Cormac MacConnell: Affairs of state not for the bearded among us

There was a mirror behind the Tipperary bar where O’Dowd and I were relishing a weekend pint. and talking about the weather and politics. like everybody else around us along the bar.

The mirror very clearly reflected the image of the two grey beards raising and lowering their glasses almost in unison. Then O’Dowd began to speak words of wisdom, after gesturing at our reflections.

“MacConnell,” says he. “You could be correct in saying we’ll have another election soon when all the blethering finishes above in Leinster House. You could be right there.