Ian O'Doherty

Bad TV and 80s music: our quirky lockdown obsessions

Banana bread. Connell's chain. Sourdough starters. Joe Wicks. There was just something about lockdown that encouraged us to become utterly obsessed with random things. And some of our obsessions were a little more random than others. Here, four Irish Independent writers reflect on the fixations that have helped them pass the time:

‘Do as we say, not as we do’: Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald during the funeral of Bobby Storey at Milltown Cemetery in west Belfast. Photo: PA

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We should be grateful to Sinn Féin for reminding the people of its true colours

In a properly functioning democracy, we would currently have a stable government with a united vision, a clear mandate and the willingness to park petty squabbles and personal pride in their efforts to help the nation in our current hour of crisis.

Picnic spot: the weather seldom matched the scenery in Kilmore Quay. Photo by Steve Humphreys

Staycation or vacation? On second thoughts, I'll just stay indoors

To fly or not to fly. That is the question.

Spare a thought for the people we really missed most in lockdown: hairdressers

Here are some of the things we thought we would miss most during lockdown: pubs, restaurants, gigs, football and friends.

Unlikely allies: The new Cabinet has emerged under Taoiseach Micheál Martin after weeks of talks between Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Green Party. Photo: Frank McGrath

Ian O'Doherty Opinion There may be trouble ahead but our shaky new government needs to be given chance

It's rare that this column finds room to mention Barry Manilow but in the context of the tortuous formation of a new government for this country, his song 'Looks Like We Made It' seems as apt as any other.

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Working from home seems great now - but wait until November

I was speaking to a friend the other day and she was in great form altogether. The reason for her good cheer? Well, she had just been informed by her boss that she wouldn't be expected back in her office until next January.

US President Donald Trump (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Ian O'Doherty Opinion One's a headcase, the other may have lost his mind… US debate will be great

'This election is going to be an exercise in King Hell weirdness. Neither candidate is fit for office. One is too frail and the other is too mad."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the launch of a public awareness campaign on the wearing of face masks. Picture; Gerry Mooney

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We are in for a world of trouble unless a new government is formed this week

We need a new government and a new Taoiseach by next Saturday or this country is screwed.

Inevitable backlash: The BBC pulled an episode of sitcom Fawlty Towers

In this arms race of outrage, we will all be losers

Well, that's OK then. It was a close call, but we finally made it. Yes, after all the revulsion at the death of George Floyd in police custody and the eruption of grievances which followed, we're now safely back on track.

Pubs have been closed since March (Dominic Lipinski/PA)

What if you opened a pub and nobody turned up?

Well, we're nine days away from the reopening of many pubs.

Wishful thinking?: Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and deputy leader Simon Coveney speak to the media at Government Buildings, Dublin, yesterday. Photo: Leon Farrell

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Finally there's some light - but how long can a coalition of the unwilling really last?

Are we there yet?

Nostalgia: Davina McCall, the host of Big Brother during its Channel 4 heyday

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Big Brother seems so innocent now next to its ugly siblings

'Big Brother House, this is Davina. You are live on Channel 4; please do not swear."

Be very wary of those who would erase history and decide what you can watch

If you ever find yourself in the lovely city of Budapest, I urge you to visit Memento Park.

Back open: A shopper walks past a window display of a reopened Zara shop on Grafton Street, Dublin. Photo: PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Politicians should take a leaf from us good citizens and prioritise the national interest

So, as we emerge, blinking and unsure, into the daylight of phase two, are we witnessing the beginning of the end?

So if you really want to get the most out of your new working arrangements, why not get a dog from your local rescue shelter?

In these strange days, where would we be without our pets?

A survey was released on Wednesday that claimed that 61pc of respondents felt their pet had boosted their mood. The only surprise in that statistic was that the figure is so low.

Long tradition: A protester outside the US Embassy in Dublin this week. Photo by Frank McGrath

Black Lives demo was a lockdown mistake, but protests are still vital

Well, it looks a bit of common sense has finally broken out in this country. Let's all be thankful for small mercies. I'm referring to the large march that was planned for Dublin city centre this afternoon in support of Black Lives Matter. Under pressure from politicians and the cops and, one would hope, many of their own supporters, it was decided that with the not-so-small matter of lockdown restrictions still in place, it might be better to do your protesting from home.

Fraught negotiations: ‘Brexit, forgotten but not gone, is waiting just around the corner like a patient but implacable mugger.’

Ian O'Doherty Opinion As coalition talks stumble on, voters won't forget who deliberately dragged their feet

Welcome to day 115. If this were the 'Big Brother' house, the contestants would have been released on purely compassionate grounds by now.

Anniversary: the votes for change in the 2015 and 2018 referendums were heralded as the start of a new era

Referendums have changed the law, but not our politics

The last week or so has seen the anniversary of the two most important referendums of our lifetime, but because everyone's attention is focused on matters Covid, they've passed with relatively little attention.

Relaxing: Taoiseach Leo Varadkar enjoys the sunshine in Phoenix Park, Dublin

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Confusion reigns supreme as even the Taoiseach breaks own rules to have picnic

There hasn't been much to laugh about for the last few months, but the news that Boris Johnson's widely loathed chief adviser, Dominic Cummings, had been busted for breaking lockdown rules not once, not twice, but allegedly three times certainly brought a grim grin to many people's faces.

A woman wearing a face mask, as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus. (Photo by JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images)

While we fret about the pandemic, the cranks are having a blast

One of the great misconceptions that sprouted up at the start of the lockdown was that it would, somehow, bring us all together. In fact, it has done the opposite.

Lovin’ it: Shannon Knowles, Caitlin Attoe and Emma Flood, all from Lucan, at the reopening of McDonald’s on Kylemore Road, Dublin. Photo: Colin Keegan

Forget the busybodies - now is the perfect time to indulge

It was the AA Roadwatch announcement that caught my attention: "It's busy on the Kylemore Road, especially southbound from before the canal bridge to the Naas Road junction."

Looming: The Exchequer should be preparing a war chest to help us get through the coming economic storm, but due to pandemic payouts the cupboards won’t just be bare – they’ll be a few billion in the red

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Optimism is misplaced - no-deal Brexit and Covid debt have left us on the brink of ruin

As we emerge, blinking and confused, into the relative sunlight and freedom provided by the Phase 1 easing of restrictions, it would be easy to think we have turned the corner.

Life skills: As Anthony Bourdain explained, by the time a man turns 18, he should know how to roast a chicken, cook the perfect steak and create a casserole.

Ian O'Doherty Opinion My alternative Leaving Cert courses would start with the perfect steak

One of the great clichés of the past few months is how "we're all in this together".

Cheers: People take a selfie at an outdoor seating section of a Prague pub, as the Czech government lifted restrictions allowing restaurants with outdoor areas to reopen. Photo: REUTERS/David W Cerny

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Enough is enough - we must get people back to work to end economic genocide

Our country is dying. Slowly but surely, we are watching a horror movie unfold in front of our eyes, yet we can't seem to do anything about it.

'Like something out of a porno': Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal in Normal People. Photo by Enda Bowe

We all laughed at Liveline, but scolds come in all ages

These are rather challenging times. In the current climate, we need a good laugh and we all got one last week on Liveline during the ruckus over Normal People. Sounding like an archive broadcast from the 1950s, a bunch of callers on Duffy's Circus were up on their hind legs in outrage at the sight of bare-naked bodies.

Ian O'Doherty

Bad TV and 80s music: our quirky lockdown obsessions

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We should be grateful to Sinn Féin for reminding the people of its true colours

Staycation or vacation? On second thoughts, I'll just stay indoors

Spare a thought for the people we really missed most in lockdown: hairdressers

Ian O'Doherty Opinion There may be trouble ahead but our shaky new government needs to be given chance

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Working from home seems great now - but wait until November

Ian O'Doherty Opinion One's a headcase, the other may have lost his mind… US debate will be great

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We are in for a world of trouble unless a new government is formed this week

In this arms race of outrage, we will all be losers

What if you opened a pub and nobody turned up?

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Finally there's some light - but how long can a coalition of the unwilling really last?

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Big Brother seems so innocent now next to its ugly siblings

Be very wary of those who would erase history and decide what you can watch

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Politicians should take a leaf from us good citizens and prioritise the national interest

In these strange days, where would we be without our pets?

Black Lives demo was a lockdown mistake, but protests are still vital

Ian O'Doherty Opinion As coalition talks stumble on, voters won't forget who deliberately dragged their feet

Referendums have changed the law, but not our politics

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Confusion reigns supreme as even the Taoiseach breaks own rules to have picnic

While we fret about the pandemic, the cranks are having a blast

Forget the busybodies - now is the perfect time to indulge

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Optimism is misplaced - no-deal Brexit and Covid debt have left us on the brink of ruin

Ian O'Doherty Opinion My alternative Leaving Cert courses would start with the perfect steak

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Enough is enough - we must get people back to work to end economic genocide

We all laughed at Liveline, but scolds come in all ages

What's worse - checking your notes or just winging and hoping for the best?

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Greens are facing oblivion if they refuse to step up in our hour of greatest need

This gripping and violent fever dream is just what we need to binge on

Trump's nightly stand-up act has enlivened our dull routine

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We have been sensible, we have been good citizens - but the lockdown cannot go on

Ian O'Doherty

Bad TV and 80s music: our quirky lockdown obsessions

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We should be grateful to Sinn Féin for reminding the people of its true colours

Staycation or vacation? On second thoughts, I'll just stay indoors

Spare a thought for the people we really missed most in lockdown: hairdressers

Ian O'Doherty Opinion There may be trouble ahead but our shaky new government needs to be given chance

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Working from home seems great now - but wait until November

Ian O'Doherty Opinion One's a headcase, the other may have lost his mind… US debate will be great

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We are in for a world of trouble unless a new government is formed this week

In this arms race of outrage, we will all be losers

What if you opened a pub and nobody turned up?

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Finally there's some light - but how long can a coalition of the unwilling really last?

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Big Brother seems so innocent now next to its ugly siblings

Be very wary of those who would erase history and decide what you can watch

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Politicians should take a leaf from us good citizens and prioritise the national interest

In these strange days, where would we be without our pets?

Black Lives demo was a lockdown mistake, but protests are still vital

Ian O'Doherty Opinion As coalition talks stumble on, voters won't forget who deliberately dragged their feet

Referendums have changed the law, but not our politics

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Confusion reigns supreme as even the Taoiseach breaks own rules to have picnic

While we fret about the pandemic, the cranks are ­having a blast

Forget the busybodies - now is the perfect time to indulge

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Optimism is misplaced - no-deal Brexit and Covid debt have left us on the brink of ruin

Ian O'Doherty Opinion My alternative Leaving Cert courses would start with the perfect steak

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Enough is enough - we must get people back to work to end economic genocide

We all laughed at Liveline, but scolds come in all ages

What's worse - checking your notes or just winging and hoping for the best?

Ian O'Doherty Opinion Greens are facing oblivion if they refuse to step up in our hour of greatest need

This gripping and violent fever dream is just what we need to binge on

Trump's nightly stand-up act has enlivened our dull routine

Ian O'Doherty Opinion We have been sensible, we have been good citizens - but the lockdown cannot go on

While we fret about the pandemic, the cranks are having a blast