The first is that his own life represented in microcosm much of what happened in Ireland over thirty years. Brought up in a sheltered, frugal and conservative family environment. Inculcated by the Christian Brothers, the order of lay celibate men that ran the biggest number of schools for Catholic boys, with the values of piety, hard work and patriotism. Emigrating to England along with everyone else in the 1950s. Coming back along with everyone else in the 1960s. Getting richer as the country gets richer. Suffering financial calamity in the 1980s and contemplating emigration again. His
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