Tadhg Hickey is an Irish comedian, actor and writer who published a wonderful book last year, "A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man". I read it after Philip O'Connor named it as The Global Gael Book of the Year 2023.

The book tells his story growing up in Cork, his relationship with his family and his use of drink and drugs. There are a lot of laughs to go with the tales of self-destruction.

An important message is how being an alcoholic is not all tears and tragedy. It may end that way but it is not whole story. He writes:

But the truth of the matter is that I know very few alcoholics who didn't have an absolute hoot on their way to eventual despair. We wouldn't be so preoccupied with drinking if it weren't absolutely brilliant. And I do think it's important to say that because I've always found the best way you can help someone struggling with addiction is to be honest with them. If you come in hot with the 'drink and drugs are evil' routine, you run the risk of alienating them. Drink and drugs are superb until they stop working.

A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man by Tadhg Hickey (Chapter Six - A Snowball's Chance in Hell, Page 99-100)

Philip O'Connor interviewed Hickey on The Global Gael podcast where they talk about the book among other topics.

https://youtu.be/cPmp92U6nLE?si=qjG2E-Z_mRitO00I

I also liked this passage towards the end of the book about recovery. It can be a depressing thought when you start your recovery and look back all the time and opportunities that have been wasted. It's never too late to get started.

If you're open and honest and you're willing to put the work in, life is just about to start, not end. You won't need to be drunk anymore to cope with the burden of being you. You'll wish your drunk buddies well but you're no longer feel compelled to join them. You won't be smug or judgemental; you'll neither be better nor worse than your fellows. You'll just feel alright. You'll reach an unimaginable summit in an Irish context: having booze-free fun. Imagine that.

A Portrait of the Piss Artist as a Young Man by Tadhg Hickey (Chapter Twelve - Nice Things to Be at When You're Not Demented, Page 218-219)

Shane MacGowan passed away on November 30th, 2023. He was a huge figure in Irish music and someone whose music still means a lot to me.

https://www.irishtimes.com/obituaries/2023/11/30/shane-macgowan-obituary-rank-outsider-who-became-one-of-irelands-most-feted-sons/

I thought Philip O'Connor did a great job talking through the history of Shane MacGowan and his band, The Pogues, in a recent episode of The Global Gael podcast. He details the importance of the band to the Irish emigrant community as well as giving his own insights and opinions on the music.

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ourmaninstockholm/episodes/The-Global-Gael---Remembering-Shane-MacGowan-e2ckvj7

Well worth listening to.