"we Irish"

That includes me, thanks.

(or we Ulstermen)

That's cool, as long as you don't mind offending all other Ulstermen.

and to me, "sick fucker" is a term of endearment.

That's nice.

I get that Laga was being self-deprecating. Now I'm not the most Irish pride poster child that ever walked the earth but my family is quite proudly Irish American and I know that while Laga meant it light-heartedly, and Kristin and Bonny read it that way, reading the Irish being called sick fuckers was pretty shocking and offensive to me, personally.

I'm sure it's the "tone of voice on the Internet" thing, but it didn't read as joking to me on first read at all. I know it was meant as joking, but it's just something to be careful of.

I'm sorry about that. Here's the legend...

According to another myth, Ulster had at one time no rightful heir. Because of this it was agreed that a boat race should take place (possibly in Strangford Lough) and that "whosoever's hand is the first to touch the shore of Ulster, so shall he be made the king".

One potential king so loved and desired Ulster that, upon seeing that he was losing the race, he cut off his hand and threw it to the shore — thus winning the kingship. The hand is most likely red to represent the fact that it would have been covered in blood.

Thanks, Nora.

I read that in the link- definitely gruesome, but no more so than lots of other country's myths and legends. Greece, Rome, Norse, etc., etc.

This conversation, both before and after the current bit, puts me in mind of the British series "Who do you think you are."

Most especially, the David Tennant episode where he discovers that one of his ancestors was an Orange Man.

His reaction is so, very uncomfortable.

I can see where folks are coming from (and if you have an issue, I'm glad that we have the kind of discourse where you can speak up), but having met Laga, I certainly gave her the benefit of the doubt.

Sure, Vortex. I just wanted to let my feelings be known. I'm not carrying a grudge or trying to make Laga beg for forgiveness or anything. Just giving some feedback as to how wording could be and was perceived by an individual.

There are certain parts of my Irish heritage that I take great pride in...specifically music and the arts. I wish that my own family had been even remotely successful in avoiding the sad stereotypes of alcoholism and depression. No lie, I'm the only one...ONLY one...in the four generations of which I'm aware...that is not an addict of some sort or mentally ill. It's a pure miracle that my line survived at all. The fact that it ends with me seems, appropriately, Irishly poetic.

I'm sure I've recommended it before but I can't praise highly enough From a Whisper to a Scream - The Living History of Irish Rock.

It does, indeed, rock.

that legend raises some questions in my mind.

because in my mind, cutting off one's hand is not the work of a single second. If two boats are racing towards a destination and the furthers is stilll within hand-throw of the shore, they are both pretty durned close. How could anyone cut off their own hand and then be able to throw it faster than other boat could just smack down? Are there multiple other ppl on those boats involved?

I think i have to go with the giant theory.

And my Kerry Co heritage is never offended by Laga. The Indian Princess, otoh, is very easily insulted. Possibly because she never got a recorded name other than "Mrs Earl Finnacom".