By using irregular warfare MacMurrough †1417 turned his kingdom into a death trap for Crown forces. Armies led by Richard II were liquidated.

On the great spars between King Richard II & Art MacMurrough, who: "..would not cease from war & the defense of his country til his death".

The Arms of the #MacMurrough-Kavanagh of Leinster. They would redeem their family name by martial prowess & subjugation of the English.

Medieval historian Jean Froissart's impression of king Art MacMurrough as he descended the hills to parley after defeating Richard II:

Negotiating with the English earls to end the war, MacMurrough declared: "[Ireland] shall have no terms but peace, or no compact at all!"

Ceiling of St Patrick's Hall in the State Apartments, Dublin Castle. #Dublin

Ériu, the Irish name for Ireland, is thought to derive from the Proto-Irish 'iwo', meaning Yew, making Ireland the 'Land of the #Yew tree'.

A tribe of Gauls known as the Iverni settled the #Munster region of Ireland circa 500BC. Iverni (in Irish: Érainn) means 'sons of the Yew'.

Unlike in most of Europe, the yew grows extensively in Irish woodlands. The Iverni may have taken their tribal name as a matter of prestige.

Hore Abbey, near the Rock of Cashel, Tipperary. Hore comes from 'iubhair' - yew tree. It was perhaps once the site of a sacred tree. #Tipperary

The yew tree was involved as a sign of kingship: In one tale, an aspirant king had to light a fire at #Cashel under a yew guarded by angels.

In Christian symbolism, the evergreen yew tree is associated with eternal life & Resurrection. A common tree in old church cemeteries.

The Yew tree in the cloisters of Muckross Abbey near #Killarney. Thought to be Ireland's oldest tree at 670 years old.

The lack of ancient trees in Ireland is due to deforestation. Between 1200-1700 most were cut to boost agriculture & build English fleets.

'Our Lady & child, with St Elizabeth & St Barbara' - St Mary's, Dorset Harry Clarke (1889-1931), Ireland's best known stained glass artist.

St. Brigid portrayed as a striking woman in robes of royal blue with golden embroidery - Harry Clarke, Geneva Window.