Sir, – Many thanks to Donald Clarke for his article (“Who will set us free of this horrible entity: the bogus Irishness of craic?”, Opinion, June 22nd). It should be compulsory reading for everyone involved in hospitality or tourism.
A lot of people seem to think that “craic” is an authentic ancient Gaelic word that goes back at least as far as when O’Carolan was adding to the crack by playing his harp. In fact, as Clarke says, it is an English word, “crack” recently translated into Irish. The word “craic” in a sentence written in English is about as authentic as the other “Gaelic” words in a sentence like “We had great craic in the pub, then we took a tacsaí home and chilled out in front of the teilifís”.
As for publicans putting the word “craic” on blackboards outside pubs, it seems that they are advertising the social interaction of the customers as if it was entertainment that they were providing. Why stop with craic? Why not a weekend programme that runs something like, Thursday “witty banter”: Friday “repartee”: Saturday “craic” and Sunday: “mutual slagging”. The real danger with pubs advertising “craic” on blackboards is that every bore and blatherer on a barstool will think that he is the living embodiment of Irish wit and culture and a tourist attraction. He may even feel entitled to a grant. – Yours, etc,
JACK MONTGOMERY,
Blackrock,
Dundalk, Co Louth.