Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
@tonygroves.bsky.social
Newly elected leader of lefty Irish Bluesky. Exiled leader of lefty Irish twitter, current Lord Mayor of Dublin and occasional podcaster. tortoiseshack.ie is my home.
Just thinking about how my abundance of humility papers over my very minor and inconsequential flaws.
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Just thinking about how my abundance of humility papers over my very minor and inconsequential flaws.
Imagine having so little “things-are-falling-apart” strife that you can spend 36hrs fighting about the rights and wrongs of a rapper visiting Leinster House. I’m so jealous.
*cries forever*
*cries forever*
November 27, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Imagine having so little “things-are-falling-apart” strife that you can spend 36hrs fighting about the rights and wrongs of a rapper visiting Leinster House. I’m so jealous.
*cries forever*
*cries forever*
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Today, I saw a driver overtake a stopped bus and plough through a pedestrian crossing. He beeped three times as he sped though. The beeping was to warn people because, as he had overtaken a bus, he had zero visibility of who was about to step out onto the crossing.
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
👀 Can you see me now?
The importance of visibility on our roads cannot be understated, particularly for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.
#CanYouSeeMeNow #KeepingPeopleSafe
The importance of visibility on our roads cannot be understated, particularly for vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter drivers and motorcyclists.
#CanYouSeeMeNow #KeepingPeopleSafe
November 27, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Today, I saw a driver overtake a stopped bus and plough through a pedestrian crossing. He beeped three times as he sped though. The beeping was to warn people because, as he had overtaken a bus, he had zero visibility of who was about to step out onto the crossing.
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
But sure, more hi-vis, everyone
In the case of the Prison Service Whistleblower, Min for Justice Charlie Flanagan sent his protected disclosure to the Head of the Prison, whom he was reporting. Then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar sent the 2nd PD to Min Flanagan, who was the subject of the complaint. Only he lost his job.
"These are ordinary people who just take a decision to do the right thing."
Whistleblowers play an incredibly important role in our society — we have to support and protect them.
Instead, Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael allow many whistleblowers to be harrassed and penalised.
#Whistleblowers #SpéirGhorm
Whistleblowers play an incredibly important role in our society — we have to support and protect them.
Instead, Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael allow many whistleblowers to be harrassed and penalised.
#Whistleblowers #SpéirGhorm
November 27, 2025 at 5:39 PM
In the case of the Prison Service Whistleblower, Min for Justice Charlie Flanagan sent his protected disclosure to the Head of the Prison, whom he was reporting. Then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar sent the 2nd PD to Min Flanagan, who was the subject of the complaint. Only he lost his job.
Pearse Doherty needs to shut up and let the government get on with the job of not building houses.
(The Indos framing is not at all problematic)
(The Indos framing is not at all problematic)
November 27, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Pearse Doherty needs to shut up and let the government get on with the job of not building houses.
(The Indos framing is not at all problematic)
(The Indos framing is not at all problematic)
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Abdullah Al-Yazouri narrated the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Genocide. BBC pulled it because of his familial links to the Hamas govt. He joined us from Gaza to discuss. He’s not your average 15yr old.
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
November 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Abdullah Al-Yazouri narrated the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Genocide. BBC pulled it because of his familial links to the Hamas govt. He joined us from Gaza to discuss. He’s not your average 15yr old.
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
In my role as communist spy, I’ve been meeting Simon’s Samsung TV in the Omni every Tuesday for the last few years. Not once has it recommended a decent tv show. Plus it keeps calling me James May.
A few years ago, my son installed a pihole on our home network.
This captures and blocks ads on the whole network at the modem level and also prevents tracking and signalling from machines on the network.
By far, by a mile, the most blocks are on our Samsung TV trying to snitch on us back to HQ.
This captures and blocks ads on the whole network at the modem level and also prevents tracking and signalling from machines on the network.
By far, by a mile, the most blocks are on our Samsung TV trying to snitch on us back to HQ.
November 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM
In my role as communist spy, I’ve been meeting Simon’s Samsung TV in the Omni every Tuesday for the last few years. Not once has it recommended a decent tv show. Plus it keeps calling me James May.
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
I keep glancing off these findings, and the projections from day one of vast, 'off-stage', planetary carnage of Trump's regime.
It's hard to take in.
There can be no mercy for such evil-doers.
It's hard to take in.
There can be no mercy for such evil-doers.
Public man-made death: The dismantling of USAID “has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children.”
That’s 1000+ excess dead children every day. Every day.
hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-s...
That’s 1000+ excess dead children every day. Every day.
hsph.harvard.edu/news/usaid-s...
USAID shutdown has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
The Trump administration’s decision to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths from infectious diseases and malnutrition, accord...
hsph.harvard.edu
November 27, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I keep glancing off these findings, and the projections from day one of vast, 'off-stage', planetary carnage of Trump's regime.
It's hard to take in.
There can be no mercy for such evil-doers.
It's hard to take in.
There can be no mercy for such evil-doers.
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
I've written a novel, Experts in a Dying Field. It's out on Penguin Sandycove in June. It's about about a band and a tragedy & art for art's sake & aging & loss & community & Dublin. There's a fox in it. & sheet music. The beautiful cover's by Jack Smyth. You can preorder: linktr.ee/expertsinady...
November 27, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I've written a novel, Experts in a Dying Field. It's out on Penguin Sandycove in June. It's about about a band and a tragedy & art for art's sake & aging & loss & community & Dublin. There's a fox in it. & sheet music. The beautiful cover's by Jack Smyth. You can preorder: linktr.ee/expertsinady...
There was a lot of fear about the economy after the loss of Paschal Donohoe. But fair play to Simon Harris. He’s stepped up and, even this rabid lefty has to admit, delivered great drying out there today.
November 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM
There was a lot of fear about the economy after the loss of Paschal Donohoe. But fair play to Simon Harris. He’s stepped up and, even this rabid lefty has to admit, delivered great drying out there today.
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Swede Alexander Holmberg sentenced to eight years in prison for planning terror attacks against the Eurovision Song Contest.
His father is a top dog in Kinnevik, and they have both threatened to sue @tobiashubinette.bsky.social over his revelations about the son's far-right activities.
His father is a top dog in Kinnevik, and they have both threatened to sue @tobiashubinette.bsky.social over his revelations about the son's far-right activities.
Alexander Holmberg döms till åtta års fängelse för terrorplaner mot Eurovision samt svenska mål.
I rättegången lyftes hans pappa Mikael Holmbergs roll, tung Kinnevikchef – som verkar ha slutat under rättegången.
”Jag känner en stor lättnad”, säger forskaren Tobias Hübinette.
Långt, läs gärna:
I rättegången lyftes hans pappa Mikael Holmbergs roll, tung Kinnevikchef – som verkar ha slutat under rättegången.
”Jag känner en stor lättnad”, säger forskaren Tobias Hübinette.
Långt, läs gärna:
Kinnevikchefens son döms till fängelse för terrorplan mot Eurovision
Alexander Holmberg, 23, döms till åtta års fängelse
www.flamman.se
November 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Swede Alexander Holmberg sentenced to eight years in prison for planning terror attacks against the Eurovision Song Contest.
His father is a top dog in Kinnevik, and they have both threatened to sue @tobiashubinette.bsky.social over his revelations about the son's far-right activities.
His father is a top dog in Kinnevik, and they have both threatened to sue @tobiashubinette.bsky.social over his revelations about the son's far-right activities.
Abdullah Al-Yazouri narrated the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Genocide. BBC pulled it because of his familial links to the Hamas govt. He joined us from Gaza to discuss. He’s not your average 15yr old.
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
November 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Abdullah Al-Yazouri narrated the documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Genocide. BBC pulled it because of his familial links to the Hamas govt. He joined us from Gaza to discuss. He’s not your average 15yr old.
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/t...
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Sugababes and they were class.
November 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Sugababes and they were class.
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Not a musician or band but a show. I love Billy Elliot, I've gone to see it twice.
November 26, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Not a musician or band but a show. I love Billy Elliot, I've gone to see it twice.
If you aren’t sure what to get for the person who you really don’t like, but got in the Secret Santa then a tortoise shack annual membership is the solution. Nothing says ‘I passively aggressively hate you’ like a year of having to listen to my nonsense
patreon.com/tortoiseshack
patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Get more from The Tortoise Shack on Patreon
Creating The podcasts that you love with the values we share.
patreon.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:12 PM
If you aren’t sure what to get for the person who you really don’t like, but got in the Secret Santa then a tortoise shack annual membership is the solution. Nothing says ‘I passively aggressively hate you’ like a year of having to listen to my nonsense
patreon.com/tortoiseshack
patreon.com/tortoiseshack
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers. More here www.dublininquirer.com/who-will-off...
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers. More here www.dublininquirer.com/who-will-off...
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers”, says the Department of Justice.
www.dublininquirer.com
November 26, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Who will offer early-stage legal help to people seeking asylum in future, speedier process? It might not be lawyers
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers. More here www.dublininquirer.com/who-will-off...
The new EU Migration and Asylum Pact allows for “legal counselling”. Those who give it won’t have to be “qualified lawyers. More here www.dublininquirer.com/who-will-off...
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Chief Economist of the Institute of International and European Affairs
vs
an arts grad (Eng/Phil) who got a C1 in honours maths for the Leaving Cert
vs
an arts grad (Eng/Phil) who got a C1 in honours maths for the Leaving Cert
November 26, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Chief Economist of the Institute of International and European Affairs
vs
an arts grad (Eng/Phil) who got a C1 in honours maths for the Leaving Cert
vs
an arts grad (Eng/Phil) who got a C1 in honours maths for the Leaving Cert
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Good question - I guess it depends which people....
The people who expect me to be at a @lankumdublin.bsky.social gig would possibly not have expected me to be at the Nick Cave gig (both at Kilmainham) or the Black Flag/Red Hot Chili Peppers and ACDC in Birmingham.
Live music is just magical!
The people who expect me to be at a @lankumdublin.bsky.social gig would possibly not have expected me to be at the Nick Cave gig (both at Kilmainham) or the Black Flag/Red Hot Chili Peppers and ACDC in Birmingham.
Live music is just magical!
What musician/band have you been to see live that you reckon most people would be like “that’s not at all what I thought you’d be into”?
I’d hazard a guess that mine is Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve seen her live twice, btw.
I’d hazard a guess that mine is Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve seen her live twice, btw.
November 26, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Good question - I guess it depends which people....
The people who expect me to be at a @lankumdublin.bsky.social gig would possibly not have expected me to be at the Nick Cave gig (both at Kilmainham) or the Black Flag/Red Hot Chili Peppers and ACDC in Birmingham.
Live music is just magical!
The people who expect me to be at a @lankumdublin.bsky.social gig would possibly not have expected me to be at the Nick Cave gig (both at Kilmainham) or the Black Flag/Red Hot Chili Peppers and ACDC in Birmingham.
Live music is just magical!
What musician/band have you been to see live that you reckon most people would be like “that’s not at all what I thought you’d be into”?
I’d hazard a guess that mine is Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve seen her live twice, btw.
I’d hazard a guess that mine is Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve seen her live twice, btw.
November 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
What musician/band have you been to see live that you reckon most people would be like “that’s not at all what I thought you’d be into”?
I’d hazard a guess that mine is Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve seen her live twice, btw.
I’d hazard a guess that mine is Phoebe Bridgers. I’ve seen her live twice, btw.
Wait, people pay to live in cork?
I met a UCC student here last night paying €2k/month for private accommodation in Cork city
I learnt students are paying gentrified prices for damp mouldy houses, not fit for purpose with landlords difficult to deal with
Time to get involved in Cork Student Housing Cooperative
#DerelictIreland
I learnt students are paying gentrified prices for damp mouldy houses, not fit for purpose with landlords difficult to deal with
Time to get involved in Cork Student Housing Cooperative
#DerelictIreland
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Wait, people pay to live in cork?
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
I forgot to send Tony the link to add to the show notes but here's the piece I wrote for the Examiner 10 years ago on "fixing rooms" in Denmark:
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
November 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I forgot to send Tony the link to add to the show notes but here's the piece I wrote for the Examiner 10 years ago on "fixing rooms" in Denmark:
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/comm...
Reposted by Tony - Pod Guy - Groves
Christmas cards available now and shipping here and abroad, featuring a choice of either a traditional Irish Christmas fireplace, or an Cailleach, the ancient Irish bringer of winter ❄️
Traditional Irish Christmas: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
An Cailleach: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
Traditional Irish Christmas: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
An Cailleach: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
November 26, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Christmas cards available now and shipping here and abroad, featuring a choice of either a traditional Irish Christmas fireplace, or an Cailleach, the ancient Irish bringer of winter ❄️
Traditional Irish Christmas: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
An Cailleach: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
Traditional Irish Christmas: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
An Cailleach: www.ciaraioch.com/artprints/p/...
“Holidays are coming,
Holidays are coming,
Holiday’s are coming…”
Holidays are coming,
Holiday’s are coming…”
November 26, 2025 at 8:07 AM
“Holidays are coming,
Holidays are coming,
Holiday’s are coming…”
Holidays are coming,
Holiday’s are coming…”
Looking forward to Dan O’Brien and Larry Donnelly using the Santa Tracker App to demonstrate how Ireland can’t protect its own airspace.
November 26, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Looking forward to Dan O’Brien and Larry Donnelly using the Santa Tracker App to demonstrate how Ireland can’t protect its own airspace.
Added “spokesperson for the non-peaceful for peace forum” to my instagram bio. Now I just have to sit back and wait for the media interview requests to roll in.
November 26, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Added “spokesperson for the non-peaceful for peace forum” to my instagram bio. Now I just have to sit back and wait for the media interview requests to roll in.