#brian ború

[twostarsinonesphere]

There are two great expulsion myths in early Irish history. One was that St. Patrick drove out the snakes in the fifth century, the other that Brian Ború drove out the Vikings in the eleventh. Of course, there were no snakes to begin with, and the Vikings never left.

~ David Willis McCullough, The Wars of the Irish Kings

[lordofthebees2]

Brian Ború live in the flesh lads

[inky-duchess]

Who were some famous Irish monarchs

Plenty though most as semi-legendary.

Gráinne O'Maille, Pirate Queen of Ireland

Niall of the Nine Hostages & High King of Ireland (my ancestor)

Domhnall ua Néill

Brian Ború

Máel Sechnaill mac Domnaill

Flann Sinna

Maedhbh

[wildbeewitch]

Willow Salix Alba

Willow is a truly beautiful and versatile tree. It’s an early source of pollen for bees, its bark is the source of aspirin in modern medicine.

Strong teas of the fresh bark can be used for pain, inflamation and rheumatic conditions. The tea used on the skin reduces bleeding and swelling.

Obviously, avoid if you are allergic to aspirin.

Willow wood was used in the making of traditional Irish harps. The famous Brian Ború harp is made entirely from willow. In a folk story about a king with horses ears, the secret is whispered to a willow tree and when a harp is made from that tree is sings the secret for all to hear.

On the ogham alphabet willow or sail as Gaeilge, relates to the letter S.

There are also seasonal associations with St Patrick’s Day and Palm Sunday, likely as this is the time at which the tree is full of catkins.

[mcneelamusic]

Lá na Cruite – National Harp Day in Ireland

Saturday October 20th is National Harp Day in Ireland. Events are planned across the country to celebrate and honour this most Irish of stringed instruments.

The harp is Ireland’s official national emblem and it’s no wonder as Ireland’s association with the harp dates back well over 1,000 years.

Up to the 15th century any nobleman or woman worth their salt kept a harpist at hand ready to play music, accompany poetry readings and even ride out with their patrons, it was said that Brian Ború, High King of Ireland from 1002 until 1014 was a competent harpist.

In fact one of the oldest surviving harps in the world is called The Brian Ború Harp and is on display in The Long Room at Trinity College, Dublin. Seemingly, it dates back to sometime between the 14th or 15th century but was originally and erroneously thought to be Brian Ború’s harp, hence the name.

The Brian Ború Harp in Trinity College, Dublin

Due to its close association with Ireland and Irishness the harp was banned in the 16th century by Queen Elizabeth I with orders for the offending harpist to be arrested and hanged, such was the apparent connection between the harp and Irish insurrection. Understandably, the harp went into critical decline not helped by Cromwell’s subsequent destruction of all harps and organs in Ireland; an out and out ban on any gathering of harpists meant that harp playing was very nearly extinct and much of the harp music played up until then has been irretrievably lost.

Today the situation is much improved with the harp’s fortunes first taking a decided turn for the better in 1792 when a concerted attempt was made to find native harpists and recover the music, which was orally passed down. 19 year old organist Edward Bunting was entrusted with the task of notating the music and so taken was he with this work that he went on to publish his musically significant and crucially important literature, The Ancient Music of Ireland in 1840 – a peerless collection of ancient harp music and notes on harp playing.

The original Irish name for a harp was a cruit [krit] and subsequently cláirseach [klorshock].

Today the official collective of Irish harp players is known as Cruit Eireann or Harp Ireland. There are over 1,200 harpists now playing in Ireland and this proud Irish tradition is once again alive and well thanks to the likes of Cruit Éireann and The Historical Harp Society of Ireland.

With over 40 events happening across 20 counties  for National Harp Day, you’re sure to find an event happening in your area. You’ll find details on Cruit Éireann’s website: harpireland.ie

If you’re thinking of taking up the harp, get in touch with us here at McNeela Instruments for more information.

The main featured image is a commemorative statue of Turlough O’Carolan the so-called Blind Harpist, in his home county of Roscommon. O’Carolan was a famous composer and harpist and lived during the 18th century, his music is still played today.

[good-queen-bess]

Weird Storytime #1

Strictly speaking this is actually second in the series (the first one was about the dream I had of QEI doing ballet the night before my History exam and then her speech showed up on the paper by chance the following day), but I hadn’t the wit to think of a title (and I was not expecting to have more weird shit happen to me).

Okay, so for those who don’t know, I live in Ireland. I’ve been living in a small, little village since I’ve been about four years old (ironically, I am much more of a city girl {long story; let’s not get into that just yet…}). The thing is, in this part of Ireland (or, more correctly, nearly anywhere in Ireland) there are many castle ruins (given our history, it makes sense).

So there are a few castle ruins near where I live. I have always been extremely fascinated by them, and there is this one ruin in particular that I always find myself drawn to. However, for as long as I’ve lived here, I have never gathered any information about any of the ruins. This is mainly because I can’t get information. So a day or two ago my mom dropped me off at a friend’s house in town and when she returned to collect me, she told me that she noticed there was a plaque put up by one of the ruins -- the ruin I've been most intrigued by over the years, to be more exact.

Now, before I go on any further in my tale, I need to give you a little background, and in turn, you should have a better perspective. Because I have been pretty much surrounded by history from a very young age, and I have always taken an interest in it (I especially adore castles and palaces, including the old ruins. I find there is something so beautifully tragic about ruins), I can identify the general era or century certain buildings or ruins were built in (geez, that makes me sound like a genius. I swear I’m nothing of the sort – it isn’t as great as it sounds; you just pick up on little things. You don’t even know what those little things are until you figure out what century the building was finished in). I had guessed that the castle ruins in my area were built in the 15th or 16th century (but it had to be standing in the 16th century).

I had also heard stories that the translation of where we live from our native language to English is (roughly): ‘the Land of the Skulls.’ No-one was sure if any battle really took place nearby or not, but we kind of left it up to ourselves to decide.

After I began to invest myself in Elizabethan history, I was able to keep opinions more balanced when it came to Anglo-Irish relations at that time. A part of me had a feeling that Elizabeth I and her government may have at least attempted to take over the lands that we live on today, but I kept doubting it, thinking my imagination was just getting a little too wild.

Anyway, so, today, myself and my mother read the plaque out of curiosity. Turns out that the Irish dude that lived in the castle (which was built in the 16th century. At this point when I was reading the plaque, years and names were beginning to jump out at me and I was beginning to bury my face into my scarf in sheepishness) was supposedly a direct descendant of Brian Ború (he’s a famous Irish warrior). According to the description on the plaque, in 1586, Elizabeth I sent troops over to take control of the castle (which was ostensibly one of the best castles standing in Ireland at the time. A part of me feels that this story has been exaggerated, but it’s still interesting).

Long story short, a battle broke out as a result and the Irishman tried to defend the castle by throwing stones at the English. However, the English had muskets and the Irishman (he did have a name; I just can’t remember it. There’s an ’M’ in the name somewhere {in my defense, the name was in Irish and I’m terrible at remembering Irish names, let alone pronouncing or spelling them sometimes! He was from the O’Brian lineage {a Gaelic Irish family that Elizabeth found herself quarrelling with...}) was shot dead in the head. The castle was then confiscated and given to Sir Richard Bingham.

Cool story, eh? Whether you wish to take the story fully at face-value or not is totally up to you. I feel like some of the story just sounds too good to be true (pretty much on the verge of what sort of things I would write about when I'm in that sort of mood). But hey, sometimes history surprises us all! 

[twostarsinonesphere]

even though i kind of hate morgan llewelyn's 1916: a novel of the irish rebellion i have to admit it is the best example i have of a peak irish dark academia novel

examples:

the plot revolves around a teenage boy trying to raise enough money for a rifle and uniform while simultaneously freaking out because his final is coming up and he has to learn middle irish

lavish descriptions of the way joseph plunkett dresses

like 90% of the plot happens at st. enda's school

we see Headmaster Pearse in full portrait and very little of Commander Pearse. there's a lot of being stern and catching the boys smoking on the lawn

michael collins has a cameo but he's introduced as "my father's new secretary, don't mind him" and described as a lad who looks like he's burning the candle at both ends and i love that because no one would catch that it’s him except someone who knows that he worked as count plunkett's secretary

there's a lot of alcohol, like every scene someone is drinking a beer or whiskey or brandy or whatever.

even the schoolboys, like there's this part where they sneak a bottle into the dormitory and get caught by thomas macdonagh but he lets them off the hook because he understands

the connolly kidnapping is in there and the way it's written is legitimately terrifying. it’s like a lighthearted book for the most part but then, you’re like oh okay these people have the capacity to do great damage to those around them

there’s this whole plotline about pearse going to america to raise money on a lecture circuit and it’s very shady and clandestine

"i would die for cathleen ni houlihan" "but she's not real.”

there’s a scene where the boys are playing hurling in their school uniforms and their school uniforms are like these super constrictive white-starched shirts and collars and jackets and waistcoats and whatever so it’s difficult but none of them want to get in trouble and take their uniforms off

“a conspiracy of poets”

there are guns and gunpowder hidden in the basement

the main character is one of the lads who’s in the massacre at the wharf when they try to get german weapons

there’s a part where they put on a play based on the life of brian ború and they get so into it

being like cú chulainn in bravery and nobility and strength is like this big motif but it’s hilarious because cú chulainn was also a crazy person 

a good reflection of the whole situation at st. enda’s tbh

they were brave and noble and strong but also wildly misguided

and that’s what i take away from this novel

[twostarsinonesphere]

1014 - the battle of clontarf

who would be worthy of such sires,

or win in freedom’s fight,

should quench dark discord’s baleful fires -

in union, there is might!

[twostarsinonesphere]

*brian ború's march plays in the distance*

ah, 'tis my boy. my child

[twostarsinonesphere]

yeah u go mr ború, fight that fucking battle brian

[twostarsinonesphere]

hi i love brian ború

[twostarsinonesphere]

Hi! Sorry if you've done this before (I glanced through your archive, but I might have missed something), but I would love to hear your top book/movie/music/whatever recs for people that want to learn more Irish history, if you have a sec. Thanks! Your blog is awesome!

hey! so i have only one recommendation post on this topic, it's for irish literature and it can be found here.

for history resources:

if you want a brief overview of the shitshow that was the rising and the controversies and personalities therein, rebels by peter de rosa is an invaluable resource. it was the first irish history related book i've read and to this day it has made me laugh and cry and it's just such a good book ok (also it has the collins-boland whiskey/telephone cord/date/grocery store shenanigans in it, which many books on the rising do not have and it adds levity to an otherwise hella depressing story. also it doesn't attempt to gloss over pearse's insanity, or casement's... gayness.)

two good books for if you want early to mid irish history are how the irish saved civilization by thomas cahill, an incredible book about the age of saints and monks and also brehon laws, literacy, and how early irish culture changed the way "the west" looked at the concept of the self, and all that jazz - and 1014: brian ború and the battle for ireland by morgan lewellyn, a very readable book that outlines how viking culture influenced modern ireland, and how the kingship structure was set up in the pre-colonial days of the irish kingdoms. also briefly touches on the possibly mythical fifth kingship of meath. mostly deals with the battle of clontarf.

a book on granuaile, queen of connacht and more loosely the o'malley clan and how england slowly took over ireland is ireland's pirate queen by anne chambers. this book is insane and sparks joy. i love granuaile. anne chambers' other book, the shadow lord, is about granuaile's son tibbot ne long, the last "o'malley" (the title, not the name) and the nine years' war (the first anglo-irish war). this book is equally insane and sparks the same amount of joy.

a book on the troubles is say nothing by patrick radden keefe. this book evoked so many emotions. oh my god. it's honestly a must read. and it must be read while listening to the cranberries.

and finally, michael collins and eamon de valera by tim pat coogan. i hesitate to recommend these because they're both long and boring as hell but the information in them is vital to understanding the irish civil war. they're both extremely detailed, sometimes not in a good way, but there's so much information that can be used to paint a picture of these two men like nothing else i've read. it's like an encyclopedia of the collins-de valera conflict. and y'know people still can't agree on the same exact issue that they fought over so it's important to know exactly what's going on there.

so those are some beginning history books. i wish i had something on the famine to recommend but i haven't read any nonfiction on that so i'm sorry

on to movies and tv:

michael collins (1994): this goes from the easter rising in 1916 to collins' death in 1922.

the wind that shakes the barley (2006): from the year of terror in 1920 to the middle of the civil war in 1922.

black '47 (2017): the great famine in the year 1847.

rebellion season one (2016): the end of the gaelic revival and the beginning of wwi in 1914 to the end of the easter rising.

rebellion season two (2019): the year of terror in 1920 to the signing of the anglo irish treaty in 1921.

derry girls (2018-present): the nineties in derry, northern ireland. deals vaguely with the troubles but mostly with teenage shenanigans.

i, dolours (2018): a movie companion to say nothing, the book i mentioned earlier. an adaptation of dolours price's boston college tapes.

musical artists:

traditonal or folk: the high kings, the irish descendants, the dubliners, the wolfe tones, téada, p.j. hayes, the irish rovers, john mccormick, sinéad o'connor, the chieftains, university of dublin choral scholars

original: the cranberries, hozier, kodaline, i don't actually know any others and that's kind of a crime

i hope this helped you in any way, and i am so glad you enjoy my blog! have fun, and i'm sorry there's so much material on here, i have the same too much gene that jenna marbles has but instead of arts and crafts it's recommending history shit. thank you so much for the ask!

[twostarsinonesphere]

Why do you like Irish history?

because (TEN REASONS)

1. there are some crazy ass stories (such as: how eamon de valera got out of prison, the battle of hen's castle, the entire life story of james connolly)

2. it's easily relatable to modern irish politics and culture, yeah i know that could be the case with any history but this one stands out to me in that aspect

3. there's a huge emphasis (philosophically) placed on overcoming hardship while remaining one body of people with a distinct culture and history, and i honestly find that really beautiful

4. the chieftains were badass and brian ború is my problematic son

5. the irish were the forerunners of modern feminism and socialism and a lot of other things (including guerilla warfare: i'm looking at you, mick)

6. the mythology is quite honestly the weirdest fucking thing i've ever read but in a way it also makes perfect sense, which is kind of indicative of all of irish history?

7. w.b. yeats and oscar wilde were irish. that's a plus

8. VIKINGS INFLUENCED THE CULTURE SO MUCH and vikings were my first history Love so that kinda makes me happy even though half of the influence was because they were killing people and pillaging monasteries

9. the irish civil war/anglo-irish treaty? senseless violence and a split nation and people getting executed and assassinated left and right. it really genuinely hurts that this period in history left such a huge scar on ireland. heartbreaking

10. gráinne ní mhaille

(bonus reason). the rebel by pádraig pearse (i am come of the seed of the people/the people that sorrow/who have no treasure but hope/no riches laid up but a memory of ancient glory)

[twostarsinonesphere]

irish history book haul

easter 1916: the irish rebellion by charles townshend

constance markievizc: irish revolutionary by anne haverty

james connolly: my search for the man, the myth, and his legacy by sean o'callaghan

pride of lions by morgan llewellyn

and

1014: brian ború and the battle of clontarf also by morgan llewellyn

and i recently finished

malachy mccourt's history of ireland by malachy mccourt

grace by paul lynch

say nothing by patrick radden keefe

and

a portrait of the artist as a young man and ulysses by james joyce