Mary D

@ConorMcMusic This is beautiful, Conor

“An Mhuire Mháthair” is one of the most beautiful songs in the Irish language, and it was an honour to sing it for the happy couple on their special day today in Ardara in Donegal 🤵🏼👰 The song translates as “Mary, Mother” or “Mary the Mother”, referring to the Virgin Mary. The song is a traditional Irish religious hymn that is essentially a prayer to Mary, asking for her protection, guidance, and intercession. It reflects the deep Marian devotion that has been part of Irish culture for centuries … ☘️ I know the Irish probably isn’t 100% 😅 The priest actually recommended I spend a few days in the Gaeltacht in Donegal 🤷🫠😅 Sometimes the simple recordings captured on a phone in the moment are the ones that mean the most! 💚 🎶🙏 #AnMhuireMhathair #IrishMusic #IrishSinger #WeddingSinger #WeddingMusic

Hats off to Jackson from Mitchell House School in Belfast for his top notch weather forecast! Bravo 👏👏👏

Charlotte Church sang From the River to the Sea at a fundraising event for Palestinians and now all the usual people are screaming antisemitism and trying to cancel her. RT if you stand with Charlotte Church and Palestine.

During the communication vacuum, there has been heightening fear, growing speculation and a crushing effect on morale and confidence. Most of us feel really sad about the future of our university, after losing almost 15% of the workforce. It's really hard to even contemplate.

Congratulations to our minor team on winning the NI league final. 🎉🎉

Despite 70,000 dead Palestinians, UEFA will never find its conscience so Ireland must act on its. The games against Israel should be boycotted whatever the consequences. Ireland's a small nation on the edge of Europe but it can stand tall for what is right belfasttelegraph.co.uk/comment/opinio…

SAVE THE DATE 💜! Get your trainers ready — the Foyle Hospice Female Walk is back! 🗓 Sunday 7th June 2026 Join us for a special day bringing women together to walk, chat, support one another and raise vital funds for Foyle Hospice. #SaveTheDate #FoyleHospice #femalewalk

📚Friday fact from the Bar Library 📚 The Cab Rank Rule is shorthand for the professional obligation on barristers to accept instructions from a client regardless of the circumstances of the client or the case. Barristers cannot pick and choose cases to insert themselves into, they are instructed by a solicitor. The Cab Rank Rule prevents any unjustified restrictions on the client’s choice of barrister. The purpose of the rule is to protect the interests of clients, not the interests of barristers. #PublicLegalEducation #AccesstoJustice

The barrister didn’t earn this amount in one year. I have it on good authority that these fees were earned over 10 years, & payment made in 2025. The barrister was allowed to claim fees back due to extenuating circumstances. A complete outlier of a case & nowhere near the norm!

📚Friday fact from the Bar Library 📚 In the financial year '24/'25 Legal Aid was granted to just over 61,500 people in Northern Ireland. This is a combined figure for both criminal and civil matters. Legal Aid is means tested and therefore is directed towards people who couldn't otherwise afford these services. There is correlation between Legal Aid provision and socio-economic need - grants of Legal Aid are highest in the most deprived areas of Northern Ireland Legal Aid is vital to access to justice and is a critical component of welfare provision. #accesstojustice

⚖️ Questioned the Justice Minister on strike action by the Criminal Bar Association, and the impact of a collapsing justice system on those who can't afford legal representation.

Ireland is already dangerously off track on its climate targets and facing fines of up to €26 billion for failing to meet them. An Coimisiún Pleanála are currently considering a planning application for a commercial LNG terminal in north Kerry, and the potential consequences are stark. The Government must provide clear policy guidance on commercial LNG. 👉Learn what's at stake here: trocaire.org/news/climate-j… Minister for Climate, Energy, and Environment Darragh O’Brien has already suggested that commercial LNG would be against Ireland’s climate law, and that commercial LNG would not proceed, surmising it would be illogical, given that even a State-led facility would need to be phased out within 15 years.

This framing is disingenuous. Crown Court legal aid fees haven't risen in *20 years*. Failing to pay barristers fairly for their work will destroy our justice system. This is what harms victims, witnesses and everyone needing legal representation - not strike action.

Members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) of the Bar of NI have commenced an escalated withdrawal of services in all legally aided Crown Court cases. Legal Aid is an essential element of our criminal justice system. It can only function if skilled and committed self-employed lawyers are appropriately remunerated to meet the complex and ever-increasing demands of Crown Court cases so as to enable access to justice for all citizens. The Bar Council understands and acknowledges that this action is being taken by members of the CBA as a last resort, and that criminal barristers stand disillusioned and disheartened but determined to highlight the case for appropriate and fair remuneration. The alarm has been sounded for a significant period of time and the access to justice crisis deserves urgent attention and urgent action. Read our statement in full: tinyurl.com/5n6e35hu

I was briefed this morning on the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as their planned imprisonment in federal custody here in New York City. Unilaterally attacking a sovereign nation is an act of war and a violation of federal and international law. This blatant pursuit of regime change doesn’t just affect those abroad, it directly impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans who call this city home. My focus is their safety and the safety of every New Yorker, and my administration will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant guidance.

#Otd 8 yrs ago @LisaMMcGee brought Derry Girls into our homes and hearts via @Channel4 And the rest is herstory… #DerryGirls

Risteard MacGabhann Scoláire, scríbhneoir & saoi. Ceoltóir. Crann taca na Gaeilge 📖 🖊️ 🎶 🖼️ Portrait by John McCandless, in @culturlanndoire Fitting tribute to Risteard’s vast contribution to Irish language, music, culture & learning Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann

@KarenPyne1 Brilliant, Karen

This is my story ❤️🤍

Will this be the year you join our Christmas Day Swim? 🌊 If you would like to start your own Christmas tradition, there is still time to register online or on the day. foylehospice.com/events/christm… #FoyleHospice #ChristmasDaySwim #CommunitySupport #FestiveFundraising

Swap the Christmas Jumper for a splash in the sea? 🎄 Join Foyle Hospice for our Christmas Day Swim on 25th December at 11am at Ludden Beach, Buncrana. Sign up today and start your Christmas Swim fundraising. register.enthuse.com/ps/event/Chris… #FoyleHospice #ChristmasDaySwim