03/06/2026
My new life plan:
•to be rich in life
•freedom to do as I please
•spend as much time in joy as I can
•help who I can along the way
I was reminded of this text this morning and said I'd share it with you. It was written by Giraldus Cambrensis, aka Gerry Barry - a Cambro-Norman who came over to Wexford/Waterford in the late 12th century after the arrival of his fellow Normans.
To be fair, he didn't think that much of us, but I'd say he was accurate enough in parts. One great observation was how we didn't have to much of a grá for the money making of towns but instead, valued our liberty moreso and were incredible musicians. I am sure many of you will agree - that this is still the case and I know I can spot some of the old traits in my dna too. Great reading here.
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"The Irish are a rude people, subsisting on the produce of their cattle only, and living themselves like beasts - a people that has not yet departed from the primitive habits of pastoral life.
In the common course of things, mankind progresses from the forest to the field, from the field to the town, and to the social condition of citizens; but this nation, holding agricultural labour in contempt, and little coveting the wealth of towns, as well as being exceedingly averse to civil institutions — lead the same life their fathers did in the woods and open pastures, neither willing to abandon their old habits or learn anything new.
They neither employ themselves in the manufacture of flax or wool, or in any kind of trade or mechanical art; but abandoning themselves to idleness, and immersed in sloth, their greatest delight is to be exempt from toil, their richest possession the enjoyment of liberty.
The only thing to which I find that this people apply a commendable industry is playing upon musical instruments, in which they are incomparably more skillful than any other nation I have ever seen. For their modulation on these instruments, unlike that of the Britons to which I am accustomed, is not slow and
harsh, but lively and rapid, while the harmony is both sweet and gay."
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Text: Michael Fortune
Text/Image: Giraldus Cambrensis from The Topography of Ireland, c. 1188.