Domestic lifestyle - Irish male sweeps up top spot

THE Irish male is a much-maligned personage, judging by illuminating research from the European Commission.

Contrary to his image as a pint-swilling, beer-bellied, rather feckless example of the species, the Irish male spends more time hoovering, washing dishes, dusting, ironing, sewing, and cooking than his European counterpart.

Believe it or not, the average Irishman, along with his English counterpart, turns out to be the most house-proud of all European males.