THREAD on the life of Muircheartach Ó Briain, High King of Ireland and great-grandson of Brian Ború, who extended his power over the whole of Ireland and expanded Irish power abroad through alliances with the King of Norway and nobles in England, Wales and Scotland.

And I have come to name you King of Connacht, And bid you where O'Connor's muster grows: No shadow-king, but one to front the Norman, And rear the standard that all Éire knows. A true-born scion of Connacht's kings, I go now.

The symbols of Ireland Ireland is fortunate to have millennia of symbology Some of our most popular symbols have been around for thousands of years What is the history & pedigree of Irelands ancient emblems? (1)

The sotar rua, or red setter, is a native Irish breed. They are an active, energetic hunting breed with high intelligence and an ability to work as therapy dogs. Setters are the logo of Bus Éireann.

Medieval Irish sympathy for Caesar: "Marbsat Romain in rig rain ina nglordail cen glanbaig; tucsat i n-échtaib a alt, tria cheithre créchtaib tríchat." The Romans killed that splendid king in their glorious assembly without a clean contest... by means of thirty-four wounds.

"They could not understand all the fine things we planned It made Lloyd George stand back and marvel, And they talked of their pride, while James Connolly died For the dreams that we dreamed on the Dargle."

The "Fenian's Comfort" Tobacco

Patrice de MacMahon, President of France (1873-1879) was descended from a military family of Irish aristocrats who fled to France in the 18th century, following the confiscation of their lands by the British. He also led the main French Army in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.

"I was lost in dreams there. One cannot work in a place of such infinite peace." - George Bernard Shaw on Wexford

Saw this beautiful painting today. Made me very sad though. It’s called a view of Killmallock. Painted in the earlier 1800s. Tragic seeing the Irish peasantry living among the ruins of their ancestors. Literally watching our history rot.