David Condon Finds

Some evenings you just don’t feel like cooking and that’s where a good takeaway saves the day. Whether it’s comfort food after work, a quick family dinner, or something to enjoy in front of a film, Tralee has plenty of options. I’ve picked out a few of my favourites in no particular order of importance, places I’ve tried myself and would happily recommend if you’re looking for a reliable takeaway in town. To save on fees for service and delivery I would advise ordering: over the counter first, via their website second and Just Eat third  If you want recommendations, always ask a local first!

There’s something about LEGO Star Wars that hits differently when you’re an adult. Maybe it’s the precision of the UCS (Ultimate Collector Series) sets, the joy of display-worthy models, or just the excuse to spend a weekend building a Star Destroyer without apology. And yes, there’s also the quiet satisfaction of knowing your mates are more than a little jealous, even if they won’t admit it. In this post, I’m sharing some of the UCS kits I’ve already added to my collection, the ones still on my wishlist, and why each set stands out. Not just as a toy, but as a piece of modern fandom and design. Whether you’re a long-time collector or just getting started, you’ll find plenty of inspiration (and maybe a few “must-haves”) here.

Introduction – A Changing Country I've been more than a little nostalgic of late due to all the current bad press in our country and indeed the rest of the world. I began thinking about my younger years and all the goings on of the past and how different life was ' back in the day '. After a bit of mental gymnastics looking over the last few decades, I keep coming back to the same conclusion: the 1990s was the last time Ireland truly felt alive. 

When my puppy, Bud, first came home, he was the picture of excitement at mealtimes, tail wagging, eyes wide, and food inhaled at record speed. It was cute… until it wasn’t. During his “hoovering” phase, it was as if his stomach and intestines were squeezing inward, trapping his meal higher up in his chest & oesophagus and showing his ribs in minute detail. He’d look uncomfortable and bloated, and strange gurgling noises would come from him for a few minutes after eating. I put up with it at first, thinking it was just “puppy enthusiasm,” until one day he vomited straight after his dinner. That’s when I realised it was more than a quirk — it was a problem.

You can spend years working at something you love but sometimes it takes explaining it to someone else to see it clearly for yourself. That’s something I learned twice: first when I started teaching woodturning, and then all over again when I started blogging about it. Who knew it could be so difficult and  yet so simple at the same time?

A National Language, Barely Spoken. Ireland is one of the few countries in the world where a large part of the population seemingly feels awkward or embarrassed about speaking its own national language. After many years of learning Irish in school, most of us can only string a handful of words together — Dia duit, Go raibh maith agat — maybe a sentence if we’re brave like '' An bhfuil cead agam dul go dtí an leithreas? '' which was drilled into us on day one and probably the only line spoken with confidence by all Irish people.

I’ve been using a basic cookie notice on my website for years and, to be honest, I never really paid much attention to it. But recently, there’s been a big push from Google for website owners like me to upgrade to a proper Cookie Management Platform (CMP) — the more advanced (and paid) kind that meets stricter compliance requirements for things like Google Ads and GDPR. So I did it. I installed Cookiebot, and now I have a full breakdown of how people interact with that little pop-up. And here’s what I found: a lot of people — at least a third — choose to reject all cookies.

Always on the Lookout for Great Products on Amazon in 2025! Discover 50+ Great Amazon Products for 2025 – Personally Tested & Recommended If you're always hunting for clever and useful Amazon finds, you're in the right place. I’ve put together a growing list of top-rated products on Amazon in 2025 that I’ve either personally used, plan to buy, or had “enthusiastically suggested” by family members (yes, really 😅). Unlike many generic roundups, this is a curated guide of standout items that have genuinely improved my day-to-day life—at home, in the workshop, and everywhere in between. From must-have tools and gadgets to fun gift ideas for her (and him), there’s something here for just about everyone. This List Got Too Big! This post originally featured all 50+ products in one long scroll — but it got too big and slow to manage, especially for mobile visitors. It was also living on my main website, which probably wasn’t helping the woodcraft focus I’m aiming for there — so I’...

Why I wrote this Post When the first symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy hit, those strange pin-pricks in my feet and legs, followed by tingling and numbness in random parts of my body—it completely blindsided me. I was worried, confused and desperate for answers. If you're feeling the same way right now, you're not alone. That’s exactly why I wrote this post: to share what I’ve learned, what I wish I’d known sooner, and to offer a bit of calm in what can feel like a very chaotic moment. Because those first weird sensations? They were just the beginning...

There was a time when courier services were a lifesaver for small businesses. Fast, trackable, offering one rate regardless of box size or weight and a welcome alternative to the long queues at the post office. But in recent years, many of us have started to ask the same question: what happened? If you're a small business owner in Ireland, you’ve probably had your fair share of headaches with couriers and you know exactly what I'm talking about. Missed collections, phantom “attempted deliveries,” and the endless loop of automated or non-existent customer service... it's frustrating, time-consuming, and damaging to customer trust. So why is this happening? And is it time we re-evaluate how we send and receive goods in 2025?

There’s an old saying in retail and hospitality that “the customer is always right.” It’s become something of an expected golden rule in business but I don’t believe it’s always fair. Especially not for small businesses or frontline employees who are often left to deal with entitled or unreasonable demands. As someone who runs a hands-on, customer-facing business, I’ve dealt with all kinds of people over the years. The vast majority of them are kind, reasonable, and a genuine pleasure to deal with. They ask questions, respect the time and effort that goes into the work, and treat me the way they’d like to be treated themselves. I value those people immensely — they’re the reason I keep doing what I do.  Before you read on: If you’re interested, I’ve written another post that goes deeper into what self-employment is really like — feel free to check it out after this.

What TV and Film Get Right (and Horribly Right) About Human Nature I was watching  The Last Ship  again recently — not for the first time — and something struck me all over again. It’s not the virus or the bombs or the zombies that make these post-apocalyptic worlds so terrifying. It’s the people. But is that really how people would be — or is Hollywood just colouring us all with the same brush? A brush that generates a lot of money.

Hoping for a Miracle Let’s be honest — if you live with any kind of chronic pain, inflammation, or restless nights, you’ll try just about anything that might help. Tablets, snake oils, electronic devices, praying to your fairy godmother — anything to bring relief from what ails you. I’ve always been a bit sceptical of “miracle cures,” especially when they’re splashed all over social media ads promising to heal you overnight.  Before I go on: I have a series of posts on Peripheral Neuropathy if you'd like to read how I found relief after reading this post.

So, why have a title like that for a blog post? Sure, isn’t every self-employed person loaded? Living the dream, setting their own hours, taking days off whenever they like? Expensive holidays in the sun...two expensive cars in the driveway. Give me a break! That’s the story you often hear but the reality is a little or a lot different, especially when you’re a one-person business in Ireland in 2025. “I’ve touched on a related side of things in another post too — about  why I keep blogging  for my business even when it sometimes feels like nobody’s reading. Feel free to have a read when you’re done here.

After writing my first blog post about the Revitive Circulation Booster, (link at the end if you missed it) I thought readers might like an honest update based on a year (and more) of living with Peripheral Neuropathy. It’s been a tough journey, and if you’ve landed here, maybe it has been for you too. I’ve added three updates in total (listed below), written at key intervals to reflect real life progress, slip-ups, and tips that may help. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below) and has been split up and rewritten for an easier read.   Check out this post  5 Amazon Buys I Didn’t Expect to Love  for some great ideas after you finish here.

A Night Out in Tralee – Then and Now  🍻 Once upon a time, Tralee was one of the liveliest nights out in the county, packed pubs, buzzing nightclubs and the kind of weekend energy you could feel in the air. If you were around in the '90s or early 2000s, you'll know what I mean. Every weekend felt like an event, and for many of us, those memories still stand out. These days, the town still has its moments - especially from Thursday nights through the weekend or during big events - but like many Irish towns, the nightlife has evolved. It’s a bit more laid-back now, a little more local, but not without its charm. What follows is a local’s guide to some of the best pubs around town, a mix of music spots, sports bars, hidden gems, and quiet corners. Check out this post  5 Amazon Buys I Didn’t Expect to Love  for some great ideas after you finish here.

You’d be surprised how often a simple mistake in a phone number causes delays. Every week I see customers enter their number incorrectly at checkout, sometimes just one digit out, other times so far off the mark you'd swear they were writing an IBAN! Most of the time, small businesses like mine can spot and fix the obvious ones. But sometimes we need to email you for clarification, which can delay your order being dispatched. This post will show you the most common phone number mistakes I see and how to fix them in 10 seconds flat.  Why not check out this post on Amazon Health & Fitness Products  for some great ideas after you've finished here

 Let me ask you something. When was the last time you saw more than one staffed checkout in a major supermarket? Lately, I’ve found myself standing in front of rows of glowing self-checkout machines with no real choice at all. No staffed tills open or a single one with a long queue, no one to talk to, just a machine and a scanner. I’m not against technology.  Far from it but something about this shift feels off. It’s not convenience anymore. It’s replacement. Staff are being sidelined, and shoppers like you and me are being quietly turned into unpaid workers. This post isn’t a rant, but a reflection. What started as a mild irritation has grown into something that bothers me and judging by the conversations I’ve seen online and in person, I’m not alone. Self-checkouts only work because most people are honest. If theft were the norm, these machines wouldn’t exist. That trust is being exploited, we’re expected to do the work and prove we didn’t steal. Looking for some cool...

 Thinking About Switching from Amazon UK to Amazon Ireland? Here's What to Know   You're not alone. With the launch of Amazon Ireland, many Irish shoppers wonder if it’s worth making the move. From delivery speeds to product availability, this guide breaks down everything before you switch—and how it might change your shopping habits. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below) If you are not with Amazon yet, you may want to read about the membership benefits of joining Prime .

 Is Amazon Prime Worth It in Ireland – or the UK? Short answer: Definitely worth it. Based on my years of experience as a Prime member and customer on the UK site, I can honestly say the perks, from fast shipping to exclusive deals; make it a smart choice, especially for people in Ireland and the UK. If you’re on the fence, keep reading. Still unsure after that? You can use one of my links below to sign up for a 30-day free trial—I doubt you’ll want to cancel once you see everything Prime offers. If you are looking to switch over from the UK site, make sure to read this post Switching over to Amazon Ireland .