Establish an honours system - Time to end begrudgery

There have been many occasions — and very many fine lives — when the absence of a credible, national honours system seems to have left a void in Irish life.

That lacuna has meant that this society has not always had an opportunity to celebrate what is good, admirable and often brave.

This needless cold-shoulder seems to epitomise one of our least attractive characteristics — begrudgery

It may be that we have embraced today’s cultural resentment to the idea of exceptionalism rather too firmly.

It may be that struggling to be egalitarian, we have unintentionally created a situation that seems at best churlish and worst neglectful.

Corporations offer the freedom of their cities to those they admire; universities confer honorary degrees but that process is often undermined by the tenuous relationship between the recipient and academic achievement.

These honours are cheapened too by the number awarded.

This week playwright Tom Murphy was given the honour of the Golden Torc and the title of saoi for his contribution to Irish literature.

The title is the highest honour Aosdána — the high consistory of Irish art— can bestow and is entirely justified.

The fond recognition of your peers is always welcome but maybe an award bestowed on behalf of all of society would carry more weight.

Is it time we established a transparent national system where the occasional award, no more than two or three a decade say, was established.