The Body Politic: Caroline Jordans's #Dublin in 2012

 It's 2012 and Caroline Jordan is about to be embroiled in her latest mystery, The Body Count. So in previous posts we've explored Christ Church the area she works in and the area around Leinster House, the home of Irish Politics.  but there's so much more to Dublin than buildings, or even pubs and restaurants.

Dublin is a city justly famed for its characters, wit and unique outlook. True Dubliners (whether born on the North or South side! famous for the rivalry between them) are known for their dry wit, ability to pour scorn with a well turned phrase, kindness to strangers, and huge sense of community. Whether its the famous Liberties (think Imelda May, our amazing singer/songwriter) or the leafy suburbs, a Dubliner is proud of the "blue" (colours of our GAA teams) and proud of their city. 

Flower Sellers on many Dublin Streets bring a splash of colour

Back in 2012, we were still reeling from the demise of our boom era known globally as the Celtic Tiger. Bank scandals rocked the nation, and all eyes were on the public coffers, as we demanded less wastage of money, fewer payouts to politicians and better regulation of Banking. There were also disturbing signs of far right politics, and other unsavoury elements. However the majority of the population backed more progressive, generous politics and left leaning parties saw a rise in popularity as did grass roots activism. In many ways, an exciting time in Irish public life. 

The year saw a number of high profile scandals, politically, at a time when the country called for strong leadership. 

In Caroline's world, I have reimagined the reality of Ireland at the time, with the creation of the worldly, flawed but generally decent Michael T O'Mahony, and his closest advisor, Derek Fields - along with Caroline they bring some integrity and reform to Irish politics. What might we have achieved if only there had been someone like that?

And the Irish police, the Gardaí, started to investigate a bank called Anglo-Irish and one of the great banking scandals of modern Ireland began to emerge. 

It's little wonder that The Body Count (due out end Nov) will see Caroline dealing with some very dodgy banking types indeed.

In nicer news, in 2012 the Aurora Borealis made a rare appearance in Irish skies, and Dublin City Council voted overwhelmingly to support Marriage Equality for all couples, including same sex. (In 2015 Ireland became the first country in the world to vote Marriage Equality into our constitution, in a landslide victory. One of the areas with the highest Yes vote was Dublin city!)

Dublin's Colony of Swans on the Canal

At the London Olympics, Team Ireland did well with Bray native Katie Taylor winning boxing gold! A heroine to the whole of Ireland, her influence is felt today in 2021 with the amazing Dubliner Katie Harrington also securing gold for Ireland in boxing. Dublin (and Ireland) has no shortage of great female characters, strong women who have shaped the nation and continue to do so. 

A famous character you'll meet on every Dublin Street is the Irish Mammy* - we are a formidable breed. We are tough on our own kids, but woe betide you if you look crooked at them. Only we are allowed criticize them and there's nothing we won't do for our families. We used to be famous for spoiling our boys and many an Irishman had his mammy doing his laundry until he was married with kids of his own (and sometimes, even then...) The modern breed of Irish Mammy is determined to raise better equipped men - capable of laundry, washing, and child-rearing. But we'll probably be cooking them dinner until they're fifty!

Grand Canal Docks, February Morning

2012 saw the loss of a Dublin institution, Clery's Department Store, a prestigious retailer,. Apart from shopping there,  generations of Dubliners used it as a meeting place in the evening, and "Under Clery's Clock" is where many couples met up to go on a date. 

Dublin wit and humour is legendary and god help the eedjit who tries to enter a battle of wits with a true blue Dub. Dublin Insults are among the most colourful in the world. and even the most casual - ya muppet, I'm scarleh for yah! - sting like no other. Half of the pain comes from the actual words and half from the delivery, the contempt of the Dub for the unfortunate non-Dub. Equally however, the kindness of Dubliners is deeply ingrained: the very auld wan who was calling you a bleedin' dope a few minutes ago will be the first to pick you up and help when disaster strikes.

As Caroline moves through this small but richly endowed city, past ancient buildings and modern apartments, she takes strength from knowing she is a part of it; she's a True Blue Jackeen*

St Stephen's Green, Dublin City Centre Park

Caroline Jordan is the heroine of The Body Politic : a murder mystery set in Dublin in 2010. The second in the series, The Body Count is due to be published in November 2021. 

She also appears in the short story CatNap, available for newsletter subscribers click the link to sign up and claim.

* Dublin / Irish slang - eejit (EEE jiht) is a foolish person. Jackeen is a Dubliner, believed to have its roots in Jacobite. 

*Irish Mammy - the Irish word for mother is Máthair but the affectionate version is Mammy, from (mo Mhammaí in Irish) There is also another use of the word Mammy in the USA, pertaining to a Black slave who was forced to act as a nursemaid to white children, The word in Irish has no connection to that usage, but out of respect for others, when writing on largely US groups or websites please use the shortened form "Mam" for Irish mothers. 

ALL photos in this post courtesy of Ceolnet Irish Design, photographer GMB: all rights reserved

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Caroline Jordan's #Dublin : Merrion Square, #LeintsterHouse #GovernmentBuildings #TheMerrionHotel and more

 

When she's not in her office in Christ Church, Caroline Jordan is usually to be found dealing with her political clients - first the late, unlamented Minister Fitzpatrick and now the leader of the Irish Government himself, An Taoiseach Michael T O'Mahony. This work takes her to a different part of Dublin City, the areas surrounding Leinster House, The Offices of An Taoiseach and Government buildings. 

This includes the beautiful Merrion Square, with its sculptures (notably the Oscar Wilde statue and The Victims) and the War Memorial, These are more than just works of art or tourist stop off points, these represent deeply felt emotions, and events that Dubliners still care about. The affection felt for Oscar is visible in the cheerful "howya's" of regulars to the statue as they walk past. There are few visitors unmoved by the unusual war memorial (that commemorates as much those lives lost in the cause of Peace Keeping with the UN, as those lost in war in the more aggressive sense.) 

One side of the Square runs opposite to the Entrance to Leinster House, the seat of the Irish Parliament known as The Dáil (pro. Doyle or Dawl) or  Dáil Éireann. As described in The Body Politic this was once a ducal palace, designed for the Duke of Leinster, acquired for the State and enlarged and modernised over the decades, although the centre part is still the original building. Caroline's original boss the Minister for Justice* operates out of The Department of Justice on St Stephen's Green but his basic paranoia meant he stayed closer to the seat of power whenever possible. When she starts working for the leader of the Dáil himself, Michael T O'Mahony* she finds herself working in the Offices of An Taoiseach. Taoiseach is the title of the Irish Premier and means Chief, or leader. The second in command is the Foreign Minister, An Tánaiste. The use of Irish terms for our parliamentarians is an important statement of cultural and political freedom; members of the house are called Teachtaí Daile or TDs **

Politicians like to do themselves well in terms of wining and dining and Irish ones are no exception. Luckily for them there are number of fabulous pubs and restaurants nearby. The best are The Merrion, and The Shelbourne, two landmark hotels in the city. Visiting dignitaries and celebrities stay in both, and afternoon tea in The Merrion is an institution among Dublin society. But for a sneaky pint, if they're not using the bar in the Dáil itself, you might well spot a politician (maybe in earnest conversation with our Caroline!) in Buswell's Hotel, itself a legend in the city. Doheny and Nesbitts on Baggott street is another old pub with a modern clientele, where advertising and PR execs rub shoulders with musicians and the occasional Hipster or tourist. Of course with their own bar and the Oireachtas* restaurant, it's hard to tempt the political animal out of its lair. 

When she can, Caroline will walk back towards the Grafton Street area, away from the rather rarefied air of the Dáil and into the heart of the best pubs and restaurants in Dublin 2. The Long Hall is her favourite, and many a huddled conference has been held there between her, Paula and Stephen, the trio that make up Jordan PR. She'll grab food in the excellent San Lorenzos or Green Hen restaurants, and coffee in any of the great coffee shops like Kaph on Drury Street. Her job brings her to every trendy restaurant and "must be seen here" venue but when she's with real friends, she wants real food and drink. Meet in Brooke's Hotel, enjoy a drink in their ultra comfortable lounge, and then wander from there to see what's open. Bar with No Name, while trendy has the virtue of having a great atmosphere, and the Stag's Head is another place to stop for a drink and a chat. (Caroline and the gang have been known to leave work early on a Tuesday to catch the Ukulele Tuesdays in the Stag's Head, but if anyone asks they were all working late!)

Being a Southsider, she rarely ventures Northside - the rivalry between both sides of the city runs deep! - but like all Dubs, she's convinced the worst bit of Dublin is better than the best bit of the rest of the country. Everyone outside Dublin is a Culchie, Irish slang for a country bumpkin. Her city, Dublin City, has it all.

* All names and indeed, personalities of politicians in TBP are fictional and bear no resemblance to anyone living or dead. Any such resemblance is coincidental. If anyone thinks they recognise themselves I'd keep quiet about it. It's probably not a compliment. 

** A Teachta Dála ( /ˌtjɒxtə ˈdɔːlə/ TYOKH-tə DAW-lə, Irish: [ˌtʲaxt̪ˠə ˈd̪ˠaːlˠə] ; plural Teachtaí Dála)

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The final Stretch - when the end of the first draft is in sight! #writing #WritingCommunity #TheBodyCount #CrimeFiction #Mystery

 After days of frantic writing, a wonderful and miraculous thing has happened. All the messy plot points began to resolve themselves into a coherent narrative and in 6 chapters I've gone from flailing around to writing the end of the book. There's a chapter or three to go yet, but I know who the murderer is and I know why. I have two subplots to tie up. and a few loose ends will need to be sharply snipped but the end is in sight!

If I can pull this off in the next 7 days, I will actually be in position to start revising almost immediately. Ah yes, the joys of writing. You slave to get the words on the page and then ruthlessly slash and burn your way through them. How far do you trust your own voice over the received wisdom of editors? How much do you adjust to fit a genre, or do you forge ahead with your own, not quite fitting in vision?

That's all next week's problem. For now I'm just happy to say, I've entered the home stretch. See ye at the finish line!

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