Mark Gaffney

Love: Good food & coffee, gym, Photography, Food Science & Tech

[Robert Scoble @Scobleizer]

Reshares (formerly known as retweets) are dead.

An end of an era in social media.

[Barbara Oneill @BarbaraOneillAU]

✨ A friendly reminder: start your oxymel now so it’s ready when cold and flu season hits! ✨

This powerful herbal tonic has been trusted for centuries to strengthen immunity, fight infections and keep you energised through the colder months. 🍂
Here’s a simple recipe you can try at home ⬇️

🌿 Fire Cider Recipe (DIY)
You’ll need:
🌱 10 cm horseradish root
🌱 1 red onion & 1 white onion
🌱 10 cm ginger root
🌱 1 orange
🌱 2 chilli peppers
🌱 5 garlic cloves
🌱 A few sprigs of fresh thyme
🌱 A handful of peppercorns
🌱 1 turmeric root
🌱 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick

➡️ Chop all ingredients & place them in a jar.
➡️ Cover with raw apple cider vinegar & honey, let it infuse for 2–4 weeks.
➡️ Strain & store in a glass bottle.
➡️ Take 1 tbsp daily or at the first sign of illness.

🔥 It’s intense, but it works – and yes, it burns a little (that’s part of the magic)!

[Ryan @ChappsRyan2000]

If this ever needed saying again..

If you’re struggling. Fucking speak to someone.

#RickyHatton

[Mag Kirwan @goatsbridge]

Beyond excited
Biggest day tomorrow for @goatsbridge trout farm as we head to the London for The Great Taste Awards
It’s all about the product
Thrilled to get 3stars
Fingers crossed we might get The Golden Fork
At last people are beginning to appreciate the hard work

[Mag Kirwan @goatsbridge]

On our way to The Great Taste awards
Wish us luck
Golden fork nomination

[Allan Mulrooney @almulrooney]

Irish Surfer Gearóid McDaid has just won gold for Ireland at the European Surfing Championships in Portugal 🇮🇪

We’re planning a huge homecoming for the local hero Sligo 🥇

[Tour de France™ @LeTour]

MAILLOT JAUNEEEEE 💛💛💛💛

#TDF2025 l @EFprocycling

[Mark Gaffney @Umami5]

Mark's Fundraising Page @iDonate_ie https://t.co/Nmk4hOY9Y2 #iDonate_ie Fundraising starts for the 25th edition Tour de Munster 25, in aid of DownSyndrome Ireland.
Massive thank you to everyone who donated last year!
All donations go straight DSI and are greatly appreciated.

[Mark Gaffney @Umami5]

Have the completed a reconstruction or an artist impression using the skull structure yet? https://t.co/zkmqRKLsLZ

[Brian Roemmele @BrianRoemmele]

The million year old valley of the planets.

This is Wan Tikofi, Ghat.

The formations have mysterious origins and are radically different from other rocks on Earth.

They gradually grow, move and reproduce like living organisms, and after their break, concentric circles.

[South East Technological University @SETUIreland]

TY, fifth and sixth year students!📣Are you an aspiring chef? Time to showcase your culinary skills at the Next Gen Chef Challenge👩‍🍳🍽️
1⃣Prepare, cook and present two courses.
2⃣Take photos of your menu.
3⃣Submit your entry with photos via the link: https://t.co/BdQtU1zdzS

[Mark Gaffney @Umami5]

Super stuff 👏 congrats @LukeAhearne amazing achievement, well deserved

[campagne restaurant @campagnekilkenn]

The pride of clonmel…trained in kilkenny(that’s way I’m telling everyone)..first star in London…we’re claiming it as an Irish star..congrats to @LukeAhearne

[Stretford Paddock @StretfordPaddck]

Me watching my younger self fall in love with Manchester United

[GROW HQ @Grow_HQ]

We caught up with Richard this morning to take a peek into this weeks veg box. The veg box changes weekly, depending on what’s ready to harvest on Friday, which ensures you’re getting the freshest in season produce available. Sign up at https://t.co/2ajUPR7ple 🥕

[Brian Roemmele @BrianRoemmele]

"We can still pluck yew!"—The Middle Ages

PLUCK YEW

—

Consider this old preserved middle finger.

Society agreed the person this finger belonged to must be arrested and never allowed to speak.

He did not speak the “truth”.

He was censored because it was democratically agreed to by the majority.

This is the middle finger of Galileo Galilei.

A 400 year message.

But how did we get here?

The illustrious history of the middle finger, sometimes known as "flipping the bird," (the English to the French) is as colorful as it is contentious.

This gesture, a universal symbol of disdain, has roots that reach deep into the annals of history.

Ancient Beginnings

Our journey begins in ancient Greece, where the philosopher Diogenes was known for his cynicism and boldness. Legend has it that he once used the middle finger to express his disdain for blabbering orators, much to the amusement of the crowd. The Greeks called it the "katapygon," a term that hinted at its vulgar connotations.

Roman Times

The Romans, never ones to shy away from adopting Greek culture, embraced the gesture with gusto. They dubbed it the "digitus impudicus" or "impudent finger." Roman soldiers would often use it to insult their enemies, a gesture that clearly transcended language barriers.

The French Connection And The Bird

Fast forward to the Middle Ages, where the French played a pivotal role in its evolution. During the Hundred Years' War, the English longbowmen were notorious for their skill. Captured archers often had their middle fingers cut off to prevent them from drawing their bows. In a cheeky display of defiance, English archers would wave their intact fingers at the French after a victory, as if to say, "We can still pluck yew!". This also became known as as "giving the bird" as the archers used feathers on their arrows. And when they how the target, well they got some of the bird.

The bird phrase continued into the 19th century. It evolved from the earlier British theatrical practice of hissing like a goose, or "bird," to show disapproval.

In contemporary times, the middle finger has become a global symbol of rebellion and irreverence. From rock stars to everyday folks caught in traffic jams, it’s a go-to gesture for expressing frustration and defiance.

While the middle finger might seem like a simple gesture, its history is a tapestry of cultural exchanges and historical events. Whether you're a philosopher in ancient Greece or a modern commuter, flipping the bird remains a timeless way to say what words sometimes cannot.

Let us never forget to give The Bird to those that believe they and only they alone hold “the truth”. They don’t. Mind the feathers…

[Rás na mBan @RasnamBan]

Your 2024 Rás na mBan GC winner is Mia Griffin of @DAS_Hutch_Bro

[Anthony Walsh | Roadman Podcast @Roadman_Podcast]

Eddie Fucking Dunbar!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes!!!!!!!!

[Cycling on TNT Sports @cyclingontnt]

Eddie Dunbar steals the show 🇮🇪🔥

A late surging attack by Eddie Dunbar, sees the Irishman win Stage 11 of La Vuelta! His first top-level win in Team Jayco AlUla colours 💪

#LaVuelta

[Damien Sreenan @damiensreenan]

Screenshot of prices of Dublin Hotels on the 17th August 2025

One taken last night before the Oasis announcement and one this morning 😂

#oasis2025

[TasteAtlas @TasteAtlas]

The man who invented Tiramisu has died. Here's how it all started: https://t.co/KHH66MzBOx