June 9th

They say it takes a village to rear a child.

I’ve never been convinced by that theory. It’s pretty insulting to single parents, for a start. My Dad did a great job of raising me when Mum died. Not everybody has a cool network of wise grandparents, helpful friends, and obliging neighbours.

Maybe it’s true if you live in a small Amish village on the prairies but in modern Ireland there’s a good chance you’ve moved away from where you were born to afford a roof over your head, half your siblings and friends have emigrated during the last recession, and both parents are working to pay the mortgage. Where’s the village then?

I’m not saying I don’t...

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