The main course was a labour of love, requiring a new (double) cherry seeder and a great deal of patience and finding space in the fridge, overstuffed for the season. To me, it looked festive with its glossy cherries and a crisp watermelon. Continue reading
by Michael Boyle The Woman Who Live Beside Ballymacpeake Mass Rock There are no half measureswith her. Even in gettinga cupán tae in yer hand.But the full spreadof fancy sandwichesand sweet cake at the table.Oh herself and the girlswill never pour ye outan ordinary a wee Black Bush.You’ll get a fill of the glassand then … Continue reading
Joyce had a huge influence on Flann O’Brien. Like others of his generation, he struggled to get out from under the Joycean shadow Continue reading
It had been many, many, years since my sister and I had been upstairs on a double decker bus. Just holding on to the two side bars on the steps going up was enough to bring back memories of running up those steps as teenagers and of boys using them to swing down without touching the steps, to the annoyance of the bus conductor. Continue reading
Tea drinking may be associated with English culture, but it is still very much part of Irish culture too. Continue reading
It would be nice to say that it is usually employed as a term of affection and perhaps it is; but even then, there is an undertone of disparagement, a hidden adjective with its own sting. Continue reading
Three new Irish or Irish Australian fictions reviewed by book-devourer, Frank O’Shea Continue reading
New Irish and Irish Australian novels reviewed by Frank O’Shea. Continue reading
Snippets from Irish newspapers, including death of Brendan Grace, The Open and more Continue reading
In Holy Cow!, pathos was blended with comedic bombast, prolixity with wordless groans, and irony with genuine feeling. The ending was incredibly moving, reminding us of Joyce the man and the writer. Continue reading
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