The Consolation of Dogs

She's gone lads,
daunted by the ardent flame
that burns in me this time of year.
I won't pretend that I don't miss her.

So it's down you you my friends,
to fill the gap that's in me here.

So draw breath, puff out your chests,
the finest pair of harrier dogs that ever
coursed the glens of Leinster.
O ye pluck the heart strings
of everyone who sees yas.

Rejoice, for I deny humanity,
I'd rather a sailor or a tinker be
than ever again to lose ye.
I'd rather be homeless and in poverty,
I'd ransom all my property.

We'll run along the shore
from Cahore to Carnsore to Tramore
my constellation of consolation
flashing black and white,
scattering magic dust,
entertaining children.

Our names will live forever.


by Rory Stafford 2002

Rudeboys in Belfast 1988

My photographer neighbor Padraig Grant was wandering around Belfast in 1988 when these three boyos asked him to take their photo.

I saw this in Padraig's exhibition during the 2009 Wexford Opera Festival and fell in love with it.

BOMBER performed by Girlschool

I always have to stand up when I hear this song (written by Lemmy of Møtorhead). I don't know why but it reminds me of some friends of mine.

Those girls sure can play !

Hey Fatso,you know where you can stick that cheese!

Our unbelievably stupid, lazy and arrogant government led by old blubber faced baby buffalo Brian Cowen is planning massive cutbacks in the forthcoming budget, set for December 7th 2010.

There is an air of deperation about the country now with all kinds of Casandras predicting all kinds of dark and doom laden scenarios, from 10 billion in cuts in the next 12 months to those fascists from the International Monetary Fund coming in and taking over the country to floods and hurricains. Even the X-factor audience seem to think that this year's series (on UK and Irish TV at the moment) is pretty shit, and if the X-Factor audience is not happy then we KNOW things must be getting bad.

To Socail Welfare recipients, most of whom lost between 10% and 20% of their benefits last year and who can expect to be hammered again come December all I can say is DONT PANIC because the government is going to give us all a nice big lump of Cheddar Cheese.

I am not sure if there is a vegetarian alternative cheese subsitute for those vegans and lactose intolerent among the country's poor.


Thank God for Brian Cowen, that's all I can say and God save Ireland!

Here is how the English Daily Telegraph reported the news.

The Beatles, Dear Prudence