Bernard O'Shea: I'll put down the banana ice cream for Lent if you give me my guitar back

Instead of giving up something for Lent, I'm picking something up

Bernard O'Shea with his guitar and Marty Morrisey

I remember being in primary school on an Ash Wednesday. The teacher asked us what we were giving up for Lent? One of my classmates said, “salt and vinegar crisps". 

Thirty-five years later, I applaud the genius of his reply. He probably didn’t like salt and vinegar flavour, allowing him to munch away on the cheese and onion. He had carefully chosen his item too. He was technically giving up something, but it wouldn’t impact his culinary choices. As the teacher went around the class, his philosophy spread. “Mars Bars.” “The pink snack.” And my own, “banana ice-cream.”