johncarchriecampbell - Tumblr blog

[johncarchriecampbell]

Photo: Workmen on Monasterevin Bridge

Photo: Workmen on Monasterevin Bridge

Workmen on Monasterevin Bridge, Co. Kildare, Ireland. © 2022 M J P B McFarland Campbell I was out for a walk at lunchtime today and took this photo of Monasterevin Bridge over the River Barrow. I always enjoy taking photos that aren’t “perfect” but show the landscape as it is in the moment. Having the workmen on the bridge makes the photograph for me.

[johncarchriecampbell]

Support Mick and Michelle Cardiff

Support Mick and Michelle Cardiff

As many of my readers will know, I have been involved with St John Ambulance since my days living in Gibraltar. During that time, I have been fortunate to receive high-quality instruction from many volunteers within the wider St John Ambulance family. All of those instructors would go above and beyond the call of duty to help any of their learners. It’s all part of being in SJA. Now, one of…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Minister for Defence confirms that Irish Defence Forces no longer have "gun salute to the Most Blessed Sacrament"

Minister for Defence confirms that Irish Defence Forces no longer have “gun salute to the Most Blessed Sacrament”

As the United Kingdom was mourning the passing of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and many gun salutes were being fired to mark this occasion, I found myself wondering what the Irish Defence Forces did with regard to gun salutes. I looked online and found that in addition to the normal gun saltutes of 21 rounds for visiting Heads of State, military funerals and the like, the Defence…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Normal is always relative

Normal is always relative - some thoughts on 28 years since the #Warrington bomb.

We all know the feeling, we all hear the familiar words of disbelief that such and such an event happened so long ago. On this day, 28 years ago, the Provisional IRA blew up two bombs in the town centre of Warrington in Merseyside. Those of us who grew up in the North of Ireland, during what is so euphemistically referred to as “The Troubles”, grew somewhat immune to all the bad news. Even in…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Commonwealth War Graves Commission invites you to pay a tribute this Commonwealth Day

Commonwealth War Graves Commission invites you to pay a tribute this #CommonwealthDay @CWGC

During both world wars, the men and women of the Commonwealth made the ultimate sacrifice. This Commonwealth Day, Monday 8th March, take the opportunity to remember those who fought and died for peace across the world. Make your own act of remembrance by leaving a physical tribute at one of their cemeteries or memorials in your local area.  The CWGC tribute will let you leave a personalised,…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Martyrology: 6th March

Martyrology: 6th March, SS #Kyneburga #Kyneswide #Tibba #Chrodegang #Bilfrid #Colette

Sts Kyneburga, Kyneswide, and Tibba OSB Kyneburga and Kyneswide were the daughters of Penda of Mercia, famous for his fierce opposition to Christianity. Kyneburga became abbess of Castor in Northamptonshire and was succeeded by Kyneswide. Tibba was their cousin who joined them at the convent. They died about the year 680 and their relics were enshrined at Peterborough. St Bilfrid Hermit, OSB;…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Martyrology: March 5th

Saint Theophilus Bishop; died c. 195 at Cæsarea in Palestine Saint Theophilus helped to persuade the various churches to adopt the same day on which to keep Easter. Saint Piran Confessor; died c. 480 A hermit near Padstow. He is venerated as the patron saint of miners. Saint Gerasimus Abbot A monk, first at Lycia, Asia Minor and afterwards in Palestince. Eventually he founded a laura on…

[johncarchriecampbell]

The Merchant Navy: the fourth service - remembering the Victor Ross 80 years on

The Merchant Navy: the fourth service – remembering the Victor Ross 80 years on

As we approached Remembrance this year, I was reminded that we keep hearing about the three Services: the Royal Navy, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force. Like Tony Meade in his letter printed in this month’s Legion magazine from the Royal British Legion, I am disappointed that

little or no mention was given to the Merchant Navy

Tony Meade, “The Merchant Navy: the Fourth Service”, letter…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Insensitive SuperValu Christmas ad as we continue to live with COVID-19

Insensitive SuperValu Christmas ad as we continue to live with COVID-19

We’re in the lead up to Christmas, so all sorts of supermarkets have started broadcasting their Christmas advertisements. I’ve just seen the one from Ireland’s SuperValu

The children are worried about whether “he will come”.…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Birdsong is On Chorus at Irish Rail stations

Birdsong is On Chorus at @irishrail stations until 29 November.

During the various lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reported that they can hear birdsong in a way that they have not been able to for some years. This is now being extended in an art installation to daily birdson on Irish Rail stations.

Every morning from 16 November until 29 November, from 8 am to 9 am there will be an hour of birdsong being played on the platforms of…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Robert Baden-Powell: allegations and the truth

Robert Baden-Powell: allegations and the truth

It is an accepted principle in the study of history that you cannot judge people of past through the standards of today. There is much in the past that we would not see as acceptable to us today and, by the same token, much that we do today that would not be acceptable to our forebears and ancestors. The historical failings of Imperialism are well documented and cannot be denied. We carry a…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Couch to 5k: Lionheart badge

[johncarchriecampbell]

8 values political test - see where I came. So, it seems that my closest match is Social Democracy. That sounds about right. If you want to take the test you can do so by clicking the link:

[johncarchriecampbell]

Social distancing works: keep at it everyone

Social distancing works: keep at it everyone #stayhome #staysafe

The Ohio Department of Health tweeted a video illustrating the impact of social distancing using ping pong balls and mouse traps. Let’s all take notice of it and maintain the social distancing to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

The Government of Ireland has extended the lockdown(as of Saturday 10th April) in Ireland until…

[johncarchriecampbell]

Twelfth of July parades cancelled

Twelfth of July parades cancelled by Orange Order due to #Coronavirus #COVID19

Edward Stevenson, Grand Master, Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland (pic: goli.org.uk)

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the Grand Master of the Orange Institution has today cancelled the Boyne Anniversary Parades set for July 2020.

“In the current circumstances, the gathering of hundreds of thousands of Orangemen and women, together with their accompanying bands and spectators, would not…

[johncarchriecampbell]

All the #teddy gang supporting @AMcFaralandCampb while he works at home during COVID-19 Andrew working from home supported by all the gang. So, this morning's fun was Andrew receiving a request from his work colleagues to share a photograph of his new work environment.

[johncarchriecampbell]

Coronavirus - seven steps to prevent its spread from @WHO