Sir, – I enjoy Frank McNallys Irishman’s Diary. However, I was irritated to find (A History of of Ireland in 100 Insults, No 24) Samuel Beckett’s famous remark about the pupils of Campbell College Belfast misapplied to Trinity College (about which he was almost always respectful). Nor was Ireland involved. The headmaster of Campbell, where Beckett was briefly employed, referred to “the cream of Ulster” to which Beckett responded: “Yes, rich and thick”. (Knowlsons biography, P 78).
Insult 122. Academic. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 123. May you live till you’re a scandal to look at. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 124. He’d skin a flea for a ha’penny and sell the corpse. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – 125. He brought his children to Santa’s grave. – Is mise,
Sir, – 126. There’s worse than you, but you’d dig for them. 127. It’s not a heart you have, it’s a swingin’ brick. 128. That’s a lovely outfit . . . For pickin’ spuds. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 129. Conduct unbecoming a member of Fianna Fáil (why Des O’Malley was expelled from the party in 1984). 130. No man is worth more than £1,000 pounds per year (Éamon de Valera). 131. Critics are like eunuchs (Brendan Behan). – Yours, etc,