By John Considine
Today is Bloomsday. A day commemorating James Joyce’s Ulysses where sport and economics come together in the character of The Citizen.
The Citizen is believed to be loosely based on Michael Cusack. It is easy to see why. Cusack believed that Irish sport and the Irish economy were diminished by being part of a British Isles association ruled from England. An advocate of athletic activities, Cusack believed in the need for a local element and this resulted in him becoming the founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
When it came to the economy, The Citizen uttered the words “What do the yellowjohns of Anglia owe us for our ruined trade and our ruined hearths?” Reparations, in 21st century language. While the counterfactual scenario is difficult to construct, it is hard to imagine that what constitutes the Republic of Ireland would have the GDP per person it has today if it was still ruled from London.
Of course, nationalism is not always positive. The Citizen is seen as an antisemite. Nowadays, the organisation that Cusack founded is criticised for taking sponsorship from Allianz because of its links to Isreal. I'm not sure what Michael Cusack would think.
For those taking an odessey along the West of Ireland this summer, they could do worse than visit Michael Cusack country. There is the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron, County Clare. A few miles down the road is Ballyvaughan and the Aillwee Caves. Then one can take the coast road to Fanore, Doolin, Ballyfadeen, and the Cliffs of Moher.
The Citizen is believed to be loosely based on Michael Cusack. It is easy to see why. Cusack believed that Irish sport and the Irish economy were diminished by being part of a British Isles association ruled from England. An advocate of athletic activities, Cusack believed in the need for a local element and this resulted in him becoming the founder of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
When it came to the economy, The Citizen uttered the words “What do the yellowjohns of Anglia owe us for our ruined trade and our ruined hearths?” Reparations, in 21st century language. While the counterfactual scenario is difficult to construct, it is hard to imagine that what constitutes the Republic of Ireland would have the GDP per person it has today if it was still ruled from London.
Of course, nationalism is not always positive. The Citizen is seen as an antisemite. Nowadays, the organisation that Cusack founded is criticised for taking sponsorship from Allianz because of its links to Isreal. I'm not sure what Michael Cusack would think.
For those taking an odessey along the West of Ireland this summer, they could do worse than visit Michael Cusack country. There is the Michael Cusack Centre in Carron, County Clare. A few miles down the road is Ballyvaughan and the Aillwee Caves. Then one can take the coast road to Fanore, Doolin, Ballyfadeen, and the Cliffs of Moher.
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