Julian Girdham
@sccenglish.bsky.social
Thinking, Writing, Reading, (English) Teaching.
https://www.juliangirdham.com
The Fortnightly newsletter is now at 193+ editions: https://www.juliangirdham.com/the-fortnightly.
https://linktr.ee/juliangirdham
#edchatie
https://www.juliangirdham.com
The Fortnightly newsletter is now at 193+ editions: https://www.juliangirdham.com/the-fortnightly.
https://linktr.ee/juliangirdham
#edchatie
Pinned
Julian Girdham
@sccenglish.bsky.social
· Dec 22
On libraries: a personal history — Julian Girdham
A personal essay on the libraries I have used over the years.
www.juliangirdham.com
Thread of posts from 2024.
1. On libraries - a personal history.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/on-libr...
1. On libraries - a personal history.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/on-libr...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
Many thanks to Conor Pope for featuring us in this list of 100 Irish websites to shop with this Christmas. He has all avenues covered with Irish retailers listed for clothes, toys, food and drink, beauty, jewellery and more in this brilliant guide. www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2...
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Many thanks to Conor Pope for featuring us in this list of 100 Irish websites to shop with this Christmas. He has all avenues covered with Irish retailers listed for clothes, toys, food and drink, beauty, jewellery and more in this brilliant guide. www.irishtimes.com/your-money/2...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
Now in my early 60s I have only just started reading Middlemarch (blame the education system…), so I am immensely grateful to @adamroberts.bsky.social for this wonderfully perceptive exploration of the epigrams at the head of each chapter. open.substack.com/pub/profadam...
Middlemarch: Epigraphs and Mirrors
George Eliot and Pascal
open.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Now in my early 60s I have only just started reading Middlemarch (blame the education system…), so I am immensely grateful to @adamroberts.bsky.social for this wonderfully perceptive exploration of the epigrams at the head of each chapter. open.substack.com/pub/profadam...
Fortnightly 195: Directing Shakespeare in school, E.M. Forster’s ‘The Machine Stops’, Claire-Louise Bennett, ‘Testimony’ on the Magdalene Laundries, Vic Goddard on leading schools, ‘Anatomy of a Cancellation’, @backlisted.bsky.social on Rachel Cusk.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/195-mine-o...
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/195-mine-o...
195: Mine own, and not mine own
A Midsummer Night's Dream, E.M. Forster, Claire-Louise Bennett, Magdalene Laundries, Jennifer Roberts, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Kate Clanchy, Audrey Watters and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Fortnightly 195: Directing Shakespeare in school, E.M. Forster’s ‘The Machine Stops’, Claire-Louise Bennett, ‘Testimony’ on the Magdalene Laundries, Vic Goddard on leading schools, ‘Anatomy of a Cancellation’, @backlisted.bsky.social on Rachel Cusk.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/195-mine-o...
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/195-mine-o...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
Okay, so let's do officially do this! a slow-read of Macbeth with Sunday discussion threads starting November 23rd! #SundayMacbethChat
Everyone's welcome! And just like Beloved, I am definitely going to be looking at this with very-fresh (i.e. humble) eyes!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Everyone's welcome! And just like Beloved, I am definitely going to be looking at this with very-fresh (i.e. humble) eyes!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
November 15, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Okay, so let's do officially do this! a slow-read of Macbeth with Sunday discussion threads starting November 23rd! #SundayMacbethChat
Everyone's welcome! And just like Beloved, I am definitely going to be looking at this with very-fresh (i.e. humble) eyes!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Everyone's welcome! And just like Beloved, I am definitely going to be looking at this with very-fresh (i.e. humble) eyes!
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
The Fortnightly continues its break until Saturday 22nd, when issue 195 will be out.
Tomorrow morning there’s the 10th edition of its close-cousin, The Occasional, for paid subscribers: really good newsletters I subscribe to.
juliangirdham.substack.com
Tomorrow morning there’s the 10th edition of its close-cousin, The Occasional, for paid subscribers: really good newsletters I subscribe to.
juliangirdham.substack.com
The Fortnightly from Julian Girdham | Substack
The Fortnightly is about thinking, writing, reading, teaching & more. Every 2 weeks in the school term since 2016 - on Substack since 2024. Always free, but contributions are most welcome, and paid co...
juliangirdham.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The Fortnightly continues its break until Saturday 22nd, when issue 195 will be out.
Tomorrow morning there’s the 10th edition of its close-cousin, The Occasional, for paid subscribers: really good newsletters I subscribe to.
juliangirdham.substack.com
Tomorrow morning there’s the 10th edition of its close-cousin, The Occasional, for paid subscribers: really good newsletters I subscribe to.
juliangirdham.substack.com
(New). On E.M. Forster's 1909 story 'The Machine Stops', eerily prescient about our online world.
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
E.M. Forster's 'The Machine Stops' — Julian Girdham
E.M. Forster’s 1909 short story ‘The Machine Stops’ is an uncanny predictor of our own tech-saturated existence.
www.juliangirdham.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
(New). On E.M. Forster's 1909 story 'The Machine Stops', eerily prescient about our online world.
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
Love this piece by @ruthpadel.bsky.social in @financialtimes.com about the 'The Poems of Seamus Heaney', a new book of collected and previously unpublished poems released by @faberbooks.bsky.social @seamusheaneyestate.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/d562...
www.ft.com/content/d562...
Seamus Heaney: a new glimpse of his life and poetry
With previously uncollected or unpublished works, a definitive edition deepens our understanding of the Nobel laureate’s creative process
www.ft.com
November 1, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Love this piece by @ruthpadel.bsky.social in @financialtimes.com about the 'The Poems of Seamus Heaney', a new book of collected and previously unpublished poems released by @faberbooks.bsky.social @seamusheaneyestate.bsky.social
www.ft.com/content/d562...
www.ft.com/content/d562...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
[noises off] Hamlet: what NOW? Norwegians incoming.
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
Because he CAN, Branagh shows the Norwegian army arriving at Elsinore in his 1996 film. With Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras in a nice shiny breastplate. #InkyCloak #SlowShakespeare is in its 14th month. Days to go.
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
Because he CAN, Branagh shows the Norwegian army arriving at Elsinore in his 1996 film. With Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras in a nice shiny breastplate. #InkyCloak #SlowShakespeare is in its 14th month. Days to go.
November 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM
[noises off] Hamlet: what NOW? Norwegians incoming.
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
Because he CAN, Branagh shows the Norwegian army arriving at Elsinore in his 1996 film. With Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras in a nice shiny breastplate. #InkyCloak #SlowShakespeare is in its 14th month. Days to go.
www.english.cam.ac.uk/research/slo...
Because he CAN, Branagh shows the Norwegian army arriving at Elsinore in his 1996 film. With Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras in a nice shiny breastplate. #InkyCloak #SlowShakespeare is in its 14th month. Days to go.
Fortnightly 194: @inotenews.bsky.social '25 | AI in schools | CPD with @clanavtra.bsky.social: 'Macbeth', @carlhendrick.substack.com & the science of learning, | Anne Enright interviewed by Martin Doyle | @oldfortunatus.bsky.social on Hamlet.
And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/194-begin-...
And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/194-begin-...
194: Begin afresh, afresh, afresh
INOTE, AI in schools, 'Macbeth', Emma Smith on 'Hamlet', Carl Hendrick & the science of learning, school librarians, Irish short stories, Anne Enright, Prunella Scales and more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
November 1, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Fortnightly 194: @inotenews.bsky.social '25 | AI in schools | CPD with @clanavtra.bsky.social: 'Macbeth', @carlhendrick.substack.com & the science of learning, | Anne Enright interviewed by Martin Doyle | @oldfortunatus.bsky.social on Hamlet.
And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/194-begin-...
And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com/p/194-begin-...
Webinar for teachers of Leaving Certificate English on revising the play leading up to the exam.
Tuesday 18th November, 7.00pm-8.00pm.
Free registration via @clanavtra.bsky.social
www.edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
Tuesday 18th November, 7.00pm-8.00pm.
Free registration via @clanavtra.bsky.social
www.edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
25TRA418 Revising and Thinking about ‘Macbeth’ for the Leaving Certificate
Date: Tuesday 18th November 2025 Time: 7.00pm – 8.00pm Venue: Online via Zoom Target Audience: Senior Cycle English Teachers This webinar for teachers of post-primary English will: ● Outline...
www.edcentretralee.ie
October 31, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Webinar for teachers of Leaving Certificate English on revising the play leading up to the exam.
Tuesday 18th November, 7.00pm-8.00pm.
Free registration via @clanavtra.bsky.social
www.edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
Tuesday 18th November, 7.00pm-8.00pm.
Free registration via @clanavtra.bsky.social
www.edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
Reposted by Julian Girdham
New on the blog today, I've written about ten excellent novellas I highly recommend.
Featuring books by Anita Brookner, William Trevor. Muriel Spark and many more! #BookSky #Novellas #NovNov 💙📚
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/t...
Featuring books by Anita Brookner, William Trevor. Muriel Spark and many more! #BookSky #Novellas #NovNov 💙📚
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/t...
Ten excellent novellas I highly recommend
There’s something very satisfying about reading a whole book in one or two sittings on the same day, especially when time is tight. I’ve always been fond of novellas, which often offer the best of …
jacquiwine.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:27 AM
New on the blog today, I've written about ten excellent novellas I highly recommend.
Featuring books by Anita Brookner, William Trevor. Muriel Spark and many more! #BookSky #Novellas #NovNov 💙📚
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/t...
Featuring books by Anita Brookner, William Trevor. Muriel Spark and many more! #BookSky #Novellas #NovNov 💙📚
jacquiwine.wordpress.com/2025/10/30/t...
(New). On the DEY 'Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools' (October 2025).
Summary: fine in places, naive about AI ethics, unreasonable in expectations of schools and individual teachers.
And there is a LOT of 'ensuring'.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/guidanc...
Summary: fine in places, naive about AI ethics, unreasonable in expectations of schools and individual teachers.
And there is a LOT of 'ensuring'.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/guidanc...
Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools — Julian Girdham
Comments on the ‘Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools’ document, October 2025
www.juliangirdham.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:08 PM
(New). On the DEY 'Guidance on Artificial Intelligence in Schools' (October 2025).
Summary: fine in places, naive about AI ethics, unreasonable in expectations of schools and individual teachers.
And there is a LOT of 'ensuring'.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/guidanc...
Summary: fine in places, naive about AI ethics, unreasonable in expectations of schools and individual teachers.
And there is a LOT of 'ensuring'.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/guidanc...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
My Anne Enright interview: “I am fed up saying I have a problem with authority, and that is why I do not write realism. Naturalistic fiction is a lie – and a dull one at that. This is me changing the narrative from your ‘broken’ to my ‘honest’ or even ‘smart’.”
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Anne Enright: ‘I’m in a lull. I’m trying to recalibrate after a long decade of elder care’
Anne Enright’s time looking after her parents has given the Booker winner an opportunity to take stock, both personally and creatively
www.irishtimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 8:33 AM
My Anne Enright interview: “I am fed up saying I have a problem with authority, and that is why I do not write realism. Naturalistic fiction is a lie – and a dull one at that. This is me changing the narrative from your ‘broken’ to my ‘honest’ or even ‘smart’.”
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
'The Poems of Seamus Heaney', reviewed by @fotoole.bsky.social
A "glorious gathering-in of his achievement, edited with meticulous care by Rosie Lavan and Bernard O’Donoghue".
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Hear the editors speak at 'Circling The Square'.
www.thesourceartscentre.ie/whats-on/eve...
A "glorious gathering-in of his achievement, edited with meticulous care by Rosie Lavan and Bernard O’Donoghue".
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Hear the editors speak at 'Circling The Square'.
www.thesourceartscentre.ie/whats-on/eve...
Seamus Heaney’s poems for a darkening age | The Observer
Collected in a landmark new edition, the late Irish writer’s work is attuned to wonder, replete with humanity and rooted in the tragedies of history
observer.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 7:22 AM
'The Poems of Seamus Heaney', reviewed by @fotoole.bsky.social
A "glorious gathering-in of his achievement, edited with meticulous care by Rosie Lavan and Bernard O’Donoghue".
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Hear the editors speak at 'Circling The Square'.
www.thesourceartscentre.ie/whats-on/eve...
A "glorious gathering-in of his achievement, edited with meticulous care by Rosie Lavan and Bernard O’Donoghue".
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Hear the editors speak at 'Circling The Square'.
www.thesourceartscentre.ie/whats-on/eve...
At the start of half-term, The Fortnightly is taking a week off: back next Saturday with issue 194.
juliangirdham.substack.com
juliangirdham.substack.com
The Fortnightly from Julian Girdham | Substack
The Fortnightly is about thinking, writing, reading, teaching & more. Every 2 weeks in the school term since 2016 - on Substack since 2024. Always free, but contributions are most welcome, and paid co...
juliangirdham.substack.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:56 PM
At the start of half-term, The Fortnightly is taking a week off: back next Saturday with issue 194.
juliangirdham.substack.com
juliangirdham.substack.com
Reposted by Julian Girdham
🚀 Teachers! Ready to transform your teaching in 2026?
Join our 3-part Science of Learning webinar series with Dr. Carl Hendrick – turn cognitive science into classroom impact!
🗓 Jan 7, 14 & 21
🕖 7–8:30 PM | 💻 Live on Zoom
🔥 Limited places – book now!
👉 zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join our 3-part Science of Learning webinar series with Dr. Carl Hendrick – turn cognitive science into classroom impact!
🗓 Jan 7, 14 & 21
🕖 7–8:30 PM | 💻 Live on Zoom
🔥 Limited places – book now!
👉 zoom.us/webinar/regi...
October 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
🚀 Teachers! Ready to transform your teaching in 2026?
Join our 3-part Science of Learning webinar series with Dr. Carl Hendrick – turn cognitive science into classroom impact!
🗓 Jan 7, 14 & 21
🕖 7–8:30 PM | 💻 Live on Zoom
🔥 Limited places – book now!
👉 zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Join our 3-part Science of Learning webinar series with Dr. Carl Hendrick – turn cognitive science into classroom impact!
🗓 Jan 7, 14 & 21
🕖 7–8:30 PM | 💻 Live on Zoom
🔥 Limited places – book now!
👉 zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
Teaching Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These': free webinar (repeat) on Monday 20th October, starting 7.00pm.
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
25TRA417 Claire Keegan’s ‘Small Things Like These’
Date: Monday, 20th October Time: 7.00pm - 8.00pm Venue: Online via Zoom Target Audience: Senior Cycle English teachers ● Outline reasons why Small Things Like These is an excellent choice for the...
edcentretralee.ie
October 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Teaching Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These': free webinar (repeat) on Monday 20th October, starting 7.00pm.
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
Teaching Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These': free webinar (repeat) on Monday 20th October, starting 7.00pm.
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
25TRA417 Claire Keegan’s ‘Small Things Like These’
Date: Monday, 20th October Time: 7.00pm - 8.00pm Venue: Online via Zoom Target Audience: Senior Cycle English teachers ● Outline reasons why Small Things Like These is an excellent choice for the...
edcentretralee.ie
October 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Teaching Claire Keegan's 'Small Things Like These': free webinar (repeat) on Monday 20th October, starting 7.00pm.
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
via @clanavtra.bsky.social
Registration:
edcentretralee.ie/cpd-courses-...
#edchatie
Fortnightly 193: Helen Lewis & the genius myth,
John Tomsett & truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr, @dtwuva.bsky.social on 'Mind the Gap', Gore Vidal, @inotenews.bsky.social conference.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/fortnig...
John Tomsett & truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr, @dtwuva.bsky.social on 'Mind the Gap', Gore Vidal, @inotenews.bsky.social conference.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/fortnig...
Fortnightly 193 — Julian Girdham
Fortnightly 193 opens with truly great teachers, and the genius myth.
www.juliangirdham.com
October 11, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Fortnightly 193: Helen Lewis & the genius myth,
John Tomsett & truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr, @dtwuva.bsky.social on 'Mind the Gap', Gore Vidal, @inotenews.bsky.social conference.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/fortnig...
John Tomsett & truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr, @dtwuva.bsky.social on 'Mind the Gap', Gore Vidal, @inotenews.bsky.social conference.
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/fortnig...
Reposted by Julian Girdham
So many people I'd like to thank in Ireland for championing
Leonard and Hungry Paul @ronanhession.bsky.social
Here's a few
@jackielynam.bsky.social
@kitdewaal.com
Donal Ryan.
@martindoyle.bsky.social
@rickoshea.bsky.social
And all the booksellers & Librarians!
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Leonard and Hungry Paul @ronanhession.bsky.social
Here's a few
@jackielynam.bsky.social
@kitdewaal.com
Donal Ryan.
@martindoyle.bsky.social
@rickoshea.bsky.social
And all the booksellers & Librarians!
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Leonard and Hungry Paul cast and Director on telling a story about kindness, friendship, and the quiet heroism of everyday life -
The feel-good series stars Alex Lawther, Laurie Kynaston and Jamie-Lee O’Donnell, with Julia Roberts as narrator
www.bbc.co.uk
October 10, 2025 at 10:47 AM
So many people I'd like to thank in Ireland for championing
Leonard and Hungry Paul @ronanhession.bsky.social
Here's a few
@jackielynam.bsky.social
@kitdewaal.com
Donal Ryan.
@martindoyle.bsky.social
@rickoshea.bsky.social
And all the booksellers & Librarians!
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Leonard and Hungry Paul @ronanhession.bsky.social
Here's a few
@jackielynam.bsky.social
@kitdewaal.com
Donal Ryan.
@martindoyle.bsky.social
@rickoshea.bsky.social
And all the booksellers & Librarians!
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Fortnightly 193 is out in the morning:
The genius myth, truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr's life, Daniel Willingham, Rachel Ruysch, Gore Vidal. And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
The genius myth, truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr's life, Daniel Willingham, Rachel Ruysch, Gore Vidal. And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
The Fortnightly from Julian Girdham | Substack
The Fortnightly is about thinking, writing, reading, teaching & more. Every 2 weeks in the school term since 2016 - on Substack since 2024. Always free, but contributions are most welcome, and paid co...
juliangirdham.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Fortnightly 193 is out in the morning:
The genius myth, truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr's life, Daniel Willingham, Rachel Ruysch, Gore Vidal. And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
The genius myth, truly great secondary teachers, John Keats in autumn, Vona Groarke, The Poems of Seamus Heaney, J.L. Carr's life, Daniel Willingham, Rachel Ruysch, Gore Vidal. And more.
juliangirdham.substack.com
Nobel winner for Literature 2025: László Krasznahorkai.
October 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM
Nobel winner for Literature 2025: László Krasznahorkai.