The Three Ladies

Say hello to Betty, Maggie and Mary. The girls, sisters all, took advantage of the forrim outside the shop, Maggie not being great at the walking these days, and needed a bit of a break before heading home up Cuckoo Lane. All three declined tea and biccies like little girls refusing lollipops from strangers in white vans. Happy enough to chat, though, remembering me from their recently deceased sisters birthday party in the Golf Links last year, (which I had photographed for the local rag, The Wicklow People). Mary is home visiting from Scotland, and mentioned in passing that I might know her son. "Unlikely", I said, "Whats his name?" "The Diceman", she replied. "Thom?"
I took her hand, rendered speechless, transported 20 years and more to Grafton Street, a redneck culchie mesmerised by this womans son. Nothing more needed to be said, anyway.
Liam O'Meara

Diceman
still forever


do they not sweep the streets before you
I used to chuckle to myself
for often it seemed you walked in fear
of treading on broken glass

and gratefully I shared the wonder
of standing pedestrians
witnessing your snail?s procession
through the main streets of Dublin

you were the Cheeky Prisoner,
rude Mona Lisa,
an awkward teapot on a crowded Dart
Dracula, scourge of Moore Street traders
or simply the Blonde Vamp

best of all, was when you just stood still
leaving us hanging for your pursed lips
wrinkled forehead, arched brows
any sudden movement

but it wasn?t all fun
you worried us once in bloodied robes
your clown face weeping
for a suffering world

then your gaunt appearance
on the Late Late Show - apology to Mum;
your farewell wave in the Evening Herald;
the final procession to your resting place

McGinty, McGinty, your number?s up -
you winked, oh! you winked at death
rather you had blinked




Thorn McGinty, in his role as the Diceman was Dublin?s best loved street character. He was also a brilliant mime artist. His upright walk, unblinking stare and colourful costumes gave entertainment to tens of thousands of people in his Grafton Street beat for almost 20 years. Even during his illness, his love of life was awesome. He strived to create a positive image of man living, not dying with Aids. Finally, he succumbed to the disease in February 1995.