David McCullough

Update

David is a historian as well as a journalist so I am tagging this post under my History tag too

🕬 Wikiquote, The Wikimedia Foundation — DJP @ Near FM (2026)

 

Bertrand Russell (7)

 

Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919)

 

Darren J. Prior — on Journalism and the media

Darren J. Prior

 

Naval Ravikant (78)

 

"Don't write to make money, write to build relationships with like minded people that you haven't yet met." @naval

— Navalism (@NavalismHQ) February 18, 2025

Plato (6)

 

Edward Mannix - Reinventing Truth (2012)

 

I bought and read this book sporadically over the last few weeks. My first time reading a book by Edward Mannix. It's great.

Usually when I read a book about spirituality I seem to read it at exactly the right point in my life I feel I "need" to read it; but this book is so good that at a few points reading it I said to myself "God I would have benefitted from knowing this info even earlier". So it is I think the first book about spirituality I have read that is so good that I kind of regret not having read it earlier. 😊

Edward Mannix (2)

 

From Edward's book Reinventing Truth.

Edward Mannix

From half way through Edward's Reinventing Truth book I am reading at the moment.

Question: This is a very interesting concept and understanding of life, but what do we do with this information? What do we do now to make our lives and loved ones' lives better? To make everyone's lives better?

 

Neale Donald Walsch (40)

 Conversations with God, Book 2.

"For example, let’s go back to health care in America. Millions of America’s poor have no access to preventive medical care. One cannot point to any individual doctor and say, “this is your doing, it is your fault” that, in the richest nation on earth, millions cannot get in to see a doctor unless they’re in dire straits in an emergency room. No individual doctor is to blame for that, yet all doctors benefit. The entire medical profession—and every allied industry— enjoys unprecedented profits from a delivery system which has institutionalized discrimination against the working poor and the unemployed. 

And that’s just one example of how the “system” keeps the rich rich and the poor poor. The point is that it is the rich and powerful who support such social structures and staunchly resist any real effort to change them. They stand against any political or economic approach which seeks to provide true opportunity and genuine dignity to all people. 

Most of the rich and powerful, taken individually, are certainly nice enough people, with as much compassion and sympathy as anyone. But mention a concept as threatening to them as yearly income limits (even ridiculously high limits, such as $25 million annually), and they start whining about usurpation of individual rights, erosion of the “American way,” and “lost incentives.” Yet what about the right of all people to live in minimally decent surroundings, with enough food to keep from starving, enough clothing to stay warm? 

What about the right of people everywhere to have adequate health care—the right not to have to suffer or die from relatively minor medical complications which those with money overcome with the snap of a finger? 

The resources of your planet—including the fruits of the labors of the masses of the indescribably poor who are continually and systematically exploited—belong to all the world’s people, not just those who are rich and powerful enough to do the exploiting. 

And here is how the exploitation works: Your rich industrialists go into a country or an area where there is no work at all, where the people are destitute, where there is abject poverty. The rich set up a factory there, offering those poor people jobs— sometimes 10-, 12-, and 14-hour-a-day jobs—at substandard, if not to say subhuman, wages. Not enough, mind you, to allow those workers to escape their ratinfested villages, but just enough to let them live that way, as opposed to having no food or shelter at all. And when they are called on it, these capitalists say, “Hey, they’ve got it better than before, don’t they? We’ve improved their lot! The people are taking the jobs, aren’t they? Why, we’ve brought them opportunity! And we’re taking all the risk!” Yet how much risk is there in paying people 75 cents an hour to manufacture sneakers which are going to sell for $125 a pair? Is this risk-taking or exploitation, pure and simple? 

Such a system of rank obscenity could exist only in a world motivated by greed, where profit margin, not human dignity, is the first consideration. Those who say that “relative to the standards in their society, those peasants are doing wonderfully!” are hypocrites of the first order. They would throw a drowning man a rope, but refuse to pull him to shore. Then they would brag that a rope is better than a rock. Rather than raising the people to true dignity, these “haves” give the world’s “have-nots” just enough to make them dependent—but not enough to ever make them truly powerful. For people of true economic power have the ability to then impact, and not merely be subject to, “the system.” And that’s the last thing the creators of the system want!

So the conspiracy continues. And for most of the rich and powerful it is not a conspiracy of action, but a conspiracy of silence. So go now—go your way—and by all means say nothing about the obscenity of a socioeconomic system which rewards a corporate executive with a 70-million-dollar bonus for increasing sales of a soft drink, while 70 million people can’t afford the luxury of drinking the stuff—much less eating enough to stay healthy. Don’t see the obscenity of it. Call this the world’s Free Market Economy, and tell everyone how proud you are of it. 

Yet it is written: If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell what thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven. But when the young man heard this, he went away, sorrowful, for he had great possessions."

# Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī / Rumi

 

I have just finished reading these 2 books of spiritual poems by Rumi which was my first time buying and reading any of his books. I finished the first book of spiritual poems a few days ago and finished the second book tonight.

He was an amazing poet and I find it remarkable how spiritually evolved he was living back in the 13th century.

A few parts of poems in the 2 books leads me to believe that he had a problem with alcohol (or had at one point in his life) and I can relate more to his, how would I put it, 'extra creativity' because of that, although I would not advise people to go down the road of drinking much alcohol for a spiritual benefit. It is better avoided completely in my experience even if the experience of getting drunk is usually fun.

# Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī / Rumi 

M. Scott Peck (50)

 

M. Scott Peck on vulnerability from 2 different books - the second page is from The Different Drum that came out in 1987.

Albert Einstein (36)

 

Bob Proctor has a great book The Art of Living!

Neale Donald Walsch (34)

 

 Conversations with God, Book 1

J. Krishnamurti (272)

 

Often we need help though especially when we are unhealed.

It is so important to know oneself. To know yourself you need not go to any book, to any priest, to any psychologist. The whole treasure is within yourself.

— Krishnamurti (@K__Quotes) December 27, 2023

Logainmneacha Chontae na hIarmhí / County Westmeath placenames

Column 1 - Irish language placenames in Westmeath

Column 2 - Those placenames meanings in English

Column 3 - The Anglicized and widely used versions of those placenames today.

Achadh Breac – Speckled field – Aghabrack

Achadh Damh – Field of the oxen – Aghadaugh

Achadh na Boithe – Field of the huts – Aghnabohy

Ardbhaile Mór – Big high homestead – Ardballymore

Ard Uí Mhocháin – Ó Mochán’s height – Ardivaghan

Ard Mhór – Big height - Ardmore

Ard Murnaigh – Morna’s height – Ardmorney

Ard na gClog – Height of the bell - Ardnaglug

Áth an Urchair – Ford of the cast – Ardnurcher

Aiteann Buí – Yellow gorse – Athenboy

Áth Luain – Luan’s ford – Athlone

Áth Tí Chonuir – Place of Conor’s house - Atticonor

Baile na Feide – Homestead of the end – Ballinafid

Béal Átha na nGabhar – Mouth of the ford of the goat – Ballinagore

Buaile na hAbhann – Milking-place of the river – Ballinahowen

Béal Átha na Leac – Mouth of the ford of the flagstones – Ballinalack

Béal an Átha – Mouth of the ford – Ballinea

Baile an Ridire – Homestead of the knight – Ballinridderra

Béal Átha Glas – Mouth of the ford of the streams – Ballyglass

Bealach Caorthainn – Pass of the rowan-tree – Ballykeeran

Baile Mhánais – Homestead of Mánas – Ballymanus

Baile Mór – Big homestead – Ballymore

Baile na Carraige – Homestead of the rock – Ballynacarrigy

Baile na Feide – Homestead of the runnel – Ballynafid

Béal Átha na nGabhar – Mouth of the ford of the goats – Ballynagore

Buaile na hAbhann – Milking-place of the river – Ballynahowen

Baile Fhóid – Homestead of the sod – Ballyote

Baile Bháid – Homestead of the boat – Ballyvade

Baile Rua – Red townland – Balroe

Béal Linne – Mouth of the pool – Baylin

Breaclainn – Speckled place – Bracklyn

Breacach na hAibhle – Speckled land of the orchard – Bracknahevla

Brédach – Broken ground – Bredagh

Brocach – Badger-field – Brockagh

Bun Brosnaí – Mouth of the (river) Brosna – Bunbrusna

Carn – Cairn – Carn

Clochán – Stony place - Cloghan

Cluain Loiste – Burnt meadow – Clonlost

Cluain Miláin – Milán’s meadow – Clonmellon

Cluanach – Meadowland - Cloonagh

Cúil – Nook – Coole

Corr an Chuillinn – Hill of the steep slope - Corracullin

Creagán – Little crag – Creggan

Cúl Bhinn – Back of the peak – Culvin

Dealbhna – Territory of the descendants of Dealbaeth – Delvin

Daoil + river – Black + river – Deel River

Doire Fhada – Long oak-grove – Derrad

Loch Dairbhreach – Lake of the abundance of oaks – Derravaragh Lough

Doire an Ghabhláin – Oak-grove of the fork – Derrygolan

Dubhrathain – Black ferny ground – Dooraheen

Droim Cria – Ridge of the clay – Drumcree

Droim Raithne – Ridge of ferns – Drumraney

Droim Lus – Ridge of herbs - Drumloose

Dún Aoil – Lime fort – Duneel

Díseart – Hermitage – Dysert

Loch Ainnínne – Lough of Ainneann – Lough Ennel

Fordhroim – Ridge-top – Fardrum

Farnocht – Bare hill – Farnagh

Fearann an Lobhair – Land of the leper – Farnalore

Farracha Ruadha – Red meeting-places – Farraghroe

Fearann - Territory – Farran

Fiodh an Átha – Wood of the ford – Finea / Finnea

(Baile) Phobhair – (Homestead of the) spring – Fore

Fraech Mór – Large heathery place – Freaghmore

Baile Fraocháin – Homestead of the bilberries - Froghanstown

Garascal - Rough nook – Garriskil

Garraí na Féile – Garden of the hospitability – Garrynafela

Glascharn – Green cairn – Glascarn

Glasán – Little stream – Glassan

Gort an Fhéir – Garden of the grass – Gortanear

Cill Dachonna – Church of Dachonna – Killachonna

Cill Air – Church of slaughter – Killare

Coill Ó gCuinneagáin – Wood of Uí Cuinneagáin – Killogeenaghan

Cill Liúcainne – Liúcain’s church – Killucan

Coill Tobair – Wood of the well – Kiltober

Ceann Átha Gad – Head of the ford of the withies – Kinnegad

Cnoc Droinne – Humpy hill – Knockdrin

Léana Mór – Great meadow – Lenamore

Loch Léibhinn – Léibhinn’s lake – Lough Lene

Léana – Meadow – Leny

Lios Mhic Gofraidh – Fort of Mac Gofraidh – Lismacaffry

Lios Maighne – Fort of the precinct – Lismoyney

Lios na Cásca – Easter fort – Lisnacask

Lochán an Bhealaigh – Little lake of the valley – Loughanavally

Loch Dairbhreach – Lake of the abundance of oaks – Derravaragh

Loch Ainninne – Lake of great fairness – Lough Ennell

Loch Léibhinn – Léibhinn’s lake – Lough Lene

Log an Chatha – Hollow of the battle – Lugacaha

Lorgain – Shank / Ridge – Lurga

Lann – Church – Lynn

Má Briste – Broken plain – Mabrista

Maide Dubh – Black wood – Maddadoo

Machaire Ua dTighearnáin – Plain of Uí Tighearnáin – Magheradernan

Machaire an Iarla – Earl’s field – Magheranerla

Maoldruim – Bald ridge – Meeldrum

Meadhón Uisge – Middle water – Meeniska

Móta – Mound – Moate

Muine Liath – Grey thicket – Moneylea

Móin Ruadh – Red bog – Monroe

Magh Chaisil – Plain of the stone fort – Moycashel

Magh Mhora – Mora’s plain – Moyvore

Má Bhachla – Plain of the crosier – Moyvoughly

An Muileann gCearr – The crooked mill – Mullingar

Muileann an Fhuaráin – Mill of the spring – Mullinoran

Mullach Tighe Farannáin – Summit of Farannán’s house – Multyfarnham

An Iubhar – The yew-tree – Nure

Loch Uair – Uair’s lake – Lough Owel

Pailís Buí – Yellow stockade – Pallasboy

Piseánach – Vetches – Pishanagh

Poiteacháin – Bad ground – Pottiaghan

Poll na gCat – Hole of the cats – Poulnagat

Preabán – Patch – Prebaun

Ráth Fhearna – Fort of the alder – Raharney

Ráithín – Little fort – Raheen

Ráth Aodha – Aodh’s fort – Rahugh

Ráth Charrach – Rocky fort – Rathcarra

Ráth Cleiteach – Fort of the feathers – Rathclittagh

Ráth Cogaidh – Fort of the war – Rathcogue

Ráth Conarta – Fort of the houndpack – Rathconrath

Ráth Driseog – Fort of the brambles – Rathdrishoge

Ráth Ghainmhe – Sandy fort – Rathganny

Ráth Mharga – Fort of the market – Rathmarega

Ráth na mBódach – Fort of the clowns – Rathnamuddagh

Ráth Eoghain – Eoghan’s fort – Rathowen

Ráth Bán – White fort – Raubaun

Reilig – Graveyard – Relick

Scrathán – Sward – Scraghan

Sean dDomhnach – Old Church -Shanonagh

Suí Finn – Fionn’s seat – Sheefin

Loch Síleann – Sileann’s lake – Lough Sheelin

Seanlios – Old fort – Shinglis

Sidh Ruadh – Red fairy hill – Shrue

Sceach Mhór – Big hawthorn – Skeaghmore

Sleamhain Bheag – Small sleek place – Slanebeg

Sleamhain Mhór – Big sleek place – Slanemore

Baile an Ospidéil – Town of the hospital – Spittaltown

Sráid – Street - Street

Teach Munna – Munna’s house – Taghmon

Teach na bFiarach – House of the lea fields – Taghnafearagh

Teanga – Tongue – Tang

Tír Mór – Large district – Teermore

Tír dá Craebh – District of two sacred trees – Teernacreeve

Teampall Fhuaráin – Church of the spring – Templeoran

Teamhrín – Small conspicuous hill – Tevrin

Tigh an Fhóid – House of the sod – Tinode

Tobar Mhodóg – Modóg’s well – Tobermogue

Tuar Riabhach – Striped bleach-green – Toorevagh

Tulachán Mór – Big hillock – Tullaghanmore

Teach Farannáin – Farannán’s house - Tyfarnham

I compiled this list from the book:

Tuilleadh eolais:

Irish Placenames - Deirdre Flanagan & Laurence Flanagan

Atlas of Irish Place-Names - Patrick J. O'Connor

Irish Place Names - P.W. Joyce

Bunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann / Placenames Database of Ireland: www.logainm.ie

Breaking the Heart Open: The Shaping of a Psychologist — Tony Bates — The Irish Times (2023)

Great article and words by Tony in The Irish Times from last week that I only found out about today. I interviewed Tony for a college article 20 years ago and spoke to him a couple of other times over the next few years as well as my Mam worked with him as a receptionist for years. Tony is also actually the person who recommended M. Scott Peck's The Road Less Travelled to my Mam for me when I was going through my late adolesence crisis and I went on to read nearly all of Scott's circa 15 books and he has since been my favourite author and the writer who has had the most impact on my life although I never met him. I even have a M. Scott Peck Facebook page which I started 5 years ago.

If you are interested in social justice and mental health you should read this article I believe and you should probably read Tony's new book as well if you work in the areas. 😊

Dr Tony Bates: ‘Just because you have trauma in your life doesn’t make you a nice person. If you’re hurt you pass that on’ - Patrick Freyne, The Irish Times

https://t.co/jH7YYcnmnB

— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) October 1, 2023

# Tony Bates

# Breaking The Heart Open - The Shaping of a Psychologist

'# M. Scott Peck

What’s eating Britain? A look at the issues gripping its soul - Mark Paul, The Irish Times (7.10.23)

Good column in The Irish Times today. What stuck out most to me is below.



"Whoever wins the next election faces a daunting task to jolt Britain out of its post-Brexit stasis. Its economic growth is anaemic while its national debt tops levels not seen in 60 years. Living standards are in the middle of their biggest two-year fall since the 1950s due to inflation. Infrastructure is creaking, industrial relations are sour and national morale is low after years of political psychodrama.


...


Bale says the nation’s postwar political cadence has always moved to the same beat, and it goes like this. The Conservatives get into power and do not spend enough on public services, which eventually crumble. Voters decide they want better services, and do not care so much that it will cost extra taxes. Labour gets in, diverts resources towards public services and uses taxes to pay for it. Then people get fed up paying the taxes, and turn to the Conservatives again to change the dial.



“And so on, and so on. In Britain we swing back and forth, again and again. In a way, we’re still broadly in that pattern now. The underlying dynamics remain the same,” he says.

...

Tomiwa Owolade recently wrote a book, This is Not America, in which he argued that US-style racial identity politics have been inappropriately imported into Britain via social media. A British man born in Nigeria who immigrated when he was a child, Owolade says his personal experience tells him “the vicious day-to-day racism” of the 60s and 70s is over in Britain.

“That is not to say that racism has completely disappeared,” he told The Irish Times. “But with racial violence, the US and UK are completely different countries. The US is a far more violent country anyway and because of its history of race and slavery, violence there tends to manifest itself in a racial way. But it is not the same here in Britain.”

Owolade says the problem is not how to integrate Black people into Britain, but to recognise that they are integrated already, in many avenues such as sport and politics: “The future is about trying to accommodate this fact. If a Black British person went to Africa, the most striking thing about them there would be that they are British, not that they are Black.”

Britain’s racial sin, insofar as he sees one, is to “homogenise” the experiences of people of different races. Owolade says white British people tend to, say, view Black Caribbean people and Black Africans as facing the same issues.

“But they do not. Black Caribbean boys, for example, are more than twice as likely to be excluded from school. Understanding these kinds of differences are crucial for fixing problems.”

What’s eating Britain? A look at the issues gripping its soul - Mark Paul - The Irish Times (7.10.23)