Lesley

Ah thank you Neil, delighted to be at this stage!

Heart-stopping stuff!

When we lived on the Great Blasket and Kerry were chasing an All-Ireland, this flag flew in front of the cottages.

Today it’s flying again in spirit. Ádh mór to Daingean Uí Chúis. 💚💛

#daingeanuíchúisabú

‘Dormouse’ by Aoife Lyall — Banshee Press Curled beside me in your wheaten silk – asleep in whatever log or nest of leaves the night has conjured from our quilt – I savour knowing that the average healthy dormouse weighs all of 20g: how…

'Curled beside me in your wheaten silk – asleep
in whatever log or nest of leaves the night
has conjured from our quilt ...'

From issue 18 (autumn/winter 2024) – poetry by @aoifelyall.bsky.social 🐭

bansheepress.org/read/dormous...

Appreciate it Phillip, thank you 🙏🏻

A post I never thought I’d get to write.
My book Blasket Bound will be published with Gill Books on 23 April 2026.

It tells our island story, the lessons it taught me and celebrates the living heritage of the island.

Pre-order now at link in bio. What a dream come true ✨

Almost a full collection added to stock today of the modern (1990s) reprints of the 1830's Ordnance Survey reports - all are from Ulster, the province completed at the time.
#speirgorm thebookshop.ie/ordnance-sur...

Always used them too, raging 😂 I find myself rereading things now to check is there any chance I could be mistaken for ChatGPT 😂

You are welcome Felicity hope you are well 😌

The Bookseller's Gift and Once A Year looking good among the Christmas glitter in Dunnes Stores nationwide!

#spéirgorm people, please share the news 🥰📚📚

#Irish #festive #fiction #spéirghorm #booksky #writingcommunity

'there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes...'

#ConnollyForPresident

'The space we stood around had been emptied
Into us to keep, it penetrated
Clearances that suddenly stood open.
High cries were felled and a pure change happened.' - Seamus Heaney

May Manchán Magan rest at peace. One of our best, gone far too soon.

‘Its loss became a cautionary tale, and a rallying cry for architectural conservation’: The rise and fall and renewed interest in Ireland’s remarkable country houses Lesley Bond traces a brief history of Ireland’s country houses and questions whether you can ever separate the house from the history it represents.

I was delighted to be featured in @countrylifemag.bsky.social, examining some of our country houses.

‘Its loss became a cautionary tale, and a rallying cry for architectural conservation’: The rise and fall and renewed interest in Ireland’s remarkable country houses share.google/xFfGiNB8zXFh...

So sad to hear of the death of Sean Rocks. Such an important friend and supporter of arts and culture in Ireland, Arena was always an enlightening show under his stead. May he rest in peace.

When we lived on the Blasket, we were told of the tradition where when an islander dies, a small fire is lit in the hearth of their old cottage ruins. A small gesture so an islander can come back to spend one more night at their island fireside before they depart for the heavens🌙 (2/2)

Ionad an Bhlascaoid has reported the passing of Máiréad Kearney-Shea in Springfield, MA at the age of 103.

Máiréad was the last of the Great Blasket-born community in the USA. A remarkable woman, may she rest in peace (1/2)

Concrete industry warns of quarry materials shortfall The concrete industry has warned Ireland is facing a significant shortfall of materials such as stone, sand and gravel in future years because quarries are not being granted sufficient planning permis...

In the rush to source stone, heritage sites could be caught in crossfire, often encroached upon in the search for materials. Housing is so important but news like this is like a warning bell for important heritage locations across Ireland. Balance will be essential here.
www.rte.ie/news/ireland...

🔔 UPDATE: The deadline to apply for the Poetry Ireland Librarian position has been EXTENDED to Sunday, June 8th at 5pm.

Poetry Ireland are seeking a passionate, qualified Librarian to join their team!

✍️Learn more & apply: www.poetryireland.ie/news/poetry-...

#JobFairy @libraryjobs.bsky.social

A telegram sent by the Blasket Islanders on 22 April 1947 to Éamon de Valera. 'Stormbound Distress. Send food. Nothing to eat - Blaskets.'

Six years later, the Great Blasket islanders would leave the island permanently. It has been uninhabited ever since.

Six years ago today, I moved to the Great Blasket Island for six months, an experience that shaped me in ways I'm still discovering.

Endlessly grateful for that chapter. Hopefully this season is the best yet for the island and all who visit get to enjoy it. It's a place that stays with you.

From island solitude to night feeds and nursery rhymes. Blink and half a decade has gone by. Sásta a bheith ar ais 💚