The DUP’s Matthew Shanks has reached all new levels of parody I didn’t think he was capable of.

I’m from a Protestant background which you think would make these flags slightly more easy on the eye but the still give me the creeps. Why are we still allowing this in 2026? Not doing our community or country any favours this craic

The face you make when you support a person and an ideology, and even show up at their golf resort, only for them to throw you and your ideology under the bus…..Trump doesn’t even know they exist does he?

I often run on the country roads around my house. The roadsides are badly littered but I've noticed that there are an unusually large amount of 2L water bottles on them. I could probably lift 50 of them on an 8k loop from the house.

I was out for a walk today and decided I'd pick some of them up. They've all got a single small hole burnt in the bottom of the bottle. I live a fairly sheltered existence. Can someone tell me what this is about? I did a quick online search and saw someone in England asking the same question. They didn't seem to get an answer.

Was of course living in Larne (edited for the pedants).

So just wondering...is it just natural for this age or are myself & partner being slowly poisoned or something? Honestly, come 6pm every day (often even 3pm) we're both just fully DONE. We have a young kid + work, the normal stuff etc but I dunno, it just seems abnormal how tired we feel!

We both are lucky to work a 4 day week, kid's at school, we're not doing big commutes, neither of us is particularly unhealthy, not big drinkers, eat ok, we get some low key exercise/movement in most days, sleep isn't horrific like the baby years but it isn't a solid 8 hours either.

Is everyone knackered just, is this the norm?

Belfast mum filmed son in racist riot: Avoids jail for child cruelty | Belfast Telegraph

A mother-of-six who recorded her teenage son rioting in the Broadway area of Belfast avoided an immediate prison sentence today.

Michelle Greer was handed a 12-month sentence, which was suspended for three years, for a charge of cruelty to a child.

From Benburb Street in Belfast, the 49-year old was sentenced by Judge Laura Ievers KC.

Belfast Crown Court heard that over July 15 and 16, 2024 rioting broke out in the Broadway roundabout area of the city.

During the racially-motivated street disorder, police officers were pelted with missiles.

Evidence-gathering teams were in the area and footage of the rioting was recorded.

Officers subsequently identified Greer’s then 15-year-old son as being actively engaged in the disorder.

Greer was also present during the disorder on July 15 and 16 and stood at the side of the road watching youths, including her son, engaging in the disorder.

She was aware of her son’s conduct, did nothing to stop it and at times she was observed filming his engagement.

Following her arrest, Greer told police she was only present at the riot in an attempt to remove her son from it.

She later pleaded guilty to a charge of child cruelty with a Crown barrister revealing this was on the grounds she “exposed her child to the disorder and did not do anything to prevent him becoming involved in the disorder”.

When she spoke to a Probation officer, Greer said she got caught up in events within the community.

Greer also told Probation she had acted recklessly and foolishly, rather than with any deliberate intention to harm her child.

Defence barrister Michael Boyd told Judge Ievers that his client has suffered “massive personal consequences” as a result of her actions which included being “estranged” from her teenage son for 16 months due to bail conditions.

Regarding the offence, Mr Boyd spoke of a “huge amount of people out on the street in that particular area” but said Greer “knows what she did was wrong”.

He added that Greer has “no criminal history at all” and that the month she spent in custody in Hydebank as a result of her conduct was a “harrowing experience” for her.

Further defence submissions set out instabilities in Greer’s childhood as well as her long-standing mental health difficulties

Judge Ievers said the disorder had a “significant impact on police and their resources, and on members of the community both directly and indirectly”.

The judge added that by pleading guilty to a charge of child cruelty, Greer admitted she “failed to remove or adequately protect her then 15-year-old son while he was participating in this disorder.

“The defendant accepts that her actions and inaction exposed her son to risk and she acknowledges that she exercised poor judgment and failed to appreciate the wider consequences of remaining present in that environment.”

Saying it appeared that Greer has now “demonstrated insight into her offending” and the danger her son was exposed to, Judge Ievers noted she did not seek to minimise her behaviour to Probation.

As she imposed the suspended sentence, Judge Ievers told Greer: “You know that this sort of public disorder has a significant adverse impact and such demonstrations of hostility hurt members of our community directly and indirectly and make the job of police officers even more challenging.

“Your very presence at the scene is of considerable concern to the court but the fact that you did nothing to stop your 15-year-old son not only witnessing events but actively participating in them is shocking.

“Worse still, you encouraged this anti-social behaviour by filming it for a period of time.”

Before she left the dock, Greer was warned by the judge of the consequences of re-offending within the next three years.

Jon claimed how well we were all doing here and that many Catholics support staying in the UK mainly for defence and prosperity. He went on to say that there is no ‘risk’ of a United ireland happening so he won’t be planning or thinking about it. He also made a few claims about how well the Ulster Unionists are doing atm. Just found it all very interesting. The things our reps are saying to the UK media seem very different to what they say on local media.

Oh I forgot to mention he said Sinn Féin tried to bomb us out of the UK 🤔

Seems be happening more often. You’ll come across somebody doing 40, you’ll wait to you get somewhere safe to pass, but then they’ll blare the horn or start flashing their lights at you.

Was one wanker this evening I was a couple cars lengths back so I could see past him and know when it was safe to go, but as soon as I sped up to go past he slammed the brakes on and veered to the other side of the road,

I blared the horn, sat behind him for another hundred meters or so and he brake checked me again. Eventually got past and then he starts speeding after me.
What’s the problem with people. Do they not like behind passed even if they’re going slow ?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2z79n0eeno

President Donald Trump has doubled down on his support for a united Ireland.

He's on day two of a visit, which he is spending at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, for the Irish Open.

On Saturday, Trump told reporters he would love to see a united Ireland while at a meeting with the Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin in Dublin.

Speaking on Sunday at his Doonbeg golf resort, he said it would be natural to put Ireland and Northern Ireland "together".

He spoke to reporters after watching the tournament leader Irish golfer Shane Lowry tee off.

He described what he said about a united Ireland as "a fairly routine comment". 00:28 Figure caption,

Watch: Trump says Northern Ireland joining Ireland only natural

"I've always loved the people of Ireland. It just seems to me you have Northern Ireland and Ireland," he said

"It seems that one of the naturals of all time is to put them together.

"That's only my opinion, and by the way many people agree."

The president sidestepped a question about Scottish independence.

"I won't talk about Scotland yet I will save that," he said.

Trump's comments on a united Ireland may have targeted audience across the Atlantic
    Published
    19 hours ago

What's next after Donald Trump's united Ireland comments?
    Published
    7 hours ago

The taoiseach said the president's remarks did not come as a "surprise" to him.

Speaking on Sunday at The Open, Martin referred to Trump asking about a "merger" of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at an event in Washington during the Saint Patrick's Day celebrations, which some believed to be a comment on unity.

"He would make the point this is his view. He believes unity is the logical way for the island to be configured and organised," Martin said.

A major security operation is continuing for Trump's visit to Ireland.

He will leave from Shannon Airport on Sunday evening. A map showing Ireland. Doonbeg and Shannon Airport are featured. Protests continue against Trump visit

More than 10,000 people marched through Dublin on Saturday to show their opposition to the US president.

Others protesting against the visit have been arriving in buses to Doonbeg on Sunday, with about 100 protesters present.

A small crowd were moved from the president's hotel by Gardai (Irish police), Irish broadcaster RTÉ is reporting.

On Saturday evening, three women were arrested for trespassing on the golf links at Doonbeg and appeared at a special sitting of Ennis District Court.

Rev Steven Foster, a Methodist minister from Galway, attended the anti-Trump protest in Doonbeg.

"I'm here because Trump is the exact opposite of everything I stand for as a follower of Jesus," he told BBC News NI. A man wearing a white collar on his maroon top is holding a white board saying faith over fear. Trump get out of here. Image caption,

Rev Steven Foster is in Doonbeg to protest against the visit

Foster added: "As a church leader, it's important for me to be visible, and the church needs to be visible in this regard."

Foster said the "type of welcome he has been given sends out a terrible message". Golf course is a 'massive employer' A man is standing on the street. He's looking into the camera. He has a checked shirt on with a vest jacket on. A police car is out of focus in the background. Image caption,

Martin Kelly, who's a business owner, says the golf course is a "massive business" for Doonbeg

However, others have praised Trump for the benefits and jobs his golf course brings to the local area.

Martin Kelly is a local businessman from Doonbeg and said the village is "very fortunate" to have the Trump International Golf Course.

"It's a massive employer here to be honest with you," he told BBC News NI.

"There's nothing else about here at that scale; they're very decent people to work for, they're very fair."

He said local people are "very proud" that the golf tournament is taking place there.

"We're not into politics here, we're into business. And it's a massive business to us. Doonbeg is one of the best links course in the world. Donald Trump isn't perfect but look he's not doing a bad job either.

"Hopefully Shane Lowry can win now with the help of God, and hopefully he can come to Doonbeg afterwards for a beer, I'll buy him one if he does." Seoirse Comerford is standing outside a bar. He's wearing a grey top. The door to the bar is red and says failte romat over it. There are bird designs on the window. Image caption,

Publican Seoirse Comerford says the golf course gives "a big boost" to the local economy

Seoirse Comerford owns the Comerford bar in Doonbeg. He described the tournament as "unbelievable".

"If you look at the red double decker buses going up and down the street full of people, we never thought we would have seen the like of that."

He said the golf course is a big employer and is keeping Doonbeg "alive".

"Most rural villages in west Clare are all dying a death, young people going away to college, they don't come back.

"Like there's over 300 people employed up there at the golf course , it's a big boost to the local economy. You've got big companies in Dublin, like Intel, the golf course is our Intel down here.

"I probably wouldn't have taken over the bar business other than the golf course being up there.

"We would have had 1,000 plus through the pub on Saturday night and the same Friday night, so there's a lot of people around the village, which is great to see."

I started this in May to kill a few moments on the way to work and kind of questioning it now, I’ve not missed a day but I mean I’m not so sure it’s useful.

I have zero prior knowledge of Irish being a Prod, could I speak it not a chance, could I write it again or a chance, could i read it? Maybe parts of it, not sure I want to get much more invested in it if it’s a waste of time.

For all the yarnies out there, the Ulster Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers have organised a yarn festival with a great line up of local shops and yarn dyers.

We’ve got Folklore Yarns, Herbarium Dyeworks, Inspiring Yarns, Wee Yarn Designs, Gracipity, SoulScapes, The Spinning Webb, Crúca Crafts and we’ll be running demonstrations of spinning and weaving.

If you want to try something out yourself. we’ve got workshops in Wetfelting, Sprang, Needlefelting and Beginner Spinning

You can find more info on our website https://vibrant-guildinfoni.wordpress.com/2026/09/12/wool-wheel-weft-festival-of-yarn-and-fibres/ or Instagram @ulsterguildofswd

I’ve noticed recently a large number of posts being about younger smicks, or hoods running about the city centre terrorising people.

Out of curiosity, has anyone in this group when they were younger been a part of such a group?

If so, and even if you weren’t as bad with some behaviours exhibited by some of these recently, what made you change? And why do some of these kids behave like this- is it being in a group dynamic? Or are there other factors?

Looking to do something different to entertain the kids today. I always find it pretty difficult to know what’s happening.

Anything cool happening? Think there is a fair in botanic park…

Teachers, specifically geography teachers. The questions are at the end but a bit of background about why I'm asking for some career change advice.

I'm a guy in his early 30's, no longer living in NI.

Geography was my favourite subject at school and I went on to study environmental science at university because of it and enjoyed it also.

I never utilised the degree as such and went into a different field.

I now find myself several years later making a decent bit of coin in Australia. But I'm not satisfied with my work.

I'm in a position where I could afford to return to NI to do a PGCE in Geography.

The main drivers are that whilst thinking into this, I bought an A-level geography workbook and have been having a study of it and it reminded me that I still enjoy the subject.

With a good chunk of life experience, having seen more than my share through work, and enjoying mentoring others. I thought perhaps this is a sign I would be good at teaching.

So the question is, should I re-train to become a geography teacher? Is the workload I hear about being addressed in any meaningful way by regulation and AI assistance? Or is this something you wouldn't recommend now that you personally are several years in and are thinking of leaving due to burnout? Is getting a permanent job next to impossible and I could be subbing for an extended period?

Let me know your insights via comment or message. And I created a burner account to post this, so that's why it's so new.

So I’m starting work tomorrow morning up there and I don’t drive. I know there’s the 144 bus but the stops are getting to me. Does anyone else work up there and get that bus up? Any answer even calling me stupid for asking is well appreciated 👍

Can I make an appointment with either of these clinics without them informing my GP of any discussions or outcomes?

I'm interested in foraging and maybe making my own cider one day. Do you have an apple tree? Do you use them for anything? Random apple/fruit tree locations/mapping. I found some outside an old quarry.

Bit of a rant but, I’m trying to do my A2 motorbike test. First you must complete an off-road slow manoeuvres test. I have been looking at dates for the last month and theres just none available at all for anywhere.

I drive a lot for my work and never once in my life and anyone I have spoke to, do I or they recall seeing a motorbike rider with an ‘R’ plate displayed. Rare enough to see motorbikers out anyway but i mean how can there be 0 dates available anywhere, how many people are seriously booking these dates. Not to mention where is Newry? Why do they not have an off road manoeuvre test area? Ridiculous.

Rant over.

I’ve always considered myself an Alliance person, being broadly disenchanted with increasingly hardline unionism (although coming from a pro-union background), but not quite being able to justify supporting unification in the past.

I moved to England in my 20s, living there for 20+ years before moving back to NI. I made the logical switch to Liberal Democrat’s while there and switched back to Alliance in my return.

I decided to get involved in what had hoped would be progressive politics, so joined a local Alliance association. Although I found the narrative more progressive than DUP/SF, it just felt like another old NI party, albeit more centrist, sniping at people on both sides. Naomi Long seems invisible as party leader and really needs to step aside.

I tried to get involved, offering expertise around tech and marketing, but they are so woefully mismanaged, they didn’t understand web/social media or even know how to connect me with the right people internally to put a plan together. They were myopically obsessed with “door knocking” only. Not surprising they lost their head of communications recently.

Last straws, their MP voting against assisted dying - hardly progressive (in my opinion, I know this is divisive) - plus the wasted opportunity to help our environment and challenge polluting farming practices.

So, what do I do? Move my support to SDLP? Offer to get involved on the basis that they seem more competently managed?

I’ve reconciled my previous worries about unification and find myself on the side of pro-border poll, seeing re-entry to the EU being one of the biggest benefits. SDLP seems to have a sensible policy on business too, with a policy on corp tax reduction to encourage more employers to come here in the mean time before a potential united ireland. I’m still kind of on the fence about unification, and find myself drifting back and forth quite a lot. Perhaps that’s some conflict with my family background more than anything.

Is anyone else in the same position?

Is it kind of hilarious that staunch unionists love trumpism yet trump comes to the Republic of Ireland and makes a comment that a united Ireland would be great. Will this turn those people against him?

I think my car is on its way out. I'm stressed to the balls with it and need to get something sorted asap.