Former taoiseach reflects on days long Gonne...

FORMER TAOISEACH Liam Cosgrave, now aged 90, delivered a series of witty and pointed judgements on his contemporaries when he addressed a packed room in Dublin's Mansion House at the launch of the biography of one of his predecessors as head of government, John A Costello, last week.

Talking on publication of RTE political correspondent David McCullagh's The Reluctant Taoiseach, Cosgrave spoke about having the unenviable job of chief whip to the first inter-party government. Cosgrave said "they had never been in an urban council, some of them" in reference to the government that included the late Seán MacBride, leader of the Clann na Poblachta party. He later said one of MacBride's weaknesses "came from the dam's side". The reference, meaning the mother's side, was a gentle dig against MacBride's mother – revolutionary leader Maud Gonne MacBride.

Comedy crew rat on Bertie

A new spoof clip of the infamous News of the World TV ad that features Bertie Ahern has been put online. In this version of the controversial advert, a man opens a cupboard to find Bertie Ahern there drinking a cup of tea and saying his now famous lines: "I never thought I'd end up here but I have the latest on today's big match." At this point, the householder proceeds to spray fly killer into the press and Ahern starts to choke on it. As the sound of Ahern coughing bellows from the press, the householder proceeds to ram his boot into the press and kick the former Taoiseach. The spoof ad is called "There's a rat in me kitchen" and it was created by satirical comedy team 'The Emergency' (www.theemergency.ie).

Mandy's Hallowe'en haunt

Peter Mandelson, known as the 'Prince of Darkness', will visit Dublin on the eve of Hallowe'en, 30 October, for the latest Leviathan Political Cabaret event at the National Concert Hall. RTÉ's Miriam O'Callaghan will interview 'Mandy' about his new memoir The Third Man: Life at the Heart of New Labour before the audience is invited to ask questions. Afterwards, economist David McWilliams will chair a debate on the theme of 'New Ireland, New Politics' between communications minister Eamon Ryan, Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, political scientist Elaine Byrne and the executive director of the European Movement Andrea Pappin. Don't expect any consensus here.