Country Living with Francis Farragher

The other night, as I was quietly sipping a pint, trying to anesthetise myself from the troubles of the world, a friend of mind said it’s time for the New Year’s Wish List, A to Z guide. My initial response was: “Oh no, that couldn’t be right, it only seems like yesterday” in a little slippage of mine into the delusional world.

Yes, I’m afraid, another year has almost slipped by, but in deference to my friend, I had to make up my mind to do up the 2026 edition, which I’m sure the world is waiting patiently for.

The only thing I can say in my defence is that the 2026 ‘guide’ is completely free of AI contamination . . . so you won’t find it anywhere else. And that might be a blessing!

A for all the Alickadoos of this world, many of them in the sporting sphere, who often mightn’t kick of puck a ball themselves, but who always ensure that the pitch is lined, the dressingroom doors are opened and locked, and that the jerseys are washed.

B is for feeling Banjaxed after all the excesses of the Christmas season, both liquids and solids, which will of course prompt the annual New Year’s Resolution of living a healthier lifestyle.

C is for all the Crooks of this world, and especially those of the devious high-tech variety, who will do everything possible to get your bank details and swindle you out of a few thousand euros. Like the old pirates slogan: “Don’t get caught.”

D is for all the Dentists of this world who can ease the most dreadful of toothache pain with a bit of freezing, filling or pulling. But, who oh why, does my nose keep getting itchy, when I lie back on that chair.

E is for Earth, good old Mother Earth, which is still surviving despite the buffeting of wars, nuclear energy, climate warming and flying objects from outer space. Let’s hope she keeps spinning for another few more millennia.

F is for Francis – no, not myself – but our late pope who passed away on April 21st, 2025. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, aka Pope Francis, helped greatly to restore a measure of trust, compassion and Christianity to those of us who practice the Catholic religion.

G is for all the Golfers of this world and especially the high handicappers like myself, who can hit one ball straight down the middle and then the next one, a scud along the ground. We live in hope of better days.

H is for Hurling and the skill levels involved in what has to be one of the greatest sports of the world. The mix of power, pace, dexterity and endurance required to make a good hurler is quite awesome.

I is for all the things that Irk us in this world from impatient drivers to parking meters that don’t work anymore, and on a more personal level, the ability to lose phones, keys and wallets even within the confines of one room.

J is for those Jack-of-all-trades people who have the ability to fix the plumbing, do a bit of wiring for a new light, put up shelves without a speck of dust appearing after them, and who also might have a good go at repairing the eve gutters.

K is for the non-electric Kettle I bought during the height of Storm Éowyn before vowing to purchase a little gas stove to tide us over, whenever the next violent storm strikes our shores.

L is for my mid-winter Longing for the mornings and evenings to get that little brighter. Maybe I do have a touch of the SAD [Seasonal Affective Disorder] bug, but the greyness, dullness and weariness of the season of darkness always seem to take its toll on me.

■ Part two of ‘the series’ is being lined up for the next edition, all dependent on the literary muse descending on me, over the opening days of the New Year. Have the happiest of New Years.

Pictured: Refer to I below left.