James Gallagher » Interests

Irish Blog Awards

James — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 12:00:38 +0000

Just a short post on the Irish Blog Awards 2010 – my first time to attend and Liv came along too (which was great, she got an insight into my online life). As ever, it’s great to catch up with the people you know and finally say hello in person to a number of people you’ve chatted to for ages but never actually met face to face. Of course, you won’t get to meet everyone you wanted too but that just means you have to get out more and actually travel to some events. Having the awards on my doorstep here in Galway this year was absolutely awesome.

It’s something that takes an awful, awful amount of work (we got a taste while organising IPSA at QUB in 1999) and for which I’m very grateful that the organisers undertake. I’m aware of Damien Mulley, Stephanie Francis, Darragh Doyle, Brian Greene, Anto (I’m not aware of all the organisers involved, so omissions are really unintentional – apologies, there’s no slight intended) so thanks to all of you.

It was a great week what with Ina organising the Galway Twestival again – another very tough task.

FreeRadicalised Electra Townie – 2009

James — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 19:32:13 +0000

This was my big cycling project of the year and truly was fun. I’m debating putting an internal gear hub on it in 2010 but currently being advised against it. Well worth reading the set of posts I did recently on it:

Part 1: http://www.jamesgallagher.ie/new-bicycle-fun-part-1/
Part 2: http://www.jamesgallagher.ie/new-bicycle-fun-part-2/
Part 3: http://www.jamesgallagher.ie/new-bicycle-fun-part-3/

Why I love my visits home

James — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:01:50 +0000

I was home in Roscommon over the weekend and was reminded about just how great it is to visit my parents. I grew up in Roscommon but feel no affinity to the county. Except for this place that my parents have made a fantastic home and place of safe contentment. My parents are big fans of nature and several years ago started putting out nuts for the various birds that used to perch themselves on the washing line at the side of the house. They’ll watch the comings and goings of the various varieties of birds and recognise those that return and their little habits.