Now it's Ireland's turn. Not only have Irish actors and productions just hauled a swag of global awards but Irish writers dominated the Man Booker Prize and their rugby team is back-to-back Six Nations champion. Add to that, the attention focused on Ireland's post-financial crisis economic rally and it can feel as though every day here is St Paddy's Day.
As New Zealand has found from time to time - most recently with pandemic containment conspicuous success and global lauding starts out being endearing to much bigger rivals and then, when it goes on and on, sours to snark.
You know you've really made it big when other countries start actively slagging you off. The British media regularly swipes at the Green Isle to its left. Times columnist Rod Liddle wrote recently that he danced jigs and roared "Is Éirennach mé!" (I'm Irish) on his nearest vestigial peat bog when the Irish Parliament's multiparty referendum on constitutional change was defeated.
Denne historien er fra March 30 - April 5, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra March 30 - April 5, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.