Will Cruz get Tommy O'Malley's vote?

Spotted a Ted Cruz poster at the Holy Name School Super Tuesday polling station in West Roxbury. Seemed like the only Republican poster there, so he gets full marks for trying. However, he doesn't seem to otherwise be playing for the Irish American vote...

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"Just let me get this straight, because this is very important," the host said. "Tommy O'Malley from County Cork in Ireland is over here, and he overstays his visa, and he's got a couple of kids, and he's settled into Long Island, and you, President Cruz, are going to send the feds to his house and take him out and put him on a plane back to Ireland?"

"You better believe it," Cruz said.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/02/23/watch-ted-cruzs-hugely-awkward-fox-interview-on-mass-deportation/

Boston Serial Killer?

If people falling into rivers and the sea after a night's drinking was evidence of a serial killer on the loose, I'm not sure where that would leave Ireland. Still, interesting to see the trail of perhaps-linked disappearances.

Irish wolfhound at Bunratty Castle Folk Park

I saw this Irish Wolfhound in one of the sheds. Huge dog. I wished I'd seen it walking out-and-about though (although obviously it would need some supervision!)

Ailwee Caves during the rain

Last August I visited Ailwee Cave in County Clare when it was very rainy outside. I was pleased to see that the water level in the cave only raised slightly, and the staff there managed the whole process very well. The water all goes to help the stalactites, which can be seen in the photo below:

Opius Bliss at the Beehive in Boston's South End

I caught Opius Bliss last night at the Beehive. Great set, including a cover of the Eurythmic's "Here comes the rain again". Great food too (though only one vegetarian item on the main course menu).

Who bombed Aleppo? Maybe it was the Continuity IRA

Surreal times as US and Russian militaries argue on Twitter over who's bombing Aleppo. pic.twitter.com/E1iwRMU41Q

— DavidKenner (@DavidKenner) February 11, 2016

Hurling with "compromise rules" in Boston

Hurling came to Fenway Park in Boston last year. Using soccer goals, the version of hurling took a bit of getting used to. Due to the smaller pitch, "normal" hurling rules would have resulted in a huge number of points. The goals-only approach successfully avoided that.

I was less happy about the use of quarters rather than halves, and the confusing (to me) countdown which was used. But it seemed to go down well with the crowd which was more used to American sports.

All in all, a hit. Definitely looking forward to the next time hurling reaches the big time in the US!

Treasures at National Gallery, Dublin

I visited the main National Gallery location on Dawson Street (beside Leinster House) in Dublin and it was good to see how well-presented the exhibits are. Much better than I remembered from school tours 20+ years ago. Some highlights below (photos don't do them justice).