January 14, 2016 Craic & Codology

Towards the end of last year I discovered the joy of swimming and I would like to improve my strokes in deep water, especially as I believe that, with the help of Government policy, swimming will become an increasingly common activity in Ireland in the coming years. I would go so far as to say… Read more »

January 14, 2016 Craic & Codology

January 14, 2016 Craic & Codology

Email: guff@southsidetimes.con (no attachments – or anyone earning less than €100,000) Post: Nonsense Dept, Humbug Street, D2, Eire (beside UK) Follow Letters page on Twitter: @ITCrap Note: please provide name and address so we can weed out any non-professionals. Letters may be edited or cut – especially if from the northside   Failed rugby pundit… Read more »

January 14, 2016 Craic & Codology

by Our Media Staff Phillipa Column As speculation continues about who is to be RTÉ’s new director-general, several prominent names have emerged as front-runners for what has been described as “the biggest job in Irish broadcasting”. However, current deputy-director Kevin Bratwurst, a former BBC News executive, is being widely tipped as the favourite for the… Read more »

January 14, 2016 Craic & Codology

FOOTBALL BOSSES Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini are being head-hunted by all the major political parties ahead of the upcoming general election. The duo have been banned from football activities after an investigation by the Fifa Ethics Committee into a payment made by Blatter to Platini. Blatter claimed it was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and totally… Read more »

January 14, 2016 Craic & Codology

by Our Fever Staff Phil Space Is there too much coverage of the 1916 centenary in the national media? That is the crucial issue my editor has just asked me to address in this latest 900-word follow-up to yesterday’s piece on the historic commemorations. However, with just 75 days to go before the actual centenary… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

Conor McGregor is celebrating his latest triumph after knocking out lightweight opponent Enda Kenny in just 13 seconds. In front of a packed house in Las Vegas, McGregor saw off the Mayo man in record time, leaving Kenny’s entourage – headed by Michael Noonan and Angela Merkel – to attempt to console the humiliated fighter…. Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

HUGH MCELVANEY says there are still plenty of wind farm opportunities in Monaghan and warned potential investors not to be put off by RTÉ’s shenanigans. The ex-Fine Gael councillor caught out the national broadcaster in a reverse sting, showing them up as part of a genius double jeopardy plot. But McElvaney is now concerned that… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

by Our Political Staff – Phil Wallet THE Irish political scene was rocked today by the revelation that a local councillor had not asked for money in exchange for introducing an undercover RTÉ reporter to a network of influential government contacts. In an immediate reaction, other councillors from all the main parties condemned their colleague, saying,… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

This is the season to be generous and just to prove that generosity works two ways, we at McElvaney’s ‘Planning and Investment Scheme Services ‘(PISS) are offering you these fabulous one-off reductions in our advisory service over the festive season.  Was:  Now Only:  Industrial Development:  €20,000  €15,000!!!  House Building:  €16,000  €12,000!!!  Home Extension:  €10,000  €8,000!!!… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

By Our Meteorological Staff Pressure was growing on Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill last night to include sensational weather star Teresa Mannion in his squad for next year’s European Championships. The calls to bring the Galway-based reporter to France follow her amazing performance in the televised confrontation with Hurricane Desmond recently. “We’re going to… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

by Our Wet Office Staff, Jawn Waters WITH ADVERSE weather conditions continuing to cause havoc across Central Dublin last night, there were harrowing scenes in Kildare Street when unprecedented floods of tears left over a hundred people stranded and fearing for their political lives. Leinster House was particularly badly hit, with unprecedented floods rising to… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

By Stephen ‘Phil’ Collins American defence officials say its airforce has been placed on “level 10 red alert” following news that Wexford TD Mick Wallace has been released from prison. “We are taking no chances”, says Senior Air Command Officer Larry Sodaguzzler. “This crazed, pink-shirted hippy and his partner in crime could strike again. They… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

by Our Political Corr, Phil Column Having run out of minorities to attack, Donald Trump has called on his own supporters to be deported. At a rally where the Republican candidate stood amidst hundreds of his own fans, he shouted that in order to “make America great again” everyone would have to go. The unusual… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

MOTORMOUTH CONOR McGregor has hailed Teresa Mannion for her outstanding display of reporting during Storm Desmond. The RTÉ employee went viral after her live report from a rain-lashed Salthill in Galway. The UFC star said: “She flailed around hysterically, talked absolute guff and generally hammed it up for the cameras, so I think she’d be… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

In a harrowing Yuletide tale, two weary travellers were turned away from an inn in Limerick because there was no room. Echoing the story of the Nativity, the bedraggled couple were refused entry to accommodation after a long trek in stormy weather and had to return home. Denied the publicity that would have come with… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

“ESRI report and chill?” “Fancy going to an industrial tribunal next week?” “I have a couple of passes to the next Siptu conference.” “Eamon Gilmore’s memoir is amazing.” “Have you read Cliff Taylor’s latest Irish Times column?” “I love when Philip Boucher Hayes stands in on Liveline.“ “Matt Cooper book and chill?”

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

Return to the Jungle of the Apes Leo Varadkar plays Tarzan in this classic remake of a seasonal movie favourite. Includes unforgettable spectacular outdoor sequence when all the creepy-crawly friends furiously climb the greasy pole. Co-starring a feisty Frances Fitzgerald as Jane and Simon Coveney as Cheetah. Psycho IV Latest re-make of Hitchcock’s horror masterpiece…. Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

50% increase in hot air from Barack Obama 10 degree rise in temperature amongst environmentalists 100 percent increase in politicians patting themselves on the back 70 percent increase in corporations looking for loopholes in restrictions Enda Kenny and Irish cabinet to maintain current rate of noxious emissions

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

Christmas Eve Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Eve Special Carols from the Áras with Mrs Brown and Panti Bliss Strictly Come Mrs Brown Semi Finals Christmas Day Mrs Brown’s Toys Christmas Day Special The Mrs Brown Xmas Factor Mrs Brown’s Buoys (flood crisis documentary) New Year’s Day Mrs Brown’s New Year’s Day Special (Repeat) The Great… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

by Our Political Staff – Martin Wail US REPUBLICAN presidential candidate Donald Trump has said that recent remarks made by Taoiseach Enda Kenny are “totally unacceptable”. Mr Trump was responding to a speech given by the outspoken Fine Gael leader in which he suggested that all left-wing TDs should be banned from re-entering politics after next… Read more »

December 17, 2015 Craic & Codology

Email: guff@southsidetimes.con (no attachments – or anyone earning less than €100,000) Post: Nonsense Dept, Humbug Street, D2, Eire (beside UK) Follow Letters page on Twitter: @ITCrap Garda Inspectorate report Sir, – As a Garda Síochána desk staffer of 28 years stan… er, sitting, I am extremely concerned about the latest Garda Inspectorate report, which states… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

Add this sensational new action figure to your collection – and enjoy hours of nuclear deterrent fun! Prominent unionist MP and have-a-go hero Jeffrey is ready and willing to protect Europe’s interest – even if it means starting World War 3. Comes complete with: Creepy soft-spoken voice Boyish Daniel O’Donnell grin Trident missiles Watch Jeffrey… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

POPE FRANCIS has been hailed by Church moderates after handing out free condoms at a huge Mass celebration in Kenya. Before his first trip to Africa, God’s main man on earth told journalists he would offer “spiritual and material” support to Kenya, Uganda and the war-torn Central African Republic. Little did the faithful know that… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

LEINSTER RUGBY have apologised to season-ticket holders and offered a full refund. Many fans of the 12-County Army are distraught after their Champions Cup hopes were smashed by two defeats in two games. Even the return of injury-prone Johnny Sexton from France couldn’t help the Blues. A Leinster spokesman said: “It’s only fair that we… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

THE GAA has been praised after successfully passing the baton of wanton violence from International Rules football to Super 11s hurling. The compromise game seemed to be on its deathbed after both Ireland and Australia decided to play in a sporting manner, focus on catching and kicking skills and not batter each other. Many fans… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

1. FRANCE Look, it’s France. The lads don’t fancy it. Never have. A real lack of desire among the French. Poor defensively. Maginot Line. Lacking in the basic areas of the game. Forget France. Head to Germany and watch the games from there. 2. THE FOOD I don’t rate it as a cuisine, I don’t… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

    PARIS CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE AGENDA     Wave hands about Blame Russia Shout at China Something about polar bears Don’t mention the aviation industry Have a go at India Promise to reduce something or other by 2040 Is that the time already? Menu please I’ll have the rare rhinoceros tongue before it get extinct,… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

by Our Political Staff Henry McGoo  The American political scene was rocked today following a 24-hour period during which Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump did not insult any minorities on television. Throughout that time, there were no reports of Mr Trump mocking disabled journalists or making racist remarks about Mexican immigrants being drug-crazed criminals and… Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

Animal welfare officials have called for stiffer penalties for animal cruelty after two farmers were reportedly seen riding on a pig’s back for several years. Sources have named the men as Eddie Downey and Pat Smith, and say they “travelled the country” on the animal’s back. Both are described as being “heavyweights” in their fields…. Read more »

December 4, 2015 Craic & Codology

John Delaney has confirmed that he has offered to take on the role of general secretary of the IFA. It is understood that he phoned in his offer at 4 o’clock in the morning on Thursday of last week, while an emergency meeting of the IFA was concluding its marathon session. “Yes, it’s true,” confirmed… Read more »