Murray Bird recently had a couple of weeks in Ireland. He was so taken and moved by the people, their sport and their music, their friendliness and their likability, that he just had to get his thoughts on the page. This is an Almanac classic. It’s travel, observation and understated commentary. It’s wholehearted participation and engagement. Please, pour yourself a Guinness or a whisky, and immerse yourself in a superb account of a hurling game and what happened along the way in getting there. This is the story of a grand people and their rich history and culture.
Almanac Poetry: Irish
August 16, 2021 by 2 Comments
This Monday’s poem from Kevin Densley draws on family history, in particular his Irish ancestors, who, like many of their countryfolk, left their native land to start new lives around the world.
Almanac Music: She Passed By Me At The Fair (Song Lyric)
August 9, 2021 by 4 Comments
Something a little different from Kevin Densley – his most recent song lyric, written only weeks ago. ‘With Irish ancestry on both sides of my family, this lyric for a traditional-sounding Irish folk ballad was bound to come out sooner or later. Imagine these words in a brief, melodic song, wistfully sung.’
Almanac Life: Crossing The Road
August 9, 2021 by 21 Comments
Some musings from Dips O’Donnell as he moves into lockdown mode once again.
Almanac Rugby: Viva Los Pumas
November 16, 2020 by 2 Comments
Brian the Ruminator regaled us with the rare gold of a Wallabies Bledisloe win last week – this week something even more extraordinary has happened with Argentina having defeated the mighty All Blacks for the first time.
Almanac Memoir: My Grandfather Played Hurling
August 1, 2019 by 16 Comments
Smokie favours us with this story of his beloved grandfather, Neddy Dawson, and ponders the appropriate curation of Neddy’s century-old Hurley.
AFL International Cup Day One: Dancing and smiling, wind and rain
August 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
International Cup editor Jack Banister caught up on three games on Sunday as the competition kicked off. The mix of cultures and styles made for a powerful experience despite the weather trying to put a spoiler on things.
Almanac Rugby: No Rest For The Wallabies Ahead Of Ireland Clash
November 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment
The Wallabies have surprised a few and now face Ireland in Dublin on Sunday in what should be a terrific Test match writes Farris Garrison.
Getting the ICC Team Balance Right
March 18, 2015 by 2 Comments
What is the right balance of matches for an ICC World Cup? Wayne Ball gives his view on full members and associates, and poses some questions and (excellent) suggestions for the game’s hierachy.
ICC World Cup 2015 – Ireland v Zimbabwe, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
March 11, 2015 by 4 Comments
Mark Duffet is captivated by the passionate Irish and Zimbabwean cricketers who turn on a high scoring thriller in Hobart, and outraged by a marketing “score” board that keeps the scores a secret.
2015 ICC World Cup: Proteas Gain Momentum
March 4, 2015 by 2 Comments
Kieran Deck was at Manuka Oval to watch South Africa strut their stuff against the Irish. While the focus for local fans has been on the local lads and the Kiwis, the South Africans are displaying some ominous form, suggests Kieran.
ICC World Cup 2015 – Ireland v West Indies: The arrival
February 16, 2015 by 13 Comments
E.Regnans relays the World Cup description from a Derry front bar as the Irish chase down a big target set by the Windies.
2015 ICC World Cup: Ireland v West Indies – Nelson (Haaa Haaa!)
February 16, 2015 by 4 Comments
The worst-case scenario for West Indian cricket became a reality earlier today when they were defeated by Ireland in Nelson, New Zealand. Having being bitten by the Test cricket bug, Yoshi delves into the limited overs form of the game. Bemusement abounds for someone from a baseball background.
Top 100 World Cup Moments (From the Aussie P.O.V.): 75 – The Hand of Frog (2009)
March 31, 2014 by 1 Comment
Dennis Gedling tells how the qualifiers for World Cup 2010 were mired in controversy. The French (predictably) underperformed while the Irish cried ‘we wuz robbed’.
All-Indigenous teams should be seen on the world stage
October 20, 2013 by 6 Comments
Sean Gorman offers historical perspective and social context for the Indigenous All-Stars footy team’s current tour of Ireland.
The Celtic Green Caps.
March 5, 2013 by 2 Comments
Glen compiles an Australian Test 11 of players whose family origins are from the Emerald Isle. Would they do any worse than the current team?
Aussie Rules: The World Game
October 29, 2012 by 9 Comments
Aussie Rules is truly the World Game, says Dips O’Donnell.
Euro 2012 – Day 11: …you were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off…
June 19, 2012 by 2 Comments
Group C Spain Italy ________ Croatia Ireland Italy 2 – 0 Ireland Spain 1 – 0 Croatia It was never going to be a rerun of their match in the 1994 World Cup, but the Irish played their best game this morning. And their fans gave their best of some very good performances. It didn’t [Read more]
Euro 2012: Going home early
June 15, 2012 by 1 Comment
Group C Spain 4 – 0 Ireland Italy 1 – 1 Croatia I wouldn’t be surprised if the Irish boys find a beach and lie on it for the next few days. Have a look at the line up when they play Italy see how their tans are. Their tournament is officially over. They have [Read more]
The Queen to visit Croke Park
May 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment
Yes, you read it right. Check out this piece first published in The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/08/queen-britain-croke-park-ireland
Recent Comments