"Marriages in early Ireland tended to be concentrated between Twelfth Night (5 Jan) and Shrove Tuesday.."

The links between the Imbolc spring festival, birth and marriage -

In the 16-17th centuries the coming of spring heralded the majority of trade between Ireland and England. Shiploads of animal products would leave Ireland for the port of Bristol, returning home with necessities like dyes, fabrics, salt & sugar.

"If i was willing to serve Mass, it was in memory of my ancestors standing around a rock, in a lonely glen, for fear of the landlords and their yeomen" - Brendan Behan

On This Day 1848: John Mitchel published 1st United Irishman. Only 16 editions, as suppressed under Treason Felony Act (1848). He was sentenced to 14 years in Van Diemen's Land. (Escaped after 5 years & spent 2 decades in US being pro-slavery, before returning to Ireland. Died in Newry.

This day 330 years ago – 13 February 1689 – Prince William of Orange and his wife Mary II were declared joint sovereigns of England, Ireland and Scotland.

The previous king, James II, had fled to France the December before.

This deposition led to the Battle of the Boyne in 1690
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Boyne

St Valentine's Tomb - Whitefriar Church, Dublin.

Gifted by Pope Gregory XVI in 1836, the casket contains Saint Valentine's bones and a vessel tinged with his blood.

The shrine of St Valentine in Dublin - On Valentines Day it's popular for engaged couples to attend Mass here and to receive a blessing of rings beside his relics.

The Claddagh ring is a traditional faith ring that's given in Ireland for engagement or friendship. Originating in the fishing villages of Galway, its 'giving heart' symbolises love and fellowship, and the crown, loyalty.

The enjoining of hands around symbols of fertility is impressed deeply in the Irish psyche. Whether it's the modern heart or ancient cord.

Anti-Treatyite rally O'Connell Street, Dublin 1922
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-Irish_Treaty_Dáil_vote

"Ó Néill stands a head and shoulders above his peers as one of Ireland’s truly great men. His stoic personal character, his uncompromising defence of Old Ireland, and his militant Gaelic spirit are cause for remembrance and celebration."

"Eoghan Ruadh Ó Néill should serve as inspiration for those who find that the cause of Old Ireland remains to this day unfulfilled."

Informative article
https://bit.ly/2tonrs1

Today marks the death of King Richard II in 1400. A biography of his history in Ireland, his failings and successes, written by Alfred Webb in 1878.

https://www.libraryireland.com/biography/KingRichardII.php