Bertie's visit to Cavan

Yesterday (thursday) witnessed a red letter day for Cavan when it received a visit from no less a luminary than an tea shock Bartholomew Patrick Ahern. Party functionaries were out in force with balloons, bunting, signs etc. It reminded me indeed of old Canon Spooner who once proclaimed: "When the boys come back from France we'll have the hags flung out."

The television news showed Bertie flanked by a representative sample of the FF organisation. Maybe Louie Walsh could help them to go out on their own. They could call themselves "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". There was Brendan Smith (the good), D. Wilson and C. kelly. I'm not going to say which is which, for fear that the last-named would attempt to send me a solicitor's letter in a vexatious and futile libel suit.

But the event was marred somewhat when a mystery caller sent in a request to local radio station Northern Shite for Bertie. The caller, who identified himself only as "er... er ... Mack the Knife" was very specific in what he wanted played for the Tea shock. It was that anthem of the 1970s ABBA's "Waterloo". Who amongs us cannot remember with a frisson where we were and what we were doing when we first heard that song for the first time? The colours of the flares or bell-bottomed trousers we were wearing? I bet some in the Soldiers of Destiny are now wishing that Mary Harney hadn't decided to spend more time with her food.