The 'Cattle Raid of Fraích' is an Irish tale which influenced the legendary epic Beowulf. In it, a warrior named Fraoch defeats a fearsome serpent who guards a magical rowan tree - he is mortally wounded, but survives thanks to the supernatural healing of the faerie.

In ancient Europe, dragons were linked to areas like bogs and marshlands. These places were filled with serpentine creatures - worms, maggots, eels - hence seen as the source of a dragon's wealth due to their powers of regeneration & decay.

In the medieval Irish story 'Tales of the Elders' the ancient hero Caoilte recounts the deeds of the Fianna to St Patrick, and explains that it was once their duty to rid the land of serpents and dragons.

In medieval Ireland, the saints took over the role of the Fianna as dragon-slayers. Saintly encounters with 'péist' (beasts) are common, and monsters are defeated in acts of tribulation, such as St Patrick's banishing of the serpents.

Crom Dubh agus Pátrún an Chlocháin, Ciarraí

Crom Dubh, Cloghane, Co. Kerry
https://www.duchas.ie/ga/cbes/4687694/4684424/4708084

Crom Dubh was once the main god of Ireland. The most important pagan pilgrimage route in Ireland once lead to the top of Crom's mountain. After Patrick defeated Crom Dubh, this became most important Christian pilgrimage route leading to Patrick's mountain.
https://oldeuropeanculture.blogspot.com/2017/11/sun-mountain.html?m=1

Óráid cois na hUaighe
The Graveside Oration

The oration at the graveside of the late Commander-in-Chief(Michael Collins) was given by General Mulcahy in Irish.

'Ireland Unfree shall never be at peace'. Pádraig Pearse delivered the funeral oration at the grave of O'Donovan Rossa #OnThisDay in 1915

'The clear true eyes of this man, almost alone in his day, visioned Ireland as we of to-day would surely have her – not free merely, but Gaelic as well; not Gaelic merely, but free as well.' - Pearse

Many have different takes on the man depending on their allegiance and where they lay on the political spectrum. An interesting man nonetheless.

A brief read on Rossa
https://archive.li/kPxZ6

Madeline After Prayer, 1868, Daniel Maclise - Born in Cork as the son of a shoemaker, he went on to become one of Ireland's master painters.

'May' by Daniel Maclise, c. 1830-1870

Ridire gaelach ón 16ú haois mar a bhfuil i Historia et Genealogia Familiae de Burgo.

A 16th century Irish knight as depicted in Historia et Genealogia Familiae de Burgo.

#Otd 1504: Battle of Knockdoe, the largest battle ever fought between Irishmen. Occurred when Ulick Burke seized Galway city & was defeated by the Earl of Kildare. Knockdoe means 'Hill of the Axes' due to the vast number of gall óglach - Gallowglass - who died.