“Young Culchies of Ireland… I Love You!” In Mairead Farrell’s Version of the Pope’s Speech, She Shares her Love for the Non-Dubs

Recently Her.ie conducted a survey trying to find out what TV programme Irish people would like to see return to their screens.

Glenroe came out on top.

Chatting about it on air, I told Ray D’Arcy I'd never seen one episode of it. He was a bit taken aback but presumed it was because of my age. 

Then a text came into the show that said: " Mairead is nothing but an anti-Culchie Dub”. 

Now the nature of my job is such that people who don't know me from Adam will comment on something I've said. So, here I would like to defend my case: 

1. Glenroe was never on in my house growing up – ever! Not because as a seven-year-old I demanded that my parents only show Dublin TV shows. The reason was because my mother (the boss) took full control of the only TV in the house at 6pm each night. She hated soaps - all soaps, so none of Farrells ever got to see them.

2.  Once upon a time I married a culchie, (although it didn’t work out). I had a child with him, which means my son is half culchie... Oh merciful god this is shocking!

3. My boyfriend of over two years is also a big Tipperary culchie ... Clearly I can't get enough of them.

4. I've spent more weekends “down the county” this year than I have in Dublin. In the last six months I’ve spent time in Mayo (twice), Donegal, Kerry, Wexford, Galway, Cork, Longford, Kilkenny (twice) Waterford and Tipperary. Not for work, I willingly went - for pleasure.

So there, you see, I'm not “anti-culchie”. Yes, I love Dublin with all my heart, but just because I think we have the best Gaelic football team, the most efficient transport, a super nightlife and (mainly) the best Irish accents doesn't mean I don't appreciate non-Dubs.  

In fact, a little part of me envies farmers. You know what veg is in season, and never get mixed up with the clocks going forward or back. You could all drive from the age of twelve, and you don’t break out in a sweat when someone speaks Irish to you.

So to all the culchies of Ireland… I love you. Especially you lot who say “hang” instead of “ham”... You're my favourite. 

M x

**Note to those who may not get the tone of this. My tongue is firmly in my cheek!**