…and this is a 
I've recently made arrangements to come speak at the University of Ireland in Galway in early February. Hooray! I've been looking forward to visiting Ireland for some time, so it's going to be great.
And then I discover that not all the Irish are sane. There are crowds listening to 'psychic' prophets and standing in churchyards to stare at the sun until their eyeballs are all wobbly and semi-toasted, and then declaring that the fact that they can't see straight is a miracle! From God! Hallelujah to a creator who would make a delicate energy sensor friable!
I was planning on giving a couple of serious talks, but now I'm cleverly thinking…if I just hand out ball-peen hammers to the audiences and tell them to bang themselves on the head until they see stars and angels and Jesus himself looking like Bono and singing lullabies, I'll have a little more time to sneak out and get all touristy.
Except that the people who'd come to listen to me would probably be more critical than the ones who'd listen to a self-proclaimed 'clairvoyant' like Joe Coleman. Darn. Preaching reason and autonomy and rebellion from the dictates of mystical authority does have its downsides.
Comments
Posted by: Def-Star
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October 12, 2009 11:51 AM
Watch out for Ireland's Blasphemy law: 25,000 Euros if convicted.
Posted by: neon-elf.myopenid.com
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October 12, 2009 11:52 AM
Including far less opportunity to scam the last penny from those who can least afford it.
But at least you can stand look at yourself in the mirror.
Posted by: ellipticcurve
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October 12, 2009 11:54 AM
Don't forget to kiss the Blarney Stone, which is 100% scientific and not at all made up.
Also a good way to give your immune system a workout!
Posted by: Forbidden Snowflake
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October 12, 2009 11:57 AM
Staring at the sun in expectation of a Marian apparition? Pfffft. Such a Knock-off* of the Fatima apparition.
*get it? Because it's in Knock!
I'm not the only one starin' at the sun
Afraid of what you'd find if you took a look inside
Not just deaf and dumb i'm staring at the sun
Not the only one who's happy to go blind
U2
Posted by: vanharris
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October 12, 2009 11:59 AM
PZ, when you get there, just drink the Liffey water, & enjoy.
Posted by: 386sx
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October 12, 2009 12:04 PM
Something tells me the sun staring racket has been around a long freakin time. It never fails to produce results! It's almost as foolproof* as faith healing.
*Ironical use of "foolproof".
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp
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October 12, 2009 12:05 PM
The prophet BigDumbChimp promises the appearance of magic trails in Charleston SC on New Years Eve.
All you must do is come to the Arthur Ravenel Jr. bridge at midnight and eat this little piece of paper with a Tweety Bird on it or take a drop of this elixir on your tongue. Wait 30 mins and then watch the magic trails of eternal spiritual happiness form behind cars as the speed by on their way to blissful joy.
Posted by: Curt Cameron
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October 12, 2009 12:05 PM
This is exactly like the Fatima "Miracle of the Sun" in 1917. That one was officially declared a Miracle by the Catholic Church.
Posted by: daleof
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October 12, 2009 12:08 PM
Come to Maynooth! Our biology department is doing some really interesting work and we'd be honoured to have you!
Posted by: Lynna, OM
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October 12, 2009 12:09 PM
Oh fer fuck's sake. That's a bit o' idiocy that's gonna pay dividends in damaged eyes. You'd think the Irish would be even more fed up with god than some others. What did god ever do for them? And Mary? And the Saints?
Posted by: myminddroppings.wordpress.com
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October 12, 2009 12:10 PM
Hi,
When people say they "believe in God" they are actually making 2 assertions.
1. That that there is really an entity called God (creator of the universe and life....blah)
2. That they *actually believe* in such an entity and all his alleged prowess.
Atheist writings tend to dwell on debunking the former claim and the latter claim is left un-challenged. However, I would like to posit that Almost nobody truly believes in God. Take the Pope for instance:
The Pope tells us about a kind, benevolent and powerful God. But if the Pope truly believed in the kindness, benevolence and power of such an entity, why does he need a bullet-proof screen and elaborate security?
This tells me that although the Pope may enthusiastically market such an entity, he is not willing to bet his life on it. What does that tell you about his "professed belief"?
I'd love to know your views/comments on my Blog: MindDroppings
Posted by: NewEnglandBob
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October 12, 2009 12:10 PM
Who will pay for all those ball-peen hammers?
Posted by: Matt Penfold
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October 12, 2009 12:13 PM
And people wonder why we laugh at the Catholic Church!
Posted by: PZ Myers
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October 12, 2009 12:15 PM
But Maynooth is way over by Dublin, and Galway is on the western side! They must be like thousands and thousands of miles apart!
Actually, my travel plans haven't been finalized yet -- I'm going to be at Galway on 4 February, which is fairly definite, but could be talked into extending my trip a little bit to visit another university.
Posted by: daleof
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October 12, 2009 12:24 PM
Man, Ireland is TINY. It's about the size of Indiana (thanks google). I'll make it to the Galway talk (maybe as it's my last year of my single hons biology degree) but you should come over here. We have a seminary on South Campus! Don't miss out on the chance to have some blasphemy!
(it might actually be illegal by the time you come over)
Posted by: Matt Penfold
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October 12, 2009 12:29 PM
PZ,
I don't suppose you have any planes to pop over to the UK whilst you are in Ireland ?
Although if you can get to Dublin that would be good. I am actually nearer Dublin than London.
Posted by: Bobber
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October 12, 2009 12:32 PM
Ah, Galway.
One early morning, I was awakened by the sound of metal banging loudly against rocks. I looked out the window and saw workers from the restaurant at the top of the hill rolling empty kegs down the cobblestone street to the men at the bottom of the hill waiting to collect them.
Later that morning, around 10 A.M., I looked down from my balcony at the restaurant next door and saw some diners having Guinness with their breakfast.
I love Ireland.
Posted by: Peej255
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October 12, 2009 12:37 PM
I second that call for Maynooth!! All the biggest PZ fans are in Maynooth!! Plus we still have sort of seminary on campus so that could be fun, no creationists though.... :(
Posted by: daleof
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October 12, 2009 12:37 PM
118.65 miles. 2 and a half hours by car or 5 hours by train. (there are three changes)
Posted by: Ray Moscow
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October 12, 2009 12:38 PM
Ireland is a great place with excellent beer.
Yes, it's full of woo-woo, too (that's part of what makes it Ireland), but not everyone is totally crazy. Mostly they are friendly and nice, unless they think you're English.
Yes, come to the UK while you're over this way. We'll set you up with some English ales and some irreverent sceptics whom we'll stick with the bar bill.
Posted by: SEF
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October 12, 2009 12:38 PM
Only this morning when perusing the online version of the news, including a kidnapped Irish priest I was once again thinking very much the same thing myself - viz why does he need medication (and science-based medical technology) or rescuing at all if he has a superpowered god?! The religious are really quite dishonest about these things. I even saved the link(s) back then but there wasn't a suitable thread at the time.
Posted by: Ring Tailed Lemurian
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October 12, 2009 12:43 PM
PZ -
Ah, but "Quite a number of those present were members of the Travelling community".
So nowhere's safe. (Except that now they'll probably drive straight in to the nearest wall, or ditch.) Being on the roads in Ireland just got a lot more dangerous.
Posted by: daleof
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October 12, 2009 12:44 PM
@No.18 If there are no creationists in Maynooth why are there books by Dembski and Behe in the library? (yes in the biology section)
Posted by: Strangest brew
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October 12, 2009 12:45 PM
The Simple explanation...
Catholic = Insanity
Anything to do with the RCC anywhere gets to catch galloping stupidity in its most potent form.
Absolutely Barking to an idiot the lot of 'em!
The Complicated explanation...
Someone somewhere is depending on religious rapture/hysteria to confirm the claim made so that he can raise the fee that is required to book a scam merchant that predicts 'visions' of saints and nefarious hob goblins and banshees of a religious bent!
The market is an opportunity after all...where better then Ireland?
One does notice the church is seemingly very quite on this nonsense...methinks they approve...get a few more idiots into their greasy little hands...
Sounds as though they might get performance bonus from Benny baby in increasing the turnout in their parish!
Any way is the right way...except when considering other christian beliefs!
Posted by: Matt Penfold
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October 12, 2009 12:47 PM
Maybe the biologists like to read humour, and have read all of Douglas Adams' books several times over.
Wait, you mean Dembski and Behe are not actually joking ?
Posted by: oldmanrain
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October 12, 2009 12:50 PM
Some people have all the luck, I wish I could convince 5000 people to go somewhere and stare at the sun
That's great news though, I study at NUIG, it's going to be weird seeing PZ there. Plus he's got a lot to live up to, we've already had Charlie Sheen visit...
Posted by: Walton
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October 12, 2009 12:52 PM
I've never been to Ireland... but if I remember my studies of British history, Maynooth is the location of a Catholic seminary (St Patrick's College) which generated considerable controversy in the nineteenth century, around the time that Catholics were emancipated in 1829 (before this, Catholics were denied certain civil and political rights, such as the right to vote and to own property). A little bit OT, I suppose.
Posted by: Laura
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October 12, 2009 12:56 PM
Awesome - a chance to see PZed in the flesh!
If you're thinking of visiting any other universities, Queen's University Belfast is the best on the island (with the added bonus of Northern Ireland being free from the blasphemy law nonsense). Though I will quite happily travel to Galway - it's a truly beautiful county.
Posted by: Pierce R. Butler
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October 12, 2009 1:03 PM
Galway, on the coast of the North Atlantic. In February.
I was about to say something witty, like "Brrrr!" - then I realized: coming from Morris. Minnesota. In February.
Our esteemed host will probably pack his swimming trunks 'n' snorkel.
Posted by: Marcus J. Ranum
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October 12, 2009 1:12 PM
Isaac Newton spent a fair amount of time staring at the sun, trying to figure out eyes and light. But he was trying to understand what he was seeing. And that's why he'll be remembered and whoever the dumb irish people are won't.
Posted by: Peej255
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October 12, 2009 1:12 PM
@#23,@#25 Do they really? I've never wandered into the Biology section.
Posted by: Matt Penfold
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October 12, 2009 1:15 PM
It is a testament to the effect of the Gulf Stream that Galway is further north than Morris.
Posted by: Matt Penfold
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October 12, 2009 1:16 PM
He also had to spend days at a time in a darkened room recovering.
Posted by: PenguinFactory
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October 12, 2009 1:19 PM
Galway?!
First I miss Dawkin's talk and now this.
Posted by: daleof
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October 12, 2009 1:19 PM
@30 @33 Yeah well he had mercury poisoning. What's their excuse?
Posted by: themanchoo
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October 12, 2009 1:21 PM
An opportunity to see the Professor in Ireland? Not to be missed! I might just have to pretend I'm a student in order to attend.
Posted by: daleof
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October 12, 2009 1:22 PM
@34 It was great! Only one crazy guy though. Didn't get to ask my question about how embryology restricts form either.
Posted by: TGAP Dad
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October 12, 2009 1:33 PM
I would suggest rubber mallets rather than ball-peen hammers. Mallets will concuss whereas hammers will break and penetrate. The better to see stars with, my dear!
Posted by: btj
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October 12, 2009 2:15 PM
PZ, you clearly don't understand how this game is played. You sell the hammers, you don't just hand them out!
Posted by: MoeLarryAndJesus
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October 12, 2009 2:18 PM
Christy Moore's "The Knock Song," about the airport built in this weird little Marian tourist trap:
At the early age of thirty-eight, my mother said, Go west!
Get up, says she, And get a job! Says I, I'll do my best
I pulled on my wellingtons to march to Kiltimagh
But I took a wrong turn in Charlestown and I ended up in Knock
Once this quiet crossroads was a place of gentle prayer
Where Catholics got indulgent once or twice a year
You could buy a pair of rosary beads or get your candles blessed
If you had a guilty conscience you could get it off your chest
Then came the priest from Partry, Father Horan was his name
Ever since he's been appointed Knock has never been the same
Begod, says Jim, 'Tis eighty years since Mary was adout
'Tis time for another miracle, and he blew the candle out
From Fatima to Bethlehem and from Lourdes to Kiltimagh
I've never seen a miracle like the airport up in Knock
And to establish terra firma he drew up a ten year plan
And he started running bingo around nineteen sixty-one
He built a fabulous basilica upon the Holy Ground
And once he had a focal point he started to expand
Chip shops and bed and breakfasts sprung up overnight
Once a place for quiet retreat, now it's a holy sight
All sorts of fancy restaurants for every race and creed
Where black and white and yellow pilgrims could get a mighty feed
We had the Blessed Virgin here, Father Horan did declare
And Foster and Allen, they appeared just over there
Now do you mean to tell me, says he in total shock
That I am not entitled to an auld airport here in Knock
The TDs were lobbied and harrassed with talk of promised votes
And people who'd been loyal for years spoke of changing coats
Excommunication was threatened upon the flock
Who said it was abortive building airports up in Knock
Now everyone is happy and the miracle it's complete
Father Horan's got his auld runway - and it's eighteen thousand feet
All sorts of planes could land there, of that there's little doubt
It'll be handy now for George Bush to knock Gadafi out
From Fatima to Bethlehem and from Lourdes to Kiltimagh
I've never seen a miracle like the airport up in Knock
Now poor old Father Jim is gone to the airport in the sky
And down on Barr na Cuiga he keeps a friendly eye
On Ryanair and Aer Lingus as they fly to and fro
We'll never see his likes again on the planes of sweet Mayo
Did NATO donate the dough, my boys, did NATO donate the dough
Did NATO donate the dough, my boys, did NATO donate the dough
From Fatima to Bethlehem and from Lourdes to Kiltimagh
I've never seen a miracle like the airport up in Knock
Posted by: abz
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October 12, 2009 2:45 PM
Ireland is beautiful.
I’m very jealous! Despite living only a 40 minute flight away from Dublin airport I’ve only been the once.
I believe that Guinness is better the closer you get to its source in Dublin. The brewery does tours and has a cool gift shop. I’m sure it would be very educational to nip across country to try out my theory.
Also many of the pubs sell home made Guinness stew which keeps out the cold better than anything.
Posted by: Jason S
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October 12, 2009 4:00 PM
While your in Ireland can I put a word in for Atheist Ireland? We'd love to host a talk by you either in Dublin, Limerick or Cork.
Posted by: MadScientist
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October 12, 2009 4:45 PM
"And then I discover that not all the Irish are sane."
So what's new? Everywhere I've been on the planet there are nice people, there are assholes, and then there are those who are plain nuts (and may be a part of either of the other 2 groups).
By the way, "friable" means crumbly. The only crumbly eyes I can recall are on shrimp - and even then only after they've been deep-fried.
Posted by: CiaranM
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October 12, 2009 5:39 PM
If your going to Ireland you gotta go to Northern Ireland, as someone else suggested Queens University would be an excellant venue, I think we've got tonnes more creationist garbage up here with all the Protestant Fundies run about.
Posted by: Dave Nathan
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October 12, 2009 6:32 PM
It's events like this that make me feel that in Europe, Ireland has the greatest disparity in belief at either side of the generational gap from those born pre-EEC and those born after.
It also embarrasses the hell out of me.
I can't wait to see PZ "een zee flesh" next year.
And... Ah ha! It seems someone beat me to posting Christy Moore's Knock Song.
Posted by: tortorific
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October 13, 2009 2:23 AM
The Irish police force did win the Ig Nobel literature prize, for writing out over 50 driving tickets to Prawo Jazdy, who has more tickets than anyone in Ireland. Strangely Prawo Jazdy's name means Driving Licence in Polish.
Posted by: Ray Moscow
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October 13, 2009 5:13 AM
G.K. Chesterton had Father Brown making fun of a sun-gazing pagan cult in one of his early FB stories ("The Eye of Apollo", ca. 1911). Turns out that his own cult was about to do the same thing. ;^)
Posted by: TheBiologista
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October 13, 2009 7:26 AM
Third vote for a visit to Maynooth. With the motorway system in Ireland, you can make the trip from Galway in about 2 hours. Hell, you're probably flying into/out of Dublin anyway so it's on your way. Maynooth has biologists and Catholic Priests and a disproportionate number of pubs. It's got everything!
Probably no creationist though, you kinda have to head north to meet a substantial number of those guys.
Posted by: Jamie O'Neill
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October 14, 2009 11:56 AM
You're all missing the point. In Ireland the sun is so rarely seen that of course we stare at it. In awe we watch the yellow skyborn disc, traversing the blue unknown, as we wonder at the curious sensation of warmth outside. We've heard about it of course, and read of it in foreign books: but a sun that visits Ireland is astonishing and rare as a Minnesota prof - whose welcome, I can assure him, will be doubly as warm.
Posted by: Ultraevo
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October 14, 2009 3:18 PM
I'd love to go, but the 4th is a Thursday and Galway is 4 hours away and as I'll be working ...... come and see Belfast, PZ! We'll look after you!
Posted by: sammywol | October 18, 2009 7:31 AM
Welcome PZ!
Even if it does mean having to get to Galway and pretend to be a student to get in. Ireland is small but getting around it by public transport is not easy, ask Dara O Briain, he is quite eloquent about the fun of getting from Cork (south coast) to Galway (west coast) by getting a train to Dublin (east coast) and then turning round and getting a train to Galway. Or there's always the bus. Otoh if PZ accepts any invites to Cork then he will have o go via Dublin and so might get a chance to pop in to Maynooth after all. UCD might be more apt though. Then he can visit all of the famously 'Godless' universities in the Republic, at least Daniel O'Connell said so and he was a top class God botherer and should know.
Posted by: Dugges
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December 15, 2009 7:54 AM
What ever you do don't go on the Late Late Show unless you want to expose the host for being a condescending twat!!
Be sure to give Atheist Ireland a call cause we'd love to take you out for a few pints!
Posted by: Bill McDaniel
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January 6, 2010 4:45 PM
I look forward to your talk here at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). I've been here 3.5 years (from Texas and California originally) doing research and the Irish are wonderfully insane. I think my first indication of how superstitious they are here was while I was sitting in a cancer day ward, receiving some of the most sophisticated medicine ever invented and a woman in another chair, talking about a visitor, said with all seriousness, "is he a seventh son?" At that moment I realized I was in a country where superstitions still reign.
This was followed by a serious news article in a local paper reporting on the arrival of a renowned faith healer who would be coming to lay hands on the sick.
Yes, Ireland with its secular government and a lot of people who have fallen away from the Catholic church is still intensely pervaded by superstition and strange beliefs...but in a very nice way! They still ring the Angeles at noon and six every day on RTE 1 radio.
They are a very friendly and pleasant people and you'll certainly be welcomed and I will try very hard to be in the audience for your talk.
Of course, I come from Texas where even stranger beliefs are often held!