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Author’s ‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’ grabbing attention
Galway author Emma Comerford shines a provocative and entertaining light on the sometimes erratic psyche of the modern-day Irish woman in her just-published book, ‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’.
A guaranteed laugh-out-loud read, the book is comprised of astute wit and razor-sharp observation, as well as colloquial use of self-deprecation and satire.
Emma, a native of Luimnagh, on the shores of Lough Corrib in Corrandulla is daughter to a published author, playwright and retired solicitor Henry Comerford. Books, she says, were an integral part of her childhood. “I come from a real literary family. So from the age of dot, if you expressed an interest in anything – there were like ten books beside your bed.”
A colourful character by nature, Emma is friendly, personable and well travelled. But writing didn’t come instantaneously for the Galway girl who gained experience and insight working as a motorbike courier, fruit-picker, welder and building surveyor in different locations all over the world before settling down in the IT industry. The experience of travel would later prove a valuable source of inspiration for the fledgling author.
Emma observed behavioural differences as distinctly Irish on a backpacking trip, mingling with backpackers from various countries. Commenting on the demeanour of the Irish abroad she says: “We had to befriend everybody in the bar, buy them all drinks, give them cigarettes (we were backpackers, we had no money), then bring them all back to the hostel and do the Siege of Ennis”.
Cognisant of ritual practices, a moment of self-realization ensued. “None of the Italian girls did this, it was just the Irish girls – we’re just that little bit different.”
The inspiration to write first came to Emma after reading Caitlin Moran’s ‘How to Be a Woman’. “After reading it I was going – somebody should write a book like that about Irish women”. Ideas, she said, presented themselves “almost like sketches”.
“When I started writing, there was loads of material. I think because I travelled a lot and lived in different countries – there was loads to write about and compare to”.
Emma took the plunge to write her first few pages. “I wrote four pages and sent it to Conor Montague [Galway playwright of Who Needs Enemies?]. Conor came back with eight pages of commentary. The first line was “This is really good; you should keep going with this”. That was really encouraging” she says.
Her debut book, ‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’ is described as a part Exposé, part how-to guide, which pledges to impart information to the reader on:
■ How to perform the ‘walk of shame’ with utmost dignity and deal with the ensuing catholic guilt
■ How many people you can tell when you are sworn to secrecy
■ Coping with the consequences of an out-of-control hen party
■ Acquiring assertive school gate etiquette
■ Overcoming your zumba/pilates/book club antagonists
■ How alcohol-dependent you and your friends really are
Satire is used in exploring common traits amongst Irish women.The book suggests mná na hÉireann have a genetic aversion to compliments and will react in one of three ways:
■ Rebuff the compliment by belittling the item under discussion, e.g. ‘Oh, this old rag? I’ve had it for years’ or ‘Thanks, Penneys’ best’.
■ Immediately draw attention to a perceived failing: ‘Yes but have you seen the size of my arse?’ or ‘Look! I have psoriasis all over my elbows’.
■ Parry the compliment with a return compliment, thereby making them feel uncomfortable. Better still, introduce a bit of paranoia into the equation.
It is said the Irish will forgive a great many things, but having no sense of humour is considered a “cardinal sin”. Irish women love to laugh and admire people who make them laugh.
Other topics tackled in the book include: Obsession with death; Catholic Guilt; Begrudgery; Superstitions; the desire to maintain a savage level of craic; and Gossiping.
Irish Bitches Be Crazy puts forth the notion that Irish women are unique due to combined psychological, environmental and sociological factors. “Catholic guilt, heavy drinking and sewing classes produce a definitive type of girl,” it reads.
‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’ depicts “The journey of Irish women from Peig Sayers to Miriam O Callaghan” presenting a satirical account on the evolution from genetically challenged (due to “years of inbreeding”) basket weavers of yesteryear to the newfound glamazons (with “paid-for-good-looks”) of today.
Says Emma: “I found that most of the traits attributed to Irish females are, in fact, true. Rather than debunking the myths, I have extended them . . . xpounding many of the old chestnuts and proposing some new theories”.
The attention-grabbing title ‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’ was inspired by a young male work colleague of Emma’s who used to utter the phrase ‘Bitches Be Crazy’, which has crept into modern vernacular.
Feminist theory will argue it is offensive to women on two accounts; firstly the use of the word “bitch” and secondly the use of the word “crazy”.
But Emma – an Irish woman who considers herself a feminist – insists it is not intended to be offensive.
The aforementioned traits and clichéd stereotypes are an exaggeration in jest and not to be mistaken as a character assassination on all Irish women, she says. “It’s not meant to be offensive, it’s meant to be light hearted . . . I’m laughing at myself,” she pointedly remarks.
The brash title has worked in her favour thus far, grabbing the attention of Commissioning Editor for New Island – the publishing house who ultimately published her book.
Overall, ‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’ endeavours to make people laugh. And in keeping with The Galway Comedy Festival which runs this week, the book launch will took place on Wednesday, in Massimo.
■ ‘Irish Bitches Be Crazy’ is available to purchase now at €9.99.
Significant state investment is required to address ‘shocking’ inequalities that leave cancer patients in the West at greater risk of succumbing to the disease.
A meeting of Regional Health Forum West heard that survival rates for breast, lung and colorectal cancers than the national average, and with the most deprived quintile of the population, the West’s residents faced poorer outcomes from a cancer diagnosis.
For breast cancer patients, the five-year survival rate was 80% in the West versus 85% nationally; for lung cancer patients it was 16.7% in the west against a 19.5% national survival rate; and in the West’s colorectal cancer patients, there was a 62.6% survival rate where the national average was 63.1%.
These startling statistics were provided in answer to a question from Ballinasloe-based Cllr Evelyn Parsons (Ind) who said it was yet another reminder that cancer treatment infrastructure in the West was in dire need of improvement.
“The situation is pretty stark. In the Western Regional Health Forum area, we have the highest incidence of deprivation and the highest health inequalities because of that – we have the highest incidences of cancer nationally because of that,” said Cllr Parsons, who is also a general practitioner.
In details provided by CEO of Saolta Health Care Group, which operates Galway’s hospitals, it was stated that a number of factors were impacting on patient outcomes.
Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.
On the eve of completing his 150th marathon, an odyssey that has taken him across 53 countries, Loughrea’s Marathon Man has announced that he is planning to hang up his running shoes.
But not before Jarlath Fitzgerald completes another ten races, making it 160 marathons on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
“I want to draw the line in 2026. I turn 57 in October and when I reach 60 it’s the finishing line. The longer races are taking it out of me. I did 20 miles there two weeks ago and didn’t feel good. It’s getting harder,” he reveals.
“I’ve arthritis in both hips and there’s wear and tear in the knees.”
We speak as he is about to head out for a run before his shift in Supervalu Loughrea. Despite his physical complaints, he still clocks up 30 miles every second week and generally runs four days a week.
Jarlath receives injections to his left hip to keep the pain at bay while running on the road.
To give his joints a break, during the winter he runs cross country and often does a five-mile trek around Kylebrack Wood.
He is planning on running his 150th marathon in Cork on June 4, where a group of 20 made up of work colleagues, friends and running mates from Loughrea Athletics Club will join him.
Some are doing the 10k, others are doing the half marathon, but all will be there on the finishing line to cheer him on in the phenomenal achievement.
Get the full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now, or you can download the digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie. You can also download our Connacht Tribune App from Apple’s App Store or get the Android Version from Google Play.
From the Galway City Tribune – An impassioned plea for a ‘masterplan’ that would guide Galway City into the future has been made in the Dáil. Galway West TD Catherine Connolly stated this week that there needed to be an all-inclusive approach with “vision and leadership” in order to build a sustainable city.
Deputy Connolly spoke at length at the crisis surrounding traffic and housing in Galway city and said that not all of the blame could be laid at the door of the local authority.
She said that her preference would be the provision of light rail as the main form of public transport, but that this would have to be driven by the government.
“I sat on the local council for 17 years and despaired at all of the solutions going down one road, metaphorically and literally. In 2005 we put Park & Ride into the development plan, but that has not been rolled out. A 2016 transport strategy was outdated at the time and still has not been updated.
“Due to the housing crisis in the city, a task force was set up in 2019. Not a single report or analysis has been published on the cause of the crisis,” added Deputy Connolly.
She then referred to a report from the Land Development Agency (LDA) that identified lands suitable for the provision of housing. But she said that two-thirds of these had significant problems and a large portion was in Merlin Park University Hospital which, she said, would never have housing built on it.
In response, Minister Simon Harris spoke of the continuing job investment in the city and also in higher education, which is his portfolio.
But turning his attention to traffic congestion, he accepted that there were “real issues” when it came to transport, mobility and accessibility around Galway.
“We share the view that we need a Park & Ride facility and I understand there are also Bus Connects plans.
“I also suggest that the City Council reflect on her comments. I am proud to be in a Government that is providing unparalleled levels of investment to local authorities and unparalleled opportunities for local authorities to draw down,” he said.
Then Minister Harris referred to the controversial Galway City Outer Ring Road which he said was “struck down by An Bord Pleanála”, despite a lot of energy having been put into that project.
However, Deputy Connolly picked up on this and pointed out that An Bord Pleanála did not say ‘No’ to the ring road.
“The High Court said ‘No’ to the ring road because An Bord Pleanála acknowledged it failed utterly to consider climate change and our climate change obligations.
“That tells us something about An Bord Pleanála and the management that submitted such a plan.”
In the end, Minister Harris agreed that there needed to be a masterplan for Galway City.
“I suggest it is for the local authority to come up with a vision and then work with the Government to try to fund and implement that.”
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
