Alison O'Connor: Even a pandemic can't diminish the Irish obsession with the pub

It is surely not too much to hope that a number of us will be vaccinated by St Patrick's Day.

Our public conversations are dominated by things like whether enough pubs have proper kitchens. File image

Remember that episode of  Father Ted where Mrs Doyle is given a demo of a top-of-the-range tea-maker? The enthusiastic salesman tells her that this marvel takes the misery out of making tea.

The priests' housekeeper looks him in the eye and says: "Maybe I like the misery."