What Aoife Thinks

A newsletter about (mainly Irish) politics and culture. From the voice of a generation. Or a voice of a generation. Or the thoughts of a condescending, naive young woman. Whatever gets you to subscribe.

By Aoife Kilbane McGowan

Dublin City Council is waging a war on young people. We should probably start fighting back.

Drink freely, drink openly, smoke whatever you want, and have a sing-song long past curfew restrictions. Dublin City will die without it.

Apr 30•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

15 years into the Housing Crisis, the Government renew their commitment to lining the pockets of developers at our expense.

Tonight, the Dáil voted 79-70 to approve the Residential Tenancies Bill (2026). Goodbye security of tenure, and with it any hope of long-term stability…

Feb 11•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

What does Catherine Connolly's election really mean for the Irish left?

This is the first of a three-part series analysing the Catherine Connolly campaign's success and strategies to build a culture of hope, and thus…

Jan 8•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

Neoliberalism is the disease. Our anti-racist movement needs to fight it at the root.

Today I attended the unity protest called by the Congolese community in Ireland, following the murder of Yves Sakila by the Arnotts security staff.

May 21•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

For the low, low price of €1150 you too can live in a hovel in someone's back garden!

In the now decade of the grand coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in government, they have managed to accomplish a lot.

Apr 22•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

Originaly published in the University Observer, January 2026.

Mar 26•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

This week Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh gave an interview in the Independent on her own struggle to find a school place for her son with additional…

Mar 5•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

A brief explainer on the history of ICE and why everything is happening in Minneapolis.

Jan 24•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

A short break from my usual content, do let me know what you think of it.

Jan 19•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

On a small strip of land adjacent to a bus stop, at the front of my university, sits a collection of tents and shanty-town style wooden sheds.

Jan 11•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

Over the past several months on the Irish left there has been a discussion brewing on how to better approach our communications strategy, cloaked in a…

Jan 9•Aoife Kilbane McGowan

December is a liminal space.

Dec 4, 2025•Aoife Kilbane McGowan