CallingShotgun.ie makes it into Blog Awards shortlist

I just noticed that CallingShotgun.ie has made it into the Irish Blog Awards Newcomers shortlist. I'm absolutely delighted with the news. I looked through the other blogs shortlisted and I wish them (especially Cian O'Regan) the best in the competition.

CallingShotgun.ie makes it into Blog Awards shortlist

Paul Gogarty no fan of FF voters

I wonder did he ever live up to his twitter oath of not saying anything controversial.

Paul Gogarty no fan of FF voters

UL does Come Dine with Me

Students in UL have kicked off their own version of come dine with me. Fairplay to ULTV for teaching freshers how to shoot and edit the videos. I really enjoyed this one and shows just what's the come for the society.

 

UL does Come Dine with Me

Rappin' Mannix Flynn

I'm not sure what came over Independent Dublin candidate, Mannix Flynn. In some attempt to get down with the kids, Flynn performs a little rap on Balcony TV to entice his constituents to give him their number one vote. Flynn, who does come across as a genuinely lovely and hard working man, his rap will definitely meet so disapproving clucks.

Rappin' Mannix Flynn

Contribution to Irish Election

I contributed to a piece in Irish Election along with Cian O’Flaherty, John Handelaar, David Cochrane, Alexia Golez, Suzy Byrne and Christine Bohan. I wrote on Enda Kenny's speech while Gilmore and Martin debated on TV3. You can read it here.

Contribution to Irish Election

CallingShotgun.ie makes it into Evening Echo

The Evening Echo covered one of my blog post's which marked them as the most popular Irish newspaper on Facebook. You can follow the author on twitter by clicking here.

CallingShotgun.ie makes it into Evening Echo

Study Abroad - Irish abroad

After spending some time in a foreign land, people start to develop the native accent. To my horror, it happened to me after my co-op placement in Cork, but it’s not going to happen in Newfoundland. I’m going to come home from here with the strongest, most exaggerated Irish accent imaginable. It really is a joy being a proper Paddy in an Island full of fifth and sixth generation Irish.

My big culchie accent, which is mocked by friends in Dublin and Cork, is cooed at over here. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been asked to talk more during nights out.  It’s a great talking point. Most of the people go on to say that they’re part Ireland and how they’d love to go back to Ireland, talking as if they’re bona fide Irish. I’m still getting a kick out of it and I don’t think the novelty value will go any time soon.

One night I met a lad who claims he’s a proud Limerick man, despite the fact he never left Newfoundland in his life. He almost cried when I told him that I study in Limerick and demanded I tell him every detail about the Treaty City. He told me that his father moved from Limerick because it was too dangerous, which I didn’t buy for a second. I chatted to him for a total of five minutes before he asked me if I wanted to buy some Grade A drugs. It was around that time that I faked a call and left him. Every proper Irish person I’ve met since has offered me the same. It’s slightly suspicious.

The best thing I’ve encountered so far is, of course, in the pubs around St John’s. In my first month here, I’ve been given four free double whiskeys from friendly bartenders, just because I’m a proper Irish person. This is something that I could get used to.  It’s all part of some of the bizarre initiation ceremonies that take place in Newfoundland.

All I can say is roll on Paddy’s Day!

Study Abroad - Irish abroad