly's comments during a Newstalk interview saying she would have to 'reflect' when asked if she would hire a rapist to Áras an Uachtaráin
dlvr.it
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robosullivan.bsky.social
Rob @robosullivan.bsky.social · 1d
Shared by herself no less. My partner is thrilled. This really feels like a movement that values the people within it #spéirgorm #Áras2025
A cropped screngrab from Catherin Connolly's Instagram showing that she shared the letter in the quoted post.
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