Patrick Brannigan
@patrickjmb.bsky.social
In Choirs; on board of Housing Rights NI, worked at QUB Belfast
An Dún/music/nature/whatever resonates....
An Dún/music/nature/whatever resonates....
Pinned
BLOG: Gestetner to Office 365: Looking back on my time at Queen's
www.qub.ac.uk
This is but one version of my work history. In it, I'm suggesting that social interactions are vital, hint at issues around managerialism and corporatism (see later episodes!); and how singing in a work choir was life changing...
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffG...
www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffG...
Linzi McLaren is very courageous in many ways.
And then there is traction X still has in the North and beyond.
#SpéirGhorm
And then there is traction X still has in the North and beyond.
#SpéirGhorm
February 18, 2026 at 12:04 PM
Linzi McLaren is very courageous in many ways.
And then there is traction X still has in the North and beyond.
#SpéirGhorm
And then there is traction X still has in the North and beyond.
#SpéirGhorm
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
22% of the electricity we generate goes to power server farms. By 2030 it's projected to lrise to 30%.
30% of our electricity comes from oil and gas.
Feels like there's an obvious step we could take here...
30% of our electricity comes from oil and gas.
Feels like there's an obvious step we could take here...
Ireland No. 1 in Europe - yet again. GHGs rose faster (+3.2%) in Ireland in Q3 2025 than ANYWHERE else in Europe.
#Climate action, my eye.
#Climate action, my eye.
February 18, 2026 at 10:42 AM
22% of the electricity we generate goes to power server farms. By 2030 it's projected to lrise to 30%.
30% of our electricity comes from oil and gas.
Feels like there's an obvious step we could take here...
30% of our electricity comes from oil and gas.
Feels like there's an obvious step we could take here...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Registration is now open for our joint event with the Seamus Heaney Centre on 2 March: LATE HEANEY: NICHOLAS ALLEN IN CONVERSATION WITH MARK CARRUTHERS (available online and in-person) www.qub.ac.uk/schools/seam...
February 18, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Registration is now open for our joint event with the Seamus Heaney Centre on 2 March: LATE HEANEY: NICHOLAS ALLEN IN CONVERSATION WITH MARK CARRUTHERS (available online and in-person) www.qub.ac.uk/schools/seam...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
The Falls of Clyde (a renowned nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, located near the town of Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland; famous for its dramatic waterfalls and ancient gorge woodlands) leaves X (1.190 followers)
Bluesky: @scotwildlife.bsky.social
Bluesky: @scotwildlife.bsky.social
February 18, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The Falls of Clyde (a renowned nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust, located near the town of Lanark in South Lanarkshire, Scotland; famous for its dramatic waterfalls and ancient gorge woodlands) leaves X (1.190 followers)
Bluesky: @scotwildlife.bsky.social
Bluesky: @scotwildlife.bsky.social
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
John Smith Centre (a non-partisan organization based at the University of Glasgow in Scotland; established in memory of John Smith, the former leader of the UK Labour Party; its primary goal is to restore trust in politics and public service) leaves X (3.257 followers)
Bluesky: @johnsmithcentre.com
Bluesky: @johnsmithcentre.com
February 18, 2026 at 10:27 AM
John Smith Centre (a non-partisan organization based at the University of Glasgow in Scotland; established in memory of John Smith, the former leader of the UK Labour Party; its primary goal is to restore trust in politics and public service) leaves X (3.257 followers)
Bluesky: @johnsmithcentre.com
Bluesky: @johnsmithcentre.com
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Was speaking to someone from Madagascar today. To make conversation I mentioned that they had some bad storms the last time we spoke and if everything was ok.
They said 90% of the east coast of the country had been destroyed. 😳
Not sure it even made the news here: www.unicef.org/press-releas...
They said 90% of the east coast of the country had been destroyed. 😳
Not sure it even made the news here: www.unicef.org/press-releas...
Successive cyclones put children at risk in Madagascar
Second climate-related disaster in two weeks leaves tens of thousands of children cut off from essential services
www.unicef.org
February 18, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Was speaking to someone from Madagascar today. To make conversation I mentioned that they had some bad storms the last time we spoke and if everything was ok.
They said 90% of the east coast of the country had been destroyed. 😳
Not sure it even made the news here: www.unicef.org/press-releas...
They said 90% of the east coast of the country had been destroyed. 😳
Not sure it even made the news here: www.unicef.org/press-releas...
February 18, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
So shocking to see substantial rubbish dumping along the side of the road through Killarney National Park.
What sort of mindset looks at one of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes, and decides "Ah yes, this is where I'll throw my trash"??
What sort of mindset looks at one of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes, and decides "Ah yes, this is where I'll throw my trash"??
February 18, 2026 at 6:09 AM
So shocking to see substantial rubbish dumping along the side of the road through Killarney National Park.
What sort of mindset looks at one of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes, and decides "Ah yes, this is where I'll throw my trash"??
What sort of mindset looks at one of Ireland's most beautiful landscapes, and decides "Ah yes, this is where I'll throw my trash"??
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Just to say registration has opened for my conversation with Mark Carruthers at the Heaney Centre in Queens on Monday 2 March at 5.30pm. It will be good to be home with friends.
www.qub.ac.uk/schools/seam...
www.qub.ac.uk/schools/seam...
February 18, 2026 at 3:38 AM
Just to say registration has opened for my conversation with Mark Carruthers at the Heaney Centre in Queens on Monday 2 March at 5.30pm. It will be good to be home with friends.
www.qub.ac.uk/schools/seam...
www.qub.ac.uk/schools/seam...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Starmer needs to commission an independent inquiry into Labour Together- or he too becomes implicated in an increasingly unsustainable cover-up
New by me in @theguardian.com on why PM needs to act on Labour Together hiring a PR firm to smear journalists
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
New by me in @theguardian.com on why PM needs to act on Labour Together hiring a PR firm to smear journalists
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Labour Together scandal goes right to the heart of No 10 – Starmer has nowhere to hide | Peter Geoghegan
He can sack who he wants to protect himself, but all roads currently lead back to the prime minister, says Peter Geoghegan of Democracy for Sale
www.theguardian.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Starmer needs to commission an independent inquiry into Labour Together- or he too becomes implicated in an increasingly unsustainable cover-up
New by me in @theguardian.com on why PM needs to act on Labour Together hiring a PR firm to smear journalists
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
New by me in @theguardian.com on why PM needs to act on Labour Together hiring a PR firm to smear journalists
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
“What do I think of the Board of Peace? I think it is a colonialist operation: others deciding for the Palestinians.”
- Cardinal Pizzaballa of Jerusalem www.osvnews.com/us-led-board...
- Cardinal Pizzaballa of Jerusalem www.osvnews.com/us-led-board...
US-led Board of Peace a ‘colonialist operation,’ Cardinal Pizzaballa says - OSV News
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, strongly criticized the U.S.-led Board of Peace, an international body chaired by President Donald Trump to oversee the governance and r...
www.osvnews.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:46 PM
“What do I think of the Board of Peace? I think it is a colonialist operation: others deciding for the Palestinians.”
- Cardinal Pizzaballa of Jerusalem www.osvnews.com/us-led-board...
- Cardinal Pizzaballa of Jerusalem www.osvnews.com/us-led-board...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Whether you know it as Gorse, Furze, or Whin, this must be our most remarkable native shrub. Throughout the year, the rich yellow peaflowers seem to light up the Irish landscape."
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
February 17, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Whether you know it as Gorse, Furze, or Whin, this must be our most remarkable native shrub. Throughout the year, the rich yellow peaflowers seem to light up the Irish landscape."
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Labour have 3 years to legally, electorally and constitutionally protect the UK from incoming hard fascism, instead they are clueless rabbits caught in headlights preparing to hand the keys over.
🗳️ POLL | Reform lead by 5pts
➡️ Ref: 24% (-3)
🔴 Lab: 19% (=)
🔵 Con: 18% (=)
🟢 Grn: 17% (+1)
🟠 Lib: 13% (-1)
-- Seats --
➡️ Ref: 278
🟠 Lib: 84
🔴 Lab: 74
🟢 Grn: 65
🔵 Con: 60
🟡 SNP: 44
Poll: @YouGov, 15-16 Feb (+/- vs 9 Feb)
➡️ Ref: 24% (-3)
🔴 Lab: 19% (=)
🔵 Con: 18% (=)
🟢 Grn: 17% (+1)
🟠 Lib: 13% (-1)
-- Seats --
➡️ Ref: 278
🟠 Lib: 84
🔴 Lab: 74
🟢 Grn: 65
🔵 Con: 60
🟡 SNP: 44
Poll: @YouGov, 15-16 Feb (+/- vs 9 Feb)
February 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Labour have 3 years to legally, electorally and constitutionally protect the UK from incoming hard fascism, instead they are clueless rabbits caught in headlights preparing to hand the keys over.
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
📍Omeath
🗓️ 17th Feb, 2026
🎶 O mio babbino caro by Puccini
A beautiful start to the day over Carlingford Lough from Omeath.
🗓️ 17th Feb, 2026
🎶 O mio babbino caro by Puccini
A beautiful start to the day over Carlingford Lough from Omeath.
February 17, 2026 at 7:27 PM
📍Omeath
🗓️ 17th Feb, 2026
🎶 O mio babbino caro by Puccini
A beautiful start to the day over Carlingford Lough from Omeath.
🗓️ 17th Feb, 2026
🎶 O mio babbino caro by Puccini
A beautiful start to the day over Carlingford Lough from Omeath.
Save the date: SUNDAY 3RD MAY 11AM - 4PM
Benwiskin Sings: Community Singing with Una McCann
A day of singing for all voices where we let our natural voices out to play.
The Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, Co. Sligo
Booking details coming soon
#Sligeach
#SpéirGhorm
Benwiskin Sings: Community Singing with Una McCann
A day of singing for all voices where we let our natural voices out to play.
The Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, Co. Sligo
Booking details coming soon
#Sligeach
#SpéirGhorm
February 17, 2026 at 6:59 PM
Save the date: SUNDAY 3RD MAY 11AM - 4PM
Benwiskin Sings: Community Singing with Una McCann
A day of singing for all voices where we let our natural voices out to play.
The Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, Co. Sligo
Booking details coming soon
#Sligeach
#SpéirGhorm
Benwiskin Sings: Community Singing with Una McCann
A day of singing for all voices where we let our natural voices out to play.
The Benwiskin Centre, Ballintrillick, Co. Sligo
Booking details coming soon
#Sligeach
#SpéirGhorm
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
The delay is “an extraordinary failure of national climate governance”.
The Government is obliged to produce an annual update under the Climate Act 2021.
“It is critical to understand that any delay to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions increases both costs and impact risks.”
The Government is obliged to produce an annual update under the Climate Act 2021.
“It is critical to understand that any delay to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions increases both costs and impact risks.”
February 17, 2026 at 2:12 PM
The delay is “an extraordinary failure of national climate governance”.
The Government is obliged to produce an annual update under the Climate Act 2021.
“It is critical to understand that any delay to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions increases both costs and impact risks.”
The Government is obliged to produce an annual update under the Climate Act 2021.
“It is critical to understand that any delay to mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions increases both costs and impact risks.”
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Plan delay: “We wish to state plainly and unequivocally that, in our informed view, there is no basis in science and no discernible basis in law for [his] assertion.”
Prof Hannah Daly; Prof John Sweeney; Prof Barry McMullin; Dr Andrew Jackson; Dr Paul R Rice. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Prof Hannah Daly; Prof John Sweeney; Prof Barry McMullin; Dr Andrew Jackson; Dr Paul R Rice. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Experts express ‘extreme concern’ over delay to climate action plan
Minister says plan is coming, but academics say there is no justification for holdup
www.irishtimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Plan delay: “We wish to state plainly and unequivocally that, in our informed view, there is no basis in science and no discernible basis in law for [his] assertion.”
Prof Hannah Daly; Prof John Sweeney; Prof Barry McMullin; Dr Andrew Jackson; Dr Paul R Rice. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Prof Hannah Daly; Prof John Sweeney; Prof Barry McMullin; Dr Andrew Jackson; Dr Paul R Rice. www.irishtimes.com/environment/...
Whether you know it as Gorse, Furze, or Whin, this must be our most remarkable native shrub. Throughout the year, the rich yellow peaflowers seem to light up the Irish landscape."
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
February 17, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Whether you know it as Gorse, Furze, or Whin, this must be our most remarkable native shrub. Throughout the year, the rich yellow peaflowers seem to light up the Irish landscape."
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
Aiteann gallda.
#SpéirGhorm
See -
www.wildflowersofireland.net/plant_detail...
February 17, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Allot of energy in the Atlantic at this time of year, exploding skywards as it makes landfall. Keep an eye out for the rainbow at 15 secs 🌈
County Clare, Ireland.
Cormacscoast.com walking tours
County Clare, Ireland.
Cormacscoast.com walking tours
February 17, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Allot of energy in the Atlantic at this time of year, exploding skywards as it makes landfall. Keep an eye out for the rainbow at 15 secs 🌈
County Clare, Ireland.
Cormacscoast.com walking tours
County Clare, Ireland.
Cormacscoast.com walking tours
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
#BBCNews - The tech bros might show more humility in Delhi – but will they make AI any safer?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
low-paid workers in India have long been carrying out the unseen and painstaking task of manually categorising the vast amounts of data used to train the world's AI tools.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
low-paid workers in India have long been carrying out the unseen and painstaking task of manually categorising the vast amounts of data used to train the world's AI tools.
Could India challenge tech boss power at Delhi AI Impact Summit?
As global tech leaders meet Delhi, India hopes to level the playing field for countries outside the US and China.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 17, 2026 at 6:36 AM
#BBCNews - The tech bros might show more humility in Delhi – but will they make AI any safer?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
low-paid workers in India have long been carrying out the unseen and painstaking task of manually categorising the vast amounts of data used to train the world's AI tools.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
low-paid workers in India have long been carrying out the unseen and painstaking task of manually categorising the vast amounts of data used to train the world's AI tools.
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
“Of course, our lives are regulated. When you come to a stop sign, you stop; if you want to go fishing, you get a license; if you want to shoot ducks, you can shoot only three ducks. The alternative is dead bodies at the intersection, no fish, and no ducks. OK?”
- Molly Ivins
- Molly Ivins
Rolling back environmental regulation is the ultimate act of self-harm
Across the world, right-wing political forces are working to dismantle decades of environmental and social progress, writes Ciaran Brennan
www.irishexaminer.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:45 AM
“Of course, our lives are regulated. When you come to a stop sign, you stop; if you want to go fishing, you get a license; if you want to shoot ducks, you can shoot only three ducks. The alternative is dead bodies at the intersection, no fish, and no ducks. OK?”
- Molly Ivins
- Molly Ivins
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
Israel’s new separation wall will sever Jordan Valley from rest of West Bank
The Israeli army is issuing evacuation orders and seizing land to prepare a massive barrier — part of a wider project to annex the Palestinian ‘breadbasket.’
@mekomit.bsky.social
www.972mag.com/jordan-valle...
The Israeli army is issuing evacuation orders and seizing land to prepare a massive barrier — part of a wider project to annex the Palestinian ‘breadbasket.’
@mekomit.bsky.social
www.972mag.com/jordan-valle...
Israel’s new separation wall will sever Jordan Valley from rest of West Bank
The army is issuing evacuation orders and seizing land to prepare a massive barrier — part of a wider project to annex the Palestinian 'breadbasket.'
www.972mag.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Israel’s new separation wall will sever Jordan Valley from rest of West Bank
The Israeli army is issuing evacuation orders and seizing land to prepare a massive barrier — part of a wider project to annex the Palestinian ‘breadbasket.’
@mekomit.bsky.social
www.972mag.com/jordan-valle...
The Israeli army is issuing evacuation orders and seizing land to prepare a massive barrier — part of a wider project to annex the Palestinian ‘breadbasket.’
@mekomit.bsky.social
www.972mag.com/jordan-valle...
Reposted by Patrick Brannigan
A spokesperson for the regulator stressed the importance of observing flood risk planning guidelines as extreme weather increased.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
Councillors tried to zone 288 flood-prone sites for development in past six years
Planning regulator intervened 93 times to stop zoning on sites in nine counties, with more interventions still under way
www.irishtimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:15 AM
A spokesperson for the regulator stressed the importance of observing flood risk planning guidelines as extreme weather increased.
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...
www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...