And for the weekend that’s in it an opportunity to mark Bruce, the Scottish and Irish Lions and a united Celtland.
Because what we don’t get taught in school is that Scotland and Ireland were indeed united for what must have been three glorious years.
Under the banner of Edward Bruce from 1315-1318.
And you might be familiar with his brother Robert, the King of the Scots, aka Chris Pine,
An alternative future
Edward Bruce’s reign may have been short lived but it offered a tantalising look into an alternative future.
For these Celtic peoples and indeed the Norman Anglo-Irish and their descendants.
Of course, for these weeks in this the year of the Lord 2015.
On sporting fields a thousand miles away in a different colony, Australis, we are all one team.
A British and Irish Lions rugby union select.
And woe betide anyone who abbreviates that to British Lions.
Or worse as in the case of passport pilferer Tony Cascarino who miscalled the elite combo England despite representing Ireland.
My noble bloodline
Now thanks to the excellent Sky History Channel and your favourite blogger’s obsessive interest in the past.
We can relive the days After Braveheart when Scotland and Ireland mastered perfidious Albion.
While the might of the English (and entrapped Welsh) armies and the British Empire colonised Ireland for 700 years.
The Irish and the Scots have managed to stay close through bloodlines.
With this descendant of Irish and Scots stock.
As a Murty, a direct descendant of the High King Muirchertach of Brian Boru’s blood.
And I’m not making this up!
And say an Ave there for me
And so if Edward Bruce’s name was not writ large in English-told history it does not mean we cannot honour him here.
Or point historians, patriots or those who just like a good story to his plot.
At Faughart Cemetery, near Dundalk in County Louth.
Near the modern lines of a border between the North and South of the island of Ireland.
We’re sure his spirit will welcome any of a Scots and Irish set who pays a pilgrimage and says a prayer.
And celebrates Bruce, the Scottish and Irish Lions and a united Celtland.