Is it about a bicycle? The story of Brian O'Nolan

[@simonpenny2564]

in my opinion, The Third Policeman is genius, a great comic work of the English language, with numerous exquisitely written passages . I read it first nearly 50 years ago and read it again every five years or so, and always laugh at its wit and surreal humor.

[@mrsbrownandhercat]

For anyone who doesn't know, the opening "reading" is from The Third Policeman, which everyone should read.

[@grenvillephillips6998]

It was starting to read the The Third Policeman which brought me here. I heard it mentioned by Alex Lifeson reminiscing about Rory Gallagher, who he said bought him a copy by way of offering him an insight into Irish humour. As I turned the first page I knew exactly what he meant.

[@miralong8501]

I certainly will!

[@MrPolty71]

Really great documentary; wonderful viewing for all Flann fans. Nice to see stuff about his childhood and the Strabane connexion; important background information for those who may want to find out more after reading the books.

[@liammcooper]

fantastic stuff indeed

[@jamesdolan4042]

I read Flann O' Brian fascinating book The Third Policeman some years ago. It definitely was ahead of it's time and very delightful to read, for a book published about 1940.

[@marknewbold2583]

It wasn't published until after his death in 1966

[@bernardsmith2900]

Excellent, thanks for doing this, very informative, enjoyable. Well done.

[@puckering1]

Very well done and informative thanks for sharing!

[@arborialmonkey]

Nice bit of work, Michael. You're a natural!

[@terrywashpotwashpot103]

just seen this tonight,,excellent show,,well done to all concerned

[@joenavanodo3780]

This was very interesting and very well presented, from start to finish, thank you. ,

[@KarenWoods1]

Fascinating and charming...

[@Bubblesandcandyfloss]

Thinking of doing my thesis on this guy. Fascinating. So many angles to take

[@joehiggs100]

Very good, many thanks.

[@Johnconno]

'Ay, that's the true comic spirit alright.'

[@jackstux]

I'd hoped for elaboration on the story that after not finding a publisher for The Third Policeman he had it sitting by where he ate for 26 or so years.

[@mackenziefan5019]

Count John McCormack at the end?

[@nozecone]

Can anyone tell me what our man says at the very end: "... ironic, because it was [?] Tuesday"?

[@irenemax3574]

“He died in Dublin on the first of April, 1966. He would have found this ironic, because that was All Fools’ Day.”

[@nozecone]

@@irenemax3574 Thank you!

[@williamkelly9859]

Doesn't matter.we all don't know but how great being young was we can't all be geniuses .

[@friendlier]

Thank you! Is this a privately funded documentary? You've inspired me along those lines anyway.

[@seanhennessy]

Superb :)

[@keniiilmarinen6964]

What the hell happened to the collective genius of Ireland?

[@SuperMichine]

Which dialect are they speaking?

[@stevesandford8993]

They are speaking Northern Irish Gaelic, yet that dialect in itself has certain sub-dialects... (Donegal Irish, for example, would be noticeably different...) Other native-speaking areas of Ireland with specific dialects include Galway/Connemara, in the West, and Munster, (Cork/Kerry) in the South. (Something that might amuse you is that I went to an Irish Speaking secondary school in Dublin, though I an not a native speaker. On a visit once to the Gweedore Gaeltacht area of Donegal, my accent and use of syntax provoked general hilarity among the Donegal native speakers!!!) xx SF

[@SuperMichine]

Thank you Steve, it is indeed fascinating.

[@padairua8129]

Basically in Northern Ireland we are taught the Official Standard, but when we visit the Gaeltacht in Donegal we pick up a few of their habits and phrases. It’s a wonderful mix haha

[@willleahy6958]

Buiochas. Sceal simuil.