Wednesday 26 March 2008

The Celtic Tiger

“The Tiger is now lashing its tail and smashing its way through the harp”, [1] says Seamus Heaney in repugnance at the economism which has begun to rule in Ireland and which is now set to put a motorway through the Tara-Skryne Valley. Poor Mr Heaney; does he not appreciate the necessity of destroying beauty in order that everyone might get to his desk in half the time?

[1] David Sharrock, “Seamus Heaney laments loss of Ireland’s ancient spirit to onward march of the Celtic Tiger”, The Times, 3rd March 2008. (H/T: Laban Tall, “A Few Primroses From The Curate’s Coppice”, UK Commentators (weblog), 26th March 2008.)

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

But which does more harm: the self-important rush to the desk, or the perpetual sentimental goo about Oireland?

James Higham said...

does he not appreciate the necessity of destroying beauty in order that everyone might get to his desk in half the time

[chuckle]

Bruce Charlton said...

I like the US solution to the economic versus aesthetic dilemma (as I understand it).

If enough people really care about preserving a beauty-spot - then they club together and buy it (at a higher price than the developer is offering).

Akaky said...

And on all the New York stations the news will be, Robert Moses reincarnates as an Irishman. Film at 11!