Song of praise for Irish mothers
The Irish Mammy is an institution as solid as the rock of Cashel, so it is hardly surprising almost three out of four people say they are turning into their mother as they get older.
The research, carried out by One4all ahead of Mother’s Day, reveals over 39% use similar phrases or sayings to their mother, while 28% claim to have a similar personality.
“The Irish Mammy is renowned the world over for her wit and wry sense of humour, so it’s no surprise to see that 41% of us say our Mum uses funny phrases or sayings that give us a laugh on a daily basis,” says Lucy Kennedy, brand ambassador with One4all.
“I think many of us, especially when we have children of our own, feel like we are turning into our Mums and find ourselves saying similar things that she would have said to us when we were younger.”
According to the survey, 43% of people polled say their mother has some annoying traits with slurping tea loudly, repeating herself, always being right, with talking too much topping the list of things that get on our nerves.
When it comes to cheering you up when you feel sick or down, 57% say that flat 7-up is the Irish Mammy’s top fix-all remedy.
The survey also finds roast dinners, home baking, the smell of her perfume and cuddles are just some of our stand-out childhood memories of mothers.
The Irish Mammy has also inspired books and magazine retailer Eason to do a trawl of writers on their favourite mammyisms.
Colm O’Regan, author of Irish Mammies, revealed his mammy is angered when he doesn’t finish his dinner and always says: “‘I. Hate. Wasting. Food.’ with the full stops included!”
Colm adds that his Mammy is a big fan of the hot press. “She has this obsession with airing clothes until they are drier than the Dead Sea Scrolls!”
Other Irish authors also disclosed anecdotes, among them Cecelia Ahern who says her mother “always makes me see everybody else’s opinion which is refreshing . . . but annoying when I think I’m right”.
Fellow authors Claudia Carroll and Linda Kavanagh both recall their respective mothers had a habit of waiting up for them. Linda’s mother “waited up for me until the early hours . . . I’d come home and find her waiting in the kitchen”. Claudia Carroll’s mother used to stand at the top of the stairs when she arrived late, warning: “I’ll deal with you in the morning!”
-Everything happens for a reason.
-Say a prayer to St Anthony.
-There’s great drying out.
-You’ll be better before you’re married.
-The dead arose and appeared to many.
-Look what the cat dragged in.