21 reasons to be happy here in Ireland

It’s been a tough week, but we’re still happy. Here’s why.

09/12/12 102,176 Views 61 Comments

IT’S BEEN A tough week here in Ireland.

Our sixth austerity Budget brought us a property tax and expensive wine for Christmas, and even 100-year-olds aren’t getting a break.

But we’re still one of the world’s happiest countries, according to science.

So why would that be? Well, plenty of things:

1. Anne Doyle is a revered national figure

5 Anne Doyle

Photocall Ireland

Is there one among us that hasn’t dreamed of this?

YouTube/Gerard O’Connor

2. The TV3 Santa Baby

YouTube/movire

3. This

ah stop sign

via Facebook

4. Obama’s limo not being able for Ireland

YouTube/rte

5. Socky

YouTube/fodder1980

And Ray D’Arcy with hair. Let’s not forget that.

6. Maniac 2000

YouTube/playthatbeat

YEAH YEAH FUNKY YEAH. This was number one for 10 weeks. Thanks to us.

7. The guy falling on the ice

YouTube/greanmhar3

8. The Mary Robinson Tapestry Rug

mary tapestry rug

via Facebook

Now gone from its rightful place looking out over Dame Street. Much missed.

9. Jean Byrne

YouTube/whatweretheywearing

Er, best weather woman in the world? Right over here.

10. Our President gives great hugs

21/9/2012 Team Ireland Homecomings to Aras

Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

11. The Rubberbandits

YouTube/rte

Keep your Jay-Z. Pah.

12. This man is one of our best-known TV stars

billohat

13. That Twink voicemail (NSFW)

YouTube/irishsparkys

Couldn’t have happened anywhere else. Because Twink wouldn’t exist anywhere else.

14. Even Harry Potter parties when he’s here

harrypotter

Pic: Darren Cleary

Context here.

15. This

YouTube/KamilFilms

If your heart is not now warmed, it is made of stone. Check yourself into hospital immediately.

16. Will Ferrell loves us

will-ferrell-4

(Twitter/Art Observed)

And we love him right back.

17. The Reeling In The Years Italia ’90 Montage

YouTube/markhallen

We may be rubbish now. We may never do anything like this again. But we will ALWAYS have this montage.

18. Any craic? Níl.

YouTube/rte

And the Late Late Toy Show in general. Hundreds of thousands of adults sitting down to watch a show about toys in total seriousness. That’s Ireland.

19. Zig and Zag’s Christmas Rap

YouTube/tuwoa

Still fresh after all these years.

20. This

And the many other places just as beautiful.

shutterstock_101237029

Shutterstock

21. Fairytale of New York

Because it makes Irish people happy in the best possible way. By making us sad. Enjoy!

YouTube/RhinoUK

More: 12 classic TV moments that make Ireland… unique>

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About the author:

Michael Freeman

@michfreeman

michael@dailyedge.ie

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Comments (61 Comments)

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Mark Power 09/12/12 #

15 374

Twink is a hopelessly transparent, false, devious and venomous pseudo celeb. Why is she actually famous apart from found a few pantos and being notorious or losing the rag? The phone message is more embarrassing for her poor children. When I see her trying to force the tears on TV I can’t turn over fast enough. We have too many people already in this country famous for being pathetic muppets.

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Patric Juillet 09/12/12 #

30 586

I would add the Irish people who are friendly, the pollution free air and the craic in the pubs.

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- Little Jim 09/12/12 #
  
  10 135
  
  I would add Patric Juillet.
  
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- Kevin Higgins 10/12/12 #
  
  90 39
  
  Pollution free air? Guess you’ve never been to Dublin , havte trek up Wicklow mountains to get good look at the stars
  
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John Lawless 09/12/12 #

3 115

That one question video is superb.

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- The Avarus Animus 10/12/12 #
  
  3 62
  
  Cant believe I never heard the twink recording….holy sh*t….talk about evil and the mouth on her…….filth!
  
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- Roddie Cleere 10/12/12 #
  
  0 13
  
  Agreed. Thought provoking
  
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Leinster Bushcraft 09/12/12 #

20 306

Hahaha that poor chap who slipped one the ice, his pain for our pleasure :)

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- Gis Bayertz 09/12/12 #
  
  17 55
  
  It’s called “Schadenfreude”
  
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- Tokidoll 09/12/12 #
  
  3 36
  
  Whatever happened to the man who fell on the ice? This is brilliant.
  
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukp1dwISkT4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
  
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- Breandán Mac Séarraigh 28/04/13 #
  
  0 0
  
  And it’s a German word. Ha-ha Greece, Cyprus, Ireland………
  
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Kamil Krolak 10/12/12 #

0 25

Big thanks to the author of the article – Michael Freeman – for including my short film in this list – NUMBER 15 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP7pdAn3foE). Glad to see it is being shared with more and more people and hope you guys enjoy watching it. Kind Regards, Kamil Krolak.

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Stiofán De Priondárgas 10/12/12 #

1 31

Father ted for sure! There’s nothing that happens in lift that you can’t relate to a fr red scene :-)

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- John Ward 10/12/12 #
  
  0 7
  
  I’ve had great craic in a lift!
  
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Mike Clinton 09/12/12 #

39 250

Being lucky enough to have found my soulmate and waking up beside her every morning.
Then working at something you have a passion for…
That does it for me folks.

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- Fae Jitt 09/12/12 #
  
  13 105
  
  Good, Mike,
  Does my heart good to hear you feel your lucky and happy because of the good things
  Fair Play mate and hope it continues
  
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- Conor O'Reilly 09/12/12 #
  
  9 59
  
  Who disliked this comment???? Sad. I agree with you pal. A smile begets a smile :-)
  
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- john cooling 10/12/12 #
  
  5 9
  
  What age were you mike when you met your soul mate mike? And is she irish? We could make a film out of this lol :)
  
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- Mike Clinton 10/12/12 #
  
  4 28
  
  17 years together this year and enjoying every second of it.
  She’s my best friend as well..
  Age..!!….. Lets just say I celebrated the 21st anniversary of my 21st plus vat lol.
  
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john cleary 10/12/12 #

4 48

Go away Damian, you ponce.

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Resel 09/12/12 #

121 418

And the beautiful irish women.

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- Vanessa Curley 09/12/12 #
  
  27 238
  
  You’re a right charmer you ;)
  
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- thatsit 09/12/12 #
  
  355 155
  
  I don’t think he means you Vanessa lol
  
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- Resel 09/12/12 #
  
  26 357
  
  Ah they are. They dress well, they’re curvy, they have wit and can take and give a joke and generally can hold their own. I have been around the world and met many but settled with a lovely irish girl and couldn’t be happier.
  
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- Vanessa Curley 09/12/12 #
  
  19 328
  
  Thats not what i was implying you egg! But then again, I’m a fine speciman from a distance like ;)
  
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- Gis Bayertz 09/12/12 #
  
  10 228
  
  They all have lovely bottoms!
  
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- Garrett Moran 09/12/12 #
  
  5 92
  
  Especially Mary!
  
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- Fae Jitt 09/12/12 #
  
  16 48
  
  and grand thighs! mmmmmmm grand thighs
  
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- Tokidoll 09/12/12 #
  
  3 41
  
  Any relation to Sharon Vanessa? Another reason to love Ireland. A1.
  
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maria power 09/12/12 #

19 81

That poor guy falling on ice just made my day!I know it’s cruel but I think I just cracked a rib laughing so hard

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- Mark Power 09/12/12 #
  
  13 66
  
  Came close to having a hernia laughing myself! When I was able to make it through the clip relatively calmly I heard the thud of the lads head and off I went again. Have watched it mate 50 times
  
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- Mary Cull 09/12/12 #
  
  27 24
  
  It’s easy to please you…
  
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- Les Rock 09/12/12 #
  
  9 33
  
  I’ve just watched it again and lashed out loud really loudly. The missus thinks Im cracked.
  
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John Larkin 09/12/12 #

28 88

Drink Girls Feck off!

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Janelle Manton 09/12/12 #

9 35

Xmas FM!!

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Keith Wizzy 09/12/12 #

10 36

Cheered me right up. Thanks :)

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Margaret Kennedy 10/12/12 #

2 14

my happiest moment was protesting with all the disabled protesters and their families on Nov 21st pre-budget. 5,000 marched, I was pushed in my wheelchair by a total stranger and I learned about soldarity and strength. Pity this gov didn’t come out to meet us. But…I know I’m not alone.

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Mike Thomas 09/12/12 #

33 87

Agree with number 9 Jean Byrne best weather woman in the world.

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- Daffy TheBear 09/12/12 #
  
  15 58
  
  Defo.. we love Jean..
  
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- jackwigan 10/12/12 #
  
  3 45
  
  TG4 girls all the way
  
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Kathryn Mc Auliffe 09/12/12 #

4 16

No 15 is lovely…put a smile on my face!!

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Dearbhlá Mc Creesh 10/12/12 #

0 5

Was having a dreadful day this really cheered me up :-)
Thanks daily edge crew its nice that you took the time to create thoughtful uplifiting content for your readers (though I’m not sure including Twink was a great idea she’s poisonous, her rage and the manner she displayed it was frankly disgusting. How awful must you be to call a poor innocent baby such dreadful things)

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- Michael Freeman 11/12/12 #
  
  0 0
  
  You’re welcome! Delighted you enjoyed it Dearbhlá. As you left such a nice comment, here’s a little bonus for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaglEdB7CDs
  
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Conor Igoe 09/12/12 #

7 20

I would also include this: makes me feel so Christmassy!!

http://youtu.be/mTP_EfJHmHc

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Sharon Byrne 09/12/12 #

90 123

love/hate… makes my Sunday night much more exciting … !!!
best Irish drama on telly … ;-)

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- Dario Fo 09/12/12 #
  
  20 20
  
  Watched The Fear on C4 this week. It was good, but didn’t come close to love/hate.
  
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Stephen Maher 09/12/12 #

63 61

I’d love to do Anne Doyle, I hear she loves the ridin’!!

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Fiona Harkin 10/12/12 #

4 7

This made me chuckle! Especially the two news clips. Absolutely priceless!! We’re the only country that could get away with showing them without being called mean. Excused only for it being craic like!

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Dearbhlá Mc Creesh 10/12/12 #

0 2

oh yeah and including Zig and Zag’s rap … Ye are wee ledge-bags! My fav Christmas song ever!

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Smod 09/12/12 #

2 4

Have to agree – number 15…

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Tom Kiely 09/12/12 #

187 74

Go on twink

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- Stray Mutt 09/12/12 #
  
  30 360
  
  “For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”
  
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Caitríona Sheridan 10/12/12 #

0 0

If you’re including christmas songs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEgiA3O0u48

Oh yeah!

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Stuart Connell 09/12/12 #

28 12

Jesus

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JakkiB 09/12/12 #

124 21

Where’s Enda on the list??? He must be due an ok there award for his charm ;)

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- Fae Jitt 09/12/12 #
  
  7 40
  
  He makes us laugh alright……
  Doesnt reaeeeaaally make us happy
  
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Damien MacUilleam 10/12/12 #

93 16

Ya all these reasons are a stupid distraction from the mass exodus, suicides, economic rape, and the general politically apathetic nature of us blarney loving potato eaters. Ireland is a joke!

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Jim Rushe 09/12/12 #

25 6

Pat Rabbitt has just stated in the Week in Politics that it is O K to make false election promises

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- Tokidoll 09/12/12 #
  
  2 26
  
  And this has what to do with this news item?
  
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- Brendan Lawlor 10/12/12 #
  
  11 1
  
  It’s completely relevant. Regret ……. On so many levels.
  
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David Van Steiner 10/12/12 #

38 4

Like most MSN articles – I have to ask, was this written by a teenager?

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21 reasons to be happy here in Ireland

It’s been a tough week, but we’re still happy. Here’s why.

1. Anne Doyle is a revered national figure

2. The TV3 Santa Baby

3. This

4. Obama’s limo not being able for Ireland

5. Socky

6. Maniac 2000

7. The guy falling on the ice

8. The Mary Robinson Tapestry Rug

9. Jean Byrne

10. Our President gives great hugs

11. The Rubberbandits

12. This man is one of our best-known TV stars

13. That Twink voicemail (NSFW)

14. Even Harry Potter parties when he’s here

15. This

16. Will Ferrell loves us

17. The Reeling In The Years Italia ’90 Montage

18. Any craic? Níl.

19. Zig and Zag’s Christmas Rap

20. This

21. Fairytale of New York

More: 12 classic TV moments that make Ireland… unique>

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