‘The Healy-Rae Kingdom’

A chara, – Reading Rosita Boland's article (Weekend Review, July 9th), I was reminded of Samuel Hussey's book Reminiscences of an Irish Land Agent, published in 1904.

In relation to the Kerry election of 1851, during which time he undertook a walking tour of Kerry, he wrote: “An election in most places is an occasion for breaking heads, abusing opponents, and other similar demonstrations of ardent local philanthropy. Such opportunities are never lost by Kerrymen, whose heads are harder and whose wits are sharper than those of the average run of humanity. If you are a real Kerryman of respectable convictions, you will never let the man who is drinking with you entertain any opinions but your own at election times. If he contradicts you, it’s up with your stick and a crack on his skull, and as that only tickles him up – having much the same effect of a nettle under a donkey’s tail – then you go outside and mutually destroy as much of each other as can be effected in a fight. Some weeks later, you begin to drink with him again to show there is no ill-feeling, which of course there is not, if you and he are both real Kerrymen.”

The more things change . . . – Is mise,

AODH O’CONNOR,

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Perrystown,

Dublin 12.

Sir, – Rosita Boland’s article brought to mind an encounter with the late Jackie, on a byroad near Kilgarvan, some years past.

Looking towards the mountains, I asked “Is that the back of Mangerton?”

“Tis not”, said he, without elaborating on what it might be; thus – it being Kerry – generating another question from me.

“What is it so?”

“Tis the front of Mangerton”, was Jackie’s perspective-altering reply. – Yours, etc,

GERRY CHRISTIE,

Tralee, Co Kerry.

Sir, – Two safe seats for Fianna Fáil next time round when the lads move for the ministerial positions. – Yours, etc,

DAVID FITZGERALD,

Kiuruvesi,

Finland.