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LIKE ALL our great institutions, the Irish mother has undergone major reform in recent decades. Her increased role in the workplace has reduced some of her former influence in the home, for example. And because of this and other changes, the modern Mammy – or “Mum”, as some have attempted to rebrand her – is less likely to wear the mantle of martyrdom to which she was once automatically entitled.

There is probably a generation of children now growing up who have never heard the following old joke. Q: “How many Irish mothers does it take to change a light-bulb?” A: “None. Sure amn’t I grand sitting here in the dark.” But even so, the Irish Mother retains an exalted role. She has generally avoided the sort of scandals that have rocked her fellow institutions, the church and Fianna Fáil. Indeed, of her former rivals, perhaps only the GAA is in as good a shape today.