TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER
Last month of a year like no other. Festive season to come. This virus doesn’t care.
WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER
Thinking about the meeting way back in January with the SARS experts who said this was all going to be bad. If only we knew how bad. Somehow back then we thought it might be containable. It might be like SARS itself. A big deal for the countries that were hit, but not a global pandemic. It seems like so long ago, and yet also like yesterday. I can’t believe it’s 11 months since that Rotterdam meeting in that foggy, atmospheric place.
This all put me into a bit of a downer. I thought about all the people whose lives have been so affected by COVID-19. I thought about Desiree. She hasn’t been out of the nursing home since March. And she mightn’t have too many years left to her. Such precious years. We have to hope the vaccine liberates her and all the people like her. I wonder what the policy will be on that? Will they let the people out of nursing homes if they are all vaccinated? I certainly hope so. I guess the viral count in the community will have to come down substantially. They are vaccinated so they are at low risk of becoming ill. And then when they go back in, everyone else is vaccinated too. Surely that will be the humane thing to do. Sadness when I think of Desiree now.
But then I had a lift. The MHRA in the UK has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. First regulator to do that. This means they have scrutinised everything and they are happy with what they have seen. This is a very good development! The European Medicines Agency can’t be too far behind. The first vaccine to be approved for COVID-19. The gloom lifts!
The day ended with my first meeting with Brian MacCraith and the rest of the vaccine advisory group. Brian is heading up the national vaccination strategy and has asked a group of immunologists to advise him occasionally. I am delighted to oblige. Brian gave us an update. We discussed how so far there is no evidence that the various vaccines protect against transmission of the virus to others. This is because although the vaccine protects people in their lungs, it might not protect them in their upper airways – that would require what is called a mucosal vaccine. There’s still a chance that there will be some prevention of transmission as people might have a lower viral load overall. This is a work in progress. We discussed how this might affect the messaging, which will be all-important when it comes to the roll-out. I got the feeling that we are just taking the first step on a long journey, but at least we’ve taken that step.
THURSDAY 3 DECEMBER
Into Newstalk early to record the first podcast, yay! Pitch-dark and cold on the way up to the Dart. A sense that we are now entering the depths of winter. And with this damn pandemic raging.
I had recorded some podcasts with Jess, but Eoin will now help. They had asked me to do a podcast with Pat, but instead they had taken clips from the interviews with Pat and put them into a separate podcast. But this is my own podcast. Gulp! I’ve always been keen to do it, and Sam has always said I should. I have to say I don’t listen to many podcasts, but I will now. And I’ve done some with Blindboy, David McWilliams, Stefanie Preissner and Doireann Garrihy. They’ve always been fun. I thought about doing one off my own bat, but this is much, much better. Eoin is a great help and looks after all the tech. And Newstalk will plug it.
I chose The Science of Love as the first one. Love is all you need. Me and Jess had done it before, but now with Eoin on board, he will add music and sounds. It’s all about the biochemistry of love – pheromones, oxytocin, dopamine. Also, the evidence for a broken heart. How people often die soon after a loved one dies, because of pressure on the heart. I did it in one take and really enjoyed it. Not COVID-19-related, which is a huge relief. And no uncertainties. With COVID-19 there’s always the risk of getting something wrong, or maybe the science being corrected in the future. But with this, I’m using ‘old’ science, which is as true as it can be. So that brings satisfaction. As does the fact that I’m spreading the science word – the key mission in all this. A good feeling.
On with Pat after. Still strange that I’m in the studio and he’s at home in Dalkey. Haven’t seen him since March. What will it be like when we meet up again? We asked what gave listeners the most comfort during lockdown and music came out top. Yet again, COVID-19 teaches us what is actually important in our lives.
Told Rory afterwards that the guy who doorstepped me has put the video up on YouTube. He had a look and said it was nothing to worry about. If I asked to take it down it would just draw attention to it. I conveyed some of my emails of support: You were doorstepped by a fucking looney and you kept it real. Fecking idiot doing that to you. And: I would have chinned him if I were you.
Got back to the lab and met Alex for his PhD viva. Big day for him. Normally an external examiner would travel to Dublin. Alex would give a seminar in front of the whole department on his thesis and then get examined for hours by the external examiner as well as an internal one. The external examiner has to be a world expert in the area. We’ve asked Prof. Eicke Latz, one of the world’s leading immunologists and the old friend I met in Nassau just before this whole thing started. It’s an absolute ordeal for the student for obvious reasons, but it is an important rite of passage. It’s a skill as a scientist to be able to stand up and defend your work. Alex seemed calm. I went with him to the room, and sat socially distanced from him with my mask on. He gave his talk on Zoom. It was good that his parents and his grandfather could attend. After his talk ended, the examination began.
I went back to my office and waited. It’s a strange feeling. Like being an expectant dad. I really felt for him. I noticed that he was wearing socks with little footballs on them. He’s a big football fan so I guess they brought him comfort! I did some work and wondered how he was getting on. After about two hours, the word spread to the lab that he was out! He came down to the lab and said it all went well. Eicke had asked lots of questions, but he could handle them all. Everyone was delighted for him – they are all so fond of him.
The lab had put up some bunting. After four years of hard work, he’s now Dr Hooftmann. Huzzah! This is a great part of the job. We couldn’t go out for dinner as we would normally do. When this ends we will have an awful lot of catching up to do when it comes to celebrations.
FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER
Thousands of restaurants and gastropubs opened today after being closed for six weeks. I hope this will be OK but I have a sense of unease.
Had a Zoom call today with Dermot O’Callaghan, who is the chair of the body that represents wedding bands. Lots of people joined. He wanted me to remind everyone of all the restrictions, and also to give them something to look forward to. So difficult for all those musicians, who made a living from weddings and other functions. I did my best to bring them some hope.
Fergal from RTÉ News came over to the garden to film an interview about the Pfizer vaccine. He had been to the facility in City West, where the first delivery arrived today. Great excitement! He said he had never got so much footage of a freezer. It all brings such hope.
MONDAY 7 DECEMBER
Another dark morning. Stygian gloom.
TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER
Big Prime Time interview in the lab on the Pfizer vaccine. People are worried about its safety. And I’m thinking about the logistics of vaccinating everyone. There are indeed challenges ahead, but surely we can overcome them? Other vaccines are coming – Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson and more. Hope in bottles. And the UK is the first country to embark on a mass vaccination campaign.
Another interview – this time about John Lennon. I seem to have become the John Lennon guy as well as the vaccine guy. He was shot 40 years ago today. I can still remember where I was when I heard about it. The JFK moment. I was 16, in sixth year in Pres Bray, and was coming down for breakfast that morning. Put RTÉ radio on. It was the third item. I couldn’t believe it. It became the first item later that day. It felt like I had lost a friend. My dad had encouraged me to go to Liverpool the weekend after he was shot to a big meeting of fans. My mother said no!
WEDNESDAY 9 DECEMBER
I paid a huge amount in tax today, from my earnings from Inflazome. That’s the way of things, and I don’t mind doing it.
THURSDAY 10 DECEMBER
Another cold dark morning and the news is bad. Angela Merkel is telling Germans not to go to the usual Christmas markets. No waffle stands or mulled wine. We need to be equally vigilant with our Christmas here. The metal seats in the Dart station were wet yet again but I sat on them anyway. A wet arse makes me feel alive.
Feel like I have a cold coming on. Might this be COVID-19? Nah! Went home after lunch and had a wee nap. Better afterwards. Watched CNN as per. The FDA will approve the Pfizer vaccine very soon. Trump is wondering why they haven’t, seeing as how the UK have. Every agency has its own way of doing things, I guess. They will definitely approve it. I have no doubt of that.
And we reached another awful milestone: 1.5 million people have now died of COVID-19. That horrible little scrap of zombie nastiness did this to them.
FRIDAY 11 DECEMBER
Dinner tonight in Casper & Gambini’s in Dún Laoghaire. Marg had booked it because we’re desperate to go to a restaurant. The good news is the tables were well spaced. The bad news might be that there were crowds at the entrance, and also near the toilets. That unnerved me. I could almost see a miasma of virus over people’s heads. I will say, though, it was so good to be served! Great to eat food that we hadn’t cooked ourselves.
A woman came over to our table to thank me for all the information I’m sharing and to tell me how her son was doing biomedical sciences. I said he had picked the right career. Felt some peace tonight when I got home.
SUNDAY 13 DECEMBER
Good spread in the Sunday Independent – wrote about the three ghosts as a warning as we approach Christmas. I’m nothing if not seasonal. The first ghost is Germany, where Angela Merkel says Germans shouldn’t socialise at Christmas, including in the famous Christmas markets. The second is the US, where numbers are sky high, and where they are seeing the consequences of too much socialising at Thanksgiving. And the third is Manaus in Brazil, where the virus is unrelenting. I wrote: ‘We must look after each other over Christmas and in the months ahead. Isn’t that what Christmas is actually all about?’
MONDAY 14 DECEMBER
Another Monday. Even darker this morning. Thick of winter. Up to the Dart at 7.50 a.m. to get into Newstalk. Not many about. Sky was murky – sun coming up meant that there was a line of brown sludge. And the metal seats at the Dart station were wet as ever.
Perhaps we could combine the Pfizer and Sputnik vaccines? Like when NASA and the Russian space agency collaborate. We got into a bit of a frenzy talking about these – Pat usually ends our chat when it’s especially science-heavy with ‘Science never sleeps!’ and he’s absolutely right.
Popped into the Stephen’s Green centre on the way back to buy the secret Santa gift for Anne in the lab. Got her something with ‘Best Mum’ on it. She’s done well this year – she is like a mother to us all! It’s a big Christmas tradition in the lab – I put on a Santa hat and distribute the gifts, usually flinging them at people. There have been injuries. We managed to do it, socially distanced. The norm would then be to go somewhere for dinner but as ever, not this year. Lots had Christmas jumpers on. Making the best of it.
On the way home I sensed a downer come on me. Feel sorry for the lab – so hard on them but they are bearing up superbly and plugging away with the experiments. Also feel like everyone wants a piece of me with the huge number of emails and the endless media requests. And then I felt bad for everyone else as well. Come on, Luke! Don’t you know you should never take the monkey off the other person’s back? Instead, help them carry it.
Once home though I got a massive boost from the news that Stevie will be able to come home – my boy’s coming home! Played one of my favourite songs, Elbow’s ‘Open Arms’ and ooh, a wee tear! Much chirpier after music as per.
Angela Merkel made a grim announcement today. Germany must go into a hard lockdown over Christmas.
TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER
Huge meeting with Roche on COVID-19 testing. What’s the best way to do it? What about antigen testing? Some heavy-hitters on from India, Japan, China, Brazil, US, Germany and Italy. Japan are planning on having the Olympics next summer and will possibly test everyone at the entry points with an antigen test. Imagine that. If that works it might be adopted for all sporting venues.
WEDNESDAY 16 DECEMBER
Today was good. Up to Bressie’s studio to take part remotely in the Christmas GPs session. They had asked me to play a song and I thought, hmmm, I’ll bring The Metabollix! Colm and Brian came along. Here is ‘Merry COVID Christmas’:
Are you hanging up your stocking on the wall?
COVID changes Christmastime for all,
But hope, it springs eternal,
We’ll beat this virus yet,
As long as Santa doesn’t bring mink for a pet,
So here it is COVID Christmas, everyone can
have some fun,
Look to the future now, it’s only just begun.
Are the anti-vaxxers talking loads of shite?
Are the anti-maskers moving to the right?
Do you go swimming in the sea?
Wear a Dryrobe you have made?
Or eat banana bread then you’ve been Slade?
What will Tony do when he hears that Leo hasn’t
been listening at all?
Are you waiting for the vaccine to arrive?
Have you got the guts to take it if it’s live?
Does your granny always tell you
That vaccines are the best?
They did for polio, smallpox and the rest.
Colm sang the verse on the anti-vaxxers. I said he can take the stick. We ended with a flourish – to complete silence.
THURSDAY 17 DECEMBER
Fascinating evidence that asthmatic people are protected from severe COVID-19. This is unexpected, as any lung disease was thought to put people at a greater risk because COVID-19 attacks the lungs. It’s not fully clear why, but it could be due to asthmatics having a slightly more active immune system in their airways, which protects them. Got a good response when we discussed it on Newstalk – there are many asthmatics out there. Sadly, another lung disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease puts people at a higher risk.
And the Moderna vaccine was approved by the FDA. Hooray! Three vaccines approved, all before Christmas. Unbelievable, but excellent, news.
FRIDAY 18 DECEMBER
The numbers are worse. I feared they would be. People mixing and getting infected. The government announced today that the extra loosening from today will now end on 31 December.
Dinner in Urban Brewing pub with a small number of the Inflazome team. Could be our last for a while. We ordered really good wine and sure, why wouldn’t we? Couldn’t go mad of course because we were out in 90 minutes, although they let us have one more drink in an outdoor part with a canopy over our heads. We toasted Inflazome and our good fortune.
Went home with a huge sense of contentment. Two-week break now. I really like this night every year. Home from work. A year done. Christmas to look forward to. Lit a nice big fire and sat on the floor by it, stoking away at the turf. Such a feeling of ease. Love watching embers. Something primordial about it. Us humans love the hearth. Níl aon tinteán …
This has been some year. So happy with how well Never Mind is doing. And of course Inflazome. And huge reward at the media work, as I think it’s helping people and I am able to express my love of science. Very lucky to be in a position to do it.
Pre-Christmas lunch in Bresson in Monkstown with friends. We sat in an outside area and the wind kept blowing through the awning. Great to be served good food and to drink some wine. Saw crowds in Monkstown and Dún Laoghaire. Just gave me a sense of foreboding.
Got home and put up the tree. Love that part of Christmas! Lights, tinsel. I recommended in my Sunday Independent piece that everyone should put up decorations outside the house too, to brighten up the neighbourhoods. We put some lights around two trees in the garden. Takes away some of the gloom.
Our Christmas decorations go back over the years. I’ve got a lantern that I kept from my old home in Bray. Marg has a fairy that she has kept. And we have some decorations the lads made when they were in primary school. So the tree is always that bit sentimental, which is appropriate at Christmastime. A tree with memories and lights and warmth. The yearly battle with untangling the lights almost lead to a temper tantrum. Why is it we just jam them into a box every year when Christmas is over? I bet that is as good a personality test as any. Are you the kind of person who carefully stores your Christmas lights? Or are you like me, someone who just fecks them into a box? Once it was over, though, I could sit on the sofa, put the other lights out in the room and look at the wonder of it. Simple pleasures, maybe all the more vivid this year.
SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER
On with Brendan O’Connor and Stefanie Preissner. All the usual topics, but the big one was what will happen in January? There will be a spike. I’m sure of it. We have to hope it’s not too severe, as the viral counts were low when we opened up somewhat. Brendan asked me about the New Year’s Eve show on RTÉ One, which has been advertised. I’ve been invited to take part in a look-back and also sing with Mundy! He said that he would love to see me and Mundy being vaccinated on it. I said, bring it on!
Strange to think I’m going to be playing with Mundy in the Gaiety. Yet more oddness. Good of him to let me. I practised the song ‘Mexico’ a bit today too.
RTÉ News came over to film in the garden and it was broadcast on the Six One and the nine o’clock news. It’s no wonder I’m getting slagged. Mario Rosenstock said the only show I wasn’t on was the Angelus.
MONDAY 21 DECEMBER
Headed in to Newstalk: plan was to go in and then do a bit of Christmas shopping. Half-asleep heading up to the Dart and when I got there, I realised I’d left my iPhone at home. Like missing a limb. It had my notes. Headed back home for it. Ten minutes’ walk at pace. It started lashing rain. Back to the Dart. Dart delayed. Panic stations. Rang Eimear to see if I could go on slightly later and she said sure, let’s do it by Skype. Headed home again. Like a frigging yo-yo. Days like these.
It was fine in the end. Spoke about the new variant that has appeared in the UK called the Kent variant, or B1.1.7. Not much known about it. This is all we need. As happens often these days, they took a clip of it and had it on the news at 10 a.m.
I planned to work from home for the rest of the day, Christmas tree lights on. But John from Claire Byrne Live rang. He heard me talking about the new variant and said would I come on that evening? I said yes, fine. He asked me to retrieve the model of the virus, which is in my lab, so they could modify it to show what the new variant looks like. So, back up to the Dart again! Third time.
When I came home, Mundy rang to arrange a rehearsal. Mundy! I love ‘July’ because the lyrics remind me of St Stephen’s Green. I started thinking about St Stephen’s Green. I have one photo of my dad working on the deck chairs – I think it was taken in the early 1970s. One day a few months ago I took the photo with me to the Green and tried to find the spot it was taken in, using clues from the roofs that could be seen through the trees. I walked all around the Green twice but couldn’t find the spot.
A car came for me and took me into Claire Byrne Live. Met Paddy Cole. Another hero. He has a book out too, so we had a chat about that. Did the interview on the new variant and the model looked great. Got home at 10.30 and someone texted to say Dustin the Turkey was slagging me. Said I wasn’t a professor at all, actually a tyre-fitter. Fame at last! I liked one of Dustin’s recent jokes: ‘What’s the difference between the Titanic and RTÉ? Titanic only had one orchestra.’
WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER
So now we know more about the new strain of SARS-CoV2 circulating in the UK. It doesn’t make people sicker but it transmits more easily. A whole new worry. What if the vaccines don’t work against it? Calm down, calm down.
Philip Nolan of NPHET said that the third wave of COVID-19 is clearly under way in Ireland. This will mean more hospitalisations, ICU admissions and deaths. Depressing and inevitable. We are therefore moving to Level 5 from tomorrow until 12 January at the earliest. Up until 26 December, though, three households can still meet up. No inter-county travel after that. Here’s hoping for good ventilation in everyone’s house.
Lit a fire out in the chiminea. Stacked it with logs, spitting and hissing. And made some hot ports for me and Marg. We sat there around the fire as the daylight faded and the Christmas lights came on in the garden. We probably wouldn’t be doing such a thing if it wasn’t for COVID-19, so there’s a tiny benefit, I guess.
Paul Moynagh called in for me to sign four books. We chatted about our media experiences. I hadn’t seen him since Galway, so I gave him the whole Inflazome story. He remembered how I’d strongly hinted at it. Went up to collect the turkey from Noel’s butchers. In the queue for ages but time ran out as I had to go home for a call with Brian MacCraith and the vaccine advisory group. I thought I’d be able to get the turkey and get back for the call. Never thought the queueing would take so long, but it is Christmas I guess.
The call was excellent. Brian told us how there will be 10,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine delivered on St Stephen’s Day, with 40,000 per week through January. We all said we were there to help him in whatever way we could.
THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER
Christmas Eve in Newstalk. It’s worse than working for Scrooge! Spoke about the positivity for the vaccination campaign that’s about to begin. We played the recording of ‘Merry COVID Christmas’ by The Metabollix. Hope it gave people a lift.
Fair few people out and about. Got home and phew – I can relax at last! Watched – guess what? – It’s a Wonderful Life. Well, you have to, haven’t you? Even though the two lads are in their twenties they still wanted us to put up their Christmas stockings by the fire. I drew the line at leaving out mince pies and carrots.
FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER
Well, a Christmas Day like none on record for us, and for so many people. My sister is stuck in Brighton because of the recommendation not to travel from the UK. Swimming was banned in the Forty Foot to stop the crowds, which is another Christmas tradition we’ve had for 20 years. We went over to Coliemore Harbour, which was empty. A lovely morning – the three of them went in and I took photos. Dalkey Island a perfect backdrop. Yellow sand and the green island behind.
It was just the four of us for dinner. First time in, I’d say, 25 years that we’ve had Christmas without Desiree. We all mucked in. Went over to see her through the window after I put the giant bird in the oven. It was a nice enough visit. She had already had her dinner (but couldn’t remember it). She was in good form. I gave her the book of old Irish photos coloured in. The one that knocked me off the number-one slot in the non-fiction hardback category. Not that I’m bitter – it’s a wonderful book. I wonder how many groans there were this morning when people opened the wrapping to see my book. ‘Ah! Not this fella again!’
Dinner was the usual. The best part is Stevie makes some special sausages with breadcrumbs. Everyone agrees it’s the best part of the meal. I think, Well now, isn’t that typical. I produce the turkey, ham, roast potatoes, carrots, sprouts, stuffing. And these are but naught next to some sausagemeat. I’m kidding, but you can’t beat the family tradition of someone saying, as they do every year, ‘This turkey is a bit dry.’
We played a game called 30 Seconds after dinner. I never realised a board game could be a blood sport. Cliona sent me a picture of her having a drink in her neighbours’ house. The neighbour is an old school friend of mine from Bray – Pat Ryan. And he has a bar in his house, with the bar top made from a bench from the science lab in our old school, Pres Bray. The picture showed him holding up Never Mind over the bar. Now there’s spookiness. The bench where I first did science all those years ago. Another example of strange things happening.
And today’s Christmas Day message from NPHET? The new UK variant is in Ireland. Great. Couldn’t they have waited until tomorrow? I feel this will be a theme in the coming months – new variants emerging. Why are they emerging as this virus mutates at only one tenth that of flu? It’s because the virus is spreading so much. Every time it divides it rolls the dice and sometimes gets snake eyes. In the case of the UK variant, it is around 50 per cent more transmissible. Where before one person infected two, one person now infects three. R number is going in the wrong direction. Need to make sure we double down on masks and social distancing.
SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER
Sister-in-law Esme came over with her hubby Ciaran for dinner. This is another of our big traditions and has been going on for years. No kids with them this time. It was a lovely evening. Our single other household visiting us.
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER
Good enough day. The traditional turkey curry. Had a piece in the Sunday Independent: ‘Reasons to be cheerful’. Mainly the vaccine, of course. Watched some TV. I love that, when you just flick around and latch onto something and are taken with it. Must be to do with a relaxed state of mind. It was a documentary about A Woman’s Heart, that wonderful album that we all bought, by Eleanor McEvoy and friends. I remembered how all those years ago me and Tony played support to Eleanor in Mother Redcaps pub, pre-Metabollix days.
We played 30 Seconds again. More violence.
MONDAY 28 DECEMBER
Worked a bit more on ‘Mexico’ – I’ve learned it! Sam set up the mic and PA system and played keyboards. Can’t get it out of my head now: ‘Well if we go to Mexico …’ Always great jamming with my lad. ‘Open Arms’ by Elbow. ‘Let Me Roll It’ by Paul McCartney. Brought me back to the Metabollix gigs. They seem so long ago and far away.
TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER
Up early and into Newstalk. I’m a glutton for punishment. Sure what else would I be doing? Dark and gloomy on the way in. Streets completely deserted. On Grafton Street a guy on a bike stopped and said, ‘How’s it going, Luke?’ He said he was renovating the casino – the Georgian building in Marino. He said, ‘You’ve helped me so much. I can’t do much in return, but I’d like to invite you out and I’ll give you a special tour.’ It really touched me.
Good to see Tony on the Newstalk door again, and Eimear and Cormac. We’re a community! Mark Cagney was there in person, which was great. Brian MacCraith was on first – interviewed via Skype about the vaccine. He said the first person to be vaccinated would be a grandmother from the Liberties. I felt a lump in my throat at the thought of it. Then I was on. We had a good general chat, mainly about vaccines.
Walked down to the Dart on an empty Grafton Street under clear blue skies. I can see clearly now, the vaccine’s here. Oh God, bring it on.
Brian was right. On the news, the first person in Ireland to be vaccinated was Annie Lynch from the Liberties, who was vaccinated in St James’s hospital. She, and the whole country, was delighted. First report of the virus was 12 January 2020 and a woman in Dublin is vaccinated 11 months later. The power of science. This all gives a real sense that there’s a way out of this. It will take time, but there’s a way out.
WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER
Over to Mundy’s house for a practice. What a lovely fellow. Made us some coffee, then showed me his studio. He said it had been a tough year, but that he’d done a few Zoom gigs for corporates before Christmas, which helped. His wife Sarah came in and we had a good chat. The thrill of talking to people! I nearly needed a restraining order for the joy of it. We ran through the song a couple of times. We’ll be grand.
An ominous speech from the Taoiseach. The country will now go to full Level 5 until at least 31 January. The nightmare has come true. He sounded like Churchill. So, it’s clear now. All that mingling at Christmas has resulted in a huge increase in cases, much more than anticipated. We went out in early December, got infected and brought the virus into our homes over Christmas, infecting lots of other people. Thank God we have the vaccine coming.
Country back in lockdown. The third lockdown. Will we ever be free of it?
THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER
Well, a New Year’s Eve like no other. Got the Dart into town, then walked up to the Gaiety carrying my guitar. A woman shouted, ‘Ah Luke! I didn’t know you could sing, as well! Is there any fucking thing you can’t do?’ I scurried along. In through the stage door, which is beside the Disney Shop on Grafton Street. For years I’d walked past it without even noticing it. They showed me to my dressing room, which had my name on the door. I said, ‘I’m not going in there until there’s a star on the door!’ They had given me the boardroom of the Gaiety. Lots of old posters on the wall advertising bygone days. Pantomimes. Peter Ustinov. Got me thinking about the history of the place. Bound to be a few ghosts around. Yet again, had to pinch myself. How the hell have I ended up here?
Tuned up my guitar and then went on stage for the rehearsal. Mundy there, with Sharon Shannon and her band. Great meeting her and all the guys. And the legendary sax player Richie Buckley. The band were great fun. Played the theme from the Pink Panther between rehearsals. We ran through the song. Sound was perfect. However, I got stuck on a line. Couldn’t remember it. And ironically the line is ‘Forgetting to remember.’ Mundy was good about it and said write it out and stick it to the guitar. ‘That’s what I do.’
Rehearsal of the whole show. Chatted with Mary Coughlan and Brian Kennedy, who I’d met before on The Six O’Clock Show. We went to the green room (formerly a bar) and had a great old chat about the various diseases that afflict them.
A surreal evening then ensued. Mary was on first, so she was taken to the stage, and sang her first song. Then I was on a panel with Mary and Marty Morrissey, with Deirdre O’Kane in the chair. I said Tony Holohan was my hero for the year. Mary said Jon Bon Jovi, as he volunteered in a food bank in the US. I then went on with Mundy, Sharon and the band and we did the number. I remembered ‘Forgetting to remember.’ Mundy had picked ‘Mexico’ because he felt the lyrics were spot on: ‘Promise me this will get better. And it will heal in the bright weather.’ We sang it with gusto, bopping around.
Then back in the green room. As New Year’s Eve approached Sharon played a bit of ‘Auld Lang Syne’. We all sat around and watched the countdown and wished each other a socially distanced Happy New Year. No linking of arms and singing. No hugs or kisses. Just me, in a room with Mary Coughlan, Brian Kennedy, Sharon Shannon, Jerry Fish, Marty Morrissey, Jason Byrne, Sarah McInerney, Kathryn Thomas and Bernard O’Shea. WTF. All of us wondering what 2021 might bring. All of us a bit anxious but somehow hopeful. I didn’t say how worried I was getting about the numbers of infections, which are growing day by day. Or about the UK variant.
I left around 12.30 a.m. on 1 January 2021. Stone-cold sober. Onto Grafton Street, which was completely deserted. No idea how I was going to get home. Walked around by St Stephen’s Green. A drizzle started to fall, and I pulled my collar up around my neck. No taxis. Went onto the Free Now app, and amazingly got one. It arrived in five minutes. The taxi driver said I was his first passenger that night. He asked me where I’d been, and I told him. He said: ‘Did you ever imagine a year ago that you’d be playing live on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre on New Year’s Eve with Mundy and Sharon Shannon, with nobody in the audience?’ I said of course I did. I’d had a dream of exactly that – except I was also naked.
This night gave me the exact moment that perfectly encapsulates for me this entire pandemic. I can’t imagine anything as surreal happening to me again in my whole life.
And then I noticed a message on my phone. It was … the Taoiseach! He left a nice message to thank me for informing the people over the year in a clear and calm way and looked forward to engaging with me in 2021. This was so decent of him, and it made me feel so good. Couldn’t quite believe it. Went to bed with my head buzzing.