The Irish and the French have a long and supportive association...
 A celtic cross |
... perhaps more than people realize, stretching back to the Celts and beyond. In Ireland and Brittany Celtic art, language and culture are part of the everyday fabric of the lives of the people. The Irish French connection has been deepening and growing such that today many thousands of people have swapped location in search of their dreams. |
| DARK AGES | |
 St. Columbanus lands at St. Malo in 590 A.D. |
In the Dark Ages when Europe was over run by the Barbarians Irish monks such as St. Columbanus established monastries through Europe thus keeping alive Christianity and classical learning in Europe. A number of Irish saints are honoured variously in regions of France, Switzerland, Lombardy, Germany and Jerez, including St Patrick, St Columbanus, St Fiacre, St Nessan, St Gall, St Fridolin and St Killian |
| THE NORMANS ARRIVE IN IRELAND | |
 normans arrive in ireland |
At the beginning of May 1169, three single-masted longships beached at Bannow Bay, County Wexford. They had sailed from Milfordhaven in Wales, and on board were Normans, Welshmen and Flemings. Their leader was Robert FitzStephen, a Welsh warlord, and they made camp on Bannow Island, separated from the mainland by a narrow channel which has since silted up. A day later, two further ships arrived under the command of Maurice de Prendergast, bringing their numbers to around 600. They were soon joined by 500 Irish warriors led by Dermot MacMurrough, King of Leinster. A century had passed since the Battle of Hastings, when William the Conqueror had launched the Norman invasion and systematic colonisation of England. Now the Norman conquest of Ireland had begun. The invasion of 1169 sprang from the long-standing enmity of Dermot MacMurrough and Tienan O'Rourke of Breifne, a more northerly kingdom. Dermot had once abducted Tiernan's wife Dervorgilla, and in 1166 Tiernan sought revenge. Dermot, forced out of his headquarters at Ferns, fled to England. He landed at Bristol, and eventually made his way to Aquitaine in France, where he appealed to Henry II for help. Although he was King of England, Henry was a French-speaking Norman much preoccupied with controlling his French territories. However, he had contemplated an invasion of Ireland as early as 1155, with the approval of the only English Pope, Adrian IV, and he readily authorised Dermot to seek allies among the Norman lords in Britain. The Normans were in time to become "as Irish as the Irish themselves", however, Gaelic resistance to the Norman conquest was never wholly eliminated, it was the start of a conflict that still resonates to this day. |
| THE HUGUENOTS | |
 French Church St., Portarlington |
After Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685 ten thousand Huguenots fled to Ireland. New towns were founded by them and French Quarters grew up in the larger cities. In the French quarter of Cork city you still have French Church St. |
| The Irish Brigade | |
 Irish Brigade of France |
In 1691 as many as 20,000 Irishmen transferred to fight with the King of France. They left Limerick on French ships that had arrived, alas too late, to relieve the siege of the city. They became known as the "Wild Geese" "For in far foreign fields, from Dunkirk to Belgrade, Lie the soldiers and chiefs of the Irish Brigade" By Thomas Davis 'Remember Fontenoy!' The role of the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Fontenoy, 30 April 1745, where the French army won a notable victory over the British and Dutch, has been regarded as the greatest of Irish battle honours. In 1792, the Comte de Provence (future King Louis XVIII) presented the Irish Brigade (Berwick, Dillon, and Walsh regiments) upon its disbandment with a Standard of Honour (drapeau d'adieu) embroidered with an Irish Harp, Shamrock and Fleur de Lys, and the motto "1692-1792, Semper et Ubique Fidelis", in recognition of one hundred years' service to the kings of France. |
| Landing attempt in Bantry Bay (December 1796) | |
 Landing attempt in Bantry Bay (December 1796) |
"Ils arrivent, ils arrivent. Regarde les myriades de Francais Qui viennent nous liberer"French revolutionaries depart from the port of Brest on December 15 with a powerful fleet. About fifty vessels commanded by Hoche and the Irish Wolfe Tone to support the fight of the United Irishmen against the English. Scattered by the storm, what remained of the fleet arrived on December 24 in Bantry Bay and gives up on landing. |
| The Year of the French | |
 French landing at Killala Co. Mayo 1798 |
Again in 1798 French forces made many landings in Ireland in support of the rebellion of that year. |
| The Winegeese | |
 James Hennessy, founder of world-famous Jas Hennessy & Co. Cognac. |
Not all of the Wild Geese that left Ireland were soldiers, some became what are now referred to as The Wine Geese. There names can still be seen on the great wine labels of the world. In France look for labels bearing the names Lynch, MacCarthy, Dillon, Phelan, Hennessy and Barton. As long ago as 1787, Thomas Jefferson, serving as American ambassador to France, noted the strong Irish connection in Bordeaux: "The principal wine merchants are Gernon, Barton, Johnston, Foster, Skinner, Coppinger and MacCarthy". |
| Two World Wars | |
 Two World Wars |
Tens of thousands of Irishmen gave their lives in two world wars on the green fields of France. |
| Le Tour De France | |
 Stephen Roche |
In recent times more peaceful pursuits have been the focus of Irish and French eyes. In their time cycling, horse racing and rugby have given us plenty to cheer about but few would argue with Steven Roche's win in the Tour de France in 1987 being selected for special mention. Both he and Sean Kelly brought honour and distinction in a golden era for Irish Cycling so much so that the Tour came to Ireland in 1998. |
| The Tricolor | |
 Tricolor |
The oldest known reference to the use of the three colours (green, white and orange) as a nationalist emblem dates from September 1830 when tricolour cockades were worn at a meeting held to celebrate the French revolution of that year - a revolution which restored the use of the French tricolour. The colours were also used in the same period for rosettes and badges, and on the banners of trade guilds. There is also one reference to the use of a flag 'striped with orange and green alternately'. However, the earliest attested use of a tricolour flag was in 1848 when it was adopted by the Young Ireland movement under the influence of another French revolution. Speeches made at that time by the Young Ireland leader Thomas Francis Meagher suggest that it was regarded as an innovation and not as the revival of an older flag. |
| The Present Day | |
The Modern connection |
The goodwill and affection shared by the French and Irish peoples for centuries continues. Today people travel between Ireland and France for very many reasons, however, the majority of visits revolve around leisure, food, wine and relaxation. The exception might be for a rugby match !! For many years huge numbers of Irish families find the allure of French holidays too tempting to resist. Each summer the ferries from Ireland disgorge car loads of excited families who scatter across France from Brittany to the Cote d'Azur. On their return journey these ferries carry French people wishing to discover the secrets of that mysterious island on the edge of the Atlantic. As Ireland's economy continues to grow increasing numbers are staying and making their contribution to this rapidly expanding and exciting period in Ireland's history. Could it be the return of the Wild Geese ? |
So to the future...
 The Future |
The objective of Irish French Connection is to use the power of the internet to create a supportive network and common bond between families who are living out their dreams in the country of their adoption. There is a centuries old tradition in Ireland of neighbours meeting in each other's houses, particularly during the long dark winter nights. The great oral tradition of story telling (as gaeilge - bealoideas ) was passed from generation to generation around the fireside. In an era of incredible technological change it is my earnest hope that this technology can be used to keep an old and cherished tradition alive. While it may not be around the fireside it can, if successful, help people from Ireland and France in the areas of wine, restaurant, family accommodation etc. develop new business, forge new bonds and cultivate a spirit of fellowship and support. With your input and support Irish French Connection can make a real contribution to a friendship that has flourished through the centuries. If you have an "Irish-French " connection you are cordially invited to become a member by clicking on the "Become a Member" link below or perhaps you would like to submit an article by going to the articles section. |
