Bernard O'Shea: 5 things I no longer feel bad about (and you shouldn't either)

Let's face it: Irish guilt didn't appear out of nowhere. We were raised in a soup of Catholicism, politeness, and fear of what the neighbours might think.

Bernard O'Shea: "Life is hard enough without feeling bad for not attending a neighbour’s third cousin’s child’s christening when you’re hung over."

Historically, guilt was weaponised as a tool of moral control. The Church didn’t need CCTV when you had a conscience like a smoke alarm. And if it wasn’t the priest, it was the teacher, the parent, the older cousin who told you you’d be struck down for not sharing your crisps. 

Guilt was often dressed up as good manners. You didn’t want to eat the last biscuit? ‘Ah, go on, don’t be ignorant.’