iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

It was great to listen to @tomflood.bsky.social ‘s talk on communications and road safety in TCD last night. And I have a letter in the Irish Times today which shines a light on how careless driving is just kinda accepted.

Letter to the THE IRISH TIMES.
Sir, - Seán Canney, the Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, stated at an informal meeting of EU transport ministers in Dublin Castle on Monday that "99 per cent of the people on the roads drive with due care".
May I ask where these roads are? Because they sound idyllic - perfect for cycling my primary-school children to school.
In contrast, on our 2km commute this morning, I counted 11 cars in the bus lane, seven drivers looking at their phones in traffic, one woman putting on her make-up and another eating her breakfast. And at least five drivers speeding at least 20km/h or more over the speed limit. - Yours, etc,
NICK ROYLE, Blackrock,
Dublin.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

The DJ at Croke Park is having a blinder following Mayo’s win. ‘To Win Just Once’ by the Saw Doctors followed by “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 20/07/2026

Road deaths are preventable, but the political class are unwilling to takes the measures needed. The usual woke, green,pro-cyclist agenda from (checks notes)…former motor racing boss Jean Todt.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

I think Ben Stokes retiring mid-match in a live Test series is unbelievably self-indulgent. This match and series was completely winnable, but sacrificed to his ego. I can’t believe he’s getting such a soft interview on Sky Sports.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Incredible series win for Ireland’s men’s cricketers against world T20 champions India. With the women’s T20 World Cup win against WI yesterday, new Cricket Ireland CEO Sarah Keane must think this is the cushiest job in sport!

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

This is a great piece by Mike Whalley. It’s like Dunphy’s ‘Only a Game’, but from the perspective of the journalist. Press huddles outside lower league dressing rooms, you can almost smell the liniment.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

This an excellent piece on how the UK (under both the Tories and Labour) have created a coherent and impressive clean energy policy.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Just catching on SNL UK episodes. The musical guest, Meek, blew me away. Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury and Adele all in one performance. She’s playing Dublin Academy on November 17. m.youtube.com/watch?v=JtQ9...

m.youtube.com

MEEK: Fabulous | SNL UK

YouTube video by Saturday Night Live UK

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Happy birthday, Margaret Calvert. She designed the “School children crossing”sign, and purposely placed the girl in front as a small feminist gesture.

Margaret Calvert’s ‘School children crossing’ sign, with the girl leading the boy as a small feminist gesture.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

This is a magnificent match report/reaction piece by Miguel on West Ham 0-1 Arsenal. Snappy opening line, the pointed joke in para 2, then a really impressive overview.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

It’s genuinely impressive that so many people saw @daraobriain.bsky.social’s Re-Creation tour and all independently decided not to spoil the show for others by keeping quiet about the INCREDIBLE reveal 3/4 of the way through. It’s now on Amazon Prime, if you want to see it.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Today, for the first time, I’m letting my nine year old cycle a short distance on his own along a protected cycle lane. I’m going to be a bag of nerves until he returns. I’m thinking of Greta today, and all victims of road traffic collisions.

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Reposted by Nick Royle

Kevin Hargaden @kevinhargaden.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Cycled in the city centre this morning and now my attitude to the Fuel Blockade has changed entirely. I love what they're doing and it should continue. Made it down to TCD in rapid time with zero threat of close passing. These guys make cycling irresistible

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

One interesting side effect of the Dublin city centre fuel protest was the number of gardai patrolling the roads. It meant no cars went into the bus/cycle lane at all, and made my bike journey a lot more relaxed. Thank you, fuel protesters!

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

“Sir Keir Starmer is an FPTP Prime Minister of an increasingly PR-STV UK electorate. Discuss.” If any politics teachers or lecturers are looking for new exam questions!

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

It’s so cute when people recreate old family photos. Such fun!

Prince Phillip on left. Andrew Mountbatten Windsor on right.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

@nathanrjohns.bsky.social You were very good on BBC TMS yesterday. Really insightful stuff, well done.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

I’ve finally watched ‘Eternity’, written and directed by Ireland’s David Freyne. It’s so good. So many funny lines, including a great running joke throwing shade at the Korean War. www.irishtimes.com/culture/film...

irishtimes.com

Eternity review: This charming comedy is Irish director David Freyne’s best film yet

Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner star as a recently deceased trio who must decide how to spend the rest of time

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Such a shame to hear of the death of Noel Hawkins. 49 years behind the bar at Mulligans on Poolbeg Street.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

A great weekend of Italian football. My first time at Venezia, and my first time travelling to the stadium by boat. Then Bologna v Fiorentina on Sunday. I also like that Bologna prohibits cars on its Main Street at weekends.

Bologna’s Via dell'Indipendenza, traffic free at weekends.

Venezia fans celebrate a 3-1 win over Catanzaro.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

Charlie getting us all into the festive spirit with an extremely unsettling ghost story…

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I cannot understand how Paul Doyle can be allowed to drive ever again. UK sentencing guidelines need to be revised. This report suggests only four lifetime driving bans were imposed in the UK in 2023, out of 116,000 disqualifications. ukonward.com/reports/clea...

ukonward.com

Cleared to Kill | Onward

Introduction In England and Wales overly lenient driving bans are being handed down to people who have been proved in a court of law, in some cases multiple times, to be very dangerous drivers. Yet un...

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

I think I saw Greta Thunberg on the DART going into Dublin last night. And if it wasn’t, apologies to the woman I waved at through the window. Is she in Dublin at the moment? I see she’s speaking at Dalymount Park on Thursday, so it might have been her.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Well done to Miguel. Most journalists have just given up reporting on sportswashing (mostly because many fans don't seem to care). His job would be so much easier if he did too, but he ploughs on.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

I've a letter in today's Irish Times about the MetroLink judicial review. I urge everyone who regularly drives near Ranelagh to do the same.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

So sad to hear about Mani. I once spent a surreal day with him in Dublin, tagging along as he and his good mate @swench.bsky.social went around looking at record shops and having pints. A genuinely lovely man, so generous with his time to everyone he met on the street.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

This is a very perceptive piece. Music fans at outdoor gigs are treated appallingly. The facilities are really poor, and yet fans are routinely paying €100+ for their tickets.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Another fine piece from the unofficial historian of 1970’s television/Granadaland. I actually remember that 90s Match of the Day Madchester theme.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

I had the incredible experience of meeting Michael Lewis after his appearance at the L&H in UCD last night. He’s as good a storyteller in person as on the page. Stories about Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, Billy Beane and some highbrow stuff about the USA and Ireland’s future relationship.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

I was at Bohs v Rovers as well. It was a brilliant day, and a real show of support for the #LOI. 33,208 at Lansdowne Road, a League of Ireland record. It was a big risk for Bohs, because a crowd of less than 18,000 would have been a financial disaster.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

I always enjoy Mike Whalley’s pieces. This is a great one, on AI and sub-editing.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

I loved Barry’s work on the Ireland football programmes. And then the FAI outsourced the programme to an English publisher…

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

I loved this film. It’s poignant but also lots of funny moments. Do try to see it in the cinema. It’s a great film to bring older relatives to, to get them talking of their own experiences.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

Yet another death on our roads. I saw a cyclist hospitalised last week in Blackrock. Today I saw numerous examples of red light jumping and mobile phone use by drivers. APNR on traffic lights, doubling of penalty points, online reporting portal needed now.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Climate change is seen through video clips—until you become part of the frame.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

One in five primary school children killed by vehicles in both the UK and in Ireland are killed within 500 yards of their school. This is why parents like me campaign on this issue.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

I've started watching Rivals on Disney+. It's hilarious, camp and I'd highly recommend. But I can't take the 'hunky' Rupert Campbell-Black character seriously - he looks too much like this fella to be a love interest! #BoSelecta

Alex Hassall as Rupert Campbell-Black in 'Rivals' (left) and Leigh Francis as 'Craig David' in Bo' Selecta.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

This is great news! Do they still offer a free bet as part of the prize? I remember Simon Kuper saying he won more from his free bet than the actual prize for ‘Football Against The Enemy’.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

@samtranum.bsky.social Do you use Notebook LLM, Sam? I’m trying to put together a list of RSA Road safety reports so I can access the data without wading through the reports.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

Seriously impressive 2.5 hour set by Peter Hook at the Olympia in Dublin tonight. He’s almost 70! I was tired out just standing watching him.

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 15/11/2024

I got a sneak preview of the movie 'Conclave' this week. It's beautiful, a nailed-on Oscar winner for cinematography. But the ending is very unexpected. It's worth seeing though, especially for Sergio Castellitto's performance as the evil Cardinal Tedesco.

Ralph Fiennes looking pensive as Cardinal-Dean Thomas Lawrence in the movie "Conclave".

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Nick Royle @nickaroyle.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

I love how Irish political life is so small. I met one of my local councillors in the street today, who told me the Taoiseach was campaigning nearby and did I want to meet him? 20 seconds later, and I was discussing road safety outside schools and Vision Zero 2050 with the nation's leader!

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