We are never far from the madding crowd because we want to belong

SUNNY DAYS, a World Cup, Gay Pride, and Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie have come together to melt the national mood. Nothing much — let alone anything fundamental — has changed, but the public spirit has lightened a little, for now.

Mood in Ireland is as changeable as the weather; days of brilliant sunshine, but largely overcast and grey. Squalls can come at any moment and clear just as quickly. The national psyche goes from hair shirt to champagne and back again, rapidly.

But, for now, there is a little to be encouraged about. Apply good weather, put on a World Cup and anger abates, or is momentarily distracted. Popular culture, so-called, is a powerful political tool, a laxative for anger.