👓Mark Patterson👓
@markyptweets
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Following
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BBC Broadcaster. IMRO Gold x2, ARIA Nominee. Rugby. NUJ. Ex surfer. Hedgehogs. Art: Justine Scoltock. Leaving here soon. On BlueSky: @markypblue.bsky.social
Joined February 2010
Wow. From Massachusetts, Dr Susan Whoriskey has just told me she will give $100,000 of her own money to get 3 students all the way through their studies in Derry's pending Medical School. Shes a biotech entrepreneur. Her great granda left Donegal during the Great Famine.
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I might have just stumbled on Derrys finest Full Irish
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Know zero about hurling. But I’ll be watching this, and proud it’s the first ever live final on bbc telly. All I ever see in hurlers is courage. May the bravest, strongest team win. #CorkvClare @BBCSPORTNI
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I thought, if Belfast is sounding the old shipyard horn, why not in Derry? The team then made the calls. @dcsdcouncil stepped in. And tonight at 8 the old Ebrington shirt factory horn will sound over Derry. Fab. And bravo @mayordcsdc .#NHS @BBCRadioFoyle @SJAMcBride.
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Ah class. Derryman Phelim O’Hagan wins the NI heat of #GreatBritishMenu and now represents us at the national finals. Belter
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Radio Foyle just now. #WeStandWithLyra. @BBCRadioFoyle @bkdonegal @LaurenMillar3 @endamcclafferty @ciaramackey @Sean_OHalloran @RM_oreilly
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Class. Derry people will put up with a fair bit for a Guapo.
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100% mask compliance in the supermarket just now. Bravo. We can turn this around Derry.
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I'm deeply saddened to learn of the passing of local farmer David Crockett. Davy had a tragic farming accident last night. Down the years, he had become part of the @BBCRadioFoyle family. A warm, generous man with a huge personality. My deepest condolences to the Crockett family.
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Was in #Derry from early evening. A few hundred yards from the incident. Folk just kept arriving in town for a buds 40th. Driving toward the cordon. Regardless and without a thought. The hateful won't win. Derry is an amazing and very lovely city.
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Numb. If you need a little encouragement today, you need only watch Lyras remarkable Ted Talk:
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On air. Off. Msgs. Emails. FBs . I've been inundated all day. Everyone in Radio Foyle is deeply moved by the responses to the proposed cuts announced for us, and across BBCNI. Thank you all for being so thoughtful and supportive. @NUJofficial @BBCRadioFoyle.
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Our dear colleague @BBCRadioFoyle Anita Robinson has died. Writer, broadcaster, wit, raconteur - Anita brightened every room. She was a darling, elegant woman. Today on the radio, Joe Mahon will remember his old friend Anita
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There was a time #U2 at the BBC would have made my year. No more. These days I wish they'd just stop preaching to the rest of us. And then pay their taxes to Ireland, the country that gave them everything they have.
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New fact. In the 33 year history of the #DerryHalloween, this past 7 days, over 120,000 people attended over 125 events in the city and district. Wow. @dcsdcouncil deserve huge credit. The campaign has become world class.
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Well that was just class. Well done Guy, Vinny, Mark and the small legion who made it happen. #DerryCity @derrycityfc @BBCnireland.
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fantastic.
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'Legends'. Definition of?. This lot . #DerryGirls @LisaMMcGee @Djllewellyn @SaoirseJackson @nicolacoughlan @louisa_harland
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Great to finally meet @SimonCalder - socially distanced - in Derry. At 00:01am this morning, Simon became the first official customer in NI's newly opened hotel sector @BGhotelderry
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Derry has a new Integrated Transport Hub. And it looks really well. @dcsdcouncil @Translink_NI
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So grateful . And it’s right what everyone says. The people, from the front door to the jab are just fantastic. Loads of volunteers. Onward!.#NHS
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Just been IMRO nominated. Utterly stoked and grateful. I have the hardest working, soundest team in the business. Well done as well to nominees @ericwhite80 and the fab @Anna__Q .@IMRORadioAwards @BBCRadioFoyle.
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Dungiven Bypass opens tomorrow. DUNGIVEN BYPASS OPENS TOMORROW!!!!!.YYYUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.
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Feargal. Eamonn. A Choc bun. And the politics of water. A wee exclusive for @BBCRadioFoyle tomorrow at midday . In this job, there’s days seriously, I pinch myself.
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Pandemic. Lockdown. Slightly in awe of both the Bentley Group (45 new jobs, former Pitchers) and the Walled City Brewery (new visitor centre, 15 jobs). Despite everything, there is optimism in Derry. These businesses and so many others I talk to know that better days lie ahead.
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My old buddy Big Jon - ‘Freeman of Derry’ McCourt. A powerful advocate and passionate campaigner for the victims of the Historic Institutional Abuse. This ‘Home Boy’ fought the institutions, and ended up changing UK law.
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Remembering Anita. For a full hour after 2 today @BBCRadioFoyle, the time we spoke about life, love, music and the Loving Spouse. Anita died earlier this month aged 73. It's a joy to hear her again at her full-throated, acerbic best. She is deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
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Unreal flavour. Why isn’t Donegal a global shellfish destination? (I’m happy to have this kind of fare to myself for now tbh)
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#Exclusive. Atelier and Urban 3D bring 50 jobs to Ebrington. Derry businessmen Ronan Stewart (L) and Paul Doherty bring their businesses to the 2 old red brick primary schools in Ebrington by the summer. A turning point for the former military base? @JP_Biz
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Only Friday. Derry is pumping with hot cider, skate boards and a cityscape to die for. My kinda town
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Just spoke to @speedomick on the radio show. Gobsmacked. Mick once lived with addiction, but now walks 1000's of miles in the @Everton speedos, and basically people give him 1,000s of quid - to help others. He arrives in Derry on 5th July. @derrycityfc @dcsdcouncil @Citycolt
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Belfast is booming on pretty much every front. Derry is disadvantaged in nearly every regard. It's not a whinge. It's just a fact. The City Deal must come to the Maiden City. And then some. @PaulGosling1 @JP_Biz @No_Underscore.
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Gerrys magnificent ‘A City Dreaming’ is being repeated on BBC1 NI tonight. What a film. His anniversary tomorrow. Never forgotten.
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Will we learn 100% tomorrow that @easyJet are coming to Derry? (Liverpool and Edinburgh?) Potential gamechanger/price war. Fact: Listeners tell us all the time @FlyLoganair, though subsidised, are too expensive. @SimonCalder @bradley_steve.
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I'm so sad to say that our esteemed colleague Eamon Friel has passed away after a short illness. Among his peers, Eamon will be remembered as one of the finest broadcasters and songwriters of his generation. Gutted.
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Stoked to learn that our Brian has just been awarded Ulster's 'Food Hero' at the big RAI awards tonight. He said nothing today, but I had a hunch!!. No one more deserving than the mild mannered man from Burt, Donegal. @ChefBrianMcD @paula_mcintyre @jayrayner1 @GardenerGareth
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What a pleasure to attend (and record) the blue plaque unveiling for the late Mr James McCafferty. A man I wish I’d known. #derry
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Wow. A massive new icon is rising in Derry in real time. Local artist Peaball is creating this, NIs tallest ever mural. Finally Amelia Earhart has pride of place in Derry. Proper order. And Breathtaking . @bradley_steve
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Derry heads. Important development. Guapo has reopened. Takeaway only. The queue goes back to Claudy.
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So there it is food fans. Ex Sooty Olive on Spencer Rd will become first proper sit down Indian restaurant in BT47 for years … First ever?.(Serious money being spent I see)
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#Breaking Acclaimed Donegal and @BBCRadioFoyle chef Brian McDermott has just won the World Gourmand Cookery Book in China. Wow. Well done champ! @ChefBrianMcD
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Boxes of soup and fresh food. Just arrived unannounced from Classic Bistro. Constant support here @BBCRadioFoyle all day. Derry people … aka legends.@NUJofficial
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Lovely to welcome broadcaster Joe Duffy to @BBCRadioFoyle today. He and our former colleague @freyamcc have just published this book, Children of the Troubles. It is important work. Properly researched and written. And deeply sensitive to the families. @joeliveline
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@RTERadio1 @SarahAMcInerney @TodayRadioRTE Sarah has played a total blinder in this slot. Solid, dependable, broad-shouldered questioning. I hope to hear a lot more of her in future.
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Boy. Talk about the end of an era. Ken Doherty. This lovely man has been our Senior Engineer in @BBCRadioFoyle now for 30 years. Kind. Collegiate. Professional. Fun. The definition of a gentleman. Happy retirement Ken
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Doesn't Derry have amazing sandwiches? .I'd love to start an impartial blog called The Great Sandwiches of Derry. This total beaut today. A few pence north of a fiver .#schweet #gosandwich
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I don’t tweet much serious stuff about food. But boy, I’d travel the yards any day for this Donegal chowder. @ChefBrianMcD @derekcreagh @McKennasGuides
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I’m sick of the cliches in these government virus briefings. Tests and the clear lack of them. Theyre celebrating 97K tests on telly. There are 66 million of us. We ain’t stupid. In Derry, the community sector is streets ahead. Delivering food. Medicine. And the rest. Unreal.
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Imagine this was your family home. Falling down in front of your eyes because the building blocks contained too much mica. Malin Head man @SunnyMalinHead is 1 of 1000's of Donegal families going through this heartache. Ali's story, today @BBCRadioFoyle c1.45. @Paul_Dunlop_UU
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Another brilliant young @BBCRadioFoyle alumna flees the nest for London. Sad to lose @AineMcGlinchey to the @bbcworldservice . but what an opportunity for such a talented young Derry journalist. Part of our job in Foyle is to ground the next generation. We're very proud of Aine
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Live, unscripted reportage is the toughest gig in the media. Huw Edwards is a master of the craft.
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Been off for a bit. Thought all day of the fantastic and fearless young journalists I work with each day in @BBCRadioFoyle . It could have been 1 of them. Or any of us. Journalism matters. All NUJ members are encouraged to gather at #Derry’s magnificent Guldhall. 5pm. #Lyra.
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We’re getting a new neighbour. And the Clooney lady a new buddy. Class. The artist @mrcenzgraffiti has been commissioned by @uvartscic . Street art festival. Others popping up too in Derry. #BondsSt
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What a very cool and controlled debut at the top reffing level for Joy Neville. Real class. She's just made history too. In Belfast. Couldn't be prouder of the game I love. #ULSvKIN @UlsterRugby.
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Language lovers. I'm on Blas tonight (930 @bbcradioulster) talking to the fab Caoimhe Ni Chathail about my journey thus far with the Irish language. I find Irish pretty tough tbh, but I'm going to keep trying!. @c_ni_c @axisofneevil @ErvineLinda @DaireasDoire @williamcrawley.
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Erm. Kinda good seats. Front and centre. A few yards from himself! . #divinecomedy @divinecomedyhq
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If you’re coming to the #DerryHalloween don’t be afraid to go off the beaten track. There’s loads of wee nooks and eateries like this one on Artillery St/walls. The city feels great. @dcsdcouncil @SaraONeillArt @FoodieDerry
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My final task today as a Book Week Ambassador was to interview Orwell Prize winning journalist Fintan O’Toole. His new book ‘We Don’t Know Ourselves’ is an impassioned, mighty read. Thanks for such a generous i/view @fotoole. #BookWeekNI @LibrariesNI @trishaw @edunseith
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Another Derry Footbridge?.Planning is lodged for new 62m footbridge across 'Penny Burn' (R Foyle tributary) at Fort George/Bay Rd Park. EU and Stormont match funding already secured. Radio today c1.45.@BBCRadioFoyle @bradley_steve @SustransNI
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Not our year @radioacademy . A fab night though. And Zoe Ball said she liked my specs. So let’s agree that’s a win. @BBCRadioFoyle @bbcradioulster @AmazingFoxworth
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Derry journalist Garrett Hargan [@GAHargan . @beltel] has just written a new book about university provision - or the comparative lack of it historically - in Derry. We've been speaking at length about that today:.@BBCRadioFoyle.
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Some people are the beating heart of Derry. Jenni Books wee shop just gets better and better. This year she did the Iceland tradition of Jolabokaflod aka a bookseller who gives each customer a book. Gratis. We are so lucky to have her. 🙏
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Right. I'm saying it. This is winnable tomorrow. Fans always rise a little more when Henderson Stockdale and McCloskey play. And now Baloucoune and Coetzee too. @UlsterRugby #LeinVUls.
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#Exclusive Bishops Gate manager Ciaran O'Neill tells me he will be the new tenant in Derry's Craft Village restaurant. 'Soda and Starch' will be a traditional Irish staples + seafood offer. Opening 'late February'. Chef: Raymond Moran. @ChefBrianMcD.
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SHE HAS ARRIVED !!!.(aka 'The Nightmurr with the Hurr'). Today, we will be talking about Sara's amazing work with @U2, dressing our finest for the Oscars and the Emmys, dead pigeons, and of course . MUSIC. A special (12 to 130) @BBCRadioFoyle with the 1 and only @SaraONeillArt
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A tweet to journalism. I'm so proud of my team. 5 days a week. 47 weeks a year. No lunch breaks. We arent the enemy of the people. We live here. We love the place. Being targetted by political leaders is odd. A bit unthinkable. But well stay the course. Like journalism does.
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First vaccine booked. Wee bit emotional tbh.The NHS is amazing.
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Biggest pyro display ever seen in NIre. Miss it? . I'll be on with John Toal after 11 to reflect on another remarkable night in Derry at the @foylemaritime . #fmf18 @Anna__Q @BBCRadioFoyle @ClipperRace @bbcradioulster
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I know v little about GAA, but from Slaughtneil to Kilcoo I find it really moving to see the potential of GAA fully realised in communities and parishes. #KilcooAbu. Cracker report @bbcnewsline @Citycolt.
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Anyone else finding Dads Army to be the business these days?.
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Is there any part of the human experience that cannot be touched by a Country Spesh’?. Only a Watersider knows …
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To be clear. Most of us are utterly fed up with haters, ideologues, supremacists, zealots, bigots and racists. How hard can this stuff be? . #Lyra.
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Ive checked every day for weeks. Finally, no big massive queue! I’m in!. @bradley_steve @guapoderry #derry
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