For Thompson and JTT and other interested people - a little human story - told by "the Murph" himself - he was Professor of English at UCG - but who ouside class always spoke to his students in Irish.

I should preface the story by emphasising how Liam O Buachalla (married to Maire Ni Scolai) adored the ground that Maire walked on - I'd swear they were as romantically in love the day that death intervened as they were the day that their eyes first met.

Now, The Murph and Liam O Buachalla were the closest of friends - they shared so much - the Irish, The Music, The Taibhdhearc (theatre). One afternoon as they were having a cuppa in the College (Liam never drank)O Buachalla said (in Irish of course) : "Sorry I have to rush home as Maire is on the Radio at five o'clock".

Now it transpired that at that time, there was an Irish writer of substance from Donegal who used broadcast from time to time and his pen-name was MAIRE. "The Murph" who was thinking of Maire the writer replied: "Yerra cuir uait a mhac, le firinne pian sa toin an Maire ceanna". Which being loosly translated is "Ah will you go on, the truth is that Maire gives me a pain in the arse".

"The Murph" was a bit puzzled why Liam left his company so abruptly. It was only when he got home himself and heard the sweet voice of Maire Ni Scolai that he realised - My God - My God -how deep he had put his large foor in it. Immediatly into his car and makes for Liam's abode on Taylors's Hill and I tell you he had some bit of explaining to do before full harmony was restored.

God be good to them all - they were great people.