@Ireland Curator: Jake Hanrahan

Good luck to @louisemjm who will be curating next week.

@eamonambrose @oijake thanks! Much appreciated.

Right I'm off now everyone, thanks for having me it's been great. I'm @OiJake if you'd like to keep in touch.

@jpaudouy @twit_egypt In Waltz with Bashir I remember that guy says he became a millionaire selling it. Need to try some.

@twit_egypt I've never had felafal, what's it like?

@twit_egypt Caribbean and mexican food (followed by Irish of course ; ) haha)

@psneeze haha, yeah, he seemed kind of indifferent to be honest.

I'll be off in a few hours folks, any last minute questions or anything, pplease do fire away.

RT @TheDublinBar Loughcrew again in snow pic.twitter.com/ixYHwxRj

@helenamoloney nah it's fine I just wondered as he's my great uncle is all : ).

Anyone ever had an accordion repaired by Noel Tuohy in Limerick by any chance? (Not a euphemism)

@linguistashley sounds incredible. I've signed up to visit, still waiting lol.

@apitts711 thanks a bunch!

@elfgagi @therealme59 Enda the world...

@budgens_CE @Youngroover You can get white pudding in Morrisons I think as well.

Irish priest plans to defy Vatican irishtimes.com/newspaper/brea… via @IrishTimes

@VincentMelvin @WayneRooney @BarackObama @David_Cameron That's not taking expenses into account though (re. David Cameron)

@therealme59 @elfgagi was a random phone correction that I tried to turn into a joke that hasn't traslated so well lol.

Just to clarify, Enda "Kelly" is his lesser known evil twin brother.

Enda Kenny apparently has a bigger salary than the US president? Wow...

@oisincotter whoops, aye, Kenny. I'm on a phone sorry lol.

@mott17 @maryecostello yeah I think peak oil is a reality. Have you seen "Collapse"?

Enda Kelly apparently has a bigger salary than the US president? Wow...

@saoili I don't know about all drugs being legalised but I do think a lot of it is to do with tax and fear mongering.

@michaelmoriarty @analiffey right, thanks. Personally I think in theory it's a good idea.

@michaelmoriarty @analiffey generally what are peoples reactions to such plans?

@lornaocallaghan nice that there's apathy. In the UK I think that's seriously lacking.

@michaelmoriarty @analiffey for heroin addicts?

@michaelmoriarty @analiffey @drugsdotie thanks Michael, big help.

@lornaocallaghan drug use and the laws against it.

@donalskehan I could eat that right now.

Doing some research for an article and curious to know, are Ireland's feeling towards drugs more or less liberal than UK?

@jaycoyle thanks Jason, hopeit's been interesting.

@mrcbehan @jim_sheridan you have to apply to @worldirish

RT @deanoBeano1There is some snow in the UK but in #Ukraine this is how they roll. A bit of ice fishing... pic.twitter.com/ad8Nyu5p

@mott17 @maryecostello part of what do you reckon?

Last day curating this account. "It's been emotional."

@echter @guylejeune tuna and jam! Don't think I could stoma ch that haha.

Show your support for @HMVTallaght who haven't been paid since Dec! They're holding a sit in tonight #hmvireland

@syddels I actually can't remember the last meal I had without spuds. Potato brainwashing it is haha.

@rosanna_davison the afters looked nice.

@irish_eagle Is that not the point though? That they should know for definite it won't poison people before anything started?

@linguistashley what was it like in North Korea?

@dave_tynan @gergilroy is it full of long un-punctuated sentences?

@irish_eagle No but I think if it's making people sick it should be stopped straight away until proven safe.

@irish_eagle have you not read the many reports about tap water contamination in fracking areas?

@peopleofcanada been really interesting actually. Yeah it's a great place. I aim to take my daughter this year.

@irish_eagle and what if it does contaminate drinking water? Too late, every body is already drinking it.

@irish_eagle Surely proper tests should have been done before fracking was already being carried out on a huge scale?

@LinguistAshley Did you ever sneak into North Korea haha?

@LinguistAshley Now that explains it. Sounds fun to live in those places though.

@irish_eagle ...into the water. Not safe by any means for human consumption.

@irish_eagle The facts are on the table though, you just have to look at the chemicals that are being pumped underground and getting...

@irish_eagle I don't think it's false, the evidence is there in the flesh.

@irish_eagle This Fracknation seems like propaganda. If you watch Gasland the water is toxic, fish die in the rivers, fur falls off animals.

@irish_eagle Wait I thought this was showing how fracking companies were propagating against Gasland, turns out that's the whole film?

Re Irish fracking RT @irish_eagle Will you be giving Fracknation a look when it's available online? Irish made. ow.ly/gX6wD

@nickers1973 @psneeze @JeffHar73 Never tried that, definitely will though!

@irish_eagle Hadn't heard of this. Thanks a lot! Premiers the day before my birthday too.

@LinguistAshley Really? It's in just about every British supermarket.

@KathOMeara Nothing like a coleslaw and cheese sandwich.

@Eoin_Clancy In a good way I hope : D.

Not sure about cheese and jam but I do love a good bit of cheddar on a malted milk biscuit.

One of the best discoveries for me when I first ever visited Ireland was white pudding. You can't get it in most UK cafes.

Lot of people loving cheese and jam sandwiches. #irishfoodcombos

@KimPiper1 @GuyLeJeune Sounds nice to me though.

@MaryECostello @MoTT17 In the Gasland doc people who have fracking on their land are able to literally set fire to their tap water. Scary.

You can't beat a good farl and butter either.

@MaryECostello I think it's just a case of them waiting till laws are passed to start fracking. Frackers.

RT @GuyLeJeune my dad used to eat cheese and marmalade sandwiches. Said it was an Irish delicacy. /// Ever tried it yourself?

@jemb123 My daughter goes crazy for a beetroot sandwich.

@devronbaldwin My granddad said the doctors in Limerick would actually prescribe it. Tastes quite nice actually.

@devronbaldwin It's apparently for if you're feeling under the weather.

My granddad cooks onions and milk and my dad drinks Guiness and milk. Any other strange Irish food combinations?

Ireland you've got till 2014 before the ground is filled with poison irishtimes.com/newspaper/irel…

Watched a great documentary about fracking last night. Gasland: youtube.com/watch?v=z0fAsF…

@PeopleOfCanada Hi there!

@theclotheslines from the responses I'm getting I'm thinking maybe just my street haha.

surprised (for some reason) to hear a lot of people still haven"t been hit by the "nationwide blanket of snow".

Anyone dare to venture out in the snow tonight?

@minus1cjb more like "4 be ******* 4!"

@kiretoce he takes being angry seriously, not sure about driving haha.

My favourite is "right that it's now!" every time the car skids, then carries on as normal.

"Deez damn 4x4s! What's the point of 'em I ask ya?"

@kiretoce honest to god he'd throw the phone out the window if I did.

"Chriiiiist! Look at this lunatic!" Every time someone drives by with no lights on.

In a car driven by my 81-year-old Limerick granddad on unsalted, snow filled roads. Feels like a sitcom.

Built any snowmen yet folks?

Is Friday not just the most glorious day? Whether it's freezing or not.

Thanks for all the #FF guys. Right back at ya!

@worthhaving Sorry, we're still cutting out each snowflake, will drop them soon.

@PolNaGalltachd "That meth was just resting under the floor boards" lol.

@eamonambrose Breaking Ted! Yes!

Like Father Ted on Steroids: Priest Indicted in Federal Crystal Meth Case nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/Pri…

@eamonambrose Haha touché.

@berniequinn ... priority on the front page over the 2 Britons killed in Algeria just seems mind blowing to me.

@berniequinn Oh I know, and trust me I'm no snob, but for Katie Price marrying a stripped on the whim of a psychic prediction to take...

@vwdasher Aye, but it's also the best selling daily...

We were talking about the state of journalism in Britain and Ireland yesterday. Here's the FRONT PAGE of the Sun today frontpagestoday.co.uk/frontpages/The…

@sinad_e on a whole, how does Germany deal with snow? In the UK we can barely handle rain...

@beatingblog I agree we can't handle it, but the child in me still loves the snow : ).

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

@VibrantIreland Any smog lol?

@evaduffy Snap, I'm there too!

The East Midlands seems to be the only place where it isn't snowing in England this morning.

Whilst curating this account I have to take the opportunity to thank @Glinner for the creation of Pat Mustard youtube.com/watch?v=LEipG3…

@jockserross @jmikemac Gowan, gowan, gowan! (I couldn't resist)

Curious to know what other countries perceptions of Britain getting involved in war are like. Should we send troops to Mali?

#FF my friend @jmikemac because his aunty is Mrs. Doyle (I kid you not).

Currently watching John Pilger's "War on Democracy". Chilling.

@AntoinetteVict2 @JoeCrinnion @john_mcguirk @Beanmimo No problem.

@faduda Haha, like this? Really youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1w…

RT @paulageraghty @hmvtweets @RetailAction HMV workers occupy Limerick shop! Watch like & share! youtube.com/watch?v=RAOprc… …

@paulageraghty @hmvcrescent @hmvtweets @RetailAction @Oireachtas_RX I'm pretty sure it's against the law actually as well.

@paulageraghty @hmvcrescent @hmvtweets @RetailAction @Oireachtas_RX It's disgusting that they're being refused their pay for days worked.

Great news: Irishman held hostage by militants in Algeria is freed irishtimes.com/newspaper/brea…

@leftways I think this is in part why the print industry is dying. People go to alternative news wires online.

@leftways There's a lot of "down with this sort of thing". Especially the Daily Mail.

@leftways yeah the fauxrage in British newspapers is awful. Pushes opinions onto its readers.

@unakavanagh We actually lost a lot of contact with the Hanrahan side of our family, and know more Brennan's than Hanrahan's now.

@leftways Ah I see. Awful really. It's like that book 1984.

@unakavanagh I could ask but someone would probably just say "because of the British I guess" lol.

@unakavanagh I have no idea actually, it was long before the time of any living relatives I know that much.

@unakavanagh originally "O'Hannrachain" I believe if you go far enough.

@unakavanagh Yes we started off as O'Hanrahan's actually. Small world!

@leftways There are a lot of lawsuits being brought against investigative journalists in Ireland do you mean?

I say bring back Hanrahan Investigates youtube.com/watch?v=XF01kl… : D (no actual relation).

@barraotoole That's hilarious.

@leftways Seriously?

@TheKavOfficial Haha! Cracked me up about Habitat.

@dinglenews @SkyNews That's more interesting than soap stars falling out of nightclubs...

@TheKavOfficial double page articles on Swedish chairs and pea green paint and the like.

@TheKavOfficial Which daily? Yeah the UK is saturated in either celeb gossip or snooty "too cool for middle class school" type stuff.

@unakavanagh ...where he said himself he'd once used them.

@unakavanagh There's a great video where a student completely contradicts him about drugs, quoting from one of Bill's books...

@unakavanagh Yeah, seems to have a circus clown type of thing going on.

I can only speak accurately on behalf of the UK, but what's the state of Irish journalism like?

Proof that Germans have leprechaun ancestry: ibtimes.com/germany-takes-… .@I_amGermany

Freelance journalism advice #2: Always, always chase your invoices! Like a bad PPI advert, "You could be owed hundreds!"

@ciaran_o_connor @unakavanagh Jack Shannon is a good one I heard. I thought there goes a rockstar.

@unakavanagh I just don't understand how he's allowed to be on TV. He can't even get facts even nearly correct.

@KathOMeara I'd bet my life on it lol.

@unakavanagh Who'd have thought?

@jrcallahan Wasn't my words pal, just a link sent over from @AccessibleJoe

@ciaran_o_connor @unakavanagh Once met a man named "Francis Holder" a future private detective, surely.

@ciaran_o_connor @unakavanagh I have a strange (and totally false) theory that people with strong names are destined for greatness.

@ciaran_o_connor @unakavanagh Tony Malice! What a name.

@travors Reminds me slightly of a dragon.

@CeadaoinsChild Lovely name and tribute.

@KathOMeara Thanks for sharing!

RT @KathOMeara A tricolour on my ankle and shamrock on my hip. pic.twitter.com/8cAPAFxv // I like how you said "spot the Irish American" haha.

@unakavanagh I'd bet money that someone somewhere has Pog ma Thoin as a tattoo, thinking it says something totally different.

@unakavanagh haha, seen some great artwork in some but no, couldn't imagine a permanent Shamrock on my skin either tbh.

@margareteward thought about getting Hanrahan crest once, but my granddad told me not to be "sucha damn idiot" when I suggested it lol

@wholesomeie @beanmimo @wisemona Haha, thanks. Paranoia on my part sorry.

@accessiblejoe I think a problem with people citing the 1st/2nd amendment when defending guns is that a hell of a lot has changed since.

@accessiblejoe interesting thanks.

Right, I've got a meeting with some flash looking folks from the telly. Back in a bit everybody.

@germc24 that's the thing, it isn't lol. Has 3 leaves, yet he calls it an "Irish clover"

@iandevlin I'm a chrome man myself (browser I mean, not that I'm a robot).

I once asked him where in Ireland his parents were from. "Not a clue" he said haha. Bless his cotton socks.

Anyone got any Irish tattoos they'd care to share? Just bumped into a lad I know who has an "Irish clover" on his arm.

@betaburns I can say the French alphabet (which my daughter finds hilarious), but that's about it, sorry.

@stancarey lucky! It's like Siberia over here (probably slight exaggeration)

@beanmimo @groovefestival reeled off a load of Dropkick Murphys links to them yesterday : )

Freezing in the UK this morning. Good job there's no more snow though, the country tends to lose it's mind when there is!

@wholesomeie @beanmimo @wisemona I wasn't trying to "self promote", simply tweeting an article that was relevant to the discussion : )

@logannzed Alex Jones definitely does.

@logannzed why are guns such a big part of America?

@qqforu yeah this should be mandatory. Seems insane that it isn't already.

@_LauraGaynor Ah sure, of course Dunblane. Got confused for a moment there...

@bigrig480 It's ironic, but with a type 11 Federal Firearms License the US government actually act as a broker for anyone importing weapons.

@_LauraGaynor Very true. You mean Dunblane?

@bigrig480 and with a type 11 you can import gigantic weapons, even rocket launchers.

@bigrig480 It's ironic, but with a type 11 Federal Firearms license the US government actually act as a broke for anyone importing weapons.

@_LauraGaynor Yeah I think that would be the only way too. Would probably take decades and several more tragedies first though sadly.

In light of Obama's gun control, a piece I wrote in November about gun crime in New Orleans: Father Terry's Muder Wall vice.com/read/the-new-o…

@bigrig480 could also be seen as slightly hypocritical, considering the IRS make money off of type 11 FFl holders.

@qqforu what kind of regulation do you think would be effective? Further regulation I mean.

@_lauragaynor guns are so ingrained in American culture though that I don't think this could ever happen.

What do people think to Obama's new gun control proposals?

A family member of mine just told me a joke about two men. Patrick Fitzgerald and Gerald Fitzpatrick. Sadly I can't shre it haha.

@_lauragaynor looks interesting, thanks for sharing.

@GrooveFestival And of course " Rocky Road to Dublin" youtube.com/watch?v=bn8YQX…

@GrooveFestival Another great track from Dropkick Murphys: " The State Of Massachusetts" youtube.com/watch?v=HzF0hH…

@Imagine_EcL Thanks. Never thought we'd end up this far along when we met at 15!

RT @BirdseyeKite @ireland hi Jake #Derry from my #kite. Enjoy The View! pic.twitter.com/Ov4JSFzm //// Very nice, thanks for sharing!

@Geokypan Gorn to the flicks so y'are?

@thejohnkelly TV channels are trying to play it INCREDIBLY safe at the minute as well, thus all the terrible food programs.

@Geokypan or "the flicks" as my granddad calls the cinema.

@thejohnkelly Also for me, trying to speak more slowly is an obstacle in terms of narration haha.

@thejohnkelly Some places can be very picky in the format they want, to the point of watering down the content IMO.

@thejohnkelly I think just getting your idea noticed and catering it to the needs of the channel/editing commissioner.

Gypsy Blood, for those who haven’t seen it: youtube.com/watch?v=B26N7F…

Leo Maguire, director of Gypsy Blood for example, had little directorial experience before he made his great documentary and pitched to C4.

Channel 4 commissioning editor told me recently “there’s nothing this industry loves more than a self-starter”

I advise anyone else who wants to do this to go out and make your own films with whatever you have before aiming for a big commission.

Speaking of filmmaking, the ultimate goal of mine as a journalist is to get into documentary making. Long process though.

Great to see The Irish Film Institute is still making great filums and documentaries ifi.ie/preserve/film-… @IFI_Dub (see what I did there)

@Imagine_EcL Yes, 8 years this year and we're only 23! Feels good though.

@imagine_ecl haha, thanks pal I'll keep that in mind.

@imagine_ecl how about if I wanted to feel like I was in The Departed lol?

@imagine_ecl I'd love to visit soon. Yeah I'm a nightowl also.

@imagine_ecl if you know any Flemming's from Boston they may be my cousins haha. What pubs would you recommend?

@imagine_ecl Terrible thing segregation. My cousin there is half Irish, half Italian. My uncles cross any boundary haha.

@imagine_ecl I have family in Providence I think it is. Have never visited though.

@imagine_ecl crazy. Is Boston really as Irish as the movies lead us to believe?

@runningfathlete @rubberbandits in the nip! Where abouts is Dolans? Sure I drank there last time I was in Limerick.

@iam_pakistan good luck with the current anti-corruption protests guys!

@runningfathlete @rubberbandits were they wearing the masks lol?

@rubberbandits what can people expect from the shows fellas?

@imagine_ecl do the fans go for all the crazy punk hardcore dancing?

Back in a bit folks.

@patquirke @Claredaisy Oh god yes, I definitely was. An absolute idiot I'll be honest lol.

@Claredaisy @patquirke I have a friend in this exact same circumstance. Luckily for me me and the mother are still together. Been 7 years!

@patquirke @Claredaisy It's only a normal reaction. I'm sure you'd all be very supportive though.

@Claredaisy Luckily for me my family were extremely supportive and treat my daughter like she's the child of God haha. Which is nice.

@Stephanenny an interesting point, thanks.

@Claredaisy As much as it builds character and maturity, it is definitely not something I think teenagers should be having to deal with.

@Stephanenny Great grannies of mine from Ireland had their kids aged 19 for example, and that was a very long time ago.

@Stephanenny Do you think it's because it's been more normal for the Irish to have children in their teens for longer?

@Stephanenny Yeah I get that feeling from others I speak to.

@Claredaisy No definitely not. It was extremely hard to cope mentally and financially I'll be honest. Best thing that ever happened though.

Not that I recommend it, but I had my daughter when I was just 18 and lived to tell the tale...

Is Ireland's take different to England's in regards to teenage pregnancy?

Interesting that Teen pregnancy rate lowest since 1969 in UK last year bbc.co.uk/news/health-17…

@beatingblog Haha! I actually wouldn't even be surprised if you're right there.

Not sure about “European capital of terrorism” to be honest though...

The Vice Guide to Belfast – Full length documentary: vice.com/en_uk/vice-new… Interesting.

@krabbe and there are horses that are bred specifically to be eaten?

@sextonireland thanks! Was really interesting to report on.

@beatingblog honestly I have no idea lol. Although the guy does have arms like Popeye...

Some guy at the gym just asked me "isn't Popeye Irish?". Not sure about that one haha.

@everettrummage otherwise known as Goldman Sachs. Great word, thanks.

@cmcgovern it is a lot like a hospital actually. And the frozen aisle a morgue...

@cmcgovern it is a lot like a hospital actually. And the frozen aisle a mogue...

@everettrummage gombeen sounds a good one. What does it mean?

Will this horseburger fiasco at Tesco stop you shopping there?

@sextonireland I wish that were the case. Would be especially useful as a journalist.

@itacallagy now I bet that was an experience!

@gerrydoofer jere it is; m.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan…

A great song to start Wednesday with: I'm Shipping Up To Boston by the Dropkick Murphys youtube.com/watch?v=x-64Ca…

...in the Jasmine revolution, turning a corrupt MPs raided mansion into a skatepark guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan…

In light of the possible revolution in Pakistan, I thought I'd share a piece I wrote last year about Tunisian rebels...

@sextonireland maybe we're psychics...

@judithrevans yes! Very twisted.

Great, great film on tonigh, Film 4, Chinatown at 11.15pm. Highly recommend it (shame about the director though).

What a coincidence we were talking about Food Inc earlier and now it seems Tesco have put Shergar in their burgers!

@conorleeson hopefully magrahooley is something nice and he's not just been insulting us all haha

@maria_aylward it can be a lot more expensive though.

@ireland @carolinekello it basically means stop messing around, stop having me on.

@bhriano @daracho I've never thought about that but it's true!

@eamonambrose Haha if I had #irishsayings prizes I'd give one to you.

@carolinekello haha sorry, to which one?

"Quit yer blagardin!" #irishsayings

A favourite of mine is saying "so" at the end of sentence for no reason #irishsayings

Happy MLK day everybody.

@daithionaroll share with us the meaning : )

@evaduffy haha now that's a good one.

@chriscrumble "it's wrecked" basically.

Mine's got to be "it's banjaxed". What a word.

What's your favourite Irish saying?

@unakavanagh. Would be a good idea to actually. Be funny definitely.

@unakavanagh @psneeze How is it pronounced?

@unakavanagh Him and his friend carved the alter (I think it's the alter) at St. Munchin's in Limerick. Interesting story there...

@unakavanagh Plenty! Very few are suitable before the watershed though haha.

@unakavanagh @psneeze Although it might be this as he uses it for everything from "thank you" to "please" and "excuse me".

@unakavanagh @psneeze Could we have solved the mystery!? Google tells me Mo ghrá thú means "I love you" though.

@psneeze Possibly. Last time I went to Ireland I asked my aunt who speaks Gaelic. She was clueless haha.

@unakavanagh They went back and forth before settling in England. There's a joke about an Irish boomerang he reminds me of... lol

@unakavanagh I think when he was around 21. He's in his 80s now.

He uses it all the time, yet no one else seems to have heard of it lol. Anyone else know about this word?

My granddad (from Limerick) claims "magrahooley" is an Irish word for thankyou...

Back in a few hours folks.

Just popped to see my grandma and granddad. This, attached to the fence post, cracks me up every time. Irish Embassy... pic.twitter.com/OF7SAwsl

@sextonireland @poshknacker_1 Why do you think that is? What are we doing wrong in England?

The Mysterious Engravings of Ireland's 5,000-Year-Old Megalithic Tomb environmentalgraffiti.com/archaelogy/new… Some really interesting photography here

@poshknacker_1 @sextonireland In Limerick I found especially.

@Flyer1955 I would have to say that I agree with you, if you know what I mean...

@poshknacker_1 @sextonireland Of course that could just be a theme within my own family, but in the UK the supermarket is god in comparison.

@poshknacker_1 @sextonireland I tell you one thing I do notice when I visit Ireland, the reliance on the supermarket is not as great.

@Flyer1955 I have to be diplomatic when not on my own account : ).

@gothbutterfly69 Lack of equipment on the ground you're referring to? I have friend in the forces who say the same thing.

@poshknacker_1 @sextonireland And yeah the corn syrup is in everything from batteries to peanut butter. Bizarre. Frankenfood.

@poshknacker_1 @sextonireland Is that the one Jacques Peretti made?

@gothbutterfly69 Haha sorry, but I think it is interesting and important, and you're in a great position to speak about it first hand.

@gothbutterfly69 It's not like they don't have the budget, what with the US having the biggest defence budget in history at the moment...

@gothbutterfly69 Why do you think it is that the support system just isn't there?

@sextonireland I know especially to Ireland eh. Food Inc: youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD…

@poshknacker_1 @sweden That hash tag reminds me of Father Ted lol.

@sextonireland Brilliant documentary about how the food business have such a hold on America (and the world to be honest).

@sextonireland If you like Inside Job also check out Food Inc.

@sextonireland Yeah quite a lot of people into it. Me too actually, I might watch it tonight!

@Fathobbitthts Worrying isn't it. I have friends who return from the front-line completely different people. It becomes all they know.

@gothbutterfly69 From experience, what do you think needs to be done to combat the lack of post-war support, if you don't mine me asking?

Number of US soldiers who died by suicide in 2012 exceeded total combat deaths shar.es/48tNG Incredibly sad story here.

And with shows like Jeremy Kyle I can see why some think there's an indoctrination against the poor going on in the UK...

@MargaretEWard I think the policies coming into place, such as the 1% cap are also example of this.

@MargaretEWard The tabloid press hold a lot of weight in England whether people like to believe it or not.

@itison And usually the "benefit cheats" are single mothers etc, not rich MPs just buying into more luxury at the expensive of the poor.

@itison Also, when the expenses scandal happened the penalties were totally disproportionate compared to that of someone scamming their JSA

Interesting article about it here: Chav-bashing – a bad joke turning into bilious policy guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/…

As if everyone who claims benefits is a "benefit cheat", which is ridiculous.

Benefit claimants for example are spoken about with disdain by media and politicians.

Our biggest problem over here is though that the working class have been villainized, to an extent.

I think as is in Ireland, England has a similar problem of corruption and tax embezzlement.

A lot of talk about tax reforms and how to fix alleged corruption in Ireland this morning.

@lingmops I have to say, that's a trait I inherited myself somehow.

@lingmops Also when they return home and get the dreaded "so you're alive then?"

@lingmops Haha. I have noticed that with family members who moved here to England.

Interesting debate on cultures sharing similar traits to the Irish. What is that truly defines Irish culture?

@JeremyTaxman What do you think should be done reverse the situation in Ireland?

@onetruecathal What really struck me was the idea that it was a competition just to have more planes, boats etc. It's mind blowing.

@WeAreUkraine It's funny, my missus' family are Jamaican and I recognise a lot of similarities between the Irish and Jamaican culture too.

@sextonireland Especially if you like horrors haha, that's a good one.

@WeAreUkraine Interesting. What sort of things?

Inside Job: youtube.com/watch?v=FzrBur… narrated by Matt Damon, check it out.

Speaking of bankers, the "Inside Job" documentary is a must watch if you haven't seen it already.

Old but very good: Banker left Speechless by Irish Journalist youtube.com/watch?v=pCHu1k…

Signing off for a while, enjoy your dinners!

Great piece about Britain’s crowded prisons by London based Irish writer Sean Flynn (@Deptfordcroppy): therustywireservice.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/prison…

@PhilipMRobinson Very true. I'd advise Hells Angels afterwards, then Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

@PhilipMRobinson Rum Diary I heard is great. I've read Hells Angels also by HST. Great piece of journalism that.

Some great books there. What are people's favourite Irish literature though?

@LeojjKelly Wasn't intended that way at all. Just steering the conversation.

@LeojjKelly Haha upstage how?

@JayCoyle I think they had to make Carlos in the film a bit tougher and smarter for the sake of cinema, but yeah, quite a contrast IMO.

Some great books there. What about Irish literature though? The Book of Evidence by John Banville is a favourite of mine.

@JayCoyle Took me forever but it's a great film. Paints Carlos as being a bit smarter than the book does though.

@rioghnachNiG @JayCoyle @ireland Yeah he was the perfect actor for the role.

@unakavanagh ...thinking he wouldn't get kidnapped in Beirut because of this haha.

@unakavanagh Coincidentally, Yallop is half Irish. There's a funny piece in his book where he contemplates how silly he'd been...

@unakavanagh Especially in a time before the internet. His first book "In God's Name" is great too.

@unakavanagh For me the one I'm reading at the minute is probably the best so far. The level of research is incredible.

@JayCoyle Have you seen the Carlos films? 3 parts to it.

@JayCoyle I'm about half way through, Yallop's just met with the Black September leader. Really enjoying it so far.

@TheClotheslines Well maybe there is, a book that grips from start to finish haha.

@TheClotheslines There's nothing better than a book finally beginning to grip you after a slow start.

@mrcbehan Someone told me the British version of the film is more closely related to the book apparently. Which is a surprise.

@mrcbehan Saw the films, really want to read the books too.

@whatthefeis Ah, very sharp lol.

What's everyone else reading at the minute?

Currently reading “To the Ends of the Earth” by David Yallop. It’s like a doorstep, but great insight into Carlos the Jackal.

@Gustie85 @ProfBanks The guy said in the thickest American accent: "My brother, you're from the old country!" haha. My granddad was baffled.

@Gustie85 @ProfBanks He asked someone for directions.

@Gustie85 @ProfBanks I remember my Grandad (from Limerick) telling me when he first visited Chicago in the 70s.

@Gustie85 @ProfBanks Don't they dye the river green there too?

Some great Irish hip-hop, as recommended by @JacKKnifeJ -youtube.com/watch?v=gjM42U… … youtube.com/watch?v=WCj1td… … youtube.com/watch?v=dgthmC… …

I Survived an Assassination Hit on a Real IRA Leader vice.com/en_uk/read/i-s… via @brianwhelanhack

@h2eire Thanks, I'll check some of this out later.

Check out some of @BrianWhelanHack’s work—great Irish journalist: brianwhelan.net

@JacKKnifeJ @stuartclark66 Who can you recommend to listen to?

@JacKKnifeJ @stuartclark66 Personally I agree with you on the way it was made, but I don't know much about Irish hip-hop.

@JacKKnifeJ @stuartclark66 Which Irish rappers should the BBC have made the documentary on do you think?

@JacKKnifeJ @stuartclark66 I take it you're not a fan lol. What about the Rubber Bandits?

@stuartclark66 Speaking of Irish hip-hop, did you ever get a chance to see this bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northe…?

@Hollytorious Yeah, kind of like mint chocolate icecream if I remember rightly.

@maitiuocoimin I think it was September that I got one in Cork.

@LalotteDesfois Haha, I doubt they're as healthy as whirled peas though.

@maitiuocoimin I haven't seen one in the UK even on St' Patrick's day.

I went to a McDonald’s in Cork and honestly couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw it. pic.twitter.com/kBNbkz6U

Why is it that we don’t get Shamrock shakes in England?

Ireland's creative community turns ridiculous client criticism into art wired.co.uk/news/archive/2…

@unakavanagh @jonronson I just got Lost at Sea, haven't started it yet though. Loved the previous books.

@paudy67 I've only been here for 3 hours : ).

It's snowing again in the East Midlands. It's like fairydust decorating concrete.

@radical_films Glenny "specialises in global organised crime" thanks mate, sounds right up my street that. Anything specific to check out?

@Hollytorious What advice would you say is most valuable to freelancers?

@Hollytorious Thanks Holly!

Inspirations as a journalist: David Yallop, Jon Ronson, John Pilger, Nick Broomfield, Louis Theroux, Hunter S Thompson (pre Kingdom of Fear)

It's also good to read books/watch documentaries by serious journalists I think. Gives you some perspective of how hard they've worked.

@onetruecathal and learning to sub-edit your own work.

@onetruecathal I think you're right. Also it's good to get into the habit of writing I guess.

@Brynmorbeer I mean I probably had 100 pitches ignored by The Guardian before my first piece was published in G2.

@Brynmorbeer Sometimes I think it can just be a case of perseverance.

@Brynmorbeer I have next no qualifications so I did it off my own back, so I think if I can do it, graduates and students definitely can.

@onetruecathal "Quality lies with the author, not the medium" very true. I have nothing against blogs, I just never personally got into them

@Brynmorbeer Most of the time they don't seem to have time to even reply with a no lol.

@Brynmorbeer Would probably work I guess, I just personally find editors to have very little time to go over things like that.

@onetruecathal But yeah if you have a good blog and can make your own money from it, then you're already "winning" as it were.

@onetruecathal Yeah blogs are great too. I think people tend to turn them into personal ranting sites sometimes though.

@Brynmorbeer I can't say it's all editors, but I think it's just so you can have examples of your work, that aren't a thesis.

Even if you have a degree (which I don’t) an editor most likely won't be interested if you’ve never written for some kind of publication.

A lot of people say not to write for free, but I advise it to begin with because where else are you going to start?

Firstly, it’s not glamorous. You will probably have to for free for at least 6 months before it starts paying off.

Some more advice on freelancing (journalism but probably applies to any kind of freelance work)...

Would have saved me a lot of neckache trying to chase down editor email addresses and phone numbers if I'd known about it in the beginning.

Also advise any aspiring writers/journalists to get a copy of this: amazon.co.uk/The-Writers-Ar…

@chandlerhelen When I first started out I found some good advice here: therenegadewriter.com

@chandlerhelen Yeah I think it's the easiest way to outline your idea briefly and also shows links to your previous work.

@chandlerhelen Oh and if the story could potentially be written by a publications staff writer, don't give too much away!

@chandlerhelen Also, when you pitch it's sometimes a good idea to find a good template online and work around that.

@chandlerhelen I think there's nothing worse for an editor than vague pitch. You need your angle to be solid.

@chandlerhelen Yeah most definitely. Firstly I'd say make your story concrete before pitching anywhere.

@bigrig480 He has the temperament that's for sure lol.

A piece I wrote about the world's most successful art smuggler for example: vice.com/read/how-i-bec…

Basically, if it’s strange, corrupted or potentially dangerous, I’m in like Flynn.

I write about subculture, conflict, out-of-the-ordinary type of stuff.

Growing up with an animated Irish grandfather with some hilarious tales of life in Limerick, definitely propelled me toward journalism.

@bigrig480 Haha! Now there's an interesting conspiracy theory. I'll put that one to my granddad, sure he'll agree.

RT @Beanmimo @ireland off to a cracking start, enjoy your week!! /// Thanks Benjamin, much appreciated.

Forget the Illuminati, apparently it’s the Irish who are secretly running the world! trutv.com/conspiracy/biz… (If only!)

Sure, why not. Help @FirePillowRock get into space! lynxapollo.com/en_IE/59719/da…

RT @stunt_penguin Good morning Galway! @ pic.twitter.com/QlIs3THu /// Beautiful picture here.

@travors The the myth is true!

@GuyLeJeune Thanks Guy.

This is one of my favourites: Finn MacCool's All-Knowing Thumb trutv.com/conspiracy/biz…

@namethattunein1 Yes I am British, born in England. My family are Irish though, both sides.

@Cathceosf Ah I'm on the other side. Here in the East Midlands it's all fairytale snow still.

Why not start Monday off with some Irish myths and legends (and conspiracies)? trutv.com/conspiracy/biz…

Good Will Hunting for Gold #irishblockbusters

@NLIreland Hi Nat!

As promised by the weatherman (for a change) the UK seems to be covered in snow.

I have written for The Guardian, Wired, The Independent, Vice, MTV, Huffington Post and more.

I usually tweet from @OiJake and will be hopefully entertaining you here for the next 7 days.

Morning everybody. I’m Jake Hanrahan, British freelance journalist raised by Irish stock.