Madam, - After the dramatic changes brought about by the economic boom, it is heartening to know that we still manage to retain some of our unique Irish qualities.
Last Sunday, November 21st, I set out from Dublin airport intending to travel by bus to Ballyfermot via the city centre. Arriving at the no. 41 bus stop at 8.10 a.m., I noted from the timetable that the next bus was due to arrive at 8.35. At 8.55, with no sign of a bus for the ever swelling queue, I decided to check with the tourist information desk (the bus information desk was closed).
A very nice woman at the desk confirmed for me that the 41 was indeed due at 8.35 and, by way of explanation, said: "Well, it's Sunday morning - it must be late".
Eventually the bus arrived at 9.10 and I managed to find standing room to the city centre, where I made my way across O'Connell Bridge to the 78A bus-stop on Aston Quay. The timetable showed the next bus due at 10 a.m. As it was 9.50 I congratulated myself on my impeccable timing and waited. . . and waited. At 10.25 I asked a bus inspector if the timetable had any basis in reality.
He cheerily answered: "Ah, sure it's Sunday morning. You know yourself!"
As I stood there contemplating the hundreds of pieces of discarded chewing gum stuck to the pavement and the vomit adorning a nearby doorway, I forlornly hummed a few bars of Sunday Morning Coming Down.
I got home in time for lunch. - Yours, etc.,
THOMAS NAGHTEN, Rossmore Avenue, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10