THURSDAY
Dull sequel…
Having suffered from some kind of bug overnight, there was only one thing that could possibly cheer me up this morning. Yes, you’ve guessed it… Oireachtas TV.
Against my better judgement, I tuned in. In truth, I did so for reasons arguably at variance with those initially intended by the powers that be.
In not focussing on the actual politics (having instead tuned in for the circus), I feel a bit like the old ladies and children who used to attend the wrestling bouts featured on ITV’s World of Sport back in the 1970/1980s. But I digress.
Micheál Martin’s second coming as Taoiseach was a formality. Most viewers tuned in to see if there would be any repeat of yesterday’s childish behaviour, uproar which saw the new (and understandably rattled) Ceann Comhairle issue the political equivalent of GAA’s yellow and black cards, before opting for the red which led to a shameful 24-hour adjournment.
All members were on their best behaviour today, so this was like a dull sequel to an acclaimed movie thriller. Oh well.
THURSDAY/FRIDAY
Storm Éowyn
I began my ‘storm prep’ by turning what’s left of our old trampoline (now basically just a base) upside down. It was never going to budge after that, no fear that this now mostly redundant item would feature on social media on Saturday, bounding towards Knockcroghery via various fields.
Thereafter, I secured the bins, closed our windows, and waited for the storm after the calm.
Éowyn was brewing so aggressively from as ‘early’ as 9 pm, it was obvious we were in for something very ominous.
Our electricity went at about 5 am, returning 14 hours later, placing us in the ‘lucky’ category.
Like most people, we took a spin on Friday afternoon to view the damage. The storm caused carnage beyond power cuts, with extensive damage to buildings, and mass uprooting of trees.
Thousands of people in County Roscommon and east Galway (and nationwide) lost power, and water. Hundreds of businesses have been adversely affected locally.
Mind you, some businesses actually had a temporary boost. Once Storm Éowyn stopped baring its teeth, thousands of people flooded into the county town, mostly into the embrace of fast food outlets and premises’ serving coffee, not to mention in desperate pursuit of mobile coverage!
*As we go to press, thousands of people in our readership area are still without power (some without water too). There is frustration, forbearance too, and some anger. We have extensive coverage in this issue. Our thoughts are with those affected.
SATURDAY
Seamus & Tommy
I could see that Leitrim writer (and actor-director) Seamus O’Rourke was nervous when introduced as a guest on Tommy Tiernan’s Show tonight. He need not have been. His humanity and decency gently soared from his chair.
Just as we would have hoped, Seamus entered the distinguished pantheon of memorable interviewees. I’m a fan of Tommy’s interviewing style, but not every interaction is as riveting as popular wisdom might suggest. This one, however, was up there with the best, the chat between two like-minded men all the better for its simplicity, for the fact that both Tommy and Seamus appeared to be drawing from their own insecurities.
The best part was when Seamus spoke so rawly of his relationship with his late father. All over the country, middle-aged men (some women too) looked into their hearts and perhaps salvaged something from their past.
SUNDAY
Winning start
I didn’t get to the Hyde today (due to a family commitment) but we saw TG4’s coverage while having a very nice Sunday lunch in the Percy French Hotel in Strokestown.
It does the heart good to see a player like Ciaráin Murtagh trying what he did, in scoring a sublime, long-range opportunist goal. Down goalkeeper John O’Hare was absent with leave. See our sports section for more.
MONDAY
No smiles…
Why do the audience members for ‘Upfront with Katie Hannon’ (RTE 1, Monday nights) almost always look so miserable? (Answers on a postcard, if you wish).
It’s no reflection on Katie, who is an accomplished journalist and a very nice person (we’ve met).
I don’t think the gloomy audience faces are any reflection either on the panels the producers put together… usually a mix of politicians, journalists/assorted commentators.
Part of the problem is that the studio audience for ‘Upfront with Katie Hannon’ is too small in number/s; usually there are only about 30 people there. It doesn’t generate any atmosphere. Generally they look like they’d prefer to be trapped in a lift with Nigel Farage and Joe Brolly (which may well be the case).
Presumably this audience approach reflects RTE’s belief that an intimate gathering of carefully chosen people – who have some interest in the subject under discussion – will enliven proceedings and capture the attention of TV viewers.
But too often it looks miserable, as if RTE has pleaded with 30 people to donate an hour of their time for the greater good.
Maybe RTE should release the usually hyper audience from The 2 Johnnies’ Late Night Lock-In show into the ‘Upfront’ studio on Mondays. A bit of yelping and laughter wouldn’t go amiss. Then see what Peadar Tóibín and Matt Carthy (and company) make of that!
TUESDAY
Stirred, not shaken
It was the stirring of the tea that pushed some people over the edge.
This is the world we live in now. I kind of get it. Maybe the Taoiseach’s persistent, almost robotic stirring of his tea (coffee?) while being challenged by Rachel Connolly in Castlerea today summoned comparisons (however unfairly) with Marie Antoinette’s alleged ‘Let them eat cake’ comment in the 18th century?
On social media, people who sided with Ms Connolly – the Castlerea resident took issue with Micheál Martin over the Government’s handling of Storm Éowyn – expressed annoyance at the Taoiseach continuing to stir his tea/coffee during the exchange!
Here, their narrative apparently went, was a nation’s leader enjoying refreshments – stirring away to his heart’s content – while thousands of people are struggling without electricity/water.
Mr Martin listened to Ms Connolly, albeit with customary impatience at times. Then he responded (with some reasonable points). Then he sort of walked away, which probably wasn’t the wisest thing to do.
