A chara, - Last Friday night, I went to a well-known music pub on the outskirts of Dublin for a late pint. A band was playing and the singer peppered his verses with "Up de Rah", roaring a refrain of "Duck de Queen" (nearly). On leaving, I heard the opening strains of Amhran na bhFiann and, looking back, saw the (drunken) crowd standing to sing along.
You either support the Irish State or you don't. Given what had gone before, this was a denigration of the anthem. Wake up, Ireland. Brownshirts are stealing into your beer halls. It's only a matter of time before putsch comes to shove. - Is mise,
Shane Fahy, London SW12.