‘There are no bikes in Waiting for Godot. But the play may have what Rathjen calls “the bicycle principle” of two connected wheels (or zeroes). In support of which theory, he mentions a late, unpublished prose work, called “The Way”, in which Beckett twice describes a repeating-loop path going up and down a hill.” Above, director Walter Asmus (left) and Conor Lovett as Lucky, on the set of Waiting for Godot, at the Gate. Photograph: Eric Luke
A cyclical mystery

An Irishman’s Diary: How bike racing may the key to Beckett’s most famous character

François-Marie Arouet: ’Adjectives are frequently the greatest enemy of the substantive’

An Irishman’s Diary on why certain words are the enemy of meaning

‘Cyclist Frank: Hold it right there, pal. We pay road tax too. The only difference is, we don’t use the car.’ Photograph: Sander Nagel/ Getty Images

An Irishman’s Diary hosts three-way peace talks

‘I was certain the kid would crack, sooner or later. But as we approached the 4k mark, there was no sign of weakness from my diminutive rival. He was still skipping along like a baby cheetah. If either of us was under pressure, it was me.’ Above, runners wait for the start of last weekend’s Patrick Bell Memorial Race in Bohermeen, Co Meath

An Irishman’s Diary: A humbling experience in Meath

Not too much here to encourage those romantics who still believe Republic can qualify for World Cup

‘Beckett’s cryptic reply took the form of a deft pun and two questions: “Why don’t I submit my Lafcadio Hernia to Irishman’s Diary? Why is it customary to keep one’s fly buttoned?” And with that, apparently, the subject was closed.’  Above,  head of Samuel Beckett by  sand sculptor Niall Magee (from the Festival of Sand Sculpture at  Dublin Castle, 2007).  Photograph: Frank Miller

An Irishman’s Diary: The Samuel Beckett we’ll never know

‘Bridge or no bridge, Jonathan Swift’s monuments already include St Patrick’s Psychiatric Hospital, funded by his will. And it’s in keeping with Swift’s sense of humour that the same hospital is in part responsible for a very acute bend on the aforemetioned tram’s red line, reducing the Luas to glacial speed as it approaches the city centre.’ Image: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

An Irishman’s Diary: Dublin celebrates the return of a favourite son

Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen: ‘No doubt the possibility that the new bridge might be interpreted as a celebration of civil service absenteeism will be held up as a reason for his snubbing by City Hall.’

An Irishman’s Diary: How Flann O’Brien is snubbed in Dublin but at home in Rome

‘Pleasant as the Croppies Memorial Park is, the Anna Livia sculpture has been cutting a sad figure of late. A plaque nearby claims she was “unveiled” there in 2011 by the then Lord Mayor. But “unfrocked” would be closer. Because although she was nude to start with, and remains so, she looks much more naked these days, without her former stone-block surrounds.’

An Irishman’s Diary: The strange fate of Anna Livia

More articles

Connect