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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 13h

Looking forward to delivering the keynote at a really interesting conference in Galway next week:

Running Up That Hill: Arts Funding and Economic Sustainability in the 21st Century.

Tickets are free and all the details are here:

Running Up That Hill | Conference 2025 - University of Galway

www.universityofgalway.ie

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 14h

Good point RE: the relevance of debates to the role. I'd actually like to watch and listen to Town Hall-style events (that hopefully didn't descend into chaos!)

If a remit is to represent the people of Ireland, then that kind of participatory and more spontaneous discussion might be interesting.

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 14h

I definitely feel that's partly true. It can be a frustrating and kind of hollow experience listening to and watching a lot of them. And a decent intellectual debate can still be robust and lively. Presenter-wise, I personally feel Aine Lawlor has done the best job so far.

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 14h

Interesting piece by @fotoole.bsky.social on the nature of the presidency "as a counterweight to Government Buildings."

Definitely agree with Irish public culture being largely anti-intellectual, and how the bar for presidents has been set high by Robinson, McAleese, and Higgins.

Fintan O’Toole: This has become an election about the nature of the presidency itself

In Heather Humphreys, we have a candidate who is harmless. And In Catherine Connolly one who has the potential to do some harm, but also to do good

www.irishtimes.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 14h

I honestly feel many people are sick of performatively confrontational presidential candidate debates.

The constant interruptions, prickly haranguing, random hypotheticals, repetitive dredging of controversy instead of hearing about values, character, vision.

We deserve smarter discourse.

#Aras25

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 1d

Thank you!

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 1d

Saving the City reviewed in the Irish Independent.

If you haven’t listened yet, please do! The entire series is out now.

10 episodes of smart chats and solutions for making cities thrive.

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 1d

Catherine Connolly’s podcasts and viral moments V Heather Humphreys freezing under no pressure.

I wrote about the big differences between how the Irish presidential candidates communicate and connect.

#Aras25

Una Mullally: Heather Humphreys tells us she’s a people person. Catherine Connolly shows us

Connolly has appeared on several podcasts that appeal to younger audiences and the more candid format suits her

www.irishtimes.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 2d

Fascinating to learn of Brian Friel’s Translations being staged in Senegal.

Ireland's iconic play 'Translations' hits Dakar stage • FRANCE 24 English

YouTube video by FRANCE 24 English

m.youtube.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 5d

I'm moderating this discussion in Dublin, Tuesday Oct 14th at the Irish Arts and Human Rights Festival, on freedom of artistic expression, censorship, and the global crackdown on artists who are speaking out on Palestine.

Featuring Dan Lambert and Clare Mc Evoy.

Tickets here:

Select tickets – Kneecapping Dissent: A panel discussion on the crippling of artistic and political expression – Hen's Teeth

Kneecapping Dissent: A panel discussion on the crippling of artistic and political expression – Hen's Teeth, Tue 14 Oct 2025 - Kneecapping Dissent: A panel discussion on the crippling of artistic and ...

www.tickettailor.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 7d

Reviewed Patti Smith’s opening night of her Horses 50th anniversary tour.

Her voice: a switchblade prising open a tin of molasses.

Patti Smith in Dublin: The singer’s voice is peerless in an energetic, gentle performance

Awesomeness of album Horses is beautifully exposed as songs are contextualised with stories of their origins and inspiration

www.irishtimes.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 7d

I'm bringing Sliver Salon - an intimate literature event series with guest authors - to Haunted Dancehall at the National Concert Hall.

Sliver Salon 003: Berghain Nights with Liam Cagney, will explore his new book on techno and Berlin club culture.

Details and tickets: www.nch.ie/all-events-l...

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 8d

🎯

Fintan O'Toole @fotoole.bsky.social · 8d

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2025...

Fintan O'Toole: What on earth was Micheál Martin thinking? Jim Gavin clearly wasn't ready

Getting your followers to agree to a proposition that makes no sense is the ultimate ego trip

www.irishtimes.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 9d

Wrote about how Manchán Magan’s writing, knowledge and ideas lit up the synapses.

Una Mullally: In Manchán Magan, Ireland had a writer whose words could light up the synapses

Magan was a wholly authentic force, full of awe and devoid of cynicism

www.irishtimes.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 11d

"There’s a photo of the two of us filming; my T-shirt reads 'Unrealistic Plans'. Manchán had a lot of unrealistic plans as well. But unlike most of us, he made many of them happen."

The Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 11d

Tributes to Manchán Magan: ‘He arrived in this life like a comet, ablaze with purpose’

Liam Ó Maonlaí, Kathy Scott, Seán Ronayne among the artists, musicians, writers and film-makers paying tribute to the late journalist, author and TV presenter

www.irishtimes.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 11d

With somewhat strange timing upon the passing of Manchán Magan, I wrote this piece about the joys of learning and speaking Irish for the Guardian today, which is as ever inspired by Manchán’s work.

The Irish language is a joy not a burden: in what other tongue is a penis a wild carrot? | Una Mullally

Record numbers of pupils are seeking opt-outs from compulsory learning. This is misguided – Irish is a portal to a world of imagination, says journalist Una Mullally

www.theguardian.com

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 11d

Ireland has lost a mountain of libraries with the passing of Manchán Magan. A brilliant, gentle, inspiring treasure of a spirit.

As a friend said last night, “He described the Irish language as potent and infinite, but that was him too.”

Seol go réidh, mo chara.

Manchán Magan: writer and documentary maker dies aged 55

Author spoke of terminal illness in recent radio interview, saying he did not feel despair

www.irishtimes.com

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Reposted by Una Mullally

Lee Dillon @leeirenedillon.bsky.social · 12d

This is a great 10 part podcast by @unamullally.bsky.social looking at how to make Dublin, and other cities, better - each episode closes with five big ideas for the chosen topic.
@brenttoderian.bsky.social @dccbeta.bsky.social
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/s...

Saving the City, by Úna Mullally -
‘The Five Big Ideas’
Episode One: Ending The Doom Loop
1. 2. Make space for Jane Jacobs’ ‘sidewalk ballet’
Eyes on the street - more people make safer
places
3. Public provision of community space - don’t leave
it up to private developers
4. Density, proportionality & Diversity in building &
planning
5. Identify, value & support organically-occurring
community hubs or ‘hearths
Episode Two: Public Space
6. 7. Late night parks & public spaces
Plan public space for extreme users (toilets,
benches etc) & everyone benefits
8. Mass pedestrianisation for safer, more vibrant,
busier city space
9. More city centre public seating, toilets, trees, play
areas, and community gardens
10. Water fountains
Episode Three: A River Runs Through It
11. A Dublin lido
12. Clean the Liffey & make it swimmable
13. Floating leisure amenities - bars, parks, play
areas
14. Safe, supervised city centre diving spots e.g.
Grand Canal Dock
15. Renovate publicly owned baths along Dublin’s
coast
Episodes Four: Housing
16. Explore effective ‘resistance movement’ strategies
to bring about political change
17. Explore cooperative housing models
18. Consider joining the Community Action Tenants
Union (CATU)
19. Put pressure on politicians to tackle dereliction,
vacancy, short-term lets, excessive hotel & office
development, lack of social & affordable housing
20. If you’re a landlord, be a good one - don’t be part
of the problem
Episode Five: Gentrification
21. Public planning for character, community &
vibrancy - this cannot be left up to profit-driven
private developers
22. Support long-standing community businesses
23. Increase public ownership of commercial
properties
24. Housing over hotels - affordable homes for
citizens should be prioritized expensive tourist
accommodation
25. Volunteer in local communities to assist
integration between old timers & blow-ins
Episode Six: Enter The Night
26. Advocate with politicians for reform of late night
licensing laws
27. Es…

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 12d

Thanks so much for listening and putting that list together!

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 12d

Fair point! Will get on top of that. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Reposted by Una Mullally

Carole Cadwalladr @carolecadwalla.bsky.social · 13d

REVEALED: Donald Trump has picked Tony Blair for central role in Gaza ‘peace plan’…

…but in our inaugural investigation for @thenerve_news, we reveal extensive previously unreported links to Israeli defence, media & tech. 🧵
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www.thenerve.news/p/tony-blair...

'WHAT WILL JESUS SAY?' TONY BLAIR, BIG TECH AND THE ISRAEL CONNECTION

As Trump announces the former British PM as his choice to help govern Gaza, Carole Cadwalladr investigates the opaque workings of Blair's institute, its funding from friends of Israel – including bill...

www.thenerve.news

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 13d

This Saturday in Dublin, 12.30pm.

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 13d

100%. And students. Everyone who isn't rich, basically.

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 13d

All rhetorical declaration and no effective action when it comes to the minister (so far).

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Una Mullally @unamullally.bsky.social · 13d

The face-melting emoji doesn't seem to be available on Bluesky, but that's how I feel about that.

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