7th / 9th Early Century Gaelic Ireland

Outside The Colony

This podcast delves deep into the vibrant history of early Gaelic Ireland, long before the English invasion (no hard feelings!). What might surprise you is the revelation that there were settled communities in the 7th to 9th centuries, and those on the move were not nomadic wanderers, but rather kings, warriors, and bards. The bards, often called "wards," held lands and pursued their professions diligently. It becomes evident that the settled people of that era had a different language and culture compared to today's settled Irish, as well as the Travellers who hail from the Gaelic world. But why does any of this matter, you might wonder? Well, the English conquests played a significant role in shaping the perception of "nomads" by displacing Gaelic Clans from their lands, including the bards. This historical perspective challenges the notion of itinerants or tinkers, labels that emerged under English colonization. Fast forward to the 16th century, when the English embarked on a deliberate experiment to transform old Gaelic Ireland into an English society, giving rise to the label "Settled Irish." This endeavour involved erasing people's history and cultural heritage to such an extent that many lost their connection not only to the past but even to the days of the week. It's a struggle to find a representation of Gaelic life from those times, leaving many with the mistaken belief that there was nothing there. Our mission has been a lifelong endeavour, driven not by personal gain but by the hope that one-day Traveller organizations will embrace this knowledge. So many lives, including those of children, have been affected, and as time passes, we hope to hold those accountable who, despite being educated and presented with scientific evidence, turned a blind eye. We persist because we have no other choice, for the psychological pressure placed upon our community by the state is immense. Yet, we continue to share our history and heritage, hoping for a brighter future where the truth prevails and understanding prevails over ignorance.