His granddaddy’s daddy came from Moneygall
Could Ireland have stumbled accross the new internet No.1? The song “Irish O’Bama” by Hardy Drew and the Nancy Boys is a good-humoured irish pub song. It originated from a speech when Barack Obama said he was looking forward to having a pint in Monegall, where his ancestors are from. Listen to the song here and buy it here!
O’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
You don’t believe me, I hear you say
But Barack’s as Irish, as was JFK
His granddaddy’s daddy came from Moneygall
A small Irish village, well known to you allToor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There’s no one as Irish As Barack O’BamaHe’s as Irish as bacon and cabbage and stew
He’s Hawaiian he’s Kenyan American too
He’s in the white house, He took his chance
Now let’s see Barack do RiverdanceToor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There’s no one as Irish As Barack O’BamaFrom Kerry and cork to old Donegal
Let’s hear it for Barack from old moneygall
From the lakes if Killarney to old Connemara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’BamaO’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
From the old blarney stone to the great hill of Tara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama2008 the white house is green, their cheering in Mayo and in Skibereen.
The Irish in Kenya, and in Yokahama,
Are cheering for President Barack O’BamaO’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’BamaThe Hockey Moms gone, and so is McCain
They are cheering in Texas and in Borrisokane,In Moneygall town, the greatest of drama, for our Famous president Barack o Bama
Toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a loo, toor a lama
There’s no one as Irish As Barack O’BamaThe great Stephen Neill, a great man of God,
He proved that Barack was from the Auld Sod
They came by bus and they came by car, to celebrate Barack in Ollie Hayes’s BarO’Leary, O’Reilly, O’Hare and O’Hara
There’s no one as Irish as Barack O’Bama
1 comment November 9, 2008
Can he fix it?…. Yes He Can!
Am I the only one who thinks that Barack Obama has been watching too much children’s TV? Remember that lovable builder, Bob? Well it seems that the president-elect has plagarised his catchphrase - “Yes we can”. President Obama (Can he fix it?); President Obama (Yes He Can!)
Andrew Neill and the “This Week” team where in New York for their Thursday night broadcast. If the whole world is buzzing after the election of Barack Obama then the United States must be electrifying! From an open-air roof-top studio Andrew Neill, Michael Portillo and Diane Abbott pontificated and conjectured about how Obama’s victory would be played out accross the world and the UK.
At one point Andrew Neill turned to Michael Portillo and said that Obama had an “in-tray from Hell” waiting for him in the Oval Office. I think he’s right and Obama knows it too well.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn’t do this just to win an election. And I know you didn’t do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime — two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage or pay their doctors’ bills or save enough for their child’s college education.
There’s new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there.
Add comment November 7, 2008
Critical Mass
When I turned the corner into Dub Utca I almost choked on my Kebab as I found myself trapped in the middle of what appeared to be the annual southern migration stampede of the Hungarian bicycle. I am not exaggerating when I say that literally thousands upon thousands of bicycles were being peddled in a cavalier fashion through the streets of Budapest. What could this be? A terrorist attack? A Hungarian petrol crisis? A world record attempt for the largest bicycle tour group?
As I was pondering this thought - and running for safety to the nearest doorway - I was handed a leaflet. I mopped the mayo from my chin and read:
“Raise your two-wheeled metal lump of loveliness in the air! Hug your bike like it’s the spouse you haven’t seen for 13 years after serving a jail sentence for slashing car tires! Kiss the handlebars that bring you joy every day as you roll around the city! Why? Because its time for Budapest’s Critical Mass once again.”
Yes, in a cry of protest against pollution and congestion in the city, every cyclist worth their salt grabs hold of their beloved two-wheeled vehicle and bikes across the city from Hero’s square to Buda park. Then, in what seems like a war cry, each person holds their bike above their heads and shout “Whaaaaaaaa” (or something very similar to that).
The Critical Mass event of Budapest happens twice a year and has raised an awareness of environmental issues to the Hungarian government with more than 30km of cycle paths being constructed each year as a result of this campaign. Are you impressed? I finished my kebab and “walked” to my hostel.
Add comment September 26, 2008
Does the ambassador really like Ferrero Rocher?
I have a knack of never meeting the ambassador, only ever his close family. In July I had dinner with Ezekiel McCleary from Bleary. Zeke is the 1st cousin of Boyd McCleary, the British High Commissioner to Malaysia. And now it appears that I have just spent 48 hours of my life in the company of Charles De Cerjat, son of the Swiss Ambassador to Poland.
We shared a bunk; ate traditional Hungarian fare in an underground canteen; had to share a carriage with copious amounts of cannabis smoke and an “overly happy” Hungarian (you can figure it out I’m sure); slept on each other’s shoulders (only until we realised); helped an elderly Serbian couple enter a train whilst it was moving (the Serbian couple had run to the side of the train from the tracks and needed to be actually hauled up to safety); watched each others backs and learned from each others life experiences. Yes, for 2 whole days Charles de Cerjat - who is traveling the world on a Swiss diplomatic passport - was my mate. My only regret was not asking him if the ambassador really does like Ferrero Rocher!?
Add comment September 26, 2008
Merle and Larry
In Prague I had the most enjoyable afternoon. We signed up for a walking tour of the city (to see the sights) and there were about a dozen of us altogehter. But the buildings, cobbled courtyards and bridges of Prague (as beautiful and breath-taking as they are) paled to insignificance compared to the eclectic mix of God’s creation which assembled for the tour; New-yorkers, Belgians, English, Canadians, Irish and Slovaks.
Among this motley international pack of tourists was a ’special’ couple. As their names suggest, Larry and Merle are the all American couple in their twilight years. Merle was wisely dressed in a full-length winter coat, knitted berry and sporting a pair of (largely impractical) golden shoes. Larry, who is obviously too cool for school, was wearing a leather jacket and peaked cap (he could’ve been mistaken as a soviet guard). We struck up a conversation which covered everything from dietary requirements to cruise ship entertainment! And if you haven’t guessed already you’ve probably got it now… Yes, Larry and Merle are American cabaret stars! If you are one of the few who have never heard of them you can check out their website here.
Nina, the native tour guide, took our group off the beaten track to a lesser known strudel-bar. In this steamy cafe - whilst sipping on hot wine - we chatted excitedly to one another about life and experiences, travels and work, family and ambitions. Our farewell was eminent and our shared experience short-lived but it reminded me that the most wonderful, breath-taking and beautiful of all the sights in Prague was not the Charles Bridge or the Tyn Church but that of God’s creation. Seeing the sights is only part of the experience - people are the rest!
5 comments September 22, 2008
Dresden called
Traveling is an art form. I imagine that every lone voyager is filled with a certain amount of trepidation at the prospects of ‘failing’. Failure may comprise of the following events. 1) Being ripped off; 2) missing your plane/train/bus; 3) Being unable to start and hold an interesting conversation which goes further than “where you from”, “where you going to” and “how long you traveling for”.
Thankfully - assesing myself on the above criteria - I have been reasonably successful.
I boarded the Berlin-Prague train yesterday afternoon at 14:45. I selected a compartment which only had one tame-looking young man in it. I stumbled in noisily and very aware that I was ruining his ‘potentially’ peaceful journey. I started a conversation (where you from/going to etc). Turns out he is a vietnamese studying economics in Berlin. He travels once a month to meet his girlfiend for a weekend in Prague. She lives in Prague. Shortly into the journey he opened his sachel and produced to tins of German bier and offered one to me. I kindly and politely accepted his offer. I, in return, delved into my rucksack and produced 2 orange kit-kats. He accepted like a true student. We chatted (and laughed) non-stop for over 2 hours covering everything from German politics and theology to the health risks of smoking.
As the trained pulled into Dresden, my new friend (Zuong), informed me that it was a very impressive small city/large town and it was well worth a visit. So I decided to delay my trip to Prague and spend 22 hours in Dresden. It was nice.
22hours later and I’m back on the train to Prague and got talking to a Black American lawyor who works in Dresden and owns an apartment in Stutgart! He seems to have his finger in many pies. Runs a small internet buisness out of Bangladesh with 19 employees and owns the domain names to over one hundred ‘dot com’ companies! - Rich Man. I prayed that he’d give me some of his ‘well earned cash’. Not so!
2 comments September 19, 2008
A pilot, dogs of varying size and a 5* Hostel
My incredibly interesting list of “things to do before I’m thirty” has proven to be more difficult to complete than I had originally thought. I have decided to tackle some of the more difficult tasks first - My research into friend-less celebrities is causing me much stress at the moment.
However, all is not lost and the list is slowly (but surely) reducing as I, with an air of pride, strike off my tasks one by one. Last Monday evening I decided to cook some good old Ulster/Irish food for my friend Roger et al who is heading off on a mammoth holiday to USA and New Zealand. Whilst in the process of mashing the champ, cooking sausages and baking a rhubarb crumble (!) i recieved a phone call asking if “dave” could come along for the craic. Turns out I never met Dave before; he’s a total stranger and a pilot with flybe -an all round nice guy. He had some of my finely sizzled sausages and I nonchalantly ticked off ”cook dinner for a stranger” from my list.
This week finds me in Berlin. My lonesome overeas travelling ecpedition is but a mere week away and I must say I’m more than a little nervous. I am writing this blog from the lobby of a very sophisticated youth hostel in the Mitte district of Germany’s capital. I’d give it 5 stars in any review. The rooms are great, very modern and clean… I hope the rest of my European travels consist of such luxury for a mere €19 per night.
Other News: Apparently all Berlin dog-owners pay €75 per year for a dog licience and If you are unfortunate enough to own a hamster the licence is a mere €25. Bargain I say! But one thing I notice; whether a Great Dane a Poodle or a Pomeranian, the canine behaviour in this city is exceptional. No doggy asbo’s here!
1 comment September 16, 2008
What makes a celebrity?
It’s been three days since I vowed to make friends with a celebrity. (See #9 in post below). Although I have seven months to make this minor miracle happen it is proving very difficult to get started. Questions crowd in on me concerning the best plan of action; a possible shortlist; geographical location; gender and so on. But my biggest quandary is trying to define a ‘celebrity’.
Having consulted a few trusted people in my life we have decided that a celebrity is someone who, if invited to ones wedding or birthday party, would be recognised by most people. But doesn’t this vary depending on ones friendship circle?
More than all the rest, this challenge causes me the most angst. Unless I have a finely honed strategy; I could be arrested, locked up in an asylum, shot by an undercover body-guard, run-over by a motorcade, punched, followed and threatened, beaten to a pulp… the list is endless when you think about it!
Therefore I have decided that a minor celebrity from the emerald isle may be the most achievable and certainly more possible than an international movie star or rap artist. Suggestions so far have included William Crawley, Shane Lynch, Ian Paisley, Gerry Anderson, Hugo Duncan, Christine Bleakley, Fanta Clarke, Eamon Holmes and the current Presbyterian Moderator. So I now shamelessly make my appeal to any A, B or C list, Irish/British celebrity, who by chance reads this blog, to get in touch with me… thanks.
All other suggestions gratefully received.
3 comments August 26, 2008
Things I should do before I’m 30 (in no particular order!)
At the time of writing this post I am a single male aged twenty-nine years and six months. I have no regular job although my future seems to be taken care off so I’m not worried. I’m assured.
However, I can’t help but feel like there’s something terribly grown-up about being thirty something. When the twenties have passed we no longer have the right/freedom/excuse to be irresponsible, fool-hardy and adventurous. Therefore the time has come for me to write down some achievable ‘tasks’ which may enhance my life experiences over the next six months. This list of ‘things to do before I’m 30′ helps to legitimise some of my hankerings and challenge my comfort zones.
Thank you to my friends for your helpful comments and suggestions. I have decided to omit: shooting something; sleeping rough; speed-dating; parachute jumping; buying a PHD and getting married. These suggestions were - after much contemplation - either too expensive, too desperate or too uncomfortable. But thanks anyway!
Hopefully this ”to do” list will generate enough material to keep my blog alive for a bit longer!
- Do some overseas travel by myself
- Go to a ballet
- Learn a second language (excluding biblical Greek and Hebrew)
- Grow vegetables
- Ride a motorbike
- Play guitar in church
- Own a pet
- Test drive an expensive car that I have no intention of buying
- Make friends with a celebrity
- Climb a mountain
- Take up a sport
- Start a society
- Become a volunteer in an organisation
- Apply for a T.V. show
- Cook dinner for a stranger
- Sell something on ebay
- Organise a street party
- Go busking for an afternoon
- Send flowers to a girl who’s not related to me
- Go on a road-trip in Ireland and camp somewhere which isn’t a campsite and cook breakfast in the morning on a trangia stove
- Broaden my friendship circle to better represent the cultural and religious differences in society
- Lead someone to Jesus
- Go to a music festival
- Eat at a Michelin starred restaurant
- Read “Cloud Atlas” (I chose this at random from a list)
- Record my family history
- Watch the “Star Wars Trilogy”
- Get something published
- Visit London
- Sing Karaoke
5 comments August 22, 2008
