Manchán Magan
@ManchanMagan
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Writer @IrishTimes. Book: "32 Words for Field" https://t.co/i1BradtXAt. Podcast: "Almanac of Ireland" https://t.co/RqMeu5z0uk. TV: Crainn na hÉireann on TG4
Westmeath
Joined January 2016
A new dictionary project aims to safeguard coastal Irish words and the unique perspectives they provide. via @hakaimagazine.
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Ok, it's hard to contain my excitement about FREAGRA, a new web service offering free Gaeilge translations & grammer checks for businesses, media & nervous parents helping with homework. They work via text, email or phone. Fully funded by @ForasnaGaeilge
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Having lived near Mullingar for 25 years it's giving me such joy to experience the town entirely car-free, with trad music being played outside every shop & on every street corner. I urge you to take a bus/train here between now & Sunday to experience @fleadhcheoil at its best.
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To really praise something in Irish you say "tá sé thar moladh beirte" (it's beyond the praise of 2 people). That's how I feel about @AnPostvox these days. They are dealing with unprecendented loads and yet managing to deliver them faster than ever. Tá siad thar moladh ochtar.
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My first book in over a decade launches on 4th Sept. It's called "Thirty-Two Words for Field", an exploration of the insights the Irish language gives into the landscape, the culture & pysche of Ireland. Pre-order at #GillBooksAW20
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To those rusty in Gaeilge or Gaelic script the message to developers in this canal-side site in Portobellow is "Stick Your Hotel up your Hole."
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Thirty-Two Words for Field: A plea to keep our grá for the Irish language or end up lost for words
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The Irish were drinking @oatly eons ago. In 1938 a woman in Co Leitrim described a typical brekkie as "potatoes & butter-milk, & if butter milk was not plentiful they took "Samhain" milk. This was made from oaten meal steeped in water for a couple of days.”
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'Manchán's Europe By Train', a new 4-part travel series starts this Sunday on @rteone at 6.30pm .How viable is it for us to ditch planes and start taking holidays by train and ferry? In this 4-part series with @tyronetv_irl I embrace the joys of slow travel by land and sea.
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Na filí is gasta, snasta in Éirinn, b'fhéidir. It's inspiring how some of the most creative, innovative work in Ireland is currently as Gaeilge.
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My article on sea words like “léamhadóir", a man who watches for signs where the herrings are, then lights paper so his crew can make a ring around the shoal. #SeaTamagotchi
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Focal an Lae (Word of the Day) Bristeacha. For a pronunciation
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I'm shamefully late in signing this Pledge by Irish Artists to boycott Israel. Israel needs to know that we will not share our culture with them as long as the apartheid regime continues and, of course, the genocide in Gaza.
🇵🇸 Amazing! Our Irish Artists' Pledge to Boycott Israel has reached 1,700 signatories! This is a great statement of solidarity with the Palestinian people and a total rejection of Israeli apartheid. Artists sign up ➡️ .#BDS is UNSTOPPABLE! #FreePalestine
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For the next year I'll be uploading a new Irish word each day at . For the first few months they'll be sea words from Sea Tamagotchi then words from "32 Words For Field". (Bear with me as I learn to use Instragram.) I'll post them here on Twitter too.
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Giorria - Hare.The artist Liosa Harris is making the most gorgeous images to help her learn Irish.
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Tápholl. Calmness between two changes of falling or ebbing tide. Unsteady water when current meet and are about to change direction. Collected from Treasa Ní Ghearraigh and Uinsíonn Mac Graith, Cathrú Thaidgh, Co Maigh Eo.
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The tiny publishing house on a clifftop on Achill Island @redfoxpress have published a handmade book of the sea words I gathered for #SeaTamagotchi for @galway2020 Get it at
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Airdeogaí (Ard-ow-gee). Under the spell of fairies (from drinking poteen) and convinced you can do anything. Collected from Micí Whiting Mac Aoidh, Machaire Rabhartaigh.
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Word of the day: Stranach.Pronounciation & explanation here:
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PLOBÁN.A hole hollowed out by the hoofs of beasts, then filled with rain. Image by: Sharon Dipity
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I've teamed up with The Trailblazery to create Scoil Scairte, an online immersion into the heart of Irish language, culture and heritage. It's a self-paced educational journey into the culture, language, magic, spirit & grammar of the Irish language.
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There's nothing new about #juicing or health food. Our ancestors used to drink Sleabhach (nori) juice in Feb, Báchrán (bog bean) juice in March, & Cál Faiche (nettle) juice in May - often with a chaser of faochóga dubha (black periwinkles) to increase energy & cleanse the blood.
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Uisce Coipthe (Ish-keh cup-huh). Frothing foaming water, also referred to as bláth bán ar gharraí an iascaire (white flowers on the fisherman’s garden) . Collected from Mike Curran, Leitir Mór, Co na Gaillimhe. Photo by @varianlauren
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The loss of Tim Robinson and his wonderful wife Máiread is ameliorated by the words he's left us, such as, “Irish placenames dry out when anglicised, like twigs snapped off from the tree.” Author and cartographer Tim Robinson dies from coronavirus via @rte.
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Since being appointed the first all-Ireland ambassador for the @theriverstrust, my respect for the potency and potential of rivers is continually increasing.
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Wonderfully brave and clearsighted article by @EamonRyan. He'll be a real loss to Irish national debate. (Ideally, the article wouldn't be behind a paywall). Warnings about Atlantic ocean circulation are correct, Irish people could become climate migrants.
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My article on Ireland’s rainforests & a new book by @hometree__ about them. via @IrishTimes.
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In my new book Listen To The Land Speak (out 6 Oct), I set out on a journey to discover more about what lies beneath us & around us. What can we learn from our ancestors? What have we missed? .I recorded some videos on my journey which I'll be sharing here.
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I try to take winter holidays by train each year. After 3 days & 4 nights travel I've arrived in Portugal on a trip to the Algarve. Previous trips were to Saville & Brittany. I'm making a TV series for @RTEOne on further trips. .
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“The future lies with languages that can maximize diversity, alter human interaction with the non-human & reveal ways of being that are connected to the specificities of place but open to the world. IRISH is one of those languages of the future. " Prof Michael Cronin @TCDFrench.
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BÁINSEOG.The area of grass at the angle of two passages in the mountain. Also a diamond or triangle of grass at a crossroads. Image: Enagh Farrell. Words from The Lost Language of The Ballyhouras: Cnuasach Focal Paddy Fennessy, edited by Evelyn Fennessy & Róisín Ní Ghairbhí
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Tá brón orm that the book is sold out in many places. There's 50 copies in the Fumbally Café, alongside honey from my bees and possibly some of my veg (if I get around to driving it to Dublin). Thurs-Fri: 10am-6pm. Sat: 10am-3pm
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Mada Gaoithe.A small rainbow sticking up from the sea to the northwest in the morning. Boatmen regarded it as a sign of harsh, windy weather that could last for weeks. Edited by @varianlauren
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In trying to sum up my time in Australia, I'm aware of how threatened Aboriginal culture & County is here from mining companies and modern development. We in Ireland have a responsibility to help protect them, and to champion their rights & sovereignty.
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'Manchán's Europe By Train' starts tonight on RTÉ One at 6.30pm 🌍🚉♻️. My new series starts tonight on @RTEOne and also on the RTE Player for those abroad. It'll run for the next 4 weeks. It was made by @tyronetv_irl and is a lot of fun. #ManchansEurope
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Cuil (Quill). A tiny wave, or standing up ripple on water. Also to be stern of face, or stern, raised water. Collected from Donnchadh Ó Baoill, Rann na Feirste, Co Dún nan Gall. Photo by @Myles_O_Reilly
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On Sat, Australia will vote on whether to give Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders a Voice in an advisory assembly to help empower them. 80% of Aboriginal people are voting Yes. How will Irish-Australians vote?. #Yes23au, #UluruStatement #Irish4Yes
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I wrote a blessing for An Ghaeilge for @Independent_ie in December. Mo bheannacht Nollag orainn i mbliana ná go nglacfaimis, ar deireadh thiar thall, leis an bhfulaingt agus leis an bpian atá ionainn go léir, go neamh-chomhfhiosach, de bharr chlaochlú agus thréigint na teanga.
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Just got the first copies of mo leabhar nua inné #32WordsForField, & inniu (my 50th birthday) I get the first feedback - from @theirishfor. Published 4th Sept.
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Féileacán - Dealán De - butterfly.(Pronounced: Fye-lekh-awn. Dyal-awn Day). Image by Lisa Harris @LearaidiGaeilge
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Focal an Lae ó THIRTY-TWO WORDS FOR FIELD. Bánóg Ground levelled out by years of dancing.
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Having been a flight-focused travel journalist for 15 years, one of the prime catalysts for me to switch to trains was @seatsixtyone. This TV series is the fruits of his inspiration. It should be viewable in UK here, from tonight.
Join us for the first in four part series of 'Manchán's Europe By Train' tomorrow at 6.30 on @RTEOne. @ManchanMagan.#ManchansEurope #sustainabletravel #greentravel #slowtravel #europe #travel #traintravel #manchánmagan
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Graifítí sa sean-chló Gaelach i bPortobello, Bleá Cliath 8
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I gave @KensingtonRoyal 2 endangered Irish words as part of #SeaTamagotchi for @Galway2020 . Caibleadh (otherworldly voices heard in the distance on sea at night) & Stopóg (rocky seabed near shore where lobsters thrive). Tabhair aire mhaith dóibh (Care for them). @BritEmbDublin
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Lus an Chromchinn - daffodil.(pronounced: Lus un Khrum-kin). Art by Lisa Harris, @LearaidiGaeilge
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Idirdhealú an lae: Rince vs Damhsa. Pronunciation & explanation: Audio edited by @Brine_Byrne .Photo by @VarianLauren
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Us newbie winter swimmers have a lot to learn, like what to do with the thin crackle of ice on the water - swim through it, under it, or create a little hole in the ice and swim round in circles? #Loughlene
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Míol mór.Whale. Image by @doogsby from our book Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and other Irish Words for Nature by @Gill_Books
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I spent hours deep within the Oweynagat Cave (that I talked about on the @Tommedian Show) as part of my @AlmanacIreland podcast for @RTERadio1. You can hear me battling the daemons deep underground here:
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Corr Éisc - Heron. The artist Lisa Harris @LearaidiGaeilge is making images to help her learn Irish. She writes it as Corr Réisc, which is how has it too. That would be an old genitive for Riasc, a marsh. Earlier dictionaries had Corr Éisc. 1d
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"Thirty-Two Words For Field" has finally been published abroad, by @bonnierbooks_uk for UK & Australia. It's got a new first chapter, more biographical anecdotes, & changes to further clarify & simplify the ideas. Still no American or audio version available. They'll come.
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Oighreach.Inflamed skin from seawater, cold or friction. Windgall. As when children's skin turns red & irritated. Cured by rubbing flour onto the skin. Like 'Oighear', inflammation on thighs caused by pee. (A problem for boys in era before underwear.). Edited by @varianlauren
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In July 2020 the first episode of the podcast I make with @red_hare_media for @rteradio1 was aired. RTÉ will launch another 26 episodes on Sunday 25th June 2023. In the meantime I'll repost the initial 26 episodes here. You'll find the full series at
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Míle buíochas, @Hodges_Figgis . Cuireann sé tocht orm (it brings a lump to my throat) chun cuimhneamh siar ar mo óige (to think back on my youth) agus mé ag cuardach trí seilfeanna Hodges (seeking out books there.).
Drumroll please. 🥁We’re delighted to announce our Irish Book of the Year for 2021 is the spectacular Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature by @ManchanMagan (illustrated by @doogsby) 🏆 #irishbookoftheyear
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I'm touring a lecture this Nov & Dec. @thedockarts @siamsatire @mermaidarts @theswifttrim @linenhallmayo @HawksWellSligo , @glorennis @antainarts @Ramortheatre @sourcearts @backstageirl @riverbankarts @shhomeplace @paviliontheatre, Fumbally, Dunamaise.
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I start a 6-week nationwide tour of my show "Arán & Im" in Galway on 25th Sept. I bake bread while the audience churn butter, & together we explore the insights into culture, landscape, psyche & the Otherworld offered by an Gaeilge. Bí linn.
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Stopóg.Shallow, rocky seabed out beyond where the sleámógaí and the leathach grow -where the lobsters & crúbógaí (spider crab) make their home.
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Best thing on Twitter tonight is this explanation of West Kerry words by two young lands. There's even subtitles for Béarlóirí.
Cad is brí le “Tá do chaid amuigh agat”? Seo roinnt nathanna cainte nó caint na sráide le @Donnchaom agus @seanoconaing - eagrán Chúige Mumhan
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Dána Gránna: Nasty Words for People is my new handmade art book with illustrations by Antic-Ham. It contains 42 boorish, dreadful words to describe people, and was handcrafted by RedfoxPress on Achill Island. €32 from or
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Muisiriún - Mushroom.(pronounced: Mush-ir-oon). This is the final image by Lisa Harris, @LearaidiGaeilge that I'll post here. She'll post new images at & Etsy & possibly at @LearaidiGaeilge
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In the thousands of years humans have been living by the shores of Lough Lene here in Westmeath more people are swimming in it this autumn than ever before. @nbrez is great at championing Lough Owel, ach tá draíocht ag Lough Lene freisin. Two swans with me inniu.
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Rosán - a favourable wind and gentle sea. Full hundreds more words, with descriptions of them by fishermen, see
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The most exciting thing in my life at present is this. .
We are really happy to introduce The Wild Atlantic Rainforest Project. It's a scaling up of the work we already do; creating native woodland and working with farmer to support them doing the same.
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I teamed up with the Montana musician, Dusty the Kid, to honour the way @kneecapceol is using Irish in exciting fresh ways. In aid of Aclaí, a volunteer gym in the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine. Support at: 📸@sensitivevisual - míle buíochas
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Meas mór chuig @Rubberbandits . Bhí siad ag plé leis an Gaeilge i slíte úr-nua i bhfad roimh mo leithéidse nó an glúin nua. Total respect . the Rubberbandits were engaging with Irish in novel ways well before the likes of me, or the new generation.
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Faolchú liath - Grey wolf.(pronounced Fwayl Koo lee-yah). The artist Lisa Harris @learaidiasgaeilge is making the most gorgeous images to help her learn Irish.
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Gabhar - goat. (Pronounced: gow-er). Art by Lisa Harris @LearaidiGaeilge , who also sells her images on Etsy
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I meet up with @redfoxpress, the publisher of my handmade book, "Dána Gránna: Nasty Words for People" . It has 42 words for nasty people with 42 drawings by Antic-Ham, who designed & hand-makes each copy on her kitchen table.
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Leachta.Stacked flagstones on the shore used long ago to support a boat while loading it with seaweed. Also graves, memorial mounds and paving. Edited by @varianlauren
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Oisín.Fawn. (pronounced ush-EEN). From: "Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature" by @Gill_Books .Íomhá le @doogsby
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Focal an Lae ó THIRTY-TWO WORDS FOR FIELD. BADHBH.Hooded crow, female fairy in bird form, war goddess who takes the form of a crow. Íomha: Muireann Brady
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Iomshruth.An eddy. Literally, a wave that turns on itself. A place where trout hide out.
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Tarraingt a' bhFarraige.The irregular pull of the tide, when wave come in a metre or two, only to pull back forcefully a greater distance. A sign of bad weather up to 3 days in the future. edited by @varianlauren
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Tomorrow at 1pm I'm giving a free talk on "Language and lore of the Irish landscape for @LibrariesNI at part of their #HeritageFromHome series. Booking at.
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Word of the Day: Oighreach. Tá míniú & fuaimniú le fáil anseo:
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My @IrishTimesMag article on how the stories passed down by our ancestors can teach us how best to live sustainably on this island, and how to navigate a world that presents existential threats on a daily basis.
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My attempt at flightless travel hindered by a death on the railway to Cherbourg meant i missed the @Irish_Ferries sailing home. Next sailing in 3 days. I was so looking forward to it, as my trip out had been spectacular. Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach.
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Ireland has 1.7 million acres of forestry, which could take up to 10 million pigs, rather than the 1.3 million currently crammed up inside industrial pens in computer controlled factories. We could become Europe's leading supplier of woodland-grazed pork. See thread for benefits.
5. The story of the boar & the butterflies is so rich and complex, it’s hard to fit into a tweet, but the presence of boar increases the habitat of many woodland butterflies. Studies show grizzled skipper benefits from boar, which convert coarse grassland to diverse floral mess.
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Mo leabhar nua is announced today: Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature. Available from 22 Oct. Pre-order it now from @DubrayBooks or @easons .The full @Gill_Books catalogue is at
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Ar mhaith le éinne iarracht a dhéanamh an abairt seo a aistriú i Stáisiún Mala? @IrishRail - is it just too profound for me?
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Meantán Gorm - blue tit.(Myan-tawn Gurum). The artist Lisa Harris is teaching herself Irish through her illustrations at @LearaidiGaeilge
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End of "Sea Tamagotchi" .17 weeks ago I began posting a sea word each day with a recording by a local fishermen. There are now 126 of them at & many more at From tomorrow I'll shift to words from "Thirty-Two Words For Field.".
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Tobar Connla. I had thought Connla's Well was a place of make-believe, until I heard the consultant geologist, Dr Robert Meehan, talk about the underground springs that exist off beneath the Atlantic off the Irish coast …. Dunja Hak has illustrated her vision of it
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Here is my article about the insights that senior Cree elders in Canada wish to share with Ireland.
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Is it too early to look at the positives? How #Coronavirus is making us slow down & reasses our priorities. It's creating a shift & re-orientation throughout the entire planet. Making us realise our interdepence; precisely what's needed for an equitable world & to tackle #carbon
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Today I dressed as a tree for @ExtinctRebelsIE, to highlight that while it is wonderful that @creedcnw & @LeoVaradkar will plant 22 million trees yearly, the fact that 70% are Sitka means that more Co2 may be released by planting, harvesting & processing than they can sequester.
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I'm on a 31-hour train trip from New Orleans to DC but it's illegal to sell alcohol on Sundays in Mississippi & Alabama, so we must wait till we reach Georgia in the middle of the night. And to think we complain about Good Friday in Ireland.
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Inniú lá foilsithe mo leabhar nua. "Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and Other Irish Words for Nature" ó @Gill_Books . Roinnfidh mé focail nua anseo. I'll share words from the book here every second day with gorgeous images by @doogsby
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Lus na mban sí.Foxglove . Image by @doogsby from our book Tree Dogs, Banshee Fingers and other Irish Words for Nature by @Gill_Books
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Crúbóg (Crew-bowgue). When a stroke of an oar digs too deep and it swivels back, pushing the oarsman to the deck. Collected from: Cormac Gillespie, Co Donegal
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Tuaim.The sound of the sea banging against land. Any natural sound created by nature, as opposed to torann which is a manmade sound. From Pap Murphy, Leithinis an Mhuirthead, Co Mayo.Filming/editing: @VarianLauren .Music & sound design by Brían McGlynn.
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