The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #4827 Message #3047918
Posted By: GUEST,Guest - Ibero-Celt
07-Dec-10 - 01:59 AM
Thread Name: Spanish Influence in West Ireland
Subject: RE: Spanish Influence in West Ireland
Lewis Topographical Directory of County Kerry --- " In the western part of County Kerry the houses were built after the Spanish fashion, with stone balconies in front; as there was a great communication with the Spaniards and Portuguese, who visited the coast annually in considerable numbers to fish for cod, which circumstance also accounts for the names given to some of the towns. The mountainous parts are chiefly inhabited by herdsmen, who feed and clothe themselves from their own lands, consuming but little of the produce of other places: their habitations are low smoky huts covered with coarse thatch. In some parts the women have a becoming dress, consisting of a jacket of cloth, with loose sleeves, made to fit close round the neck and bosom, and fastened in front with a row of buttons; this is considered to be a relic of the Spanish costume.
They marry at a very early age. The peasants are generally well- proportioned, with swarthy complexions, dark eyes and long black hair, exhibiting, in the opinion of some, strong traces of their Spanish origin. They are a frank, honest race, of very independent spirit, acute in understanding, and friendly and hospitable to strangers."
I have seen other references to fine stone buildings in some of the southwestern ports that housed Spanish merchants, and local sailors that spoke fluent Spanish and regularly sailed to Spain for trade, and there were many Irish mercenaries in the Spanish armies. In 1600 a Spanish force of 2,000 men landed in Cork, intent on starting an uprising against Elizabeth's English administration, and they remained under siege for several months in a local castle. There had been regular trade between Spain and Ireland over 400 to 500 years.