Crying cockles and roubles alive, alive o

On the face of it, the timing of the Russian vessel Mir's visit to Dublin could not have been better. The economy might be lurching from bad to worse at home but at least the crew could banish such matters from their thoughts as they participated in festivities surrounding the Cutty Sark race.

Not quite. The Margin can report that in a gesture not designed to bolster Russia-Irish relations, one Dubliner saw fit on Monday to remind the visitors of matters monetary. From a standing position on the quayside, he roared: "Anybody buying or selling roubles."

The reply - in Russian or English - was unrecorded.