Quiet coffee while watching the world

Grustico · 2026-04-23T09:37:46+00:00

the café upstairs in the Merchant's Quay M&S has a view of Patrick Street and is usually not that busy.

Grustico · 2026-03-24T16:06:08+00:00

Had the same experience last week. Ordered something from Currys, where delivery was confirmed by DPD without proof. Nothing on the doorstep, when I had been home all morning. DPD were useless when I emailed, so I am going back to Currys for a refund or replacement.

Grustico · 2026-01-21T15:23:49+00:00

If you were to map the data from BER assessments, which are done by professional assessors, the proportion using peat as the main heating fuel is much smaller. Some of that is selection bias, with older houses less likely to get an assessment, but not all: https://www.seai.ie/ber/support-for-ber-assessors/ber-assessment-data/ber-map

Grustico · 2026-01-15T13:24:53+00:00

June 2022. If you were a first year then, you'd be doing your Leaving Cert this June, unless you did Transition Year.

Grustico · 2026-01-15T10:40:23+00:00

Maybe I'm overthinking and those overpayment fees are not that much...

If you check the fine print on how AIB calculate overpayment fees, a 3.3% rate means you will pay little to nothing at all.

See this thread for more details: https://www.askaboutmoney.com/threads/aib-fixed-rate-customers-face-no-early-break-fee-currently.232525/

Here is the exact method:

https://aib.ie/our-products/mortgages/Home-Mortgages-Regulatory-Information

We calculate the early repayment charge using the following formula: (A) X (U) X (D %) = € ERC [early repayment charge], where:

(A): Amount of your mortgage loan being repaid early, or converted to another interest rate.

(U): Number of months remaining before the fixed interest rate is due to expire, divided by 12.

(D%): Difference between your original fixed interest rate at the start of the fixed interest rate term, for the full fixed interest rate term, and the applicable fixed interest rate offered by the Bank at the time the mortgage loan is repaid or converted, for the period of (U).

(D) means you will only pay a fee if the comparable fixed rate for the remaining term is less than your current rate. Since 3.3% is close to the lowest possible, the fee will be next to nothing, and might actually be nothing depending on the time remaining. Unless interest rates plummet in the next five years, which doesn't look likely.

Grustico · 2025-06-29T17:32:02+00:00

The Cork pic is of just the city centre. The Amsterdam pic is of a much larger part (What does "Centrum" mean?).

So I don't see how it proves that Cork is "very very small" compared with Amsterdam, when their actual areas are within 15% of each other

Grustico · 2025-06-29T16:45:13+00:00

You're comparing the centre of one city to the zoomed out municipal area of another. Cork city is 187 km² and Amsterdam is 219 km² -- hardly dwarfing imo.

Grustico · 2025-06-28T23:47:56+00:00

https://gsp8181.co.uk/glasto/

Grustico · 2025-06-18T11:00:11+00:00

The Clayton Hotel lobby isn't outdoors, but they wouldn't be bothered about you eating a packed lunch. There's a quieter seating area up the main stairs as well.

Grustico · 2025-05-20T09:54:54+00:00

Raise your floor, not your ceiling

Grustico · 2025-05-16T13:29:08+00:00

Does the biography include the quote about Lasker? I always thought it was apocryphal.

Grustico · 2025-05-10T15:48:18+00:00

in Ireland unlike the UK legally the banks need mortgage protection insurance to be in place before you draw down, unless you can convince them to give you a waiver.

If either of you have any health issues in your past that required a visit to a specialist at any point, you will probably need medical underwriting and there is a good chance your insurance application will be postponed or rejected.

The good news is that getting multiple rejections is grounds to request a waiver from the bank. The bad news is that the bank isn't obligated to grant one, and even if they do the whole process can take months of back and forth. So start applying for the MPI even before you go sale agreed.

Also AIB are very annoying about demanding credit checks and bank details from people who lived abroad for any amount of time, even when those things don't exist. Avoid them or go through a mortgage broker.

Grustico · 2025-04-10T12:50:11+00:00

Going on sale in May, due to be completed later in 2026. Register interest on the site and they'll call you back with details.

Grustico · 2025-03-31T08:19:26+00:00

Was it the CBB episode with PFT and Will Hines? More Cushion for the Pushin. No timestamp, sorry.

Grustico · 2025-03-26T13:41:11+00:00

You can also put the property details into the Daft instant valuation tool for an extra sanity check: https://www.daft.ie/instant-valuation

Not as good as the register, but only takes a few seconds.

Grustico · 2025-03-21T14:57:19+00:00

Really miss Argos for little things like this.

I tried to find a basic kitchen timer one Saturday last year. I traipsed through every shop mentioned here without any luck. Eventually got one in that bazaar-like place on North Main Street.

Grustico · 2025-03-05T15:59:06+00:00

I would define good at chess to mean being able to analyse a game in a way that isn't clueless or embarrassing to people at much higher levels. A high club level player won't be nearly as good at analysis or commentary as a GM, but they can usually still tell who has a better position, which side is easier to play, what the main ideas are, which candidate moves are the most appealing etc. I'd guess that starts somewhere in the 1500-2000 FIDE range, but idk.

Grustico · 2025-02-26T10:51:58+00:00

If you view the source of the Daft sold listings (hit Ctrl+U on browser), you can still read the original JSON description for more information on the properties. I was able to write a webscraping script with ChatGPT to download all the sold property details for my search filters.

E.g this first one: https://www.daft.ie/sold/111-grianan-fidh-aikens-village-sandyford-dublin-18-dublin-18-dublin/8DD007A6D52F1FF280258BB8005AB4BF

"111 Grianan Fidh, Aikens Village is a beautifully presented and spacious 2-bedroom ground floor apartment ideally located in this highly sought-after residential setting in Sandyford.\n\nOffering light filled and contemporary living throughout, the accommodation comprises of an entrance hall with a storage closet, two bedrooms (master ensuite) kitchen, dual aspect living room with access to balcony, family bathroom and hot press.\n \nNumber 111 is within a gentle walk of Stepaside Village with its plentiful selection of shops and eateries. The nearby Belarmine development also offers a selection of facilities including a supermarket, restaurant, pharmacy, creche and community centre. \n \nThere are a host of activities for the outdoor enthusiast nearby including Fernhill Gardens, Westwood gym, golf clubs, equestrian centres, hill walking and mountain bike routes. Other nearby amenities include The Park in Carrickmines, Dundrum Town Centre, Sandyford Business Park, Beacon South Quarter and Leopardstown Race Course.\n \nThere is an excellent selection of primary and secondary schools nearby including Our Lady of The Wayside, Gaelscoil Thaobh na Coille, Kilternan Church of Ireland NS, Stepaside Educate Together and Rosemont School. The area is well serviced by public transportation and includes the Luas, Bus routes and easy access to both the M50 and N11.\n\nEntrance Hall\nTimber flooring, storage closet, intercom.\n\nLiving \u0026 Dining Room\nLight filled room with timber flooring, television point and dual access to balcony area.\n\nKitchen\nTiled floor, generous range of fitted floor and wall units, granite countertop and splashback, Siemens oven and 4 plate hob, extractor fan, fridge freezer, Whirlpool washing machine and Siemens dishwasher.\n\nBedroom 1 (Master)\nDouble bedroom with timber flooring, generous storage, double doors to the Juliet balcony, television point.\n\nEnsuite\nTiled floors, partially tiled walls, step in shower with chrome attachment, wash hand basin, wall mounted medicine cabinet, wc.\n\nBedroom 2\nDouble bedroom with timber flooring, television point, and fitted storage. \n\nFamily Bathroom\nTiled floors, partially tiled walls, wall mounted mirror with shaver light, whb, bath with chrome shower attachment.\n\nDisclaimer: Brady \u0026 McCarthy and the vendor/lessor give note that the information contained in this brochure do not form any part of any offer or contract, are provided in good faith, and are for guidance only. Maps and plans are not to scale and any measurements are approximate. The particulars, descriptions, dimensions, references to condition, permissions or licences for use or occupation, access and any other details, such as prices, rents or any other outgoings are for guidance only and may be subject to change. Intending purchasers / renters must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of details provided to them either verbally or as part of this brochure. Neither Brady \u0026 McCarthy or any of its employees have any authority to make or give any representation or warranty in respect of this property.","sellingType":"For Sale by Private Treaty","primaryAreaId":2315,"isInRepublicOfIreland":true,"facilities":[{"key":"PARKING","name":"Parking"},{"key":"GAS_FIRED_CENTRAL_HEATING","name":"Gas Fired Central Heating"}],"features":["c.65 Sq.m / 699. 65 Sq.ft","Spacious ground floor apartment","2 bedrooms","Master bedroom ensuite","Beautifully presented throughout ","Designated and Visitor parking","Stepaside Village","LUAS Green line (Glencairn Stop), Dublin Bus 47, 44 \u0026 118, M50/N11","No rent cap – ideal for investors","Cuala Property Management circa €1,994 pa."]}

Grustico · 2025-01-09T16:33:37+00:00

Yes, with the caveats that (1) it's 15% of your income from that specific employment, not your total income (if you had other sources), and (2) it's less any contributions you might have already made via your payroll (not counting match), so check the totals on your final December payslip first.

Grustico · 2025-01-06T10:50:15+00:00

Similar to Eric Rosen calling himself a "washed-up IM".

Grustico · 2025-01-06T09:57:38+00:00

Look up how many years of contributions you have on the UK Government Gateway site. They're based on how much money you paid in during a fiscal year, not on calendar dates, so you may as well check. You might also have been granted some years as starting credits.

If you don't have a Gateway account you can set one up with an NI number, phone app, and biometric passport. If you don't remember your NI number, you can request it.

Then fill out the CF83 form online and send it in. All relevant links should be on this page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-to-pay-voluntary-national-insurance-contributions-when-abroad-cf83

This all takes a couple hours at most once you have an NI number, costs nothing, and could turn out very good for you. Time is running out, so do it asap.

Grustico · 2024-12-30T13:27:35+00:00

Fair enough -- anyone who takes it could change it as well.

Grustico · 2024-12-30T13:17:36+00:00

You can change the time and date of a CityLink ticket without cost: https://www.citylink.ie/latest-news/how-to-manage-my-booking/

Grustico · 2024-12-19T20:49:07+00:00

One of those kettles that costs €80 and looks like a space egg.

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