Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 06/10/2026www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comRepublic must acknowledge forgetting northern nationalists, Leo Varadkar saysFormer taoiseach says reconciliation process required to ‘say sorry for the fact that happened’ 020
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 01/10/2026A Jesuit priest at Drumcree church: ‘They even called me up to say a prayer’ www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comA Jesuit priest at Drumcree church: ‘They even called me up to say a prayer’Fr Brendan McPartlin lives off Garvaghy Road and believes negotiation is the only way to break the standoff 010
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Voters in the Republic of Ireland open to Irish unity, but not enthusiastic about footing the bill www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comVoters open to Irish unity, but not enthusiastic about footing the billA sizeable majority of voters express concerns about the potential costs of unification 142
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Small minority in the Republic of Ireland prepared to consider new flag to make Irish unity acceptable to unionists www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comSmall minority prepared to consider new flag to make Irish unity acceptable to unionistsIrish Times/Ipsos B&A also asked about attitudes to immigration, with a small majority of voters seeing it, on balance, as a positive 143
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 24/09/2026www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comNorthern Ireland’s ‘brain drain’ a figment of the imagination, ESRI report suggestsNorth has lower share of students leaving than English regions, but also has low numbers coming from Britain or elsewhere 000
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The story of a killing - Inside story of IRA’s 1977 killing of Rory O’Kelly, and the first report of Troubles-era investigative body www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.comInside story of IRA’s 1977 killing of Rory O’Kelly, and the first report of Troubles-era investigative bodyAn investigation into the killing of a Catholic man by the IRA almost 50 years ago brought peace to his dying son in his last days 020
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Well intentioned, ill considered’: Northern nationalists on Micheál Martin’s unity stance www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.com‘Well intentioned, ill considered’: Northern nationalists on Micheál Martin’s unity stanceNationalists in the North applaud the Taoiseach’s Shared Ireland initiative but find his failure to plan for a Border poll frustrating at best 010
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 08/09/2026www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.com 000
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Ireland should invest in drones, not fighter jets and ships, says ex-British security official www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comIreland should invest in drones, not fighter jets and ships, says ex-British security officialMany European states face huge legacy issues because they have invested in military equipment now increasingly threatened by cheap, deadly drones 110
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 07/08/2026www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comTriple-lock campaigners wish to stand by as Russia and others destroy peacekeeping – MartinTaoiseach says model that State has supported for 60 years is likely to disappear 020
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 25/07/2026www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.comReactionary Israeli ministers have ‘fascist’ Gaza agenda, says ex-WHO official Mike RyanChief executive of Dublin Regeneration Authority tells MacGill Summer School of capital city ‘embarrassment’ 010
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.comCourts will decide on military deployments if triple lock is removed, Labour leader warnsAlternative to UN is ‘return to disorder, chaos and carnage of war’, Ivana Bacik tells MacGill summer school 200
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.com‘Rainy day’ fund billions should be spent on housing, says Google Ireland chief`I have young children. Honestly, they’re going to leave unless we have houses and jobs for them’ 020
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 24/07/2026www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.comFormer WHO chief Dr Mike Ryan warns of deepening climate-based migrationChallenges of war ‘will pale into insignificance’ compared to global warming impact, MacGill Summer School hears 233
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 15/07/2026www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...irishtimes.comProdcast: ‘It’s about being proud to be Irish, proud to be a Prod, proud of my country’Two Irish Protestants have started a new podcast on life in contemporary Ireland 021
Reposted by Mark Hennessysianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 09/07/2026I found a world of wealth, gambling, crypto - a town with a legacy of dirty money. I learnt about Cottrell's disputed relationship with the PM, & how a bankrupt business associate of Cottrell's runs a casino from where an illegal crypto ATM was seized. Read it! www.opendemocracy.net/inside-refor...opendemocracy.netInside Reform and George Cottrell’s world in MontenegroWhy are some of Britain’s most controversial Reform-linked figures all operating out of a grubby office in a town of 11,000 people in the Balkans? 05519
Reposted by Mark Hennessysianushka.bsky.social @sianushka.bsky.social · 09/07/2026I went to Porto Montenegro to find out why so many Reform money men have businesses registered to a grubby looking office building a stone's throw from the luxury yachts on the glittering marina. Feat. me visiting my first casino. www.opendemocracy.net/inside-refor...opendemocracy.netInside Reform and George Cottrell’s world in MontenegroWhy are some of Britain’s most controversial Reform-linked figures all operating out of a grubby office in a town of 11,000 people in the Balkans? 1417244
Reposted by Mark HennessyCarolyn Gallaher @cgallaher.bsky.social · 06/07/2026Thanks to @markhennessy.bsky.social for giving us the opportunity to talk about the shape of Irish America in the @irishtimes.com. Irish America isn't what it used to be, but don't count it out, especially viz Northern Ireland. There's still much to be gained by making the trek to DC every March!irishtimes.comOpinion: Once a political force, Irish America is now a shell of itselfThe relationship between Ireland and the US is under profound stress, from both internal changes and external pressures 012
Reposted by Mark HennessyBrendan Donlon @brendandonlon.bsky.social · 01/07/2026@markhennessy.bsky.social You kindly reposted my cat/cancer fundraising video in June – I'm back, slightly sweatier, to ask if you'd do the same now we've finished? We're €1,638 off 1st place and Luna 🐈⬛, who contributed 0km, would appreciate the support. Thanks in advance! bsky.app/profile/bren... 101
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 30/06/2026www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.com‘Soundbites’ on Irish unity not helpful, says Taoiseach, after recent O’Callaghan commentsGovernment’s €2bn Shared Island Fund succeeding because it has not become embroiled in constitutional debate, says Martin 000
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 29/06/2026‘Soundbites’ on Irish unity not helpful, says Taoiseach, after recent O’Callaghan comments www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.com‘Soundbites’ on Irish unity not helpful, says Taoiseach, after recent O’Callaghan commentsGovernment’s €2bn Shared Island Fund succeeding because it has not become embroiled in constitutional debate, says Martin 000
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 25/06/2026The podcast accompanying The Irish Times’ ‘Murder at the bridge” investigation, the killing of Terence McKeever? www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-...irishtimes.comMurder at the bridge: What happened to Terence McKeever?In the News podcast: The newly-wed businessman was killed by the IRA, but evidence has gone missing on both sides of Border 020
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 25/06/2026Next Irish government must prepare for Irish unity, Jim O’Callaghan tells Belfast conference www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comNext government must prepare for Irish unity, Jim O’Callaghan tells Belfast conferenceMinister for Justice emphasises support for Taoiseach’s Shared Island project which will see €2bn spent on cross-Border co-operation 051
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of all sex abuse charges against him www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/co...irishtimes.comFormer DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson found guilty of all sex abuse charges against himEleanor Donaldon found guilty by unanimous verdict on all five charges made against her 173
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Fianna Fáil minister criticises party dynasty for failing to report Bill Kenneally’s abuse www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/20...irishtimes.comFianna Fáil minister criticises party dynasty for failing to report Bill Kenneally’s abuseMary Butler said political family’s failure to act was ‘inexcusable’ 010
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Some of the latest work in The Irish Times' Common Ground project, looking at the legacy of The Troubles and relations North and South and between Ireland and Britain www.irishtimes.com/common-ground/irishtimes.comCommon Ground | Cross‑Border News, Features & Analysis | The Irish TimesStay up‑to‑date with the latest Common Ground reporting: news, features and analysis exploring Ireland‑Britain links, cross‑border issues and evolving identities. Brought to you by Ireland’s quality n... 022
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Death At The Bridge: the shadows left 40 years later by one unsolved killing from The Troubles in Northern Ireland www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comDeath at the bridge: The Troubles murder of Terence McKeever, 40 years onThe newly wed businessman was killed by the IRA, but key evidence has since gone missing on both sides of Border 001
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 01/06/2026Important piece this..... worth a read www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...irishtimes.com‘An inside job’: US public opinion on Israel has shiftedWorld View: Disgust at Israel’s assault on Gaza and Iran war have precipated a shift, including among prominent Jews 051
Reposted by Mark HennessyBrendan Donlon @brendandonlon.bsky.social · 24/05/2026@markhennessy.bsky.social I know that this doesn't count as "news", but a repost would be much appreciated! bsky.app/profile/bren... 123
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 22/05/2026www.irishtimes.com/opinion/2026...irishtimes.comJustine McCarthy: To call Irish people anti-Semitic is a collective punch to the stomachThose who wrongly label Ireland in such vile terms fail to see protests against Israel’s barbarity are motivated by humanity, not hatred 330
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 20/05/2026‘Disgusting behaviour’: Taoiseach condemns Israeli minister who taunts detained Gaza flotilla activists www.irishtimes.com/world/middle...irishtimes.com‘Disgusting behaviour’: Taoiseach condemns Israeli minister who taunts detained Gaza flotilla activistsIrish activist is restrained by soldiers and pushed to the ground in video circulated by Itamar Ben-Gvir 1157
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026Tired of reading about Trump? Wouldn't blame you, but this reporting from Keith Duggan about what is happening on the ground in Maine with Graham Platner's campaign to win a US Senate seat is required reading, and tells much that TV headlines do not. www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...irishtimes.comGraham Platner entered politics a year ago. Now he is the Democrats’ surprise sensationGraham Platner is channelling economic frustration and hunger for change to become the party’s nominee in a crucial US Senate race 220
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 01/05/2026England's woes matter to Ireland, a lot - this is a really insightful piece into, amongst many other things, how global business' attitudes to the UK affect Ireland.... www.irishtimes.com/business/202...irishtimes.comFrom Laois to London: CPM boss Lorraine Butler on Britain’s ‘different business culture’Chief executive of CPM International in Ireland and the UK commutes weekly between Buckinghamshire and Laois 030
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 29/04/2026UTV's Inside Stormont - a conversation about the Sinn Fein ardfheis, Mary Lou McDonald's leadership and the future of British legacy legislation youtu.be/UYDCjprxC1U?...youtu.beView From Stormont | Secretary of State insists Troubles Bill is comingYouTube video by ITV News In Full 021
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 27/04/2026www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comSix years after War of Independence centenary row, Royal Irish Constabulary memorial unveiledPlan for monument stalled in Republic after backlash, but one now stands at Newtownards, Co Down 042
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 23/04/2026Science is battling conspiracies, confusion and vested interests www.irishtimes.com/science/2026...irishtimes.comScience is battling conspiracies, confusion and vested interestsFrom Big Tobacco to Covid-19 and climate, misinformation and disinformation are on the rise 122
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Irish bishop blames outside actors for campaign to damage Catholic schools - www.irishtimes.com/ireland/soci...irishtimes.comBishop criticises ‘false’ depiction of Catholic schools as ‘grim places of indoctrination’Groups funded by ‘ideological entities, many from outside the State’ are spreading distorted narrative, chair of bishops’ council says 110
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 22/04/2026Keir Starmer's fortunes and what it could mean for Ireland - an Irish Times "In The News" podcast with our London Correspondent, Mark Paul and myself www.irishtimes.com/podcasts/in-...irishtimes.comWill the Peter Mandelson scandal bring down Keir Starmer?In the News 012
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 22/04/2026‘The story we have so largely forgotten - the often difficult economic fortunes of the Irish in Britain over 200 years - told in a fascinating new exhibition now opened in Dublin - The Irish were an underclass, 50% poorer than the English’ www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.com‘The Irish were an underclass, 50% poorer than the English’: New exhibition comes to Epic museum‘The Irish were the raw material for the Industrial Revolution in England,’ says exhibition curator Christopher Kissane 22010
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 21/04/2026Moving beyond nostaligia in the Irish unity debate, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians - really conversations with some of their members near the end of a 10-day tour of Irelandirishtimes.comThe changing Ancient Order of Hibernians: ‘Irish America has moved past nostalgia in unity debate’Ancient Order of Hibernians deeply invested in Ireland, but its attitudes have changed with the times 040
Reposted by Mark HennessySam McBride @sjamcbride.bsky.social · 17/04/2026If you're in London on 15 May, I'll be in conversation with the superb @markhennessy.bsky.social and Simon Kingston, discussing the arguments for and against a united Ireland. We're in Kings College London's Maughan Library as part of the Fleet Street Quarter Festival of Words at 1.30pm. 141
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 17/04/2026Irish unity must let Protestants stay British if they want, says GAA president www.irishtimes.com/politics/202...irishtimes.comIrish unity must let Protestants stay British if they want, says GAA president‘The Orange Order is as important to Unionists as the GAA is to those in the nationalist community’ 040
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 11/04/2026“There’s not one f**king oil truck moving in this country until we get what we want,” he said. “We have the country by the balls. You know who’s in control’ - How the fuel protests brought Ireland to a standstill www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026...irishtimes.comHow the fuel protests brought the country to a standstillThe seeds of this week’s disruption were sown in meetings in late March and fomented in online forums and WhatsApp groups 113
Reposted by Mark HennessyTom Braithwaite @tombraithwaite.bsky.social · 10/04/202615 women were willing to come to testify in court on behalf of the FT. That included 3 whose allegations had not previously been reported. 929595
Reposted by Mark HennessyIndex on Censorship @indexoncensorship.org · 07/04/2026#USA: Trump has escalated his attacks on the press, threatening to jail a journalist who reported on the downing of a US jet in #Iran in order to reveal their source. This is the latest move in a wider campaign against the media. Journalists and their sources must be protected. 0104
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 02/04/2026Old tensions, new ties - conversation on where some elements of the Anglo-Irish relations are today x.com/bbctheview/s...x.com 010
Reposted by Mark HennessyPeter Geoghegan @petergeoghegan.bsky.social · 28/03/2026“A broadcaster has become the media arm of a political party, and nobody is doing anything about it.” Really good to speak to @arusbridger.bsky.social about GB News, Reform and regulatory failure on Democracy for Sale today democracyforsale.substack.com/p/gb-news-is...democracyforsale.substack.com"GB News is essentially Reform TV"Alan Rusbridger on how GB News became Nigel Farage's broadcast arm – and who is paying for it. 21687299
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Find the time, please, this is a gem to savour - the art of saying goodbye to a friend, beautifully Michael Lyster: A ‘safe pair of hands’ who could not be rushed or panicked www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...irishtimes.comMy friend Michael Lyster met life on his own termsMichael met life on his own terms, often swept up in the lightness of story telling without taking himself seriously 161
Mark Hennessy @markhennessy.bsky.social · 28/03/2026Find the time, please, this is a gem to savour - the art of saying goodbye to a friend, beautifully - Michael Lyster: A ‘safe pair of hands’ who could not be rushed or panicked www.irishtimes.com/sport/2026/0...irishtimes.comMichael Lyster: A ‘safe pair of hands’ who could not be rushed or panickedMichael met life on his own terms, often swept up in the lightness of story telling without taking himself seriously 061
Reposted by Mark HennessyThe Irish Times @irishtimes.com · 26/03/2026Is this social media’s ‘big tobacco’ moment?irishtimes.comIs this social media’s ‘big tobacco’ moment?A landmark trial found Instagram and YouTube are dangerously addictive. The verdict could reshape social media – and the internet itself 092