Sir, – Further to Frank McNally’s “A history of Ireland in 100 goodbyes” (An Irishman’s Diary, September 30th), I remember my good father saying to people who had overstayed their welcome, “It’s time to cut your stick.” – Yours, etc,
DIARMUID McAREE,
Shankill,
Co Dublin.
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Sir, – “Would ya look at the cut of the clock.” – Yours, etc,
MARGARET O’NEILL,
New Ross,
Co Wexford.
Sir, – On leaving home in West Cork for boarding school aged 12 in 1964, my kind neighbour said: “Goodbye now, girl, and may the world wonder at your luck.” – Yours, etc,
MARY O’DONOVAN,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – “You’ll have a cup in your hand before you go.” – Yours, etc,
PAUL MURPHY,
Navan,
Co Meath.
Sir, – My great-aunt: “Come again, when you can’t stay as long.” – Yours, etc,
STEPHEN YEO,
Dublin 14
Sir, – “Later.” – Yours, etc,
AIDAN BOYLE,
Dún Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – “He was here a while ago but he won’t be long gone soon!” – Yours, etc,
EILEEN MANGAN,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – A goodbye wasn’t necessarily spoken. Many many years ago my father used to wind the clock and put out the cat. The hints didn’t always work. – Yours, etc,
MARGARET McGRATH,
Castlecomer,
Co Kilkenny.
Sir, – My grandfather faithfully listened to Radio Athlone each evening through to the closing goodbye, which he interpreted as “Ballysadare”, which he said in reply with warm affection as he turned off the wireless. – Yours, etc,
IAN ELLIOTT,
Belfast.
Sir, – “Now is the hour when we must say goodbye.” – Yours, etc,
BRENDAN McCARTIE,
Dublin 9.
Sir, – My father would say to customers reluctant to leave, “If you stay any longer I will charge ye for bed and breakfast.” – Yours, etc,
GERARD McCANN,
Belfast.
Sir, – My late parents hosted a lot of dinner parties and many a time, come “nine bells”, my father would get up out of his chair and announce “No fault of the company, it’s past my bedtime”, and left my mother in charge. – Yours, etc,
VICTORIA MADIGAN,
Dublin 6.
A chara, – My late father would say, “I’ll see you when I get my glasses.” – Yours, etc, JAMES CARROLL,
Dublin 4.
