The Weekend On One With Brendan O'Connor

Shelga

I quite enjoyed that interview actually. She’s had an interesting life, and was more balanced and seemed to have more perspective than I would have expected.

Furze99

Amazing the amount of penetration that the dining industry and so called celeb chefs have in RTE. On every other show regularly going on about their lives. RTE staff are obviously paid far too much if the ins and outs of this crowd are important to them.

Vast majority of people don't eat in these places and frankly couldn't give a 'f**k' about Chapter One and the rest of them.

Del.Monte

The interview with this cook whose restaurant I've never been to is sucking the life out of me - radio off.

Del.Monte

Del.Monte wrote: »

The interview with this cook whose restaurant I've never been to is sucking the life out of me - radio off.

Are we really a lot more compassionate, Maureen Gaffney?

DrSerious3

Topgear on Dave wrote: »

Pity he didn't ask him about the advantages of property investment, the advantages and difficulties of being a landlord and the ease or otherwise of evicting tenants.

Interestingly, a certain cohort of people who generally rail against political dishonesty and vested interests would be highly annoyed if Higgins was asked about his impressive personal wealth and property portfolio on radio.

Bellbottoms

DrSerious3 wrote: »

Interestingly, a certain cohort of people who generally rail against political dishonesty and vested interests would be highly annoyed if Higgins was asked about his impressive personal wealth and property portfolio on radio.

I thought it was just two. His family home and then a second house in Galway. Has he many more?

Beechwoodspark

MDH been high on the hog for decades at this stage ...

elperello

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

MDH been high on the hog for decades at this stage ...

This is no great revelation.

He was a university lecturer and became a politician. Both well paid jobs.

Now he is President which is another well paid job.

Describe it any way you like but he only gets the same as anyone else in his position would get.

mgn

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

MDH been high on the hog for decades at this stage ...

Champagne socialist at its best.

He has done well of the backs of the taxpayer in this country.

Bellbottoms

mgn wrote: »

Champagne socialist at its best.

He has done well of the backs of the taxpayer in this country.

Serious question. What do you expect him to do? Hand all the money back? Use it to fund Marxists in Latin America.

What do the PBP do with there salaries?

elperello

mgn wrote: »

Champagne socialist at its best.

He has done well of the backs of the taxpayer in this country.

That's just an old jibe.

Politicians collect their wages just like any other state employee.

Pelvis Parsley

elperello wrote: »

That's just an old jibe.

Politicians collect their wages just like any other state employee.

Miggeldy has a useful chap who does all that for him.

archfi

The 'Crowds on a Tiny Street in Dublin' national disaster being discussed now.
'Flabbergasted'

mgn

Bellbottoms wrote: »

Serious question. What do you expect him to do? Hand all the money back? Use it to fund Marxists in Latin America.

What do the PBP do with there salaries?

Give something back to country by not taking a salary for the privilege of being President would do, he has the big house, staff, chauffeur, gardeners, and wined and dined around the world.

As for PHP, a shower of muppets, the worst by far is that idiot Eoin O Broin who rents a house rather than buy one, just to be in the renters club.

Bellbottoms

mgn wrote: »

Give something back to country by not taking a salary for the privilege of being President would do

I could be wrong, and I am sure someone can correct me if I am. But I don't think there is a mechanism to do that.


I know SF claimed for years that they only took the average wage. And as we all know they were taking the full payment and in most instances donating it to the party.

EmmetSpiceland

Bellbottoms wrote: »

I could be wrong, and I am sure someone can correct me if I am. But I don't think there is a mechanism to do that.


I know SF claimed for years that they only took the average wage. And as we all know they were taking the full payment and in most instances donating it to the party.

He did something with one of his pensions where the money was to go back to the exchequer. Or it was, at least, talked about.

Must be great to have your room and board covered while pulling in a salary that would make you a millionaire once your term is up.

Pelvis Parsley

He's only gathering it for the grandkids at this stage.

EmmetSpiceland

elperello wrote: »

This is no great revelation.

He was a university lecturer and became a politician. Both well paid jobs.

Now he is President which is another well paid job.

Describe it any way you like but he only gets the same as anyone else in his position would get.

From his recent interviews it comes across that his job was always poet.

Beechwoodspark

He even has cultivated the posh arisocrat accent to go along with his huge public earnings

Pelvis Parsley

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

From his recent interviews it comes across that his job was always poet.

Be some craic if Bob Dylan didn't write back to him.

"As one poet to another." I think we'll miss the little fella when he's gone, but he certainly doesn't hide his light under a bushel.

elperello

Bellbottoms wrote: »

I could be wrong, and I am sure someone can correct me if I am. But I don't think there is a mechanism to do that.


I know SF claimed for years that they only took the average wage. And as we all know they were taking the full payment and in most instances donating it to the party.

There should be no mechanism to refuse part or whole remuneration.

This type of virtue signaling by politicians of any hue should be rejected by the electorate.

Give them what they are due and let them sort it from there without any state involvement.

Dempo1

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

From his recent interviews it comes across that his job was always poet.

And being an absolute pain in the A****, seems anything MDH as to say must be verse or rhymes other than that the rest is just incomprehensible patronising nonsense.

Pelvis Parsley

Beefy: "Listen...listen...listen...listen."

Jesus man, give it a rest.

mgn

Bellbottoms wrote: »

I could be wrong, and I am sure someone can correct me if I am. But I don't think there is a mechanism to do that.


I know SF claimed for years that they only took the average wage. And as we all know they were taking the full payment and in most instances donating it to the party.

The can find a mechanism very quick when it suits them, in fairness how long would it take if the will was there.

As for SF, most have being taking their full salary's for years, some donate a small percentage.

EmmetSpiceland

Pelvis Parsley wrote: »

Be some craic if Bob Dylan didn't write back to him.

"As one poet to another." I think we'll miss the little fella when he's gone, but he certainly doesn't hide his light under a bushel.

That’s it, he’s got his annoyances but, overall, he’s a good guy and a great representative for the country.

Beechwoodspark

Very much doubt Bobby d will reply to him.

Wasn’t it an “open letter” more than a private correspondence? The first I saw of it was it was reprinted in the examiner

Del.Monte

Yesterday it was an interview with a cook, today an unknown English DJ.....off until the 1pm news.

EmmetSpiceland

Del.Monte wrote: »

Yesterday it was an interview with a cook, today an unknown English DJ.....off until the 1pm news.

Are you talking about Annie Mac there? She wouldn’t be an “unknown English DJ”.

You might not be aware of her but aside from being well known in the music industry she’s presented on ‘Other Voices’ for RTÉ.

Beechwoodspark

She’s fairly obscure all the same.

As a listener to bbc 6 I’ve never been overly impressed with her - “phoning it in” is the phrase I’d use

Ash.J.Williams

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

She’s fairly obscure all the same.

As a listener to bbc 6 I’ve never been overly impressed with her - “phoning it in” is the phrase I’d use

Not obscure at all

Ash.J.Williams

Pelvis Parsley wrote: »

Be some craic if Bob Dylan didn't write back to him.

"As one poet to another." I think we'll miss the little fella when he's gone, but he certainly doesn't hide his light under a bushel.

Comedian Stuart Lee would ask himself “what’s the funniest thing I can do in this situation “

When he heard James cordon was name dropping him in interviews he did a number on him said it was like a dog liking classical music

Funniest think Bob could do is do nothing

Del.Monte

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Not obscure at all

I have since discovered she's Irish, but whatever her nationality it was yawn inducing stuff which is the staple of BOC's woeful show.

Beechwoodspark

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Not obscure at all

Disagree. The average irish radio listener wouldn’t have a breeze if her name was mentioned

Pelvis Parsley

I’m afraid I didn’t know her either.

Beechwoodspark

Legend in her own lunch break type

EmmetSpiceland

She was on the cover of the Irish Times magazine yesterday. But do go on telling us that she’s a nobody who shouldn’t be on the show, or maybe imply that she must be on the “books” of Noel King.

KevRossi

ShamNNspace wrote: »

M Ds letter to Bob on his 80th

I think that letter sums up what MDH has developed himself into today. It's a letter from the President of a nation to a songwriter. In it he mentions himself several times, and doesn't mention the people once. The letter comes across as a slightly obsessed fan asking to meet Dylan, rather than a letter from a head of state.

I first met Higgins when he was in opposition around 1987 or 1988. I still think his tenure as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht to have been one of the most effective of any Minister in any role, he was certainly the best in his role.

But he has become an insufferable pontificator and I grew to dislike him strongly for a number of reasons during the campaign for his second presidency. He is the worst kind of champagne socialist there is.

Furze99 wrote: »

Amazing the amount of penetration that the dining industry and so called celeb chefs have in RTE. On every other show regularly going on about their lives. RTE staff are obviously paid far too much if the ins and outs of this crowd are important to them.

Vast majority of people don't eat in these places and frankly couldn't give a 'f**k' about Chapter One and the rest of them.

They get on some show, they hand out a few goodies (free or highly reduced meals) to those who matter in RTE and the wider media, and they get the necessary publicity. Greasing each other up (almost literally).

Beechwoodspark

Would agree the letter is yet another example of what MDH has become

Extremely vain and egotistical


Very much out of touch with “ordinary Ireland”


A deeply insincere false and frankly embarrassing fake “posh” upper class English accent that he persists in using to underscore an elitist attitude (“I am separate and better than you, and you will accept that”)


Some sort of delusional idea that he was a serious credible poet. The poetry was not well regarded and it was very much a side line “quirk” of his career but for whatever reason he plays up to it at every opportunity

Beechwoodspark

EmmetSpiceland wrote: »

She was on the cover of the Irish Times magazine yesterday. But do go on telling us that she’s a nobody who shouldn’t be on the show, or maybe imply that she must be on the “books” of Noel King.

She’s fairly unknown in Ireland

As I said before I listen to bbc radio quite a bit and never particularly impressed with her -

jay0109

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Would agree the letter is yet another example of what MDH has become

Extremely vain and egotistical


Very much out of touch with “ordinary Ireland”


A deeply insincere false and frankly embarrassing fake “posh” upper class English accent that he persists in using to underscore an elitist attitude (“I am separate and better than you, and you will accept that”)


Some sort of delusional idea that he was a serious credible poet. The poetry was not well regarded and it was very much a side line “quirk” of his career but for whatever reason he plays up to it at every opportunity

It was a more upmarket version of Varadkar's note to Kylie!

Gen.Zhukov

Away from the compulsive liar guy who's wife fancied another stint in the lap of luxury...


O'Connor's interruptions, unnecessary interjections and continual finishing off of other peoples sentences are becoming a total turn off...literally. Did half an hour today and went over to Gavin Reilly. The difference in presenting styles is huge. Gavin lets people talk freely and finish their piece without jumping in every few seconds to prove it's his show.

BOC seem to think he knows more than anyone else irrespective of how qualified the guest is in their own field.

Stfu Brendan.

Cole

KevRossi wrote: »

I think that letter sums up what MDH has developed himself into today. It's a letter from the President of a nation to a songwriter. In it he mentions himself several times, and doesn't mention the people once. The letter comes across as a slightly obsessed fan asking to meet Dylan, rather than a letter from a head of state.

jay0109 wrote: »

It was a more upmarket version of Varadkar's note to Kylie!

Leo was slated and had the p1ss ripped out of him (deserved some of it), but Michael D essentially does the same thing and it's seen by many through a completely different lens. Because himself and Bob Dylan are seen as the acceptable type of creative artist (both are apparently serious and profound poets/philosophers), it has to be seen as something different...almost admirable.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of poetry and philosophy now and again, but how people can't see through the sheer level of pretentious rambling that Michael D comes out with is amazing to me. He's become a bit of a (social) media sacred cow who can only be seen as some kind of inspirational figure, rather than a guy who loves having his wannabe artist ego massaged.

Bellbottoms

Cole wrote: »

Leo was slated and had the p1ss ripped out of him (deserved some of it), but Michael D essentially does the same thing and it's seen by many through a completely different lens. Because himself and Bob Dylan are seen as the acceptable type of creative artist (both are apparently serious and profound poets/philosophers), it has to be seen as something different...almost admirable.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of poetry and philosophy now and again, but how people can't see through the sheer level of pretentious rambling that Michael D comes out with is amazing to me. He's become a bit of a (social) media sacred cow who can only be seen as some kind of inspirational figure, rather than a guy who loves having his wannabe artist ego massaged.

Don't hey me wrong. I like MDH, but the poetry is fairly awful. Always has been.

Ash.J.Williams

Cole wrote: »

Leo was slated and had the p1ss ripped out of him (deserved some of it), but Michael D essentially does the same thing and it's seen by many through a completely different lens. Because himself and Bob Dylan are seen as the acceptable type of creative artist (both are apparently serious and profound poets/philosophers), it has to be seen as something different...almost admirable.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of poetry and philosophy now and again, but how people can't see through the sheer level of pretentious rambling that Michael D comes out with is amazing to me. He's become a bit of a (social) media sacred cow who can only be seen as some kind of inspirational figure, rather than a guy who loves having his wannabe artist ego massaged.

Any grown man writing to Kylie needs a good look at themselves

Ash.J.Williams

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Any grown man writing to Kylie needs a good look at themselves

Ah, surely writing the letter is ok-ish. Popping it in the post is the step too far

elperello

Beechwoodspark wrote: »

Some sort of delusional idea that he was a serious credible poet. The poetry was not well regarded and it was very much a side line “quirk” of his career but for whatever reason he plays up to it at every opportunity

Bellbottoms wrote: »

Don't hey me wrong. I like MDH, but the poetry is fairly awful. Always has been.

It gives me a sort of a warm comforting feeling to be living in a country where people are exercised enough to complain about the quality of the Presidents poetic output.

Brendan Bendar

I was part of an audience with Miickeleen recently and while I was on the pot submitted the following few stanzas to the President.

***********************

Above in the leafy Árus
The Pressie spread his thighs
Took up a spot on his sùgán chair
Surveyed us with his eyes.
*******************************
The waistcoat nicely settled
The hounds at peaceful heel
A patient crowd awaited
To hear his latest spiel
***************************
Them ****ers out in Israel
Are really off the wall
The Yanks are kernts of the lowest sort
They really know fuherke all

*************************
So lads get out and protest
Get out and do your stuff
I’m down to three auld pinshions
It’s nowhere near enough.
**************************
Break up the kip and light the match
Reduce the place to rubble
I’ll sit up here and cheer you on
Steering clear of any trouble.

***************************

Submitted to Aras An Uachterán for inclusion in its archives.

Not included apparently …… very disappointed .

*May not be true

Cole

Ash.J.Williams wrote: »

Any grown man writing to Kylie needs a good look at themselves

I don't see anything wrong with it...each to their own...but not in an official capacity as the head of a national government. But that wasn't the point, it's that some see Michael D's slightly desperate sycophantic letter to Dylan as somehow different...because himself and Dylan are both 'real' artists and not some mere pop singer.

I think Michael D (as the head of state of a country) needs to take a good look at himself writing to Dylan. And maybe those who think it's somehow inspirational/admirable could do the same.

Anyway, elperello's point is well made...we're lucky that we don't live in a country where we have to worry about more serious issues around the presidency. But he's still a pain in the arse at times.

Ash.J.Williams

Cole wrote: »

I don't see anything wrong with it...each to their own...but not in an official capacity as the head of a national government. But that wasn't the point, it's that some see Michael D's slightly desperate sycophantic letter to Dylan as somehow different...because himself and Dylan are both 'real' artists and not some mere pop singer.

I think Michael D (as the head of state of a country) needs to take a good look at himself writing to Dylan. And maybe those who think it's somehow inspirational/admirable could do the same.

Anyway, elperello's point is well made...we're lucky that we don't live in a country where we have to worry about more serious issues around the presidency. But he's still a pain in the arse at times.

IMO Higgins letter would be ok if he left out the Poet bit anyway I’m sure there’s a proper definition of a poet , should earn a living from it or something?