u/RemarkableSir4552

I am 31 and currently hold a provisional licence.

*For the record I have all EDT lessons and failed the driving test once in Finglas (1 grade 3 for reverse around the corner).*

I was hoping to find some sort of provisional licence insurance as I do not have any immediate family members where I could be put as a named driver on someone else's policy.

I have a car there waiting (A 1.5 Diesel 2019 Renault Kadjar) and I live in (very) Rural Ireland where crime rates / insurance claims are non existent.

So based on this can anyone recommend the best company or compare website for provisional licence insurance?

Any advice appreciated.

I have been in many workplace / social environments over the years in both Ireland and the UK and one thing I noticed is you will always get 1 person who is absolutely sound and everyone enjoys being around.

It's hard to put it into words as to what makes someone really likliable - basically you know one when you see one.

I been in high stress toxic work environments where the 1 sound person can instantaneously lift the mood of the people.

One of those workplaces the boss was known to be a moody sod, 2 minutes conversation with the sound lad and he is instantly in a better mood. That was a bit of a lifesaver to be honest.

In my earlier days I did a short stint in Tesco, the security guard was absolutely sound. He was from Glasgow originally and had some absolutely wild stories of being a bouncer in Glasgow in the early 2000s.

Another retail outlet I worked at had a cleaner who was absolutely sound, pleasant to be around etc

I guess in every walk of life, you will always get one absolutely sound person 👍

Anyone else care to share their experiences with the absolutely sound person?

Like most on here , I lived and worked in the UK and one very noticeable cultural difference is the obsession with Class I.e. what school you went to, where you live, how much you earn, your social circles, your post code etc

I don't think we are as openly class based as our closest neighbours in that respect but would be interesting to see your thoughts.

One example, I never went to college (don't have a degree) & come from what you would describe as a working class aera (always worked and done reasonably well) . I never felt judged in Ireland on that basis but from my experience in the UK, I know some would cast aspersions on that.

I think it's nice that as a nation of people, at least I like to think we value character over class or credentials.

So here is the thing as a lifelong Croc fan (I am 31 so I was 2 when Croc legend of the Gobbos was released (1997) and 4 when Croc 2 (1999) was released.)

If you asked me 10 years ago if Croc would ever make a comeback, I would of said not a chance. Even if you asked me 6 years ago I would say no, highly unlikely.

And lo and behold, we fast forward to 2025 and , after 28 years to everyone's surprise, we get the remaster of Croc legend of the Gobbos.

Now even after the remaster, if you asked me would we see the remaster of Croc 2, I would of said not impossible but highly unlikely.

And lo and behold, we now know we are getting a remaster of Croc 2.

So now the big question : What are the odds of some type of Croc 3?

I would say the idea of a potential Croc 3 would not be an impossible idea in maybe early 2030 or even mid 2030? You got the loyal fanbase who have been here since 1997 and I would say you certainly got the demand for it lol

And better still imagine a Croc 3 concept that was set in the future like this image which sets off 30 years after Croc 2?

https://preview.redd.it/uwg90x2tezgh1.jpg?width=2101&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=659e21138a5039e91da87ff6f7a9318deb9411e3

Had a heated debate about religion with an atheist friend. What started out as a good natured debate on theology ended up in confrontation about historical clerical abuse.

Little did I know the atheist friend had family members who were abused in the 1970s and this completely threw me off because I didn't know how to respond. The reason why the friend is an atheist is because what various members of the clergy did behind closed doors etc

Can any one point me to any resources, material, books or even apologetics on how to defend our faith whilst navigating the topic of historical clerical abuse?

My Mother woke up this morning to find the side of her car completely egged.

She lives in rural Ireland on a quiet enough road. Never had any issues with the neighbours (not that there is much neighbours to begin with)

She lives near a GAA pitch where I think there was some young lads training yesterday evening, but you wouldn't necessarily have groups of young lads hanging around etc

Is this just a random case of kids will be kids ? And should she not bother overthinking the situation?

The only reason this is very odd is because she is in a fairly isolated spot in rural Ireland so who ever did it would of have to go out of their way if that makes sense.

I wouldn't over think it myself but of course being the son I am, I look at it from the point of view my elderly mother is in the house all alone etc

Bit of a spontaneous Friday post but decided to give it a go because I seen a fair few posts of people planning to move back to Ireland from Australia etc

So just wanted to get a real honest genuine feel as to where people see housing in Ireland in the mid to long term and what that means for peoples day to day reality etc

Do you think the housing crisis in Ireland could inflame a new wave of social and societal divisons like we seen in other western countries with the rise of populism since the global financial crisis era ?

My take:

- Extremely challenging housing market be it property or rental market for anyone under the age of 40.

- Demand to outweigh supply for at least another +20 years.

- Property market value unlikely to slow unless of an extreme black Swan event I.e. global recession, inflation or moderate uptick in unemployment.

- Extortionate rental market to continue into the future, particularly around the Dublin region.

Overall very pessimistic and that's just being a realist.

Any silver linings to be hopeful for ?

Other than to drastically increase supply, any realistic long term solutions?

How is everyone's mental health during whatever your housing situation may be in modern Ireland weather you are living at home, renting, paying a mortgage or outrightly own ?

The reason I am asking is because its very eye opening to see just how much mental health and housing go hand in hand with all walks of life in every day life.

I used to think that people like myself (31m) living at home would of been the typical cohort who you could say were slightly more vulnerable to mental health challenges - but like I say it's eye opening to see just how many people who are renting or paying a mortgage whose mental health would be on par, if not worse

Living at home - cant afford and no chance of moving out

Renting - very little to no way of saving for a deposit

Mortgage - working all the hours under the sun to make ends meet etc

I'm not trying to poor mouth the nation but would be interested in a general feel for people's mental health today.

And conversely, if anyone who is in the above categories, particularly still living at home, what are some every day tips to keep the head up etc...

Hit the 30 milestone last year , thought this would be the age you would have it all together but instead :

Working in tech laid off due to AI and finding it very difficult to even get interviews

Failed the driving test twice and don't own a car

Single and no sign of any kids or marriage any time soon (30 male)

Not a snowballs chance in hell of getting onto the property ladder anytime soon

Living at home with my Mother (who is renting) but in fairness I help out a lot with things like the bills , upkeep of the house, diy etc

I suppose the reason why the 30 milestone has kind of pulled at the heartstrings is looking at friends of the same age who are happily married, kids and on the property ladder etc

And yes I know , comparison is the thief of joy.

Any one else go through a similar experience?

Or another question - is it too late to turn it all around?

I am 31 (male) and lately hoping to reconnect with 2 old friends of mine (Both same age as me) that I haven't spoken to or seen since I was 21.

You know yourself, Group of friends since secondary school, did our best to maintain friendship post leaving cert and naturally of course everyone drifts apart and goes their separate ways in life etc

Was hoping it would be nothing serious but just a quick Facebook message to ask them how's life / hope you are keeping well etc

The thing is because it's been 10 years since we last spoke - it feels very awkward and just wondering how would you send a Facebook message to break the ice ?

Any advice much appreciated 🙏

In recent years , I noticed a lot of media pieces / YouTube videos on Gen Z and religion. There seems to be some anecdotal evidence to suggest a youth uptick particularly in Evangelical & non denominational church's and is completely amplified by social media / influencer culture.

My question for anyone who is religious or who has academic knowledge in religious trends - is this a genuine youth revival ?

I am an Irish Catholic from rural Ireland so belive me when I say I know religious people when I see them, and it seems to me that a lot of this contemporary Christianity in question is very superficial, insincere and performative.

So is there a genuine Christian revival happening in GenZ or is it nothing more than an American style imported social media trend ?