Letters

A history of Ireland in 100 goodbyes

Bye for now

Thu Oct 05 2023 - 00:04

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.

READ MORE

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.