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 Kids, Cards and Gift Wrapping: Inexpensive Festive Fun Christmas does not always need another expensive gift, another big decoration or another complicated craft project. Sometimes a simple pack of Christmas stickers is enough to add a bit of festive fun. They can be used for handmade cards, gift wrapping, school projects, party bags, stocking fillers, scrapbooking, children’s craft activities and small Christmas decorations. They are also a handy way to keep children busy for a while without spending a fortune. That is one of the reasons I started stocking a large range of Christmas stickers . They are small, affordable, easy to use and surprisingly useful when Christmas comes around. Why Christmas Stickers Are So Handy Christmas stickers are one of those small craft supplies that can be used in lots of different ways. They can make plain wrapping paper look more festive, add a quick detail to a handmade card, brighten up a gift tag or turn a simple envelope int...

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, woodturning and craft supply ranges. I stock Italian Options satin bows in both 3cm and 5cm sizes, with colours suitable for gift wrapping, wedding favours, hampers, party bags, craft projects, card making and small business packaging. I also stock seasonal bows, including tartan bows and Christmas satin bows, depending on availability. 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. Why I Started Selling Satin Bows My business began with a fairly clear idea: a mix of handmade woodcraft and online retail. In the early days, I expected the retail side to be the larger part of the business, but woodturning gradually took over. I loved the craft, I kept learning, and before long, handmade wo...

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 first started using ribbon on my hardwood hanging ornaments and Christmas tree decorations. At the time, it was not always easy to find affordable, good-quality satin ribbon in Ireland, especially if you wanted more than a metre or two. Some retailers sold ribbon by the metre, which can get expensive quickly if you are using it regularly for craft work, packaging, gift wrapping, wedding projects, handmade products or decorations. That is really where this post began. I wanted better ribbon for my own work, and over time, that search led me to start stocking satin ribbon myself. Why Satin Ribbon Quality Matters Ribbon might seem like a small detail, but it can make a big difference to the finished result. If you are wrap...