Members of the Shire of Spiaggia Levantina
Lord Conal Ruadh MagFhionnain
Shire Exchequer
Device: Pending.
The year is 1258, the place, the kingdom of Connaught, lands comprising the west central coast of Ireland. As the sun rises above the coastal cliffs of Erris, Conal MagFhionnain prepares for what the day's duties will bring. And as the morning dew gives way to the day, Conal contemplates a day of tending cattle, boiling meat, baking bread, playing chess, and various chores necessary to the running of a bruidean.
A bruidean (pronounced "breen") is one of a network of roadside inns dotting Ireland. These inns offer food and lodging to travellers away from their homeland. Since hospitality is a vital tenet of Irish society, brughaids (or "brewys") fulfilled important roles to the kingdom. It is for this reason brughaids were appointed by clan chiefs, or kings themselves, and accorded certain privileges few people could claim to share. For Conal, his grandfather was appointed to the position by Roderick O'Connor, king of Connaught and Ard-Ri (high king) of all Ireland, for his military service given in defense of Connaught against Norman lords attempting to capture land in the name of England. Currently, Conal's older brother Feilim has the title, although Conal will eventually inherit the position.
While Conal busily oversees the work of some 100 staff, his thoughts turn to the realization that, since the warm days lie soon ahead, all too soon his secondary responsibility, that to his tribe and clan, will surface. Warm weather means that once again the Norma DeBurgho lords will start incursions into Connaught, attempting to capture more land. Since the Mag Fhionnains are only a small tribe, Conal will join his kin and unite with the neighboring tribes of the O'Connigans, McCunneens, O'Crehans, and the O'Gilleens, to form a band of warriors formidable enough to withstand the murderous rantings of the Normans. Conal, bearing the weight of over forty years of life, sees his fighting days ending shortly, and silently hopes his life will not end shortly as well. However, due to his experience, Conal can offer good training to his younger tribal kinsmen, thereby passing on the tradition of skilled MagFhionnain fighters.
In the course of the day's atcivities, Conal finds pleasure in remembering past days of his youth, and recounting to guests his days spent at the Abbey of the famous teacher Enda, at Aran. Although the Normans cut his education short, Conal still relates many a story of his schooling in Latin, Music, Poetry and Astronomy, to name but a few of the subjects he studied. Conal also recalls with fondness his journeys by trading ship to Spain, Portugal and Flanders, helping the O'Malleys with their wool trading, all the while enjoying the sights and sound of traveling in and about major European centers of commerce. Conal realizes that not all people from his area were as fortunate to travel as he, so his stories carry a touch of wonder to those who sit at the bruidean and listen to his tales.
While the bright of day gives way to the dark of night, the musicians prepare for the evening's selection of reels, the poets sharpen their stories, the seanachies ready their selection of tales and histories, and Conal feels the satisfaction of yet another day of hospitality rendered, in most cheerful fashion.
The lark sings the rising sun
As life beckons on the dun
Ancient lore with the mist doth rise
Danaan yawns upon the prize
The lark doth sing its daily due
Another Imbolc day anew
Cattle lo the springing day
With Connnaught pride the land they stay
The lark will sing another dawn
Doe will care the Beltane farn
From Lough Corrib to the River Moy
The sun will shine with Gaelic Joy
Mundane Information
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