First the country was ripped apart by the news that we had to be bailed out. Okay we knew we were in trouble...this recession was lasting way too long. But did Cowen and Co., the democratic leaders of a supposedly democratic country, share with their long-suffering people the real nature of the problem? Oh no. Instead they denied that a bailout was even going to happen; a couple of days later when the news exploded on TV screens and Twitter, one got the feeling that Irish people were supposed to believe that Bailout Package was a bit like a Christmas present - received with excitement, carefully unwrapped, a wonderfully successful surprise.
Ireland is the laughing-stock of the....world, right now. But do you know what? THEY don't seem to realise. How alarming. They smile and simper and beam and shake hands and are grateful for any word (positive or negative) from her Holiness Merkel. And at the same time, German domination slowly seeps into Irish society, manifesting itself in curious ways like wooden huts in Eyre Square where big-bellied country men dressed inappropriately in Lederhosen and Trachtl brave the icy Atlantic cold to sit on benches outside Galway's version of OKtoberfest - except here there's only one tent and its not in October but December.
There are also the mysterious notices stuck to Pennys windows, notifying the general public of job opportunities in Primark stores in Frankfurt. Sure its only a 6 euro Ryanair flight away...Who wants to be in Ireland anyway?
But anyway, now there's the BIg Freeze. So much fun. So convenient. Only thing is, the country's losing money by the million euro. For some reason I've got the 1918 Lockout in my head and the dramatic and patriotic actions of that wonderful character Jim Larkin.
I wonder who the Jim Larkin of 2010 is going to be?
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