Sir — Benjamin Netanyahu’s return to power in Israel with a fringe right government brought to mind Yakov Blotnik, the Philip Roth character who saw everything in two ways: good-for-the-Jews or no-good-for-the-Jews.
For instance, Volodymyr Zelensky: good-for-the-Jews. Benjamin Netanyahu: no-good-for-the-Jews.
Being the only one of anything (such as an American Jew in Sligo) compels this way of thinking.
Before moving to Ireland, my Jewish-American friends estimated the sheep-to-Jew ratio of Ireland.
Skewed. Very skewed.
For most of my life, I’d never wanted to visit Europe, much less live here. My grandfather’s brothers were murdered by Nazis. Tough continent for Jews: Holocaust. Pogroms. Inquisition.
I’m not even spiritually Jewish, but Jewish enough to be murdered through multiple centuries. To be fair, it’s not like America is a bastion of tolerance, but the devil you know.
I came to Ireland knowing two things about the Jewish history in Ireland: a Jewish mayor of Dublin, fascinating. And the Irish did not fight against the Nazis. I get it. There were desperate problems here and an alliance with Britain was inconceivable then. Still disappointing.
There are not enough Jews in Ireland for overt anti-Semitism. I’d never be read as Jewish if I don’t bring it up. It’s never useful to bring up. The worst is my wife’s old friend, who tried out his best Auschwitz joke. That’s the exception, not the rule.
More frequently, people just name aloud a Jewish person they know: Jackie Mason, Jerry Seinfeld, second cousin Saul. It’s the equivalent of an Irish person being in a pub abroad and people calling out: Conor McGregor, Bono, my in-law Siobhán. She’s from Wexford. Do you know her? Then putting on their worst Irish accent. Wait — that does happen.
One of the many reasons Netanyahu is no-good-for-the-Jews is he’s the world’s leading perpetuator of the myth that being Jewish equals unquestioned support of Israel. Tough assumption in Ireland, a place so psychically aligned with Palestine.
Israel needs to be a state, but I strongly believe that Palestine does, too.
The Israeli hardline anti-democratic bigots in power disgrace Israel and Jews. My brother’s the activist, spending years thanklessly lobbying US Jewish groups to recognise Palestine and stop the settlements.
We grew up with the inspiring example of our Rabbi Charles Lippman, whose advocacy of recognising Palestine risked his job.
He taught my brother and me the essence of Judaism, a lesson I heeded protesting the US Muslim ban alone in hostile settings, joining Black Lives Matter protests.
Oppression of people anywhere is oppression of people everywhere. Keeping that in mind is good for everyone.
Jared Martin Gottlieb, Co Sligo
Sir — Sinn Féin’s outrage at Paschal Donohoe’s election finances is somewhat hypocritical in light of its own failures in that department.
What’s sauce for the goose is, undoubtedly, sauce for the gander as well.
Aileen Hooper, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
Sir — What a pathetic little country we are to elect so many politicians who will try to bring down Paschal Donohoe, who has been by far the most efficient and successful minister for finance that this country has had for a very long time.
He has managed to steer the country through the most difficult period and will no doubt be equally outstanding in his new position. He is also highly thought of in Europe.
Self-serving politicians have no place in our Dáil. Hopefully the public will see through them and act accordingly in the coming election.
Michael O’Connell, Listowel, Co Kerry
Sir — Listening to Pascal Donohoe recently, I was reminded of the phrase coined by Sir Walter Scott: “Oh, what a tangled web we weave.”
I was reminded of this expression because of the various types of donations involved, whether these be individual, in kind or corporate, and the different beneficiaries of these donations.
Some politicians have suggested innocent and honest politicians are being hounded out of politics. Hyperbole. I’m guessing if this was to do with their salary they would ensure the deductions were correct.
For democracy to work, elections need to be fair and transparent. A very important element of election integrity is that we, the people, know who seeks the political patronage of our politicians. Is it too much to ask for our politicians to fill in the paperwork correctly?
Andy Hales, Kenmare, Co Kerry
Sir — After shooting a hare many years ago, Joe Kennedy (Country Matters, Sunday Independent, last week) was so affected by the creature’s scream that he got rid of his gun.
I heard that awful sound of a hare crying pitifully as two greyhounds mauled the defenceless creature at a coursing meeting at Limerick racecourse some years ago. There was no pity for the hare by the assembled coursers, who seemed deaf and blind to its awful plight.
In an RTÉ Radio report on capturing hares from the wild for coursing, a hare’s terrified scream was heard as it got caught up in a net set by coursers. Would our legislators please have a heart, heed the hare’s cry and bring an end to this coursing barbarity.
Aideen Yourell, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Sir — As a long-time film fan, I was delighted to see the success of Irish-made films, including Oscar nominations, for An Cailín Ciúin and The Banshees of Inisherin.
Unfortunately, based on my own recent experiences since the lifting of Covid restrictions, Irish audiences appear slow to return to the enjoyment of a trip to the cinema to watch the current films in the format they were designed to be seen.
Some younger film fans may not even realise there is a vast difference between seeing a film on the large screen compared to watching on TV at home.
The trip to the local cinema was always considered a good family outing and that was even before popcorn and soft drinks were served.
While many entertainment venues suffered during the last three years of Covid it would be a shame to lose any of our local cinemas now they have weathered that storm and Irish films are again in the ascendancy.
Owen Davin, Ferrybank, Waterford
Sir — John Finegan suggests a tandem should be used by Green Party leader Eamon Ryan and his close protection garda, (‘Ryan needs garda to be in the frame’, Letters, last week). But this form of transport is an expensive purchase.
I recommend that the minister should sit on the crossbar while the officer does all the hard work.
Eric Maughan, Swellan, Co Cavan
Sir — One evening I was sitting in traffic in Dublin near a school. Students were coming out the main entrance, and I was alarmed as every student’s eyes were fixed on the screen of a phone — this even though they were crossing a busy road, walking in and out of cars.
Most were not interested in what was going on around them and were only interested in their screen. Our Government needs to step up a gear on this serious issue.
Kevin Carolan, Baileboro, Co Cavan
Sir — It was music to my ears when I read in your paper that Mick O’Dwyer, 86 years young, and Geraldine McGirr, 65 years young, had married. I wish them many happy years together.
I, too, married my sweetheart at age 64 — Peter was 83 — and they were the happiest years of my life. He was intelligent, witty, a great dancer and full of life. He sadly passed away in 2021 at age 90. If someone had told me at 19 years of age that I would marry an 83-year-old at 64 I would have thought the world had gone mad.
But the “older the fiddle the sweeter the tune”. It was certainly true with my husband. Love is not only for the young: it comes in all shapes and forms. It’s a beautiful miracle.
Terry Healy Riordan, Kill, Co Kildare
Micko broke all sorts of records, when he was a manager, And the man’s still at it, but this time as a paramour. While most men at eighty-six, are dreading the Grim Reaper, Micko has found love again, and is like a teenager. After winning eight All-Irelands, as the Kerry trainer, Micko then took to the road, to make weaker counties greater. He trained Laois and Wicklow, and Clare and Kildare, And left his stamp on all of them, for he dared to share. Ever fit and charismatic, with a fine head of hair, He fell in love at eighty-six, when most men wouldn’t dare.
Not only did he fall in love, he slipped a wedding ring, On his true love from Tyrone, a queen for Kerry’s king. Geraldine is a stunner, and is now Micko’s Juliet, For Romeo fell for her, the first time that they met. They make a striking couple, as all the pictures show, When they married in Killarney, in love and all aglow. Now it just happened that weekend, Buzz Aldrin also swooned, At 93, and now these two mighty men, are both over the moon. It is an epic romantic tale, when silver heads find bliss, For Cupid is a little angel, and his arrows never miss!
Nicky Barry, Killarney, Co Kerry
Sir — The All-Ireland club hurling and football finals played last Sunday at Croke Park did credit to all those involved, on and off the pitch.
The GAA at parish level is a sporting organisation that places community above self. It is the soul of a society of people of diverse backgrounds, all of whom subscribe to the notion of loyalty to the parish exclusively on the premise of volunteer participation.
It is primarily the parish club players, most of whom will never play for their county or appear in an All-Ireland club final, who epitomise the original ideals of the GAA. They are the true sporting heroes.
This is in contrast to the emergence of GAA “super clubs” who sign star players from outside the parish and county which could reasonably be regarded as a type of creeping professionalism within the GAA.
This generation does not own the GAA — no one does. We are just the current custodians of this organisation whose sporting and cultural assets are worth guarding zealously.
Tomás Ó Cuipéir, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
Sir — Events over the last few days have reinforced the belief that the GAA sees itself as God.
The association created the conditions for its games to flourish but dare not intervene when difficult disputes arise.
In GAA we trust indeed.
Brendan Corrigan, Bogota, Colombia
Sir — When I read the title on the front cover of Prince Harry’s book, Spare, it reminded me of the scene in Roddy Doyle’s The Van when Jimmy Rabbitte Snr decides to open a tin of pineapple rings (to deep-fry in batter).
Thinking of how his wife might react if she finds the tin missing, Jimmy says: “Remind me to replace this one. Veronica’ll go spare if she goes to get it and it’s not there.”
Much has been made of Spare being about how Prince Harry felt unwanted as a once-time spare to the heir. The book is also about him going spare when his expectations were dashed.
As a book, however, The Van is miles better.
Chris Fitzpatrick, Dublin 6
Sir — Joseph O’Connor’s book My Father’s House (‘Writing a song of courage in a Roman winter’, People & Culture, last week), which deals with the life of the courageous priest Hugh O’Flaherty, brings to mind the movie The Scarlet and the Black, which starred Gregory Peck in the role of the priest. I often wondered if another fine actor, Karl Malden, had ever been considered for the role as (to me at least) there was a marked facial resemblance between him and Fr O’Flaherty.
Perhaps Gregory was considered greater “box office” at the time?
As ever, only God knows the answer to that one.
Tom Gilsenan, Beaumont, Dublin 9
Sir — In response to Professor Luke O’Neill, (‘Ageing has been reversed in mice. Are we next?’, Sunday Independent, last week):
Luke O’ Neill (though ’twas not his intention) Has, nevertheless, caused me tension. For I know age-reversal Is not just a rehearsal. I’m afraid that I might lose the pension.
Mattie Lennon, Blessington, Co Wicklow
“I learned the truth at seventeen / That love was meant for beauty queens / And high school girls with clear-skinned smiles / Who married young and then retired.”
Sir — As I celebrated both my 67th birthday and 44th wedding anniversary last week, and reflected on a, thus far, very lucky, very happy and well-lived life, I was drawn to the above words in Janis Ian’s lyrical masterpiece from her timeless 1975 hit song, At Seventeen.
That year was, coincidentally, when I met my wife in Ranelagh’s Mount Pleasant Lawn Tennis Club (as a visiting out-of-playing-hours Northsider in search of love and companionship, not tennis).
My reflections have led me to a consideration of the old adage that “you’re as young as you feel”.
Speaking as one half of a very happy, healthy, and active pairing, without feeling any of the self-or societal-imposed shackles of closing in on 70, I dwelled again upon those lyrics.
In a 2019 article, Janis herself volunteered: “To still sing a song like At Seventeen and watch people’s reactions, it’s humbling and it’s also really gratifying because when I wrote it I didn’t think that one day I’d be 67 and still singing it.”
Can I suggest then a new way of looking at life? A new way of looking at age, a new way of dealing with the relentless passage of time? Can I suggest we all re-zero our age when we reach 50 and start counting again?
As a young-at-heart 67-year-old, I, for one, would be more than happy to be 17 again.
Anyone for tennis?
Tony Horan, Navan, Co Meath
