Though I have lived for nearly twenty-nine years in West Cork, I have mostly managed to retain my mid-Atlantic accent. I have however, invariably picked up on local sayings, and turns of phrase. I have often been accosted by a waiter in London, or New York and asked: “Are you […]
A West Cork Life
Every January, it is traditional for columnists to write about New Year’s resolutions. However, I feel that might seem a bit presumptuous, given the year we’ve just had and the uncertainty of the year ahead. A resolution to go to the gym three times a week seems a bit tenuous […]
I’ve been writing a column in one form or another for over two decades, and every year in late November I have to dust off my Santa hat and write about the upcoming holidays before we’ve even had Thanksgiving. I have always had a resistance to getting into the festive […]
It’s six o’clock. Six hours to midnight. Six hours to Lockdown II. We have decided to pop into town and brave the cold for a pint. We have not been to the pub since Lockdown I. We have gone for three pints since March: twice along with a meal outside […]
Many years ago, I came across Frank Herbert’s amazing ‘Dune’ series. I’ve read it a number of times since then, and I’m looking forward to the new movie which, if the trailer is anything to go by, will finally do the books justice. It’s a great adventure, with an environmental […]
Before I get started, I want to address a pet peeve. I know that I am a bit of a Pedantic Pat, but I make no excuses. Words have meanings and disregarding that is to encourage confusion and miscommunication. Until this year my pet peeve was the word Recession. Up […]