Denis Naughten is the latest player to rock the Jenga Government with a bold lunch time move known as the two finger McCourt. Controversially the Leo-Liberal Jenga tower survived a sneaky table shake by Sinn Fein last week, amidst confusion over exactly what role Fianna Fail are playing in this game.

Previous Jenga tower wobbles caused by the Justice trinity Alan Shatter, Frances Fitzgerald, and Charlie Flanagan have destabilised the government but they’ve all maintained their credibility with successful moves. Enda Kenny who is believed to have built the tower now watches from the back of the room after some sketchy two handed move which cost him his credibility as a Jenga master. Meanwhile players like Peter Fitzpatrick, Tony McLoughlin, and Catherine Byrne all threaten to pull bricks from the bottom of the tower block despite Leo dong his best to explain to them just how the game works.

First time player Shane Ross has done surprisingly well but he’s also likely to cause a tower collapse having made several unpredictable moves already.

What else can you say about the latest Fine Gael controversy, I can’t help but think that Denis Naughten is some kind of character from Demolition Man, a politician from the 90’s frozen in time only to be brought back to life in 2018 to do a dodgy broadband deal worth over €500m. Either Naughten has not learned from the past, is unaware of much we now despise corruption, or is completely blind to potential conflicts of interest that could arise from being best buddies with the bidders of the National Broadband Plan.
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Denis Naughten should not have been allowed to resign, he should have been thrown out of government, he’s either corrupt, incompetent, or downright stupid for allowing this to happen. His actions have brought the Jenga clock one minute closer to midnight, and as soon as it strikes 12 the tower is falling over, the question is whose move is it now and how long more can the Government survive. 

"The number of people who buy books in Ireland would not keep me in drink for the duration of the Sunday opening time" Brendan Behan

I’ve always loved this quote by Brendan Behan, Ireland has always been a place where writers have flourished, however like other arts it’s not always the most fruitful endeavour.  

I’m not entirely sure how blogging compares to the great writers who have gone before us, or to the hard working journalists who toil for minimum wage despite uncertainty of job security. However what I do know is that there are a lot of great Irish bloggers out there and it’s good to be recognised as part of that community for Bloggies 2018.

This year TCV has been nominated under the personal blog category of Best Current Affairs & Political Blog. The other nominations include:
 

1. 1169 And Counting: On the go since 2002 and blogging about Irish History and Irish Politics
2. An Sionnach Fionn: Last year’s gold medal winner in this category, an Sionnach Fionn or “The White Fox” supports the restoration of Ireland’s indigenous language and culture through the peaceful establishment of a pluralist, all-island Gaelic Republic, with regional government for the Six Counties.
3. Ciaran Tierney: Last year’s silver medallist Ciaran Tierney has taken to blogging and freelance journalism after working as a staff journalist for the Connacht Tribune for over 22 years.
4. Cinders Magazine: Ireland’s newest free online magazine, discussing the big ideas that are on teen girls minds from mental health to feminism, while all the while talking fandoms, books, movies and television.
5. Disordered World: Silver winner in the commercial category in 2017, disordered world slots into the personal blogger slot this year. Written by author Ian Hughes, the blog explores the possibility that a small proportion of people with dangerous personality disorders are responsible for most of the violence and greed that scars our world.
6. Jessica Thompson: Another blogger with a huge cv, Jessica Thompson is a journalist and entertainment editor at the Longford Leader. Her blog explores all things Connaught and serves as a great example of freelance journalism. Although I would imagine it needs some updates to make the shortlist this year.
7. Jtonmostlypolitics: This blog is written by labour party spokesperson Joanna Tuffy and covers social debates on housing, equality, and party events.

The full list of bloggers and categories is available from the blogawards website, best of luck to everyone involved.  

Earlier in the week the greatest Rose of all time, Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabháin tweeted:

“I entered @RoseofTralee_ with a tongue piercing, physics degree & a willingness to represent my county on a national stage. I understand that not everyone agrees with it, but it is a hugely important network for the diaspora&Irish culture. I loved my year as Rose”

The Rose of Tralee means different things to different people, for some it’s about heritage and culture, for others it’s about bumper cars and glow sticks. One thing for sure is that The Rose of Tralee differentiates itself from swimsuit pageants and goat ceremonies.

Exceptional women from across the globe enter the competition with the chance of being crowned the Rose of Tralee, some have tongue piercings, some recite poetry, some even campaigned for abortion, and yes they are all lovely girls.
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Sadly not everyone gets the chance to see the pale moon rising above the green mountains, here are some of this year’s fantastic entrants who didn’t makes it to the final stage of the competition:

1. Ahed Tamimi – Palestine

​Sponsored by Mary Black in the earlier rounds but unfortunately Ahed Tamimi couldn’t make it to Kerry because she was in jail for slapping an Israeli soldier. On 24 March 2018, Tamimi agreed to a plea bargain with prosecutors whereby she would serve eight months in prison and pay a 5,000-shekel ($1,437) fine.

2. Israa al-Ghomgham - Saudi ArabiaSaudi (only confirmed photo is from when Israa was a child)

Arabia’s entry couldn’t make it as she was arrested for offences including calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to anti-Shia government discrimination. She has been sentenced to death for political activity and is likely to face a public execution by beheading under Saudi ‘anti-terrorism’ legislation.  

3. Atena Farghadani – Iran
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​Atena was imprisoned for drawing political cartoons which satirised the government, in effect drawing Iranian leaders as monkeys and cows. After her sentencing Atena was subjected to a 'pregnancy test' and a 'virginity test' for shaking her lawyer's hand. Amnesty International considers her a prisoner of conscience. More than a year and a half after she was first arrested, and after a huge international campaign for her release, Atena was freed from prison on 3 May 2016.

4. Berta Carceras – Honduras
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​Berta Carceras was a Honduran environmental activist, indigenous leader, and co-founder and coordinator of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). Cáceres was shot in her bedroom just before midnight on 2 March 2016, a year after winning the prestigious Goldman Prize for leading a campaign against the Agua Zarca dam on the Gualcarque river, considered sacred by the indigenous Lenca community. 

5. Wu Rongrong – China

​Wu Rongrong is best known for being one of China’s “Feminist Five” – a group of women arrested in 2015 for planning a campaign to tackle sexual harassment. The arrests, which coincided with International Women’s Day, led to an international outcry, garnering support from the likes of Hillary Clinton. Although the women were released, the “Feminist Five” have remained under surveillance. Prior to her arrest, Wu Rongrong was a leader of the Women’s Rights Action Group, whose bold, creative stunts have drawn public attention to gender inequality and sexism. The group have shaved their heads to protest against discriminatory higher college admission requirements for female applicants, and worn wedding dresses spattered with red ink to protest against domestic violence.