Den, Tell you what Eric why don't you visit Twinbrook where Bobby Sands came from and tell your joke to the first guy you meet of your height and weight, see how funny he thinks it is.

I had the very good fortune to spend 2 weeks in Finugue, just outside Listowel, a few years ago. One real stroke of good luck was I was there at the same time as a festival celebrating the life of Sean McCarthy, who hailed from that very village. I attended concerts, poetry readings, school choir recitals and even met his widow! One thing I did find wonderful was the sense of humour which cropped up again and again at all things irreverent. One joke I remember was about the IRA man being chastised by the priest for killing a British soldier. "but he was only a Brit!" complained the IRA man. "It was three you missed I was complaining about!" replied the priest:-)

There are many such jokes and even songs about the sad deaths of people. So, Dan, if you are Irish, I think you may be one of the very few I have known without a sense of humour.

Out of complete disinterest to all concerned btw my 3rd child, Stewart, was born on the day Sands died. One out, one in eh?

Cheers

DtG