Happy Father's Day!
This Father's Day, we're celebrating the unique species that is the Irish Dad.
There's nothing quite like them. They love the news, they hate the cat and they'll pretend to be delighted with the car air freshner we bought them.
Here are just some of the things that make Irish fathers smile:
1. Mowing the lawn
The minute summer hits, your auld lad becomes obsessed with the lawn. Does it need mowing? When will he mow it? And don't talk to us about when the lawnmower breaks down...
2. Bruce Springsteen
He's not called 'The Boss' for nothing, you know? 'Born to Run' is the unofficial Irish dad anthem we hear.
3. Having a pint of milk with the dinner
To most people, it's atrocious but to your dad, a pint of milk with the dinner makes perfect sense.
4. Dad jokes
"Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere."
"I'll call you later. Don't call me later, call me Dad."
"What's brown and sticky? A stick"
They're endless. And we love them for it.
5. Putting down a fire
At a loss for something to do in the evening? Ah sure, we'll put on a fire. Nobody can put down a fire quite like Dad can.
6. Falling asleep in his favourite chair
And then pretending he wasn't asleep at all.
"What? I was just resting my eyes."
7. Supporting the local club and county
There's no loyalty quite like the one your dad has with his local club. Be it hurling, football or soccer, Dad will follow them to the ends of the earth if he has to.
8. Mashed Spuds
It's not a dinner without some spuds, according to Dad. Chicken curry? Add some spuds to it. Fajitas? You better add some potatoes in there. Jelly and ice-cream for dessert? Maybe we'll add a scoop of mash to it.
9. Teaching you how to drive
These high tech lessons usually happened up and down the driveway or in a field, if you were lucky.
10. The toolbox
You know the one. It's full with various screwdrivers. There's probably a hammer in there too and half a roll of duct tape and it always comes out when there's a door hanging off its hinges in the kitchen.
11. Pretending to hate "that bloody cat/dog"
Does a day go by that you don't hear "that bloody cat" echo around the house? A lot of the time, it's promptly followed by Dad cuddling the wee household pet that he insisted he hated. We have ya sussed, Dad.
12. The news
Never mind yer Love Island crap. Dad has to watch the 9 o'clock news and that is THAT.
