Andrew Hamilton
@andrew-hamilton.bsky.social
fiction writer, journalist, commercial grower of organic strawberry plants, libran, likes longs walks on the beach and getting caught in the rain, bullshitter
Had a very interesting time at the ICMSA national AGM over the weekend for the Farming Independent and @independent.ie where there was some pretty stark predictions about the immediate future of the dairy industry in Ireland.
www.independent.ie/farming/dair...
www.independent.ie/farming/dair...
‘Dairy farmers will have to cut supply significantly before the milk price can recover’
Irish dairy farmers will have to cut supply significantly before the milk price can recover.
www.independent.ie
December 1, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Had a very interesting time at the ICMSA national AGM over the weekend for the Farming Independent and @independent.ie where there was some pretty stark predictions about the immediate future of the dairy industry in Ireland.
www.independent.ie/farming/dair...
www.independent.ie/farming/dair...
My home for the day is the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Salthill for the presidential election count in Galway, where we just had Catherine Connolly for President in for a visit. Follow along here with the The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Presidential election count: Early tallies show Connolly on course for emphatic victory
Tallies show Connolly is polling extremely strongly and significantly ahead of Humphreys
www.irishtimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
My home for the day is the Galway Lawn Tennis Club in Salthill for the presidential election count in Galway, where we just had Catherine Connolly for President in for a visit. Follow along here with the The Irish Times
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
There was a very large turnout in Galway last night for Catherine Connolly's last official event before the presidential election. I was there for the The Irish Times.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Humphreys and Harris ask ‘middle Ireland’ to show the country is ‘not far-left’
Latest polls favour Catherine Connolly ahead of presidential election tomorrow
www.irishtimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:48 PM
There was a very large turnout in Galway last night for Catherine Connolly's last official event before the presidential election. I was there for the The Irish Times.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
The left awake? Some very interesting folk at the top table at Catherine Connolly's last election event in Galway with lots of calls for a left coalition. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan described getting this group together as being as challenging as 'getting a whole lot of butterflies into the one bubble'.
October 24, 2025 at 7:13 AM
The left awake? Some very interesting folk at the top table at Catherine Connolly's last election event in Galway with lots of calls for a left coalition. Luke 'Ming' Flanagan described getting this group together as being as challenging as 'getting a whole lot of butterflies into the one bubble'.
Interested about who will be joining Catherine Connolly or Heather Humphreys in the Áras? I contributed to this piece about the possible next 'first gentleman' of Ireland. In The Irish Times.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Who will be Ireland’s ‘first gentleman’? The men behind the women running for the Áras
Both Eric Humphreys and Brian McEnery are media-shy but strongly supportive of their wives’ political careers
www.irishtimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Interested about who will be joining Catherine Connolly or Heather Humphreys in the Áras? I contributed to this piece about the possible next 'first gentleman' of Ireland. In The Irish Times.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
I spoke to a few people at the St Nicholas' market in Galway over the weekend where pretty much everyone was planning to vote for Catherine Connolly in the upcoming presidential election, but all for their own different reasons. In today's The @irishtimes.com.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Presidential election 2025: ‘My mind is still open and it can be changed’: Galway voters discuss the candidates
Galway native Catherine Connolly has much home support, but some would like Heather Humphreys to clearly set out her beliefs
www.irishtimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:32 AM
I spoke to a few people at the St Nicholas' market in Galway over the weekend where pretty much everyone was planning to vote for Catherine Connolly in the upcoming presidential election, but all for their own different reasons. In today's The @irishtimes.com.
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...
Ahead of the Ploughing Championships, I have a piece in today's Irish Independent and Farming Independent about the cracks that appear to be forming in the EU opposition to the Mercusor trade deal.
m.independent.ie/farming/news...
m.independent.ie/farming/news...
Cracks begin to show in anti-Mercosur alliance: Minster Heydon
The coalition of EU countries who oppose the agricultural elements of the Mercosur trade deal could be on the verge of collapse. Ireland, Poland, Italy and France have formed a solid block against the...
m.independent.ie
September 16, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Ahead of the Ploughing Championships, I have a piece in today's Irish Independent and Farming Independent about the cracks that appear to be forming in the EU opposition to the Mercusor trade deal.
m.independent.ie/farming/news...
m.independent.ie/farming/news...
I’m delighted to share that earlier this week I picked up the Local Ireland Best Diversity Journalism award for a news feature I wrote last year for The Clare Champion on the renewed challenges faced by rural LGBTQ+ communities in Ireland. Thank QuareClare, Orla Vaughan, Karina Murray.
September 14, 2025 at 12:18 PM
I’m delighted to share that earlier this week I picked up the Local Ireland Best Diversity Journalism award for a news feature I wrote last year for The Clare Champion on the renewed challenges faced by rural LGBTQ+ communities in Ireland. Thank QuareClare, Orla Vaughan, Karina Murray.
Reposted by Andrew Hamilton
Ennistymon fuel tank could have ‘taken out half of Main Street’
An Unknown chemical substance discovered in an “otherwise unknown underground tank” in Ennistymon may have had the potential to cause significant damage to the North Clare town. Residents and business owners on Main Street, Parliament…
An Unknown chemical substance discovered in an “otherwise unknown underground tank” in Ennistymon may have had the potential to cause significant damage to the North Clare town. Residents and business owners on Main Street, Parliament…
Ennistymon fuel tank could have ‘taken out half of Main Street’
An Unknown chemical substance discovered in an “otherwise unknown underground tank” in Ennistymon may have had the potential to cause significant damage to the North Clare town. Residents and business owners on Main Street, Parliament Street and Monastery Lane reported a noxious, chemical smell last Thursday, June 5. The smell persisted for a number of days with some locals reporting feeling headaches.
clarechampion.ie
June 12, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Ennistymon fuel tank could have ‘taken out half of Main Street’
An Unknown chemical substance discovered in an “otherwise unknown underground tank” in Ennistymon may have had the potential to cause significant damage to the North Clare town. Residents and business owners on Main Street, Parliament…
An Unknown chemical substance discovered in an “otherwise unknown underground tank” in Ennistymon may have had the potential to cause significant damage to the North Clare town. Residents and business owners on Main Street, Parliament…
Piece in today's Irish Times about the future of the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail and the leaked Tobin Report.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Cliffs of Moher trail unlikely to fully reopen for three years
Trail that attracts some 400,000 visitors annually closed last August over safety concerns
www.irishtimes.com
March 28, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Piece in today's Irish Times about the future of the Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail and the leaked Tobin Report.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2025...
Potentially disastrous news for Irish forestry as Mexican beetles has successfully bred in Clare and Limerick. In today's Farming Independent and @independent.ie.
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
Invasive Mexican pine beetle now ‘breeding in Irish forests’
An invasive Mexican beetle, which was first discovered in forestry in Cratloe in south Clare in late 2023, has successfully bred in Ireland for the first time, according to farmers in the affected ar...
www.independent.ie
January 28, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Potentially disastrous news for Irish forestry as Mexican beetles has successfully bred in Clare and Limerick. In today's Farming Independent and @independent.ie.
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
www.independent.ie/farming/news...
Clare farmers band together to fend off threats from gangs. Piece in today's @independent.ie and Farming Independent.
m.independent.ie/farming/rura...
m.independent.ie/farming/rura...
Clare farmers band together to fend off trespassing hare-hunting gangs
Farmers in west and north Clare are banding together to confront gangs of men who are trespassing on their land and hunting hares illegally using lurcher dogs and infrared scanners.
m.independent.ie
January 14, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Clare farmers band together to fend off threats from gangs. Piece in today's @independent.ie and Farming Independent.
m.independent.ie/farming/rura...
m.independent.ie/farming/rura...
Reposted by Andrew Hamilton
I tell you what, that Santa Claus has got real presence about him
December 18, 2024 at 5:32 PM
I tell you what, that Santa Claus has got real presence about him
In my 20 years as a journalist, I've never attended a council meeting quite like this. If I had included all the insults and random name calling, this article would have been 1,000 words longer.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024...
Galway city councillors pass contentious budget raising commercial rates by 6% during fractious meeting
Controversial rates rise forced through by voting bloc featuring Fianna Fáil, Labour, Sinn Féin and independents
www.irishtimes.com
December 13, 2024 at 9:36 PM
In my 20 years as a journalist, I've never attended a council meeting quite like this. If I had included all the insults and random name calling, this article would have been 1,000 words longer.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2024...
Speed limit proposed for the Shannon Estuary to protect "unprecedented" humpback whale. In the Irish Examiner.
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
Shannon Estuary ships asked to cut speed after 'unprecedented' sighting of humpback whale
Fears have been raised of potential 'ship-strike' if speeds in the estuary are not reduced to 10 knots or 19km/h, which could damage vessels and injure or kill the young whale.
www.irishexaminer.com
December 12, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Speed limit proposed for the Shannon Estuary to protect "unprecedented" humpback whale. In the Irish Examiner.
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster...
Reposted by Andrew Hamilton
Rita McInerney (FF) (+26) 3,720
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
Eddie Punch (II) (+559) 3,502
Hilary Tonge (SD) (+30) 2,680
Eliminated - Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
2/2
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
Eddie Punch (II) (+559) 3,502
Hilary Tonge (SD) (+30) 2,680
Eliminated - Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
2/2
December 1, 2024 at 11:38 AM
Rita McInerney (FF) (+26) 3,720
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
Eddie Punch (II) (+559) 3,502
Hilary Tonge (SD) (+30) 2,680
Eliminated - Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
2/2
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
Eddie Punch (II) (+559) 3,502
Hilary Tonge (SD) (+30) 2,680
Eliminated - Dr Tom Nolan (FG) (+22) 2,269
2/2
“People seem to want change, but they don’t vote for change” – Hilary Tonge
Hillary Tonge (SD) says she is disappointed with the results of the election in Clare but happy with her own showing.
“I think it is the same old same old unfortunately,” she told The Clare Champion.
#generalelection2024
Hillary Tonge (SD) says she is disappointed with the results of the election in Clare but happy with her own showing.
“I think it is the same old same old unfortunately,” she told The Clare Champion.
#generalelection2024
December 1, 2024 at 12:51 PM
“People seem to want change, but they don’t vote for change” – Hilary Tonge
Hillary Tonge (SD) says she is disappointed with the results of the election in Clare but happy with her own showing.
“I think it is the same old same old unfortunately,” she told The Clare Champion.
#generalelection2024
Hillary Tonge (SD) says she is disappointed with the results of the election in Clare but happy with her own showing.
“I think it is the same old same old unfortunately,” she told The Clare Champion.
#generalelection2024
“I am finished with electoral politics and with representing farmers” – Punch
Eddie Punch has closed the door on his political career following his showing in the general election in Clare.
The East Clare farmer has also said that he is now “finished” representing farmers.
#generalelection2024
Eddie Punch has closed the door on his political career following his showing in the general election in Clare.
The East Clare farmer has also said that he is now “finished” representing farmers.
#generalelection2024
November 30, 2024 at 11:50 PM
“I am finished with electoral politics and with representing farmers” – Punch
Eddie Punch has closed the door on his political career following his showing in the general election in Clare.
The East Clare farmer has also said that he is now “finished” representing farmers.
#generalelection2024
Eddie Punch has closed the door on his political career following his showing in the general election in Clare.
The East Clare farmer has also said that he is now “finished” representing farmers.
#generalelection2024
With all 180 boxes in the Ennis count centre open, the outcome looks virtually set. Timmy Dooley (FF) is set to top the poll with 11,041 ahead of Cathal Crowe (FF), Joe Cooney (FG) and Donna Mcgettigan (SF). #GeneralElection2024 #Clare #ClareChampion
November 30, 2024 at 2:47 PM
With all 180 boxes in the Ennis count centre open, the outcome looks virtually set. Timmy Dooley (FF) is set to top the poll with 11,041 ahead of Cathal Crowe (FF), Joe Cooney (FG) and Donna Mcgettigan (SF). #GeneralElection2024 #Clare #ClareChampion
McGettigan (SF) looking strong with 1/3 of boxes open
Sinn Féin's Donna McGettigan is polling very strongly with 62 of the 180 boxes open in Clare. The Shannon councillor has 2,069 first preference votes according to a joint tally by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.
Sinn Féin's Donna McGettigan is polling very strongly with 62 of the 180 boxes open in Clare. The Shannon councillor has 2,069 first preference votes according to a joint tally by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.
November 30, 2024 at 11:57 AM
McGettigan (SF) looking strong with 1/3 of boxes open
Sinn Féin's Donna McGettigan is polling very strongly with 62 of the 180 boxes open in Clare. The Shannon councillor has 2,069 first preference votes according to a joint tally by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.
Sinn Féin's Donna McGettigan is polling very strongly with 62 of the 180 boxes open in Clare. The Shannon councillor has 2,069 first preference votes according to a joint tally by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party.
Happy fecking election!
November 30, 2024 at 11:35 AM
Happy fecking election!
Sitting TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (Ind), looks set to lose her Dáíl seat if early tallies are to be believed. The West Clare Independent TD, has just over 0.5% of first preference votes, with 28 of the 180 boxes open.
#generalelection
#generalelection
November 30, 2024 at 10:39 AM
Sitting TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (Ind), looks set to lose her Dáíl seat if early tallies are to be believed. The West Clare Independent TD, has just over 0.5% of first preference votes, with 28 of the 180 boxes open.
#generalelection
#generalelection
Stilling TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (Ind) looks set to lose her Dáíl seat if early tallies are to be believed. The West Clare Independent TD, who topped the poll in 2020, is polling poorly at present with just over 0.5% of first preference votes, with 28 of the 180 boxes open.
#generalelection
#generalelection
November 30, 2024 at 10:34 AM
Stilling TD, Violet-Anne Wynne (Ind) looks set to lose her Dáíl seat if early tallies are to be believed. The West Clare Independent TD, who topped the poll in 2020, is polling poorly at present with just over 0.5% of first preference votes, with 28 of the 180 boxes open.
#generalelection
#generalelection
Early tally sees lead for Dooley ahead of Cooney, McGettigan and Carey (24 of 180 boxes open)
Follow all the action here:
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
Follow all the action here:
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
November 30, 2024 at 10:12 AM
Early tally sees lead for Dooley ahead of Cooney, McGettigan and Carey (24 of 180 boxes open)
Follow all the action here:
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
Follow all the action here:
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
Off we go!
The boxes are open in Ennis. Stay tunes to the Clare Champion for all the news, interviews are results from Election 2024 in Clare.
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
#generalelection2024
The boxes are open in Ennis. Stay tunes to the Clare Champion for all the news, interviews are results from Election 2024 in Clare.
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
#generalelection2024
November 30, 2024 at 9:55 AM
Off we go!
The boxes are open in Ennis. Stay tunes to the Clare Champion for all the news, interviews are results from Election 2024 in Clare.
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
#generalelection2024
The boxes are open in Ennis. Stay tunes to the Clare Champion for all the news, interviews are results from Election 2024 in Clare.
clarechampion.ie/clare-genera...
#generalelection2024