Yer only man
Thanks to David Akin for turning up this very welcome piece of news from the BBC.
According to researchers at Wisconsin University: "The old advertising slogan "Guinness is Good for You" may be true after all... A pint of the black stuff a day may work as well as an aspirin to prevent heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks."
I particularly like the next point in the article: "Drinking lager does not yield the same benefits, experts from Wisconsin University told a conference in the US."
To most Irish people around the world, of course, this is hardly newsworthy.
"The Workman's Friend"
When things go wrong and will not come right,
Though you do the best you can,
When life looks black as the hour of night -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.
When money's tight and hard to get
And your horse has also ran,
When all you have is a heap of debt -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.
When health is bad and your heart feels strange,
And your face is pale and wan,
When doctors say you need a change,
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.
When food is scarce and your larder bare
And no rashers grease your pan,
When hunger grows as your meals are rare -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.
In time of trouble and lousey strife,
You have still got a darlint plan
You still can turn to a brighter life -
A PINT OF PLAIN IS YOUR ONLY MAN.
from "At Swim-Two-Birds" by Flann O'Brien
