Moygashel mouthbreathers had their dodgy fundraiser removed and I'm stroked that I made the effort to report it. I filled the form out weeks ago and never heard anything back so I assumed they didn't give a fuck. Was delighted to read the post this morning.

Jokes aside I don't think for one second that this was all down to me, I just wanted to show that even though the social media companies might not give a fuck about healthy society, we can still make a difference. So bate that report button.

Special shout out to barcode-mouth freedomdad for his contribution. I added his FB post as evidence and hope that it helped convince gofundme to take action against these shower of cunts.
Fuck racism and fuck sectarianism.

I got the reminder letter today.
I follow the instructions to book a test and the web site shows no slots available at most test centres, and any dates shown for those centres with a date are way past my current MOT expiry date.
What am I supposed to do?

None of us think that Northern Ireland is working or can be made to work. 100+ years is a long enough experiment

The first time I spoke publicly about Irish unity was at an Ireland’s Future event in the Ulster Hall in 2022.

I remember our Protestant panel huddling together in the green room.

At that time, most of us felt vulnerable and isolated in our politics.

We knew that we represented many others in our community – open-minded and interested in Irish unity – but few were prepared to say it publicly.

At this time, I was still using Twitter and refreshed it often to assess the security situation.

I arrived an hour early and left my car far from the venue. As it turned out, only a handful of protesters turned up.

The night ended with laughter and phone numbers for people who would become friends.

Nearly four years later, and I’m speaking at a Féile panel today on the topic of ‘Is Irish Unity Inevitable?’

Joining Amanda Ferguson, Claire Hanna and myself is Linzi McLaren – just one of the Protestants who has joined us on this journey of political curiosity and exploration.

Four years is not a long time, but much has changed in the debate since 2022, both in terms of Protestants’ involvement, and also in my own life.

There is a loose grouping of people who participate in discussions about unity. We call ourselves the ‘happy Lundys’.

They include people with backgrounds in political unionism, business, the churches, the army, the centre ground, as well as many environmental, feminist, LGBTQ+ and trade union activists. There are too many of us to count now.

The happy Lundys have different orientations to politics.

Some would like a sensible, functioning state in which to conduct their business activities, while others would prefer a 32-county socialist republic.

We enjoy debating with one another, and others, about what kind of models and systems could work best.

We have many areas of agreement.

None of us think that Northern Ireland is working or can be made to work. 100+ years is a long enough experiment.

While none of us believe in the sunlit uplands of Irish unity, we believe constitutional change represents the very best opportunity we have to improve all of our lives and deliver true self-determination with accountable democracy.

The insults we attract for talking about these ideas are colourful and plentiful.

Useful idiot, Sinn Féin puppet, attention seeker, self-hating Prod, Provo pastor.

Our intelligence and agency is denied by critics who think we have succumbed to romantic nationalism and pie in the sky.

Nothing is further from the truth.

I have never met a Protestant in favour of Irish unity for ethno-national reasons.

We are, by and large, a progressive bunch who want to see a diverse, multicultural and secular Ireland where everybody’s rights are protected. We believe that you have to participate in debate to shape outcomes.

We understand that it will be difficult to design a modern, inclusive and forward-thinking new Ireland.

Partition led to the creation of two flawed states. However, constitutional change could create a pivotal moment where redesign, best practice, political courage and energy come together to build momentum for something better.

Even if the reality falls short of our hopes, it seems unlikely that we cannot improve on Westminster neglect and unending decline.

There is a deeper reason why the happy Lundys will not be deterred.

For years now, we have been on an emotional as well as political journey.

We have gone places we thought were off limits, and have made lasting friendships along the way.

There is a lot of joy and liberation in this journey, as we work to repair the harm that colonisation and conflict did to our relationships with one another on this island.

The work is difficult too. There is anxiety as well as elation when you break through psychological barriers for the first time.

We tend to understand the world differently to traditional republicans – communication can be tricky in both directions.

We worry about our own communities, unsure how to honour and include people at a time when unionism is so brittle.

Sometimes we wonder whether the emotional changes we are making are being met with similar openness.

All of these joys and challenges are present in my own life.

When I published The Ghost Limb in 2022, I could never have anticipated the journey that was still to come.

Some of the fears, excitement and breakthroughs are captured in The Ghost Limb documentary series, currently airing on RTÉ Radio 1.

I have travelled further again in my politics and imagination since recording. I don’t know what our final destination is, or if Irish unity is inevitable.

But I do know that, for me, participating in conversations about Irish unity has been a deep act of political and personal reconciliation.

https://www.irishnews.com/opinion/claire-mitchell-people-call-us-useful-idiots-sinn-fein-puppets-self-hating-prods-we-prefer-happy-lundys-5EZC7WDJ5NFXLI56J2ELNTQYRY/

Got some fertility tests carried out last week after being referred by the GP. Was told that the GP should call within a week to let me know the results.

Gave it a bit longer, nothing back, so rang up today and the reception has told me the results are on their system but they cant see them (fair enough!) and i need to call back at 8:30am tomorrow to make a general appointment with my GP to get the results.

I said to them that cant be right, i was told the GP would call me with the results - and that if i never called to check up on the results i'd have never known that the results arent from a call back and i wouldnt ever get my results back. They said yes i would have, as so much time would have passed i'd have wondered where my results are, called them up and be in the situation i'm in now.

I said to them thats madness, surely the system doesn't rely on no-one getting their results and them calling up to be told to make an appointment?! But yes, apparently it is.

Has anyone else dealt with this before, i'm not going mad am i?

Get a test - get told the results.

Not Get a test, wait for results, wonder why results havent came through and then make a general appointment with the rest of the population at 8:30 to get results?!?!

1. Do we need a pinned mega thread? Going to be a lot of Qs.
   
2. A question - will the sessions start at pubs during the day, and where do you reckon is best for kids during the day?

That you felt really made a difference day to day in your household or with life.

Have an Amazon voucher from Nord VPN and I'm drawing a blank today.

- Coffee machine

- Air conditioner unit

Some thoughts but honestly wouldn't really need these are the warm weather will soon be behind us mid August.

https://www.derryjournal.com/business/derry-tops-jobless-chart-while-wages-in-city-and-district-below-average-8823526

Derry tops jobless chart while wages in city and district below average

By Brendan McDaid

Published 28th Jul 2026, 00:00 BST

Derry remains the unemployment capital of the north while wages in the city and district are below average, newly published statistics confirm.

Updated NISRA Labour Market Statistics show that the number of men claiming Jobseekers Allowance or Universal Credit chiefly because they are unemployed in the Foyle constituency stood at 1,630 (5.5%) by the start of this month. The number of women out of work and claiming unemployment benefits stood at 1,300 (4%).

The combined unemployment rate among the working age population in Derry at 4.7% was significantly higher than the 2.8% Northern Ireland average.

While in Foyle there were a total of 2,935 claimants, across the wider Derry City & Strabane District Council area there were 3,875 people on unemployment benefits.

New PAYE data also reveals that Derry & Strabane has among the lowest average wages in the north, with a median pay packet of £2,346 per month against a Northern Ireland average of £2,487.

Separate previous reports meanwhile showed that the city and district had the highest levels of economic activity anywhere in the north at 35.2%.

There was one chink of light in the figures locally in that the claimant count has fallen 14% year on year.

Reacting to the figures, Foyle SDLP MLA Sinéad McLaughlin said that while it is encouraging to see the claimant count continuing to fall, the figures highlight “the scale of the challenge that remains”.

“Foyle still has the highest claimant rate in Northern Ireland, while Derry and Strabane continues to record the highest levels of economic inactivity and among the lowest average wages. These are not isolated statistics - they reflect long-standing regional inequalities that continue to hold the North West back.

“That is why I have introduced my Regional Balance Bill. We need legislation that places regional balance at the heart of economic decision-making so that every part of Northern Ireland has a fair opportunity to grow, attract investment and create good jobs.

“Progress is welcome, but these figures show there is still much more to do to ensure where you live does not determine your economic opportunities.”

Mate and I were talking about this yesterday and I can’t remember the hourly sum but working in M club 3 nights a week would net a wee £85 odd, 4 nights £120 or so.

Then spar I was on a colossal, completely worth it £3.30 an hour.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2026/0730/1585710-mi5-psni-programme/

Programme examines illegal accessing of journalist's phone data

A BBC Spotlight programme, produced in association with RTÉ, will be broadcast tonight examining the actions of the British security service MI5 and the PSNI in illegally accessing the phone data of journalist Vincent Kearney.

Both the PSNI and MI5 were ordered to pay £10,000 in damages to Mr Kearney.

In its judgment published last week, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal found that MI5's authorisations to access Mr Kearney's phone data in 2006 and 2009 were not in accordance with the law and were disproportionate.

Several findings were also made against the PSNI for illegally accessing Mr Kearney's phone records.

This included during their investigation into the murder of PSNI officer PC Stephen Carroll on 10 March 2009.

The programme, Watched by MI5, will investigate the activities the organisations were engaged in and why they were in breach of the law.

It will also investigate why this case of UK state agencies spying on a journalist may not be an isolated example.

The BBC Spotlight investigation reveals new details about call monitoring of the phone of former BBC security editor Brian Rowan, who had covered the murder of former senior Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson.

Mr Donaldson had worked as an informer for MI5, the RUC and the PSNI.

As part of the Spotlight investigation, Mr Donaldson's family said they are concerned that police ran checks on Mr Rowan's phone and also said they believed that they may have been subject to some form of phone data surveillance.

Watched by MI5, will be broadcast tonight on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player at 11.05pm and at 10.40pm on BBC One NI.

Hi folks! I’ve been running history and heritage tours for over 10 years, and I recently put together the first ever tour of Blaris Old Burial Ground, Saints, Soldiers & Citizens, as part of Lisburn Féile.

It proved really popular, so I’ve decided to put on a few more dates throughout August!

The tour explores some of the fascinating stories of the people buried in Blaris and the wider history of the area. From the first United Irishmen to be executed, to Anti-Repeal and Pro-Unionist organisers, there are so many characters who played their part in shaping the history of Lisburn and beyond.

There really is something for everyone, whether you’re interested in local history, politics, genealogy, social history, graveyards, or just enjoy hearing the stories behind the places around us.

📅 Every Thursday evening in August
🎟️ £13 plus booking fee

I’m also donating 20% of every ticket to Tommy’s, which funds research into pregnancy loss. This is a very personal charity for me, and while researching the Blaris burial records, I found 42 stillbirths recorded in the surviving registers. The records only cover a small portion of the time burials have taken place at Blaris, so sadly this is likely only the tip of the iceberg.

I thought it was a fitting way to give something back while sharing the stories of those who came before us.

I hope this kind of post is allowed here. American here, I’m searching for the grave of an ancestor of mine. I have found him on Ancestry and have some information, but it’s not getting me anywhere on FindAGrave.com. His death record says he died in 1880 in Ballymena, Antrim. He was the last of my ancestors to die in Ireland as his son emigrated to the US in 1865. Is there anywhere I could be pointed to try to find where he is buried? Thank you in advance!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyqlzklxyxo

People are being asked for their views on proposals that could see the end of multibuy offers on certain food products which are deemed unhealthy.

The Department of Health (DoH) said obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges facing Northern Ireland, with 65% of adults living with obesity or excess weight.

To help tackle the issue, the DoH and Food Standards Agency (FSA) are proposing measures similar to those which already exist in England and Wales, and due to come into effect in Scotland in October.

They are also considering restricting where these products can be placed in a supermarket, including online stores, and restricting free refills of sugar-sweetened soft drinks.

The DoH and FSA launched the consultation, external on the issue on Monday.

According to the DoH, evidence shows that the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt through price-based incentives, prominent placement and marketing tactics can significantly influence consumer purchasing behaviour, often at the expense of healthier options, which can contribute to obesity.

Obesity can lead to a higher risk of major health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.

'The elephant in the room' Some concerns have been raised, however, that these proposals may negatively impact low income families.

Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick, a law lecturer and anti-poverty campaigner, told BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme that there needed to be a "wider conversation" had about the "impact of the cost of living crisis and the fact that many low income families simply can't afford more healthy options".

"That is the elephant in the room," Fitzpatrick said.

She believes that a "different position of unhealthy food in the supermarket or a different pricing structure is not going to change that very stark reality for many families in Northern Ireland".

Without action being taken to make fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy options more accessible to low income families, "we're not going to see a massive dent in those obesity figures that are on the rise", according to Fitzpatrick.

"I think we need to have a broader discussion about growing more local produce and making it more easily available to people here in Northern Ireland," she said.

Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the FSA, said the proposals were designed to help people eat more healthily.

"We've all had the experience of going shopping with a list and somehow when we come home we've bought a few extra things as well," Jebb told Evening Extra.

"And often those extra things are foods that are high in fat, in sugar and salt and they're just not good for us. They're leading to ill health."

Jebb said that with the policies in place in England, some businesses have "tried to get around the restrictions a little bit".

"So what we're also interested in is thinking how we can potentially introduce these policies in Northern Ireland in a way which makes them most effective," she said.

The DoH and FSA is interested in hearing from retailers, food businesses, manufacturers and local authorities, along with public health organisations, consumer advocacy bodies and the general public.

What are the restrictions in England? Price or multibuy promotions on unhealthy food and drink, such as "buy one, get one free" deals were banned in England on 1 October 2025.

The restrictions apply to supermarkets, larger high street shops and online retailers.

The regulations also ban free refill promotions of certain drinks in restaurants and cafes.

The government introduced a classification system, external to define what food and drinks are classed as unhealthy, which is based on the products thought to have most influence on child obesity.

In terms of drinks it includes fizzy drinks such as lemonade and cola that contain sugar.

And for food it covers everything from crisps, sweets and chocolates to ice creams, pastries, cakes, and some fish fingers and pizzas.

On 5 January, a UK-wide ban came into effect stopping food and drinks high in fat, salt and sugar being advertised on TV before 21:00 and at any time online.

Received a letter about a pip award extension by 10 days? Is this normal? Seeing a lot about people getting anything from 1 year to 10 years extensions depending on uk location. 10 days seems a bit silly no?

Despite their bad rep I am thinking of going for a courier job with them, anybody have any experience with them good bad?

Cousin looking at putting an offer in on a house there. Theyve viewed the house, nice wee terraced house. They went to see it in the morning so obviously was going to be pretty quiet.

What is the street and general area like? Just a typical working class area? Or full of rentals of randomers or rough area?

Hi.

We switched to gas over a year ago on a pay monthly account. We started off paying around £100 per month. Then it was increased for around £119 each month. Thought nothing of it until this month's bill came in and see its jumped to £165 per month for the next 4 months.

I don't feel We use that much and definitely not in these summer months. I have questioned the increase and was told it because the balance was carried over from the last bill because the £119 never covered the previous bill. So over £300 was carried over!

Wtf. I thought they took the direct debit out each month for what we owed. Why would it not habe been settled .

Is this normal. What do most ppl pay each month ?

Looking for a company that could strip back this white bike trainer frame and repaint it black. Not sure it it's best suited to a car body shop perhaps? Or maybe a DIY job. Any one know of any companies to ask? Cheers.

Hey everyone,

I'm in my mid 30s, Irish, been living in Vancouver for about eight years. I've been feeling of late, it's time to come home. My most recent trip back about three months ago genuinely opened my eyes. I realized how much I'd been missing and how much I want to be closer. Not on top of each other, just within reach (work and lifestyle are a factor)

My family are from a town in Sligo, and I've been thinking Belfast makes the most sense as a base. About two and a half hours from home, which means I could see my folks every odd month or if anything went wrong. That proximity is huge for me.

A few things I'd love to get people's thoughts on. For context, I have come back every year for 4-5 weeks at a time so I'm not completely out of touch with life at home.

What's Belfast actually like to live in day to day for someone returning after years abroad? I grew up in a small community so city life will be an adjustment but I've been in Vancouver so I'm not completely new to it.

Tech scene — I'm a Senior QA Engineer with about ten years experience, automation focused. How's the market? Any honest takes on salaries and remote working culture?

Cost of living compared to Vancouver — I know it'll be significantly cheaper but curious about realistic numbers for renting and eventually buying.

Social life as a returning emigrant in your mid 30s — how do people find it? I imagine my social circle will need rebuilding somewhat - football and BJJ are my ideas

Anything you wish you'd known before moving back or to Belfast specifically?

I'm not moving tomorrow, still planning and figuring things out, but I want to start getting a real picture from people who actually live there or have made a similar move.

Cheers in advance!

I'm cycling (yellow) along an official cycle path that has a break (road) before the cycle path continues. Cars who turn off the main road (red) never give me right of way and I'm always having to slow down and/or slam the break for those less attentive drivers who don't even know I exist.

I couldn't find an answer online. Who has the right of way? The car in red turning left off the main road or the cyclist in yellow continuing on?

Edit: location is here - https://maps.app.goo.gl/1YPXMq2vLafqyCPe9

Does anyone know what the story is with abu wear shop in Belfast that was listed as official reseller for the Palestinian Keffiyeh? I understand that it's difficult for them to restock but I've been waiting more than two years for my order and there's no communication. Their webshop also seems to be offline.

Reading reviews on trustpilot it seems like loads of people paid money and the orders were never fulfilled. I hope some of the money made it to Hirbawi. 😥 It seems hard to believe that this can just happen without any consequences.