In a Word

My grandparents fell in love, decided to get married secretly in the local church, went to a céilí and then returned to their homes, separately

Not many people know this but the Roscommon Sheep is utterly unique

The soldiers that some believed were best left unknown

Pity the high-profile person who may cross that certain threshold of public attention

In a Word: Briefs. The Men’s Underwear Index is seen as an indicator of the health of an economy

In a Word: The Virgin Mary Bar in Dublin has closed due to lack of interest

Most people think of Wordsworth when the words ‘poetry’ and ‘daffodils’ are linked, but 17th century Herrick was there first

I realised years ago that even a proficiency in Irish, English and the vernacular was nowhere near enough for communicating with Dubliners

On this first day of April, and along with Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice, let us play the Fool

Enjoying innumerable stiff drinks to the mark the passing of an unloved year

One of the great mangler’s of the King’s English is former taoiseach Bertie Ahern

I don’t approve, but am prepared to make exceptions

An increasingly common marvel

Timing is quite something

Putting Beauty Men in their place

A good date guide, not necessarily a guide to good dates

Weight, and its deceptions

People used talk of little else

Stay cool forever. Come to Ireland

Hell

Weary

It is not always easy being green when communicating with the neighbours

The beloved month is much celebrated, including by Christy Moore in song

Humankind lived for millenniums without the phone – I have to remind myself

A story about Brendan Behan’s lighthouse painting days is amusing enough to be true

In turbulent times it is necessary to remember that hope is the greatest virtue

I learned to enjoy most people when they are a bit jarred

It was the 1980s and we pirate broadcasters wanted to free Ireland’s regional accents

Spring into summer as clocks go forward an hour

....gratitude