When Safety Becomes a Fight — A Cyclist’s View from the Margins
An occasional cyclist reflects on Irish roads, arguing that real safety lies not in perfect behaviour, but in better systems that reduce risk before harm occurs
Design
Times New Roman: Bureaucracy’s Bad Punchline
In a world where diplomacy hinges on nuance, symbolism, and the careful calibration of words, the U.S. Secretary of State has decided the battlefield of perception will be fought not in treaties or summits, but in typefaces. The decree: abandon Calibri, return to Times New Roman. Times New Roman—the font that looks like it was … Read more
🎄 Christmas decorations should spread joy, not trauma.
Christmas decorations should bring joy — not images of violence. Port Laoise McDonald’s needs to rethink this display…
Why Leuchtturm1917 notebooks are essential for organizers
Leuchtturm1917 dotted notebooks have become a go-to for anyone who loves organizing, journaling, or just needs a trusty notebook by their side—and honestly, it’s easy to see why! Here are a few reasons they’re so popular: 1. Dotted grids = total freedom The dotted pages give you just the right amount of structure without being … Read more
The Phœnix, the altar frontals, and the Protestant nuns
It is often said that the truth is stranger than fiction. On Tuesday, Rachel Phelan A-ICRI, the lecturer at the first of the “Of the Cloth” lectures at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, brought together three unlikely strands that told the story of two altar frontals. For those who don’t know, an altar frontal is a … Read more
Accessibility issues at Iarnród Éireann lifts
For the last few weeks, travelling between Monasterevin and Port Laoise, I have noticed new signage at the lifts at stations on the Iarnród Éireann network. Helpfully this signage has large clear icons next to the instructions to aid understanding. The instructions are shown both as Gaeilge and in English. There is an additional line … Read more
World Drowing Prevention Day – social media post for SJAI
Today, is World Drowning Prevention Day, and so I wrote a post for the Facebook page of St John Ambulance Ireland to raise awareness. I used information from the WHO, and Water Safety Ireland to give some facts and figures, together with an image from Pexels.com and Adobe Spark to create the image for the … Read more
Wedding keepsake certificates – CofE
Due to recent changes in marriage registration in England, the Church of England’s clergy will no longer issue the legal marriage certificate following a wedding at which they officiate. That will be done by the civil authorities. However, many clergy will want to give the couple a certificate from the church as well. Over on … Read more
Get the Proclamation off the National Flag
It is most unfortunate that Carrolls Irish Gifts are advertising a version of the Irish National Flag with the Proclamation of the Republic in 1916 emblazoned upon it. The guidance on the National Flag from the Government of Ireland is very clear. The National Flag should never be defaced by placing slogans, logos, lettering or … Read more
Our Lady of Sorrows
We were reminded yesterday that September is the month of Our Lady of Sorrows by Fr Sam. In response, here is, newly typeset, The Litany of Our Lady of Sorrows.