Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Here are some videos to remind you how absolutely class my home country is…
Sinéad O’Connor performing ‘Mandinka’ live at the Grammys in 1989
I was first brought to this video while reading her biography ‘Rememberings’. For this perfromance she had shaved the Public Enemy logo in the side of her head to protest against the Grammys not televising the hip hop awards. Such an attitude, an early portrait of the fierce spirit that was going to explode during the 90s. RIP Sinéad.
Eleanor Tiernan’s regression therapy for Ireland
Such a hilarious device for a comedy routine. Eleanor Tiernan makes the audience participate in a Therapy session for Ireland, listing all the things that hurt it. An extensive list that humorously punctures the Irish psyche.
GILLA BAND - ‘Shoulderblades’
The finest band to emerge from the aul’ sod in recent years. I love their fusion of punk energy with techno-inspired rhythms, and Dara Kiely’s deconstructed poetry barking over the top is intoxicating.
This video features performer Oona Doherty and is completely mesmerising.
Seamus Heaney ‘Mother’
Reading the poetry of Seamus Heaney in school alway took me beyond the four walls of the Christian Brothers and into an ethereal timeless space.
Rubberbandits ‘Da’s Best Friend’
I’ve enjoyed everything The Rubberbandits, and specifically Blindboy Boatclub, has done since ‘Horse Outside’ went viral in 2011.
This ‘Da’s Best Friend’ video feels like the peak of their powers. I adore Blindboy’s short story writing, and this feels like a novella packed into a three-and-a-half-minute tech house pop song.
Ronnie Whelan vs. Russia at Euro ‘88
I still get goosebumps watching this clip. The exhilarating joy of that summer of 1988 as Ireland qualified for their first major tournament. Then Ronnie Whelan goes and scores one of the goals of the tournament with a scissor kick from outside the penalty area.
It marks the start of what was to be a life-long love affair with football. Jack Charlton’s Ireland team carried the country to many joyous moments as they qualified for a string of tournament as made some of my happiest childhood moments.
