David Condon Finds

Thinking about switching from Amazon UK to Amazon Ireland? Here’s what you need to know first. You’re not alone. Since Amazon launched its Irish site, a lot of people have been wondering if it’s actually worth making the move. The short answer? It depends on what you buy, how often you order, and what matters most to you, price, delivery speed, or product choice. In this post, I’ll break down the real differences between Amazon UK and Amazon Ireland, what’s improved, what hasn’t, and how it might affect your day-to-day shopping. Irish shopping update June 1st: If you are comparing Amazon Ireland, Amazon UK and other online sellers, it is also worth understanding the new €3 import charge coming from 1 July 2026 for many low-value goods shipped from outside the EU. I’ve explained what it may mean for Irish shoppers here: New €3 Import Charge for Irish Online Shoppers from 1 July 2026 . ──────────── ✿ ──────────── This post is an updated version of one I originally published on my ma...

Is Amazon Prime Worth It in Ireland – or the UK? Short answer: Yes, for most people, it is. But it depends on how you shop, how often you order, and what you actually use. I’ve been using Amazon Prime through the UK site for years from Ireland, and I’ve seen both sides of it. When it’s good, it’s very good, fast delivery, easy returns, and access to deals that non-Prime users don’t always see. But there are also a few things worth knowing before you sign up, especially if you’re based in Ireland. Update June 2026, another new cost to keep in mind: Amazon Prime value depends partly on what you buy, how often you order, and where those items are shipped from. I’ve also written about the new €3 import charge coming from 1 July 2026 and how it may affect Irish online shoppers buying from outside the EU: New €3 Import Charge for Irish Online Shoppers from 1 July 2026 .

Introduction, Band of Brothers and The Pacific on Kindle If you were gripped by Band of Brothers or The Pacific , you might be surprised to learn that both series were based on real-life memoirs and firsthand accounts written by the men who fought in those brutal campaigns. These books, written by veterans of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 1st Marine Division offer raw, unforgettable perspectives that Hollywood only scratched the surface of. I recently tracked down several of these titles on Kindle and thought I’d share them with fellow history buffs, military-storytelling fans, and anyone who enjoys true accounts behind their favourite war films. This post focuses on the books; I’m planning a follow-up that will look at the movies that brought these powerful stories to the screen.

Why I Wrote This Post When the first symptoms of Peripheral Neuropathy hit, those strange pin pricks in my feet, tingling in my legs, numb patches appearing out of nowhere, I was completely blindsided. I didn’t know what was happening, and like most people, I went searching for answers straight away. If you’re feeling the same way right now, you’re not alone. That early stage can be confusing, worrying, and at times overwhelming. That’s exactly why I wrote this post, to share how it started for me, what I experienced in those early days, and what I wish I had understood sooner. Because those first strange sensations? They were just the beginning.

 SEO felt like a tangled mess when I first started my website. Every article said something different, every tool gave mixed signals, and I was left more confused than before I’d begun. If that sounds familiar, this post is for you. I'm not here to sell an expensive strategy — just to show you how I simplified my own SEO approach using a few basic strategies and a little common sense. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below) While you're here, I’ve shared exactly why Google Ads can be so frustrating for small businesses in this open letter — worth a read if you’ve ever felt the same.

In a change from my usual woodturning and craft-related posts, I need to address something I feel very strongly about, TV shows and movies, and how negativity online is slowly killing them and causing fewer and fewer new productions. From cancel culture to endless reboots, social media and media companies alike are taking a toll on creativity and storytelling. This updated version first appeared on my original blog at davidcondonwoodcraft.ie. (linked below)  If you like real-life stories on screen, I’ve rounded up some of the best military books that were made into movies — you’ll find the Kindle editions here but you can pick up the books too.

We live in an ever changing world with constantly changing ideas, laws, regulations and methods of doing day to day things. The environment, climate and state of the world makes headlines on an ongoing daily basis these days. What was true and set in stone a few years back may not be so today. Vague enough? Welcome to 2024! The world has been railing against the mass us of plastic over the last few years and rightly so. We as human beings have no idea of just how bad the micro plastic problem has become. From being found in the deepest trenches of the ocean to the possibility that our bodies cells may contain traces of microscopic plastic. Health issues related to plastic use is just around the corner. The problems exist, they are not made up!

Christmas Stickers for Card Making or Gift Wrapping Now you can spruce up your craft and gift wrapping projects with a festive touch—3D and 2D Christmas stickers! Get ready for the holiday season with a large collection of Christmas stickers now on sale online  in Ireland. Create beautiful decorations, personalized gifts, or unique cards to wish your loved ones a Happy Christmas. These also make ideal Stocking Fillers for Children. Christmas Stickers are a surprisingly good way of embellishing gifts, changing the look of a Handmade Card and even make great Stocking Filler Gifts for small children that don't cost too much at all.  Since bringing these into my website I have used them myself to bulk up gifts. Costing under €4 in most cases these are fantastic value.  Let me take you through a few of the various types. This post was originally posted on my Woodcraft on 20th Jan 2023. website and I moved it here so as not to dilute my woodturning content. Check out my related...

Craft Ribbon & Satin Bows in Ireland – Buy Online or In Person For anyone landing on this post while looking to buy satin ribbon bows in Ireland , yes, you are in the right place. It might seem a little unusual at first, but I do sell a wide range of satin bows alongside my woodcraft and woodturning supplies. I stock the full range of Italian Options satin bows in both 3cm and 5cm sizes , with colours suitable for gift wrapping, wedding favours, hampers, party bags, craft projects and small business packaging. I also have access to the wider catalogue if a customer needs something more specific. So why is a woodturner in Kerry selling satin bows? That is a fair question, and there is a real small-business story behind it. Red satin ribbon used to finish one of my handmade wooden Christmas decorations, which is where my craft supplies range first began. Why I Started Selling Satin Bows My business began with a fairly clear idea: a mix of handmade woodcraft and online retail. In the...

Buying Satin Ribbon in Ireland - A Buyers Guide When I first started my craft business, one of the problems I kept running into was sourcing good-quality materials that would actually improve the finished pieces I was making. Satin ribbon was one of those small things that turned out to matter more than I expected. I started using ribbon on my hardwood hanging ornaments and Christmas tree decorations, but at the time it was not always easy to find affordable, good-quality satin ribbon in Ireland. Some retailers were selling ribbon by the metre, which can get expensive quickly, especially if you are using it regularly for craft work, packaging, gift wrapping, or handmade products. My Early Attempts at Buying Satin Ribbon Early on, I even bought some ribbon from the US. It came in short lengths on cardboard reels, and while the quality was acceptable, it still was not quite what I wanted. The ribbon did the job, but it did not really lift the finished pieces in the way I hoped. That is t...