Nigel Monaghan

Been here since 2010 but time for a change, still active but only for a while. #SpeirGorm is Irish for BlueSky where you will find me now as @nigelmonaghan-nh talking about museums, natural history (geology, zoology, palaeontology), and Irish heritage

Time to say goodbye to the oligarch’s social media channels. Slán. It’s not just the plummeting standards but the idea of one cent being contributed to @elonmusk when there are alternatives

Congratulations to our three 2024 INJ Grant recipients: Jake Dalzell - Recording the plant-pathogenic fungi and oomycetes of Ireland; Ciarán Flynn - Bryophytes of Slieve Gullion, Co. Armagh; and Brian Murray - Moth Recording in West Wicklow. irishnaturalistsjournal.org/inj-grant/

This Irish lady Gaie Delap is the great niece of the Valentia Island marine biologist Maude Delap. Another generation passionate about the environment. Jailed over an ankle tag not fitting properly and allowing continued home detention. jrnl.ie/6586120

Volume 40 - Owen Beckett reports the first record of the non-native ladybird species Rhyzobius lophanthae (Blaisdell) in Ireland. For subscription details: irishnaturalistsjournal.org

News from 40 years ago as historic Irish State Papers are released to public access each year: “Ireland’s priceless moon rock from Apollo landing was destroyed in a fire” @DIASDunsink #Moon @NASA irishtimes.com/history/2024/1…

@collieennis Hambarrassing

27th of December. Making sandwiches out of the leftover sandwiches made yesterday from leftovers. Sandwiception.

Volume 40 - Rachel Mc Kenna reports on Pristiphora leucopus (Hellén), a sawfly new to Ireland. For subscription details: irishnaturalistsjournal.org

@NMIreland museum.ie/en-IE/Collecti…

@RowenaNeville @IrishTimes The online Crosaire doesn’t give length of words either

@RowenaNeville @IrishTimes They numbered the clues incorrectly in the print Crosaire but the sequence is ok

There might be a riot on Tara St later @IrishTimes... 4 clues are erroneously printed over in the print edition of the Simplex, and the pages of the Quiz of the Year are in the wrong order so half of one question is missing and has to be hunted for. #ThoughtsAndPrayers

@RowenaNeville @IrishTimes First word problems (sic), Happy Christmas

@KeeperNH @IrishTimes Mayhem. Bah humbug!

Callout for Photographs: Outdoor Christmas Cribs The Irish Folklife Division at NMI invites you to share photos of outdoor Christmas cribs or nativity scenes from around Ireland. Include the location or any details you have with us here or email folklifedo@museum.ie.

Volume 40 - Hubert and van Achterberg share findings of a survey of aphid parasitoid wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Aphidiinae), with a first record of Aphidius urticae in Ireland. For subscription details: irishnaturalistsjournal.org

I started Ireland's most ambitious camera trap project in Wicklow as part of Snapshot Europe. Since 2021, I partnered with @UCD_Wildlife + @ReWildWicklow deploying 150 cameras, collecting ~400,000 photos, and ~31 years worth of survey effort. 2024's highlights below! 🧵👇

@RostrevorRARE @UlsterWildlife @Irishwildlife @RewildingIre @IrishRainforest @Ceanncait @donnarainey4 @whittledaway @NaturalistDara @JamesAOrr @NativeWoodTrust It’s an excellent book, clearly written and accessible, examination of various projects and principles, good review of legislation and steps in Irish approaches to conservation including the obstacles. Uplifting read and very informative

We are working on the vision of a geological survey helping its nation decarbonise its heat using geothermal energy. We are now recruiting a qualified, experienced and motivated person in whom we can place our trust, help empower, work together with, and support to lead on this.

@archiseek @NMIreland If only we could find similar drawings for the RDS Museum of 1856, have located their written contract with the builder but still not located the plans for the Dead Zoo.

Nice illustration through the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street, Dublin #dublin

@UniofOxford's Museum of Natural History @morethanadodo is looking for a new Director. Apply to drive specimen-based research, ensure the care of our outstanding collections, and expand the Museum's role as a leader in science engagement. my.corehr.com/pls/uoxrecruit…

Thank you to RTE’s Culture Special for recommending The Great Discovery in their 5 Irish books to buy this Christmas! 🙏

@collieennis Finally facing my maribou

@KeeperNH Beautiful 😅

A close encounter I had with a marabou stork on the Maasai Mara reserve kenya. A truly massive bird, large specimens are thought to reach a height of 5 feet and a weight of 9 kg. The largest wingspan recorded was approximately 12 ft. Living dinosaurs.