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
Rinne mé crosóg Bhríde sa rang Gaeilge an tseachtain seo caite, from pipecleaners.
Had always wanted to know how to make one, but it was never around me.
Gathered rushes from the bottom of my road then and made my own. Such a small, simple thing, but it made me incredibly happy.
Had always wanted to know how to make one, but it was never around me.
Gathered rushes from the bottom of my road then and made my own. Such a small, simple thing, but it made me incredibly happy.
February 2, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Rinne mé crosóg Bhríde sa rang Gaeilge an tseachtain seo caite, from pipecleaners.
Had always wanted to know how to make one, but it was never around me.
Gathered rushes from the bottom of my road then and made my own. Such a small, simple thing, but it made me incredibly happy.
Had always wanted to know how to make one, but it was never around me.
Gathered rushes from the bottom of my road then and made my own. Such a small, simple thing, but it made me incredibly happy.
I'm doing a panel with OG hallion Robbie McVeigh, Protestants & a united Ireland. 11am Saturday 31st January, Culúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
January 23, 2026 at 1:13 PM
I'm doing a panel with OG hallion Robbie McVeigh, Protestants & a united Ireland. 11am Saturday 31st January, Culúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich
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.
Maybe. Maybe not.
January 9, 2026 at 6:54 PM
Maybe. Maybe not.
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
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.
Great discussion in Galliagh. Another night where a panel from mixed backgrounds find so much common ground, and flesh out the kind of Republic we want to live in. Lovely crowd with loads of ideas.
Thanks to Think32 for having us, and the gorgeous Derry welcome.
Thanks to Think32 for having us, and the gorgeous Derry welcome.
October 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Great discussion in Galliagh. Another night where a panel from mixed backgrounds find so much common ground, and flesh out the kind of Republic we want to live in. Lovely crowd with loads of ideas.
Thanks to Think32 for having us, and the gorgeous Derry welcome.
Thanks to Think32 for having us, and the gorgeous Derry welcome.
Lovely to see my friend Ben Collins tonight and get his new book.
Will be chatting at his Belfast book launch with @cjharvey1.bsky.social and John Manley on 2nd Oct.
The tent is big enough now that Prods can debate the model for a new Republic, rather than just huddling together for safety!
Will be chatting at his Belfast book launch with @cjharvey1.bsky.social and John Manley on 2nd Oct.
The tent is big enough now that Prods can debate the model for a new Republic, rather than just huddling together for safety!
August 27, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Lovely to see my friend Ben Collins tonight and get his new book.
Will be chatting at his Belfast book launch with @cjharvey1.bsky.social and John Manley on 2nd Oct.
The tent is big enough now that Prods can debate the model for a new Republic, rather than just huddling together for safety!
Will be chatting at his Belfast book launch with @cjharvey1.bsky.social and John Manley on 2nd Oct.
The tent is big enough now that Prods can debate the model for a new Republic, rather than just huddling together for safety!
Only pic from my top Derry night is the Sandino’s toilet door. But it’s perfect.
August 15, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Only pic from my top Derry night is the Sandino’s toilet door. But it’s perfect.
The best of days in Dublin town, just mooching and telling stories about when we were 20 💚
August 9, 2025 at 7:43 PM
The best of days in Dublin town, just mooching and telling stories about when we were 20 💚
Great launch of An Clogán, a new socialist republican magazine. So important to be able to shape a vision of a new Republic together.
Loved the synergies between Martina’s and my essays. Different backgrounds, but we both want a just, equal & regenerative Republic, bringing power closer to people.
Loved the synergies between Martina’s and my essays. Different backgrounds, but we both want a just, equal & regenerative Republic, bringing power closer to people.
August 8, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Great launch of An Clogán, a new socialist republican magazine. So important to be able to shape a vision of a new Republic together.
Loved the synergies between Martina’s and my essays. Different backgrounds, but we both want a just, equal & regenerative Republic, bringing power closer to people.
Loved the synergies between Martina’s and my essays. Different backgrounds, but we both want a just, equal & regenerative Republic, bringing power closer to people.
My life goal is just to see out my days on this County Down Drumlin. Swallows, nettles, sausages, gin and tonic.
May 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
My life goal is just to see out my days on this County Down Drumlin. Swallows, nettles, sausages, gin and tonic.
Pinched these pics of Friday night from @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social. Had a brilliant time at the incredible Dromore Book Festival. festival. Huge thanks to Lesley and volunteers.
Last pic is Lesley and David Griffin, the best history and politics teacher many of us ever had. A joy to see him.
Last pic is Lesley and David Griffin, the best history and politics teacher many of us ever had. A joy to see him.
May 11, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Pinched these pics of Friday night from @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social. Had a brilliant time at the incredible Dromore Book Festival. festival. Huge thanks to Lesley and volunteers.
Last pic is Lesley and David Griffin, the best history and politics teacher many of us ever had. A joy to see him.
Last pic is Lesley and David Griffin, the best history and politics teacher many of us ever had. A joy to see him.
Morning dew making everything sparkle. Secret spider webs made visible by sunshine.
April 11, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Morning dew making everything sparkle. Secret spider webs made visible by sunshine.
Really looking forward to this event next Friday at Belfast’s QFT - Lessons From the Nordics: Imagining a New Ireland.
I think it’s a good time to look at what other small democracies do well, so we can imagine what better politics here could look like.
imaginebelfast.com/event/lesson...
I think it’s a good time to look at what other small democracies do well, so we can imagine what better politics here could look like.
imaginebelfast.com/event/lesson...
March 20, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Really looking forward to this event next Friday at Belfast’s QFT - Lessons From the Nordics: Imagining a New Ireland.
I think it’s a good time to look at what other small democracies do well, so we can imagine what better politics here could look like.
imaginebelfast.com/event/lesson...
I think it’s a good time to look at what other small democracies do well, so we can imagine what better politics here could look like.
imaginebelfast.com/event/lesson...
Lovely event coming up on 9th May in Dromore Elim Church - @lindaervine.bsky.social and myself in conversation with Tara Mills.
Huge props to @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social for organising an amazing programme for the Dromore Book Festival!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Huge props to @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social for organising an amazing programme for the Dromore Book Festival!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
March 3, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Lovely event coming up on 9th May in Dromore Elim Church - @lindaervine.bsky.social and myself in conversation with Tara Mills.
Huge props to @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social for organising an amazing programme for the Dromore Book Festival!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Huge props to @bridgebooksdromore.bsky.social for organising an amazing programme for the Dromore Book Festival!
www.ticketsource.co.uk/bridge-books...
Very moving writing from Peadar Thompson about his new book Lost Gaels.
February 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Very moving writing from Peadar Thompson about his new book Lost Gaels.
Reading this book to review. Sometimes I have peace process fatigue, when things currently seem so broken. But Harold’s book is an incredible reminder of how friendship, trust, honesty and courage can move mountains. A fabulous dissenter, peacemaker and human.
February 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reading this book to review. Sometimes I have peace process fatigue, when things currently seem so broken. But Harold’s book is an incredible reminder of how friendship, trust, honesty and courage can move mountains. A fabulous dissenter, peacemaker and human.
We have loads of old things still in use in our house. My husband uses my granda’s wallet. It always catches me off guard to see it, with its original contents.
A hospital appointment for 1975, a 6 1/2p stamp, a negative of a beloved caravan in Cranfield and a leaflet for WWII veterans.
A hospital appointment for 1975, a 6 1/2p stamp, a negative of a beloved caravan in Cranfield and a leaflet for WWII veterans.
February 7, 2025 at 1:17 PM
We have loads of old things still in use in our house. My husband uses my granda’s wallet. It always catches me off guard to see it, with its original contents.
A hospital appointment for 1975, a 6 1/2p stamp, a negative of a beloved caravan in Cranfield and a leaflet for WWII veterans.
A hospital appointment for 1975, a 6 1/2p stamp, a negative of a beloved caravan in Cranfield and a leaflet for WWII veterans.
Maidin mhaith. She’s a beauty.
January 16, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Maidin mhaith. She’s a beauty.
Maidin mhaith. Frost and sun.
January 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Maidin mhaith. Frost and sun.
Ha! Yes thankfully there were more chapters. I do love the beautiful narcissism of being 5 though! This is a note from my other one - I love mum. I am god 😂😂
January 7, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Ha! Yes thankfully there were more chapters. I do love the beautiful narcissism of being 5 though! This is a note from my other one - I love mum. I am god 😂😂
Just found this, written by my kid when she was little.
“Once upon a time there was a mummy, she was called Claire. She was a teacher. She was not a teacher anymore. She had a baby then another. She had kids. The end.”
Brutal.
“Once upon a time there was a mummy, she was called Claire. She was a teacher. She was not a teacher anymore. She had a baby then another. She had kids. The end.”
Brutal.
January 7, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Just found this, written by my kid when she was little.
“Once upon a time there was a mummy, she was called Claire. She was a teacher. She was not a teacher anymore. She had a baby then another. She had kids. The end.”
Brutal.
“Once upon a time there was a mummy, she was called Claire. She was a teacher. She was not a teacher anymore. She had a baby then another. She had kids. The end.”
Brutal.
December 21, 2024 at 10:00 AM