By Brian Igoe
By Brian Igoe
This is an insert, a fictional insert, the only one in the book. It is a recreation designed to illustrate life as it may have been at the court of King Brian Boru around 1006 AD.
I am an old man now, and my cousin Brian has gone to join his ancestors. I am indulging myself in that vice of old men, writing my memoirs - or rather writing about events in my life I think memorable.
One such is the day I first met the Great Poet, the File Mac Liag. It was a gorgeous morning that day in high summer. And it was a beautiful spot we lived in then, Brian's great place called Kincora. It was on a spur overlooking Lough Derg, and heavily wooded, with tinkling streams and mysterious oak groves where the Druids of old had prayed. That day was a race day, and there were two more fair days to follow, and so particular care was required for dressing. More so as there had arrived the previous evening this very famous File, and there was to be a great feast. That meant a formal gathering. All in all, unfortunately, it meant very formal clothes. So, a bath. My normal practice was, like most nobles and gentlemen, to bath in the evening, but I had returned home rather late the previous day. So, first a bath.
That is the first paragraph of the chapter, which then goes on to look at Brian Mac Cennétig, trews, long surcoat over, purple dye from countless small shell fish from the south coast, Gallic slave, wine from Poitou in Gaul, Irish measures, a tir-cumaile, the hospitaller the Royal Enclosure at Kincora, an Ollamh File or Poet with a Doctorate, 'wand of office', 'chain of attention', the great Mac Liag, as well as the Piper and the Harpist, barnbracks, Viking King Sigtrygg Silkbeard, Lament for Kincora.
The Book is called 'The Story of Ireland'. It is available either as a paperback, an ebook, or a much smaller "pocket" sized paper back edition (4.2" x 6.8") for travellers.The printed books can be bought online here.
The E-book can be purchased directly from our site here.