Bust of a Woman in a Blue Hat 7th March 1944 A striking painting featured in the captivating Picasso: From the Studio exhibition at the National Gallery of Ireland National Gallery of Ireland

THE look. A style icon. Annie Hall RIP Diane Keaton.

The Irish Language belongs to us all. Claim it and silence those who choose to weaponise a language.

Fisherman with lobster pots, Howth Harbour.

Judgement of Paris ( after Peter Paul Rubens), Malahide Castle, Co. Dublin. Timely, as just finished listening to the excellent The Rest Is History podcast on the Trojan War with classicist mary beard

Miles Corbet. The last signatory (of 59) of the warrant ordering the execution of Charles 1. Seized control of Malahide Castle under Cromwell from the dispossessed Talbots. Eventually hunted down, hung, drawn and quartered after the restoration of Charles 11. Malahide Castle & Gardens

Marvellous. Many congratulations to the new Bachelor of Arts.

The vibrancy of the colours. Landscape of Juan-les-Pins Pablo Picasso 1920 ⁦National Gallery of Ireland⁩

Lady Emma Hamilton painted by George Romney 1782. The original social influencer? “If there were more Emmas there would be more Nelsons.” A captivating and exciting podcast on Nelson but also on the ‘it girl’ of her time who loved him. The Rest Is History

Covid vaccination reduces infection rates and the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death from the infection. Why is this not being offered to front line health care workers in N Ireland? #MakeItMakeSense

Brexit is not a sacred covenant. It can be judged, reimagined, and if necessary, undone. History shows that what is declared irreversible is often only temporary. The monarchy was abolished under Charles I and restored under Charles II. Perhaps Britain’s return to Europe will

Brexit keeps proving that remain campaign wasn’t project fear: 🇬🇧 UK’s living standards are projected to fall behind Lithuania’s within five years and Turkey’s within twenty years. 🇬🇧Ranking decline: Britain will drop from being the 30th richest country in 2025 to the 46th

A great poem that captures Manchán’s essence.

Great to read that the elusive corncrake has had its best year yet on Rathlin Island with six calling males heard. Thanks must go to all the volunteers who have worked tirelessly on the ⁦RSPB NI⁩ Giving Corncrake a Home Project

Great podcast by The Rest Is History on Nelson. Strongly recommended listening, a stunning naval victory but the glory tinged with abject sorrow at the loss of its hero.

A feast of traditional music with the maestro Martin Hayes and these fantastic musicians, along with the unique voice of Mary Dillon. Thanks to everyone for a great night. Grand Opera House, Belfast Belfast International Arts Festival

This is the time of year for a favourite Old English word: the leaves are 'fallowing', from the verb fealwian, 'to turn yellow-gold'. In Anglo-Saxon poetry fealo (fallow) is the pale golden shade of fire, linden shields, sword hilts and autumn leaves. They fallow, then they fall.

Autumn leaves in the park Watercolour on paper

I am outraged by this visit, its promotion on social media and now its presence on the NI Dept of Education page. What are the educational chances of a lost generation of Gazan children- 20,000 of whom have been killed by the military action of Israeli forces since 2023?

Last month, UN agencies reported Israel had destroyed or damaged 95% of Gaza's educational facilities, depriving 650,000+ children of learning for 2 years. UN and rights groups have condemned this systematic destruction as ‘scholasticide’ - a deliberate annihilation of education