On the train together
Me and you
My sweet daemon
Heading to a distant land
Sober Paddy
Hurling, Poker and the tempting thoughts of drinkin…
Beginning blogs and finishing them are not the best of horny bedfellows. It’s akin to a lot of peoples exercise regime’s – it’s a simple thing to join the gym, but going there when you’ve just worked ten hours, it’s pissing down outside and the final of X factor is on is a completely different matter. It all takes dedication and persistence. Blah blah blah. Enough of that I say to you. Down off my soap box.
It’s the little differences
A big booze news story coming out of the land of leprechauns and limericks, is that of the case of Graham Parish who died from acute alcohol poisoning in Hayes Hotel in Thurles in 2009. He was out celebrating the birth of his second child on his twenty sixth birthday. He slumped off a chair after downing a single drink which contained double shots of Baileys, Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels and Gin. He had apparently drunk 10 pints of lager and a couple of shots of vodka previous to this. For a detailed report on this story you can click here. The judged ruled that the bartenders who had served him were not responsible for his death, as it had been Mr. Parish’s decision to drink the concoction while ultimately killed him. It is a horrendous story which has no real sunlight at the end of it.
My second job for Guinness
A few years ago when living in Dublin, I was looking in the classifieds and saw an advertisement looking for a “Brand Ambassador” for a drinks company. This, I thought, would be right up my alley. I filled out the application, did the interview and got the job. The position turned out to be working to promote the new concept of Guinness Mid Strength. This is a Guinness with less alcohol than the average one, but not too little that it wouldn’t have any effect. I signed along the dotted line – got the company car, mobile and expense account and went on my way.
Interview with Irish musican/actor/comedian Aindrias de Staic
In this interview I chat with Irish musician/comedian Aindrias de Staic about his relationship with the booze. We talk about how his life has changed since he has given grog the kick and we get his take on all things creative and a little about his show “Anround the World on 80 quid”.
Who is responsible for our nation of drunks?
I want to talk today about the inherent beliefs which exist in the world about the culture of “Irishness” – aka the piss heads of the world. Where did the idea come from that we are all drunkards and great fun on the booze? Where did we get the reputation as being one of the biggest nation of drinkers on this globe of green and blue? Who exactly is to blame for all Irish being born with the idea that an innate part of us is some way biased towards consuming alcohol? Why are there so many pubs associated with Ireland scattered around the world? Are we ourselves to blame? Oh no…. I touched on it last week and I want to blame one nation and one nation only – The English! Now before you take off in a rage with considered ideas which might involve the thoughts that us Irish are responsible for adorable snugs, great atmosphere and delicious porter, hear me out – it is the idea that we are drunks and the like that I’m after, not the actualities which exist right today. Now read on…