Martin McGrath
@martinmcgrath.bsky.social
Tries to be funny, often fails. Irish, Labour, LFC, NUJ & CIPR. Has a PhD, isn't afraid to use it. University lecturer in PR, branding & design, also sometime journalist, writer & editor. Will work for karma. "He's not angry, he always sounds like that."
Reposted by Martin McGrath
Two men? But I heard sources saying there were tree fellers.
May 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Two men? But I heard sources saying there were tree fellers.
Two things:
1. This story has, hands down (or up?), the best "disappointed councillor meets pothole picture ever"; and
2. You can take the hole out of Coalisland, but you can never take Coalisland out of the hole
"NI's 'worst road' fixed as new scheme tackles potholes"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
1. This story has, hands down (or up?), the best "disappointed councillor meets pothole picture ever"; and
2. You can take the hole out of Coalisland, but you can never take Coalisland out of the hole
"NI's 'worst road' fixed as new scheme tackles potholes"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Potholes: NI's 'worst road' fixed as new scheme aims to tackle potholes
Northern Ireland's road network will become the "most understood in the world" the company behind the scheme says.
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Two things:
1. This story has, hands down (or up?), the best "disappointed councillor meets pothole picture ever"; and
2. You can take the hole out of Coalisland, but you can never take Coalisland out of the hole
"NI's 'worst road' fixed as new scheme tackles potholes"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
1. This story has, hands down (or up?), the best "disappointed councillor meets pothole picture ever"; and
2. You can take the hole out of Coalisland, but you can never take Coalisland out of the hole
"NI's 'worst road' fixed as new scheme tackles potholes"
www.bbc.com/news/article...
You know you've read too many X-Men books when your first reaction to this headline is "that's a strangely mundane plot twist for Scott (or Hope or Nate... but not Alex)"
Summers banned for life from prestigious economics group
Summers banned for life from prestigious economics group
Summers has retreated from public life following the release of emails showing that he sought advice on a romantic matter from Epstein.
dlvr.it
December 2, 2025 at 11:48 PM
You know you've read too many X-Men books when your first reaction to this headline is "that's a strangely mundane plot twist for Scott (or Hope or Nate... but not Alex)"
The dialogue of two of the Derry Girls on World's Most Dangerous Roads has mostly been:
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"This ky-ar is great!"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"This ky-ar is great!"
December 2, 2025 at 10:27 PM
The dialogue of two of the Derry Girls on World's Most Dangerous Roads has mostly been:
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"This ky-ar is great!"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"Jesus Christ!"
"Fuck!"
"This ky-ar is great!"
Something ludicrous about Putin's corrupt regime (that has spent nearly four years failing to defeat one medium-sized Eastern European nation, and almost fell apart in a coup because of internal pressures) acting like Billy-big-bollocks to the rest of Europe
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Russia ‘ready’ for war with Europe, Putin says as peace talks with US begin
Russian president accuses European powers of preventing peace in Ukraine as he meets with Witkoff and Kushner
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Something ludicrous about Putin's corrupt regime (that has spent nearly four years failing to defeat one medium-sized Eastern European nation, and almost fell apart in a coup because of internal pressures) acting like Billy-big-bollocks to the rest of Europe
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/d...
Counterpoint: the last time anyone could say "prices haven't increased" for any significant length of time in the UK was 1920-1940, and almost no one was having a good time back then, and the longstanding Tory/Liberal political balance was overthrown.
👇 This is a) obviously correct b) resisted by most in the political class because it makes so much of what we do redundant.
My extremely simple heuristic for the current political system is that until you can go food shopping and think prices haven’t increased / things aren’t expensive etc don’t expect any material political continuity.
December 2, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Counterpoint: the last time anyone could say "prices haven't increased" for any significant length of time in the UK was 1920-1940, and almost no one was having a good time back then, and the longstanding Tory/Liberal political balance was overthrown.
Watching the Sky Arts three-part documentary "Greatest Basslines" (a good follow up to "The Art of Drumming").
The highlight has been following three brief minutes devoted to slapping and Mark King with Mani's heartfelt "Cut his thumb off!"
Rest in bass, Mani.
The highlight has been following three brief minutes devoted to slapping and Mark King with Mani's heartfelt "Cut his thumb off!"
Rest in bass, Mani.
December 2, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Watching the Sky Arts three-part documentary "Greatest Basslines" (a good follow up to "The Art of Drumming").
The highlight has been following three brief minutes devoted to slapping and Mark King with Mani's heartfelt "Cut his thumb off!"
Rest in bass, Mani.
The highlight has been following three brief minutes devoted to slapping and Mark King with Mani's heartfelt "Cut his thumb off!"
Rest in bass, Mani.
This is ridiculous.
The Norwegians would never do such a thing.
Everyone knows all the EU's nefarious plans for world domination are overseen by the Dutch, who are wickedness incarnate.
The Norwegians would never do such a thing.
Everyone knows all the EU's nefarious plans for world domination are overseen by the Dutch, who are wickedness incarnate.
December 2, 2025 at 5:48 PM
This is ridiculous.
The Norwegians would never do such a thing.
Everyone knows all the EU's nefarious plans for world domination are overseen by the Dutch, who are wickedness incarnate.
The Norwegians would never do such a thing.
Everyone knows all the EU's nefarious plans for world domination are overseen by the Dutch, who are wickedness incarnate.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
#feckingCivilisations
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
#feckingCivilisations
December 1, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
#feckingCivilisations
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
The Ptolemys were Greek.
#feckingCivilisations
It's important to get your design aesthetic from the classics.
December 1, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It's important to get your design aesthetic from the classics.
When Trump gets bored with indiscriminately murdering Venezuelans on boat trips and decides to up the ante, at least Cladosporium sphaerospermum will be happy.
Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability : ScienceAlert share.google/Igq3MYRp9OJW...
Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability : ScienceAlert share.google/Igq3MYRp9OJW...
Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability
The Chernobyl exclusion zone may be off-limits to humans, but ever since the Unit Four reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded nearly 40 years ago, other forms of life have not only move...
share.google
November 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM
When Trump gets bored with indiscriminately murdering Venezuelans on boat trips and decides to up the ante, at least Cladosporium sphaerospermum will be happy.
Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability : ScienceAlert share.google/Igq3MYRp9OJW...
Chernobyl Fungus Appears to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability : ScienceAlert share.google/Igq3MYRp9OJW...
November 30, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The greatest enemy of the far left is, and has always been, the far left.
It just never stops being both hilarious and painful to watch.
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
It just never stops being both hilarious and painful to watch.
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
Zarah Sultana boycotts first day of Your Party conference over 'witch hunt' expulsions
Zarah Sultana has boycotted day one of the Your Party Conference over the expulsion of members of left-wing groups.
news.sky.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:32 PM
The greatest enemy of the far left is, and has always been, the far left.
It just never stops being both hilarious and painful to watch.
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
It just never stops being both hilarious and painful to watch.
news.sky.com/story/zarah-...
Ghastly Gastropod Grabbers Gazump Gallic Gastronomic Gastropubs
Thieves have stolen €90,000 worth of fine French snails destined for some of the country’s most prestigious restaurants
Thieves take €90,000 of snails meant for Michelin-starred restaurants
French police are on the trail of ‘experienced’ criminals who stole a whole year’s worth of produce from Jean-Mathieu Dauvergne’s L’Escargot des Grands Crus
www.thetimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Ghastly Gastropod Grabbers Gazump Gallic Gastronomic Gastropubs
One thing that got overlooked yesterday was announcement of North Sea Breakthrough policy, ending new exploration & development, which will effectively lock most of the North Sea's remaining reserves in the ground.
But the Rosebank licence needs to be blocked too.
petition.qomon.org/82de0dde-don...
But the Rosebank licence needs to be blocked too.
petition.qomon.org/82de0dde-don...
Young People Welcome the North Sea Breakthrough. Now Finish the Job: Scrap Rosebank.
As young people, we inherit the world shaped by the decisions you make today. Many of us voted Labour in 2024. Many of us campaigned for change. We want this government to succeed.Yesterday’s North Se...
petition.qomon.org
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
One thing that got overlooked yesterday was announcement of North Sea Breakthrough policy, ending new exploration & development, which will effectively lock most of the North Sea's remaining reserves in the ground.
But the Rosebank licence needs to be blocked too.
petition.qomon.org/82de0dde-don...
But the Rosebank licence needs to be blocked too.
petition.qomon.org/82de0dde-don...
Reposted by Martin McGrath
Overall, the combination of tax rises and giveaways since last year’s Budget is progressive.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
November 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Overall, the combination of tax rises and giveaways since last year’s Budget is progressive.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
Incomes for households in the bottom half of the distribution have increased by 1.0 per cent and incomes for households in the top half fell by 0.7 per cent.
I think I've finally found the AI use that will end humanity.
Cults creating worshippers that don't exist to praise their gods that (sorry religionists) don't exist, burning up the planet in a race to create the most fake prayers to show theirs' is the true faith.
pagesix.com/2025/11/25/e...
Cults creating worshippers that don't exist to praise their gods that (sorry religionists) don't exist, burning up the planet in a race to create the most fake prayers to show theirs' is the true faith.
pagesix.com/2025/11/25/e...
Music fans enraged as AI-generated ‘singer’ tops the holiday charts: ‘Seriously?’
“Solomon Ray is no longer ‘the AI experiment.’ He is now the biggest new voice in gospel music – period.”
pagesix.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I think I've finally found the AI use that will end humanity.
Cults creating worshippers that don't exist to praise their gods that (sorry religionists) don't exist, burning up the planet in a race to create the most fake prayers to show theirs' is the true faith.
pagesix.com/2025/11/25/e...
Cults creating worshippers that don't exist to praise their gods that (sorry religionists) don't exist, burning up the planet in a race to create the most fake prayers to show theirs' is the true faith.
pagesix.com/2025/11/25/e...
I don't know if these things matter, probably not, but Reeves has managed to hush most of the roar from the opposition benches and get some of her own benches speaking up.
November 26, 2025 at 12:55 PM
I don't know if these things matter, probably not, but Reeves has managed to hush most of the roar from the opposition benches and get some of her own benches speaking up.
OBR
Office for Banjaxing Reeves
Office for Banjaxing Reeves
November 26, 2025 at 12:31 PM
OBR
Office for Banjaxing Reeves
Office for Banjaxing Reeves
"Many users (well, just one) feel they're talking to a real person. Wilson says it's time they considered catching themselves on."
November 25, 2025 at 8:59 PM
"Many users (well, just one) feel they're talking to a real person. Wilson says it's time they considered catching themselves on."
Ah, he's one of those racists...
You know, the non hurtful or insulting kind. The *nice* racists.
ffs
You know, the non hurtful or insulting kind. The *nice* racists.
ffs
“I would never ever do it in a hurtful or insulting way”
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
Nigel Farage responds to allegations of racist behaviour from when he was a teenager at school
@itvnewspolitics.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Ah, he's one of those racists...
You know, the non hurtful or insulting kind. The *nice* racists.
ffs
You know, the non hurtful or insulting kind. The *nice* racists.
ffs
As #Strictly starts its Blackpool love-in, I'd like to share my own special lesson learned at the Tower Ballroom.
No matter how hungry you are, do not eat the sweaty prawn vol-au-vents at a Labour Party Conference reception.
It wasn't just the ballroom floor that bounced.
No matter how hungry you are, do not eat the sweaty prawn vol-au-vents at a Labour Party Conference reception.
It wasn't just the ballroom floor that bounced.
November 22, 2025 at 6:55 PM
As #Strictly starts its Blackpool love-in, I'd like to share my own special lesson learned at the Tower Ballroom.
No matter how hungry you are, do not eat the sweaty prawn vol-au-vents at a Labour Party Conference reception.
It wasn't just the ballroom floor that bounced.
No matter how hungry you are, do not eat the sweaty prawn vol-au-vents at a Labour Party Conference reception.
It wasn't just the ballroom floor that bounced.
Chomsky always was a bit of a LAD.
[obscure linguistics joke there, because I'm all about the clicks...]
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
[obscure linguistics joke there, because I'm all about the clicks...]
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Chomsky had deeper ties with Epstein than previously known, documents reveal
The philosopher and the sex trafficker were in contact long after Epstein was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, documents reveal
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Chomsky always was a bit of a LAD.
[obscure linguistics joke there, because I'm all about the clicks...]
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
[obscure linguistics joke there, because I'm all about the clicks...]
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Much less cricket chat on my feed this morning.
Did something happen?
Did something happen?
November 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Much less cricket chat on my feed this morning.
Did something happen?
Did something happen?