Erin Bair
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eebair.bsky.social
Erin Bair
@eebair.bsky.social
Lover of long novels, old friends, and black coffee. Aunt of four, priest, doctoral student, former redhead, newbie Irishwoman.
Reposted by Erin Bair
Whatever we’re doing, it’s not enough.
January 30, 2026 at 4:56 AM
The West Wing, Season 2, Episode 3: The Midterms

Toby: Why does it feel like this? I've seen shootings before.

President Bartlet: It wasn't a shooting, Toby. It was a lynching. They tried to lynch Charlie right in front of our eyes.... We saw a lynching, Toby. That's why it feels like this.
January 25, 2026 at 8:35 PM
It's hard to know what to do when you're 3500 miles away as your country descends into totalitarianism. But every voice raised matters—so this small crowd outside the US Embassy in Dublin proclaimed that disdain for the rule of law and for respect for human decency is not what America is about.
January 24, 2026 at 1:11 AM
A friend is coming to visit in a couple of weeks, which has made me realize that I, having lived here almost a year, have learned what is necessary to survive Irish weather:

Layers.

And pints.

Layers and pints.
January 20, 2026 at 9:08 PM
Somehow Dublin weather manages to be both incredibly variable hour to hour and incredibly consistent day to day…
January 18, 2026 at 9:25 PM
I’m visiting friends in NYC, and as I walked through Central Park today I had the very strange experience of hearing someone speaking with an Irish accent and immediately feeling more at home. Clearly my brain has no actual idea where I live.
December 19, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I’ve been back in the US for three weeks and am now seriously craving a toastie and a pint. I think this means I’ve officially made Ireland my home.
December 9, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Anyone I know going to #aarsbl25? I’m a first-year, midlife PhD student and already feeling a bit overwhelmed by the schedule. Would love to find a conference buddy or two!
November 19, 2025 at 8:01 PM
I’m flying back to the US next week for several weeks. Things I’m looking forward to, in no particular order:

American-size washing machines
Tacos
Garbage disposals
Tacos
La Croix
Tacos
A bathtub (there are bathtubs in 🇮🇪, I just don’t have one)
Snow
Tacos
November 12, 2025 at 1:12 AM
“The times are urgent; let us slow down.”

- Báyò Akomolafe
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
As someone who’s back in an academic setting for the first time since 2007, can I just say that reference management software is AMAZING?
November 8, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Someone on this train has a donkey braying as their ringtone.

I’ll grant you, it’s not as bad as nails on a chalkboard or styrofoam rubbing against styrofoam. But it might be close.
November 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I took the train from Dublin to Belfast today, and I got more done in those 2 hours than I have all week.

I’m starting to think maybe I should just start riding trains randomly around the country to see if I could actually get somewhere on this dissertation.
November 6, 2025 at 5:44 PM
For those who say the protesters yesterday were extremists who hate America and capitalism, I give you my parents—including my dad, a veteran and a banker. #NoKings
October 19, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Well, I continued my habit of seeking out incredibly depressing art for “fun” — but @abbeytheatre.bsky.social’s production of “The Boy” was absolutely worth it. One day, two plays, and many stellar performances — especially Eileen Walsh and Frank Blake. Highly recommend.
October 18, 2025 at 9:50 PM
“There are many forms of patriotism—and telling the truth is one of them.”

- Anderson Cooper, on @colbertlateshow.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
One of these things is not like the others…

The Trump family has made $3.4 billion since he has been in office. Meanwhile, the Irish presidential candidate from one of the largest parties has just withdrawn from the race because 15 years ago a tenant overpaid him €3300 and he never paid it back.
October 6, 2025 at 12:10 PM
I’ve got a birthday coming up next week. I’m turning I-just-bought-a-nightlight-for-the-hall-to-the-bathroom-but-I-still-don’t-need-readers years old.
September 29, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Can vouch for both Emily (the mom) and Michelle (the organizer). If you’ve got even a few dollars to contribute, it would be a great help!
September 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
It was awfully nice of Northern Virginia to be all rainy when I flew in this evening, just to make me feel at home…
September 18, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Well, looks like I’m at least doing something right…
September 3, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Let’s play a little game called “Guess what day Erin sprained her ankle”…

To be followed by a one-question quiz: “True/False: Having walked farther today than she has all week, Erin is spending her Friday night at home with her ankle elevated.”
August 29, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I’m serious. In Ireland, you can have a gun—for hunting or target shooting or “killing pests or for the humane killing of animals.” You have to have a license for that gun, which requires training and safe storage.

And somehow Ireland remains a democracy.

And kids don’t get shot in school.
A lot of kids here in Dublin started back to school today. I’m sure their parents were worried about any number of things the kids might experience at school.

I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.

America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
August 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
A lot of kids here in Dublin started back to school today. I’m sure their parents were worried about any number of things the kids might experience at school.

I’m also sure that their kids getting shot was not one of them.

America, it doesn’t have to be this way.
August 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM