Mark O’Brien Profile picture
Executive Director / Co-Director @abbeytheatre National Theatre of Ireland. All views my own...I think, although I am open to correction. Onwards
Mar 18, 2023 8 tweets 4 min read
The history of Man Utd is steeped in the cobblestones and the port of that city. It’s connection to the north of England, it’s working class culture and its connections to Ireland. It’s early focus on Europe gave it world wide appeal but fundamentally 1/ 🧵 The Republic of Mancunia has been built on the original drive of Newtown Heath, local business involvement, the Busby babes and the mix of local, national and international that sat at the heart of a it all. A nation state purchasing that is to fracture the very essence of 2/
Jun 25, 2022 11 tweets 8 min read
Macca at 80 burning bright. Old songs still sound brand new. Still playing in the ol’ tempo. Got to get you get you into my life indeed. #Glastonbury2022 #Glastonbury As for the voice. It carries the sound of over 60 years on the road. Yes it’s not what it used to be. But he’s still there under the crackle and boy when he rocks out at the high end. Better than many half his age 🔥 #Glastonbury2022 #glastonbury #PaulMcCartney
Apr 3, 2022 11 tweets 4 min read
Manchester United. 🧵
I started supporting #mufc in the late 70’s. From then through the 80’s, Cups & beating Liverpool was the holy grail. They were miles from winning the league most season. But the team (especially under the Doc & Big Ron) always played on the front foot, 1/ looked to excite, a never say die spirit. That’s the United way. Not built on success, but in adversity. Busby built a young team connected to the community that was nearly destroyed in Munich. But it was rebuilt, same drive, same flair, same romance.... #mufc 2/
Dec 16, 2021 5 tweets 3 min read
“A reduction of numbers attending indoor events, including theatre and cinemas, will also be considered”
We have just managed to reconfigure as an industry to 50% in a highly regulated & safe environment. More change now would be catastrophic, imho unwarranted #savethearts Supports from govt. @DeptCulturelRL @artscouncil_ie & work of @Campaign4Arts has been extraordinary through all. The resilience of people across our industry has been a privilege to witness. Live arts events are church for many. Needed now more than ever. #savethearts
Aug 19, 2021 10 tweets 2 min read
The arts are going to play a huge part in the restoration of communities and societies over the next years. Arts events facilitate the safe gathering of people in shared explorations of what it is to be human and what it is to dream, aspire and challenge. They create empathy 1/ They help create communal bonds, they create spaces to challenge perspectives and explore our humanity. As we emerge from COVID these spaces are needed now more than ever. Along with the need to facilitate thousands of highly skilled workers remaining in their industry 2/
Jan 13, 2021 9 tweets 6 min read
A wee thread on self help & #mentalhealth

“You can’t always get what you want but if you try sometime you just might find you get what you need.”

This has been my self help mantra courtesy of @MickJagger for many years.
1/7
I don't believe you can have all you want even if you can see it & believe you deserve it
You will just end up being disappointed, continually failing.

For me, I start from what I have
How I want to feel
What’s stopping me feeling that way.
Can I do something about it?
2/7
Nov 23, 2019 11 tweets 3 min read
Dublin's heart and charm is cluttered, cluttered with atmosphere not fecking 'quarters' with their chrome and their Costas. Dublin is a good second-hand shop, a Freebird records, Dandelion market, Kehoes, Mulligans, Marks Bros, where folk gather, share and hunt for diamonds.... It's Bewley's and the Savoy and tara street station and the piano at Pearse and Chapters bookshop and get the last of your wrapping paper and the walk to Croker and the canal end heaving and Patrick Kavanagh chilling on the canal..