Have you any idea why in America they call the pavement …”the sidewalk” while we might at times make do with “the footpath” ? This kind of thing fascinates me .What about the word “yogurt”? I was making a litre of plain yogurt just now.Sometimes I get it right and sometimes if I’m not patient […]
February, 2016
On James Joyce, Terry Wogan and Limerick by Donal Kennedy
Though Daniel O’Connell was a great man, far greater than the chancers who today invoke his name for unworthy purposes, he did have his faults. But those faults were not so disreputable as to win the love of THE TIMES of London. I believe he said that if such papers said a good word about him he […]
Miriam O’Callaghan and Vincent Browne: there is a difference
One thing about the south’s election is that we will get to see and hear a lot of politicians talking, but very few ordinary people. OK, you might get the odd vox pop, with three or four people being given ten seconds to say what they think of, for example, the south’s health service. But […]
Under starter’s orders…
And they’re off! About lunch-time today, Enda Kenny will, in the words of sweet little middle-class Frances Fitzgerald, “throw the ball in” for the south’s general election. So which parties will be the winners and which the losers? If we go by the polls, Fine Gael will be the winners. Astonishingly, after five years of […]
‘The Weir is great craic but…’ by John Patton
Capitalism has exploited but failed totally to capture the atmosphere of an Irish pub. Amanda Gaughan’s fine production of Conor MacPherson’s award winning play , “The Weir’ at the Lyceum. permits the audience to sit with the drinkers by the turf fire and listen to four tales that smoulder with fear, loss, love, the Christian […]
‘ AMERICANS & IRELAND’S CONFLICT’ by Michael J Cummings
American activists have worked hard to educate their fellow citizens about Britain’s murderous role in Northern Ireland. Success of a sort for their efforts was achieved when President Clinton acknowledged England’s deceit and demanded an a end to violence and more dialogue. As the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising approaches, it is worth remembering […]
‘Sources – reliable and unreliable’ by Donal Kennedy
The Irish Minister of Defence has published a white paper on Defence. A conference to discuss it was arranged to be held in Cathal Brugha Barracks. It was formerly called Portobello Barracks, from which on 25 April 1916 Captain Bowen Colthurst of the Royal Irish Rangers led a murderous foray on unarmed civilians and to […]
The south’s election and the media
“Cabin fever” they called it in Canada. It was that point nearing the end of a long, cold winter when people began to ache for the outdoor freedom that Spring would bring. In the south of Ireland, cabin fever is gripping commentators and politicians, with Joan Burton saying she is looking forward to the general […]
‘La Fheile Bride’ by Donal Kennedy
“Anois teacht an Earraigh beidh an la dul chun sineadh Is tar eis na Feil Bride ardoidh mo sheol O chuir me im cheann e ni stopfadh me choice Go seasfaidh me sios i lar Conndae Mhuigeo Thus Antoine O Reachtabhra (1784-1835) a folk poet from Cill Aodain near Coillte Mac. For those […]
Terry Wogan: Irish ambassador or sycophant?
I’m conflicted about the late Terry Wogan. The conflict is probably best summarized in the comments of two people I know. One of them texted me saying ‘Terry Wogan – Irish as it should be served, sycophantic, groveling, awestruck and grateful. With some loathing for all nationhood, bar UK, on the side.” The other person […]