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Bill Allen

@billallen.bsky.social
1K followers 1.5K following 1.7K posts

Retired IT bod. Deoraí fm Tipperary. Wildlife volunteer, sporadic allotmenteer Interested in Irish history . Like a ramble and a beer. Living in Herts

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Reposted by Bill Allen
Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 2h
Dublin #SpeirGhorm #INTO #Forsa
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Ella Maillart @ellamaillart.bsky.social · 2h
"'Ella! take your temperature,' Capa bids me thoughtfully. 'You don't look yourself at all.' 'Of course not. There is no need. I'm hot because it's so stuffy in here.' But she insists. Results a reading of 103.5°. Devil take it, what can it mean?" #EllaMaillart #Photography #Kyrgyzstan #SaryTor
'Mila Engelhardt at a campsite in Sarydzhaz', Tian Shan Mountains, Kyrgyzstan, Ella Maillart, 1932

Soviet researcher and mountaineer Milissa 'Mila' Engelhardt (nee Lyubimova) sits inside a classic A-frame ridge tent pitched in a rocky, open landscape in Sarydzhaz, Kyrgyzstan. 

This is a remote, high-altitude valley border region in the Tian Shan mountains known for its harsh terrain, sweeping glaciers and dramatic peaks. Mila is wearing a plaid shirt and a white hat, whilst physician and mountaineer Auguste Letavet stands outside in a long coat.
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Tríona Cunnane @trionac.bsky.social · 1h
Public sector strikes commence today. The support from the public has been immense. Please support in any way you can, email your TDs, support workers on the pickets, post on SM, anything to raise awareness please #publicsectormatters #strike
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Dr Mary McAuliffe @drmarymcauliffe.bsky.social · 1h
#justtheworstgovernmentever
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 54m
A staggering number giving great context. Stark.
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 2h
It was ever so. Great work putting this together
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Claire Mullaly @clairemullaly.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
The state has categorised paramilitary groups as pro-state or anti-state, and are acting / not acting according to their own interests. Appeasement has to end. Loyalist paramilitarism continues because it is humoured, privileged, financed & protected by the state - why would it go away? [10/10]
bbc.co.uk
'Loyalist paramilitary transitioning has failed' ex-watchdog says
Lord Alderdice says the loyalist transition process has not delivered and is not going to deliver.
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Inish View @inishview.bsky.social · 5h
Out enjoying a lovely day at Lucky Shell Beach in Ards, Donegal, Ireland.
Out enjoying a lovely day at Lucky Shell Beach in Ards, Donegal, Ireland.
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Graham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 4h
An Iranian woman has been sentenced to death on charges of “sab ol-nabi” (insulting the prophet). The medieval men sentencing her are an insult to humanity. www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
Iranian woman handed death sentence for ‘blasphemy’ in social media post
Rights groups warn of Tehran regime’s increasing use of executions to suppress dissent, with at least 600 this year
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 4h
Maybe he will learn more during his next term of office.
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 14h
Second that. This is the duo at their very best and the guest is class. Another book to buy !
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Kevin Theobald @kevintheobald.bsky.social · 18h
Russian assets Johnson & Farage defend Russia over Brexit interference.
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 16h
Sweeney “rules”
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Eils_G 📎 @eils1.bsky.social · 19h
#Ireland #SpéirGhorm
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Dr Robert Bohan @robertbohan.bsky.social · 19h
A nice painting, of course an Irish version would be the passengers singing. One of the best moments of a Dublin night out is to catch a night bus home, as it erupts into self-amused song. RIP bus conductors 😔
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Merisi Vienna @merisi-vienna.bsky.social · 18h
VIENNESE IMPRESSIONS Curlicue Gate Holders Green and yellow stripes painted by the low sun Schönbrunn Gardens in late afternoon 13 Oct 2026 © Merisi Vienna #EastCoastKin #ECK#Photography #PhotographersOfBlueSky #Autumn #Fall #Komplementärfarben #Fotovorschlag
To the right, a metal fence, painted dark green, in front, two curlicue gate holders of the same color. However, the low sun reaching the curlicues creates light green and yellow stripes, light and shadow. 
In the background an avenue of trees, leaves are green and yellow, the sky is light blue.
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 18h
Inis Mor, Aran Islands, County Galway, July 1892, photo by Jane Shackleton, pioneering Irish photographer (1843-1909).
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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 18h
~37 secs of soothing sea sounds Mournes, Layers of light; waves; blue sky Tide receding Newcastle Irish Sea #SpéirGhorm
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Patrick Brannigan @patrickjmb.bsky.social · 17h
Visiting the surprising winner, "Wych Elm". Not sure much is being made of this "win" locally. What's the plan to protect her? #StandIpForTrees #Newcastle #SpéirGhorm
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 16h
People are kind
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Vonny @vonny.bsky.social · 18h
A medium bowl. Eldest (16 now) lived for a bowl of cereal before bedtime as a nipper. One night he asked for a second bowl and I said 'Ok you can have a small bowl'. He said 'Can I have a medium bowl?'. Henceforth a night time bowl of cereal in our family is referred to as a 'Medium bowl'.
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WWN @waterfordwhispers.bsky.social · 18h
Everywhere you look >>> loom.ly/Grykqx8
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Arthur Snell @snellarthur.bsky.social · 22h
Boris Johnson’s claims about asking whether Russia interfered in Brexit are misleading. He didn’t ask for any formal assessment and nor did he receive a categorical response. Anyone printing a notorious liar’s disingenuous comments is engaged in deliberate obfuscation.
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Emma Rogan 🇵🇸 @emmadragon.bsky.social · 21h
I’m absolutely not surprised that the ableist tendencies of #FFFG politicians would have them turn on ‘their own’. The absence of disabled politicians, no expectation nor support for politically ambitious disabled people shows we’re 50+years behind. Systemic ableism R’ Us 🤦🏾‍♀️ #spéirghorm #IrishPol
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Random IT Guy @random-it-guy.bsky.social · 21h
If we wanted to be serious about that we would need to be serious about the investigations and the outcomes. Democratic means are borderline failing on this and that is exactly what Russia is speculating on.
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Dom Ervolina @dominicervolina.com · 13/10/2026
10/10 no notes
@ 3d
blklyonx
What's the difference between:

A: Transwomen
B: Women

Let the "tolerant" crowd explain this one. I'll grab
popcorn.

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..

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4.1K

yourpal_austin 3d
Trans is an adjective. It's a descriptor. Like tall or fast
or smart. A trans woman is just a woman who was
assigned male at birth and then transitioned at some
point in her life. Just like a tall woman is a woman
who is taller than the average woman. It's just an
adjective. It's really not that complicated.

For instance you are a stupid, bigoted man. Whereas
I am a cool and nice man. We're both men. I'm just
kind of a better type of man.

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G 12

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G 99

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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 22h
Was this entire country kicked in the head by a mule?
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Duroyan Fertl ᚇᚓᚑᚏᚐᚇᚐᚅ @dfertl.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Unionism’s supremacism on display: -David Graham: Michelle O’Neill’s “natural habitat” is blocking roads not being First Minister -Jim Allister: #GarvaghyRoad needs “sanitising” & “sterilising” -Residents branded a “rabble” & “mob” -Jamie Bryson promising discord & mayhem No going back! #SpéirGhorm
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P. O'Leary @p-oleary.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
'Under Irish law, a legal “e-bike” is a pedal-assisted electric bicycle - max continuous rated power output of 250 watts, and a max speed of 25km/h before the motor stops helping. Anything else is a moped or even a motorcycle depending on speed and power.' #SpéirGorm irishcycle.com/2026/10/12/w...
irishcycle.com
With pedals or not: Gardaí deliver warning on bicycle-shaped objects counted as mopeds
A takeaway not delivered, or at least delayed, might have been the hook, but Gardaí in Kilkenny used their Facebook page to deliver a more serious message which applies nationwide: Using souped-up …
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Louth For Ever 🦋 @louthforever.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
👁️👁️ Interesting and worth your time reading.
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
But you get the scenery in spades. You will win
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Brian Groom @groomb.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Marble Arch Inn, Manchester, painting by Brenainn Shackleton.
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Ella Maillart @ellamaillart.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
“In the middle of Ak-Shyirak, a snowy gilded pyramid rises in the setting sun, the harmony of its proportions reminds me of Mont Blanc. “No one has ever climbed this summit,” says Auguste meditatively, and his blue eyes sparkling in his scarlet face." #EllaMaillart #Kyrgyzstan #AlShyirak #SaryTor
The dramatic, ice-capped dome structure of Sary-Tor - 4946.9 metres above sea level and the third highest peak in the Tian Shan mountain range - characterised by heavy permanent snow fields, deeply grooved ice-fall couloirs and prominent crevasses across its upper flanks.
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Liza Adamczewski aka the accidental ecologist @lizaadamczewski.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
First bird of the day seen bimbling about outside my bedroom door this morning. Wrens always make me happy so I’m going to paint some tiny ones this week just to cheer myself up. 
A little bird stands on the stone it’s be open behind it gold leaf reflects the light at you 
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Joe Noonan @joenoonan.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
"It is simply not acceptable to respond to a worsening road safety record by spreading responsibility so widely that it becomes almost impossible to establish who is accountable for anything." - Ciarán Cannon
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
If I am right the route is a challenge. Good luck
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Inish View @inishview.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
A few views from around Father Hegarty’s Rock along the Buncrana Shore Path in Donegal.
A few views from around Father Hegarty’s Rock along the Buncrana Shore Path in Donegal.
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Claire Mullaly @clairemullaly.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Fleur Ravensbergen delivers her report on the feasibility of paramilitary tranbsition in Northern Ireland today, 28 years after the Good Friday Agreement. A Keir Starmer appointee - she's spent 13 months privileging groups who are actively recruiting, controlling and terrorising the North. [1/n]
bbc.co.uk
Paramilitary racist violence deeply worrying development - report
Police intelligence pointed to the participation of individual loyalist paramilitary members during recent disorder.
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Chris @oakymoron.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Best one yet
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Tks. Can well believe the last bit
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Eilís 'pidge' Ní Fhlannagáin @dirtycitybird.trann.ie · 12/10/2026
Not to say I was prescient, but I LITERALLY DID A KEYNOTE ON THIS IN 2014 AT OSCON!!!!
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
How can companies not know the risk? I mean what benefit does remote control really give?
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Bill Allen @billallen.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Crackers!
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Rudy Hellzapoppin' @rudyhellzapop.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Offspring found a young adult Leap Card at Broombridge Station, Cabra earlier, name on it is a Joe Hourihane. Would like to return it so retweets very welcome!
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Tuatha @tuatha.ie · 12/10/2026
In today's edition of our #MonumentMonday newsletter, we take a trip to the shores of Lough Carra in County Mayo to visit one of my favourite places to explore in the autumn – Moore Hall. #Ireland #SpéirGhorm #Travel #DiscoverIreland
An aerial view of the ruin of Moore Hall in County Mayo. A grand house, now a roofless shell, surrounded by autumnal woods
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eolaí the artist @eolai.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
A south of Ireland #painting "Rock of Cashel III" came out of a time I cycled to the national landmark in County Tipperary from Limerick city. I visited and painted it previously but this view from a distance is my favourite, probably helped by being from the saddle of a bicycle #SpéirGhorm #ArtYear
Landscape format in bright acrylics on mat board. Across a grey-green field punctuated in the foreground by soft yellow horizontal strokes and dark green short vertical strokes, is a hedgerow of dark green and violet, running across side to side. Through a gateway in the middle is a golden field from the far side of which a large rocky pale green outcrop rises, steeper on the left side and with a couple of trees on the lower part of the right slope. Strata of exposed rock are lilac and blue. On the top sits a cluster of historic buildings inside a wall: an abbey, a square castellated tower, a tall narrow Round Tower, and a small cemetery, all rendered in a lilac-grey and pink like the stone perimeter wall. Sky is pale blue-teal with smokey lilac clouds. Signed bottom right in red, Liam Daly
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Tina Claffey Photography @tinaclaffey.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Tiny little twin fungi hidden among the dying Bracken fern in Killaun 💕 love this time of the year, looking forward to getting back out there with my camera! @peatlandecr.bsky.social @scohaboybog.bsky.social @claireissimo.bsky.social
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Stephen Moran. @moranstephen1000.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
“It’s Churchill on the line - says he wants 500 cans of diesel and 6 boxes of cigars”
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Joe O’Brien @pnamblath.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
Justice finally caught up with him. I’d highly recommend a listen to the “Where’s George Gibney”podcast #SpéirGhorm #speirgorm #IrishNews www.thejournal.ie/george-gibne...
thejournal.ie
George Gibney jailed for 15 and a half years for sex abuse and attempted rape
The 78-year-old was convicted of 39 counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape in July following a two-week trial at the Central Criminal Court.
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Graham Simpson @grahambs.bsky.social · 12/10/2026
What is a National Commission on Electoral Reform? electoral-reform.org.uk/what-is-a-na... Electoral Reform Society – ERS
electoral-reform.org.uk
What is a National Commission on Electoral Reform?
The Prime Minister made history last week announcing that he intends to fight the next election with a manifesto commitment on electoral reform and that he will set up a national commiss
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