Comedian knocks romanticism of turf-cutting on the 'head'

Furore over Eamon Ryan’s decision to ban the commercial sale of turf continued this week.

Cavan comedian Kevin McGahern has entered the fray on the turf-cutting debate by knocking the romantic notion of foraging the fuel by likening it to being hit on the head by your cousin with an “ancient clod of mummified tree”.

McGahern, who now lives in the 'Big Smoke' of Dublin, summed up in less than 250 characters pretty much the experience endured by many young people reluctantly carted off down to the bog by their family to foot turf in time for winter.

Tweeting in response to an Irish Times article titled 'Turf-cutting may have a romanticised image but the reality is very different', the Gowna man said: 'There's nothing romantic about getting eaten alive by culchie mosquitos as you develop a back problem aged 10. And every time you drop your guard your cousin launches an ancient clod of mummified tree directly at your head. Oh yes very romantic.'

The furore over Eamon Ryan’s decision to ban the commercial sale of turf runs continued this week, where in some parts it has been portrayed as an attack on rural Ireland.

Minister Ryan had told the media that the new solid fuel regulations had been planned for several years. He added that banning the sale of turf would be beneficial to people's health.

However, on Thursday, reports emerged that Tánaiste Leo Varadkar had told party colleagues the move to ban the commercial sale of turf from September would be paused due to a lack of detail on the plan.

It is expected the Department of Environment will submit more detailed proposals about the proposed regulations after Easter.

McGahern meanwhile hosted the final episode of the latest series comedy panel show Clear History on RTE2. The final episode and all other episodes of the show can be found on RTÉ Player HERE.

He will also take part in the The Bureau De Change Song Contest, taking place May 8, at Dublin's Sugar Club.

Fans can also get a regular fix of the funny man on his HeadStuff podcast HERE.

McGahern intends to tour his latest comedy stage show towards the end of the Summer. For more updates follow him on Instagram and Twitter.