Over the weekend Dublin held its annual Gay Pride Parade (also known as the LGBTQ Pride Parade). ). Held every summer on the last Saturday in June, it commemorates the Stonewall Riots in New York City in June 1969.
Continue reading I predict a riot.
Category Archives: Ireland
Bookworm: ‘Days without end’ by Sebastian Barry
‘Days without end’ by Sebastian Barry is his latest tale in a series of books about the McNulty family of Sligo. Set over various centuries on different continents these books examine various people in different generations of one family, and how they fare in the world. ‘The Temporary Gentleman’ was about Jack McNulty – working for the UN in Ghana in 1957, as he remembers his ruinous marriage to his fellow alcoholic Mai Kirwan (you can read my take on that book HERE… ) Continue reading Bookworm: ‘Days without end’ by Sebastian Barry
Blooming marvelous
Bloomsday may not be a major event on the holiday or event calendars for most people, but it’s an absolutely genius and deeply Irish day. I can’t think of a better idea than to take a date – in this case June 16th – and to turn it into a day long celebration, for a character from a work of fiction. Continue reading Blooming marvelous
Weekend in Limerick
As I sat in the waiting area of Heuston Station for my train to Limerick, I heard a deep sigh to my right. Well, well, well. What was this? A visually appealing gentleman in his late twenties, with his arms crossed, huffing and puffing. I looked away. I’m not good with small talk. Especially when someone looks anxious. Continue reading Weekend in Limerick
A weekend planned in advance – chips from Donkey Ford’s
Later this afternoon I will travel to the homeland. To Limerick. Home place to Terry Wogan; Richard Harris; The Cranberries; Ruth Negga and Donkey Ford’s fish and chip shop. Incomprehensibly I have never partook of the deep fried goodness on offer in the latter location. Donkey Ford’s is a Limerick legend. A fast food emporium that has won national awards for its greasy goodness. Continue reading A weekend planned in advance – chips from Donkey Ford’s
An evening at the theatre, part deux: ‘Murder of crows’
After yesterday’s unsuccessful attempt (read about it HERE) to see the play in the title of this article, on Friday evening I tried again. I strolled to the Theatre Upstairs on Eden Quay for the 7pm arrival time. This theatre is located upstairs from Lanigan’s Bar, and is just around the corner from the Abbey Theatre. Continue reading An evening at the theatre, part deux: ‘Murder of crows’
On the buses
So far, this morning has been one of squalid misery. Having tossed and turned for most of the night, I finally fell into a deep sleep at about 6am. Imagine my mood when ninety minutes later I heard the repugnant sound of my alarm clock. Continue reading On the buses
Conversation at breakfast
‘So how was your weekend in Amsterdam?’ asked a colleague over a slice of brown toasted batch bread, in the staff canteen this morning. Continue reading Conversation at breakfast
The Peaches gig… and why I am a convert
Once upon a time there was a girl from Farnborough in Hampshire who shared a flat with an anti-social cat named Midnight; an anti-social Dutch gentleman called Muis; and yours truly. One evening she came home from work pronouncing the wonders of a Canadian singer named Peaches. I listened to the song ‘Fuck the pain away’ and I loved it. What an incredibly aggressive; rhythmic; funky song. The lyrics served notice that this singer was no wilting flower.
Continue reading The Peaches gig… and why I am a convert
Happy anniversary…
Facebook is a cunning beast. The ‘On this day’ function in particular. The daily reminder of what you posted on a particular date, each year you have had an account, can throw up the most unsettling surprises. Continue reading Happy anniversary…
midnightmurphy 