Visit Ireland the home of Cricket?

The Irish Cricket Team victorious over England

It seems that Michael O'Leary, the CEO of Ireland's budget airline, Ryanair, couldn't resist buying full page advertisements in the British newspapers today following Ireland's amazing victory over the English team in the Cricket World Cup in Bangalore, India. Ryanair does all its advertising in house and in its time has probably offended everybody with its “no holds barred” approach but this time even I had to chuckle at this advert celebrating the amazing win by an amateur Irish team over England on the 2nd March.



So warmest congratulations to Kevin and Niall O'Brien on Ireland's amazing victory over England in the Cricket World Cup. Kevin O'Brien blazed the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Ireland pulled off an astonishing victory over England in Bangalore. He smashed 113 off 63 balls as Ireland recovered from 111-5 to overhaul their target of 328 with five balls to spare and three wickets in hand. Earlier, fifties from Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell had driven England to an imposing 327-8. But O'Brien's stunning assault powered Ireland to a famous triumph. Only three days after England's thrilling tie with India, Bangalore's M Chinnaswamy Stadium played host to another of one-day cricket's most dramatic encounters as Ireland produced the highest run chase ever at the World Cup.


Kevin O'Brien doing the business in Bangalore, India

Now, for those who don’t know, and the point of the Ryanair joke Cricket has a very limited following in Ireland as it was traditionally seen as a “foreign game” and is not widely played. I'm proud to point out the O’Brien brothers are sons of my former boss Brendan "Ginger" O'Brien, an Irish Cricket International of some note himself and members of my former club, Railway Union in Sandymount, Dublin.


Sandymount Green with Ryan's Pub. I worked in the office on the left and lived by the DART in Oaklands Park



Sandymount Strand

Indeed I both lived and worked in this charming urban village which is by the sea only 2 miles from the centre of Dublin. Sandymount is a quaint suburban village huddled around an old-fashioned green and despite the encroachment of various multinationals and franchises; Sandymount is still essentially a seaside village full of quirky owner-run businesses.


Jimmy Joyce

For more on James Joyce and Dublin see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2009/06/james-joyce-and-me.html

James Joyce referenced Sandymount in Ulysses, indeed Bloomsday is meant to be the anniversary of his first date with his inamoratas, Nora Barnacle, on Sandymount Strand. The first official Bloomsday celebration took place in 1954 when Paddy Kavanagh, Flann O’Brien and the publisher John Ryan, among others, met at the Martello Tower to re-enact scenes from the book. The ensuing pub-crawl ended, rather messily, in the Bailey much later that same day. Revellers still come to the strand every June 16th. You’ll also find raucous singing and colourful costumes at the annual Wren Boys celebration at Sandymount Green on December 26th: one of the few remaining enactments of this ancient rite.




The Wren Boys at Sandymount Green on St. Stephen's Day, 26th December


For more on the first official Bloomsday celebration see;

http://daithaic.blogspot.com/2010/07/on-raglan-roag.html

The local pubs are very much part of village life. O’Reilly’s, established in 1922, is popular with locals and interlopers alike and is a favourite gathering place for barstool sports enthusiasts. Star batsman/wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien used to work here and an enthusiastic bunch of local fanatics took up residence in front of the TV during last year’s Cricket World Cup. Indeed when I lived here Tommy O’Reilly had the pub comprehensively refurbished – nothing too special about that except Tommy was 78 at the time! Ryan’s Sandymount House, with its multifarious nooks and crannies, is an ideal spot for an afternoon pint and I remember Gussie Ryan as a real gentleman, indeed once I bumped into him in Searsons in Baggot Street and after he left the barman sent over a drink “compliments of Mr. Ryan.”




Railway Union's grounds at Park Avenue


Railway Union is a mixed Sports Club which as well as Cricket hosts Rugby, Hockey, Soccer, Tennis and Bowls from its fine base at Park Avenue, Sandymount. Originally set up by Railway workers as the established clubs wouldn't let the working class "scruff" join it is now very much part of the life of this charming seaside suburb where I have many happy memories. Before you get too carried away with my sporting prowess I must confess I was (at Brendan O’Brien’s kind nomination) a mere “Pavilion” member and Railway Union provided an excellent late night drinking den and an alternative banking facility!

http://www.railwayunion.com

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