Sir, – Further to Frank McNally’s “A history of Ireland in 100 goodbyes” (An Irishman’s Diary, September 30th), “Don’t leave it so long the next time.” – Yours, etc,
MARY WALSH,
Stillorgan,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – “If I see you coming, I won’t be here.” – Yours, etc,
GERRY JORDAN,
Ballina,
Co Mayo.
Sir, – “I better go to bed and let ye go home.” – Yours, etc,
BILL MURPHY,
Clarina,
Co Limerick.
Sir. – My mother’s favourite in Fifties and Sixties family hooleys, “Would yis all ever go home so as we can talk about yis!” – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL ROONEY,
Knocknacarra,
Galway.
Sir, – “Is that the time?” – Yours, etc,
MARGARET BUTLER,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – “What a bloody awful country! Bring me a large Scotch!” UK home secretary Reggie Maudling, 1970. – Yours, etc,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – My grandmother, whose motto was “Short visits make long friends”, was reputed to have said to dawdling guests, “Will you have a cup of tea before you go?” – Yours, etc,
BREEGE BURKE,
Bohermore,
Galway.
Sir, – On the phone: “Okay bye, bye, bye . . . bye, bye-bye, bye, bye, bye . . . bye.” – Yours, etc,
JAMES QUINN,
Rochester,
Michigan, US.
Sir, – “Slán agus beannacht!” – Yours, etc,
OLIVER McGRANE,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.
Sir, – A bilingual friend always used the same “farewell”. “Slán agus vanish!” – Yours, etc,
PETER DECLAN O’HALLORAN,
Belturbet,
Co Cavan.
Sir, – In the words of Christy Barry from the Doolin Music House, “Ye don’t have to go home but ye can’t stay here.” – Yours, etc,
MARY COLLINS,
Lisdoonvarna,
Co Clare.
Sir, – “I won’t be keeping you any longer.” – Yours, etc,
ANNE O’RIORDAN,
Bishopstown,
Cork.
Sir, – “Is that the phone?” – Yours, etc,
ALASTAIR CONAN,
Coulsdon,
London.