The reason our blackberries look like this is because they haven't been pollinated. Just not enough pollinators. A very real result of all the relentless cutting and spraying happening all round our plot which has been worse than ever this year.

Air conditioning unit, parasol, flood defence, nature reserve, antidepressant, crime fighter. Your local neighbourhood superhero.

The City-to-City Exchanges call remains open for the foreseeable. We're aware of some Irish local authorities who plan to submit during 2024, & we encourage those of you yet to consider it, to avail of this great opportunity. Reach out to Karl at kmurphy@emra.ie to learn more.

There's been a long and shameful history of lenient sentences for violent crimes against women & girls in Ireland. I'll go through some of the most egregious cases over the decades. The lives of these victims didn't seem to matter to the judge. CW: sexual assault, murder. /1

#CorkCityMeanwhileUseSurvey2024 We are looking to hear from people considering #MeanwhileUse as a space option in #CorkCity - artists, community organisations, film, sports, fitness, crafters, start-ups, bands, etc short survey open here: forms.gle/njvgyFjXhUziYagG6

Asylum seeker or refugee? While the terms are often used interchangeably in discussions around immigration in Ireland, there is a difference. Our Social Affairs and Religion Correspondent, Ailbhe Conneely, has this explainer.

📢Afternoon folks, the Innovation Transfer Networks call opened today 🙌 Read more below and please register for our @URBACT 🇮🇪 Info Day at the Custom House, Dublin on January 25th. See link for more information & to register here: forms.office.com/e/M6XyRNCA8…

Priorities. Copenhagen, Jan. 4, 2024. photo: Brian Eugen Nielsen

It was such a hugh surprise & honor to be asked on the Tommy Tiernan Show. I'm so overwhelmed at the response I've gotten from everyone (will reply tomorrow). Emotional. Thank you so much. It genuinely means a lot to me (and our birds!). #tommytiernanshow @RTEOne @Tommedian

Here's a car and bike sharing scheme in rural Brittany paid for by the EU Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Instead of mocking ideas and letting their communities down, rural TDs and councillors should be demanding these facilities for their area. youtu.be/awFgGYNP7jo?si=y41U…

Dutch companies pay their employees to commute to work by bike. Cyclists can claim EUR 0.21 per km off their tax bill. On a regular bike, employees cycle an average of 9 kilometers back and forth in the Netherlands. That’s about €450 a year.

✍️Registration is now open for @URBACT IE Info Day 📌 Location: Custom House, Dublin 📅 Date: January 25th, 2024 Please see registration link here 👉 forms.office.com/e/M6XyRNCA8… Please share widely, especially among local authority colleagues! A huge thanks in advance 😊

The weedkiller RoundUp has been found in at least 25% of Irish families' bodies 😡 In the US that number is as high as 80% Next week we have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to #StopGlyphosate and save lives.

In 2022, the Irish horse & greyhound racing industry received €90m in state funding. The National Parks & Wildlife Service, despite a 64% increase, received a meagre €47m. In the midst of a catastrophic #BiodiversityCrisis, that is beyond shocking. irishtimes.com/opinion/2023/…

Are you a business looking to innovate? Councils working across the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor are conducting a survey on innovation support. We would like to hear from all prominent business operating in this dynamic corridor; Your feedback will help us gain valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that businesses face in the realm of innovation, and help inform the development of targeted strategies and support mechanisms that can enhance innovation and collaboration among businesses. The below survey should take no more than five minutes of your time, and your responses will remain completely anonymous. Your perspective is crucial to shaping the future of innovation and economic growth in the area. Please click on the following link to access the survey: surveymonkey.com/r/BNWD8Z9 We sincerely appreciate your participation and contribution to this important initiative. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the survey or the Dublin Belfast Economic Corridor, please do not hesitate to reach out to lawrence.bowles@kpmg.ie

Brilliant tour of Balbriggan yesterday w/ @URBACT EcoCore Lead @Aoifeps1 and Lead Expert @eclane08. Was great meeting with ULG members too ahead of what will prove to be an impactful & exciting network led by @Fingalcoco on green growth & transition along economic corridors 👐

Need more of these in Cork so many cobenefits & school runs major source of traffic in City @GreenSchoolsIre @CorkHealthyCity @EileenHoganUCC @tmfcork @FitzFrank10 @missionCAN2030

Here at @URBACT_IE we've already begun thinking about upcoming calls. If you are a past, current or entirely new to @URBACT local authority in Ireland, reach out anytime for a chat to Karl at kmurphy@emra.ie. & see how your town or city can benefit from what URBACT offers! 👐

We're excited!🙌 With < 72 hours until @URBACT IV's call for Action Planning Networks, register👇for our Info Day (Jan 31st) in the Custom House, Dublin. A chance to hear testimonies from past Irish participants, 💡tips to get started and much much more! forms.office.com/e/4gSPmezt9…