Like most Americans, I am a conglomeration of ancestries including German and Italian but the largest portions belong to the Celts, specifically Scotland and Ireland. In point of fact, I believe that the Germanic portion may equal that of the Celtic (my mother’s father being all German) but anyone who knew my grandmother Mollie will understand why I put the Scottish/Irish blood first and foremost. Mollie’s mother was Irish, her father Scottish. Nana Mollie once told me that when her family were living in England, she got sent home from school one day because she insisted on pronouncing the word “highlander” as “HEE-lander,” as any good self-respecting Scot would. Her teacher sternly informed her that in England, it was pronounced “HY-lander.” Mollie then informed her teacher according to her father, a Scotsman need only snap his fingers in front of an Englishman’s face and the Englishman’s nose would fall right off. Thus she was sent home. Anyway, back in 1995, a pre-melt-down Mel Gibson released the movie “Braveheart” came out. If you don’t know the story, it is a fictionalized version of William Wallace’s battles against the ruthless King of England during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Anyway, the movie is really phenomenal and touched a deep ancestral nerve with me. Leaving the theater chock full of Scottish pride, I jokingly mentioned to the friend who was with me that we now needed to go find some English guys to beat the shit out of. In the days that followed, I had the opportunity to discuss Scottish history and my family’s place in it. Much to my dismay, Nana Mollie, who’s maiden name was Dalrymple, informed of my blood-link to 17th century Scottish noble Sir John Dalrymple, the Master of Stair. Dalrymple was a Lowlander Scot who “disliked the Highlanders” and “considered their way of life a hindrance to Scotland.” As England’s Secretary of State over Scotland, Dalrymple orchestrated the events that would culminate in The Massacre of Glencoe in 1692, during which 38 of Dalrymple’s Highlander countrymen, members of the Clan MacDonald, were slain by members of rival Clan Campbell (sent there by Dalrymple); another forty women and children died of exposure after their homes were burned.. And so… I’m Irish!!! Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!! Erin go bragh!! And what the hell, alba bu brath as well!!
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 18:16:56 +0000
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