Have the wild geese lost more than they gained?

Question

I am 4th generation Irish in America, and had the distinct advantage of being raised knowing it, with my mother's main regret being that neither she nor my father nor my grandparents had any of the Irish to teach us. I know songs & stories, and on meeting expatriate Irish we've always been able to get on. I also always knew to keep my mouth shut about the Troubles despite having relatives in Belfast, being that we are here and have no business spouting off about things we have no experience of. So, I suppose my question is, with all the ridiculousness about to happen on Friday, do most Irish here in America have any idea what being Irish is about? I'd love to hear some answers from anyone currently in Ireland or expatriate as well.

thomasrobinsonantonio · Accepted Answer

Did you know about 'the Wild Geese'.   After the 1798 rebellion, the Crown exiled the high ranking people who took part on the Irish side.  There were several 'Earls' - including the Earl of Tir Connell and Eoin Rua O'Neill.  It was known as the 'Flight of the Earls'.  Many fought with distinction for Napoleon.  Look up on the Internet the Flight of the Earls and you will enjoy the escape from Dublin Castle etc.  As a full blown Irishman, I was always against the non-political aspect of trying to gain full Independance.  When one of the last large bombs exploded in Canaries Wharf in London, a victim was an Asian Newsagent.
As someone so wisely said 'What the hell had he ever done against Ireland'.  I am delighted the way things are going and the following may be of interest:

The Barley Shakes No  More.

The wind that shook the barley, is now calm and still,
The widowed mother  prays aloud that it forever will,
It took her son, her only one, on that cold Sunday morn,
In Derry town, that bloody day, when the ‘Troubles’ were reborn.

Where Irishmen killed Irishmen, for an ignoble cause, 
With both sides causing mayhem, with just or unjust laws.
Three hundred years and maybe more – is such a long, long time,
To ruin that lovely emerald isle, that you and I call mine.

‘Another  policeman shot today’, the TV  newsman said,
‘A nobleman and soldiers, were bombed and are now dead’,
A further shooting, another bomb, another fearsome blast,
Another day, another year, I pray to God it’s  past.

You men of words and splendid deeds, and pastimes with the gun,
Bring renewed hope to each of us with every rising sun.
That peaceful isle, the welcome smile, that our forefathers knew,
The hopes and fears of honest men, now truly rest with you,

The wind that shakes the barley, I hope you’re no more seen,
I pray to God, that it leaves Peace, in this fair land  so green.
But if someone, his silent gun, may cause that wind to blow,
I’ll curse the name, the one to blame, who’ll reap what he did sow.

                ----------------------------

Sorry for going on, but if you look up my profile, and send me your email address through it, I will be only too happy to send you more, if you are interested.  I have no ulterior motive.  Iam 65 and happily married.  God Bless.

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Have the wild geese lost more than they gained?

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