History of Ireland in 100 Insults

Sir, – 369. She could live on the smell of an oil rag (About a mean person

Sir, – 369. She could live on the smell of an oil rag (About a mean person. From my mother’s west of Ireland childhood, 99 years ago). – Yours, etc,

RUTH MURPHY,

Albany Road,

Ranelagh, Dublin 6

Sir, – 370. My father once described a difficult female colleague: “If she was in India she’d be sacred”. – Yours, etc,

EMER HOLOHAN,

Rathconnell,

Monaghan.

Sir, – 371. “Get up the Yard” there’s a smell of Benjie about ya. 372. Like a Banker “White Shirt and no Breakfast” 373. Yer only a Cute Cavan Hoor. 374. Short hands long pockets. 375. All to one side like Moynalty. 376. A face that would drive rats from a barn. 377. You are seed, breed and spawn of an English hoor. 378. I never forget an Irish face but in your case I’ll make an exception. 379. May you melt off the earth like snow off the ditch. 380. May your pipe never smoke, may your teapot be broke. 381. May your spade never dig may your sow never pig. 382. May the cat eat you and the devil eat the cat. 383.When you were born you were so ugly the nurse slapped your mother. 384. He’s that mean, his cows only feed along the long acre (grass margins) (Patrick Kavanagh). 385. “Watch that fella. All them McGarrys are good for is breedin’!” (From Patsy McGarry, Opinion, March 15th). 386. The Irish terrorist bomb-maker’s parting wish “Go n-éirí an bóthar leat”. 387. The proposed North-South incinerator in Derry “Slan go Foyle”. – Yours, etc,

NOEL MACENTEE,

Milford,

Co Carlow.