Irish

> Hear now and listen,
>
>
> You have asked why we fight here rather than
> return home to Ireland. Have you not listened? Have
> you not seen with your own eyes? Does not your flesh
> call out to you as we struggle here? This is our home
> now and we fight to keep what is ours. Listen, my
> young one…
>
>
> We Irish descend from the Milesians who settled
> in the Emerald Isle, what others call Ireland. We are
> always striving to be the best, even among our family.
> For honor, yes, but more for the esteem that comes
> with a good victory. We, unlike other men, do not
> easily call anyone superior, we must have them prove
> that superiority by actions. Yes, one can call himself
> king of a tribe. But to be a king among kings, more
> than just a strong arm is needed. Many things are
> called for — wit, wisdom, intellect, physical prowess,
> and agility — it is rare to have the gods bless someone
> with everything. And if one declares they have been
> so blessed, then they have invited us to test that declaration.
> And so we do. Others see this as a weakness.
> It is not. For once it is proven, the king is truly a king.
>
>
> One hundred years ago, Eire was crowded and
> men wanted their own lands. Many loaded into boats
> and sailed eastward to this isle of Britain, which was
> underpopulated. Many portions of the western shore
> of the island were settled. Here in Estregales, we were
> invited by King Macsen Wledig and the land was
> given to us peacefully. Our cousins in northern
> Cambria and in Cornwall took their land with the
> spear and the sword, driving away the Cymri.
>
>
>
> We are now part of this land, yet we still remember our roots. In particular, we still honor the things that the Irish are known for and excel in: music, hunting, and love of our family.
>
>

The Irish people began “in legendary times,” when the Milesians came to the mortal world and settled in the Emerald Island, Eire, which lies to the west of Britain. There they established a harmonious relationship with the spirits of the land, and a dangerous tribal rivalry that has kept them simultaneously lively and at risk. They are a proud and free people, “never conquered by the Romans or anyone else.” They love life and “live it to the fullest,” knowing how to “both enjoy and to bring enjoyment.” They have also expanded their territory and established several kingdoms on the island of Britain (Estregales, Dal Riada).

## Stereotype

Easy-going people, but intensely passionate in both love and hate.

## Self-image

Serious, introspective folk, concerned with their personal well-being as well as that of the clan. They live in harmony with the world, whether it is well or ill.

## Let’s Be Practical

They are numerous and friendly, welcome at every court because they are great entertainers.

## Names

### Male

Aed, Aedan, Aeducan, Ailgel, Ailill, Airechtach, Amalgaid, Art, Baetan, Baeth, Berach, Berchan, Brion, Bruatur, Carthach, Cathal, Cenn, Cerball, Colcu, Comman, Congal, Cormace, Daig, Diarmait, Donngal, Dunchad, Echen, Elodach, Eogan, Fachtna, Fedelmid, Finnchad, Flann, Guaire, Imchad, Laegaire, Lorccan, Maine, Murchad, Nathi, Ronan, Russ, Senach, Tadc, Tuathal, Ultan.

### Female

Bebinn, Cron, Derbail, Dunlaith, Eithne, Finnguala, Flann, Gormlaith, Grainne, Lassar, Mor, Orlaith, Sadb, Sorcha, Una.

### Clan Names

Every Irishman has a loyalty to his clan. Select one from the lists here. Technically, in each name, a “Mc” prefix means “son of,” and an “O” prefix means “grandson of” or “descendant of” the person named. However, in actual practice, the prefixes mean the same thing since even the sons are of ancient times.

Similar names indicate a distant kinship, for example, the O Neils and the McNeils. Likewise, clans from different parts of the island with the same name acknowledge distant kinship.

#### Ailech

O Duffy, O Mulligan, O Farren, Mc Nelis, Mc Roarty, O Kenny, O Dever, Mc Grath.

#### Connacht

O Conor, O Flynn, O Fergus, O Finan, O Coyne, Mc Conneely, O Downey, O Nihil, O Dea, Mc Keane, Mc Donnell, O Quinn, O Brien, Mc Mahon, O Grady, O Madden, Mc Nevin.

#### Dal Riada & Long Isles

Mc Donnell, O Quinn, O Hara, Mc Neill, Mc Cleary, Mc Quillian, Mc Keown, O Hood.

#### Leinster

O Conor Faly, O Dempsey, O Dunn, O Byrne, O Toole, Mc Morrough, Mc Gilpatrick, O Doyle, O Hartley, O Nolan, O Larkin, O Shea, O Duff, O Ronan, O Cullen.

#### Meath

O Kennedy, O Meagher, O Brien Arra, O Mulrain, O Conor Kerry, O Sullivan Mor, Mc Carthy Muskerry, O Callaghan, Mc Carthy Reagh, O Sullivan Beare, O Fogarty, O Noonan, O Long, O Shelly, Mc Sweeney.

#### Oriel

O Neill, Mc Nally, Mc Gorman, Mc Mahon, O Hagan, O Hanlon, O Breslin, Mc Ardle.

### Pronunciation Guide

(a) is roughly equivalent to English law

(c) is always hard, roughly equivalent to English k

(d) is roughly equivalent to English j, as in joy

(e) is roughly equivalent to English ei, as in veil

(i) is roughly equivalent to English ee, as in fee

(o) is roughly equivalent to English ō, as in show

(s) is roughly equivalent to English sh, as in short

(t) is roughly equivalent to English ch, as in church

(ci) is roughly equivalent to English vi, as in vine

(ow) is roughly equivalent to English ow, as in owl

(ch) is roughly equivalent to Scottish ch, as in loch

## Religion

### British Christian

“Joseph of Arimathea founded the first Christian Church, and from his monastery came the great and blessed Saint Patrick, who brought the new religion to Ireland where it took root like a flower in a waiting garden.”

### British Pagan

“Our gods and goddesses live in the land and sky. We have revered them since the start of time. We will not abandon them for some upstart creed from far away.”