'Bahrain was ruled absolutely by Sheik Bin Al Khalifa, known to all affection ally as 'Jack '. His rule was law but benign'

'Bahrain was ruled absolutely by Sheik Bin Al Khalifa, known to all affection ally as 'Jack '. His rule was law but benign'

Mike Mahon remembers the Sheik of Bahrain.

Mike Mahon

Trinity College Dublin

2001

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Mike Mahon

Work and Employment

Life Story

Bahrain

2000s

I spent many happy and fruitful years working for Gulf Air, based in Bahrain. Bahrain is a small desert island just off the coast of Saudia Arabia to which it is now joined by a causeway. Bahrain was ruled absolutely by Sheik Bin Al Khalifa, known to all affection ally as 'Jack'. His rule was law but benign. He had his own private beach with one of his palaces located there and yacht anchored off shore. For some reason no local Bahrainis were allowed on the beach and it was guarded by his own armed bodyguard who were mostly Pakistanis or Baluchis. However Jack welcomed all ex - pats to his beach and even supplied soft drinks free to children and families. He would sometimes sit out having afternoon tea and if he took a fancy to you would invite you over for a tea and chat. He had a great sense of humour and enjoyed in particular Irish jokes.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)