And now for the long awaited response.....................That's right! next question is yours Leenie
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The Scots of course insist that the pipes produce music. But the point is after all not too important. For those who love them, the pipes can evoke more vividly than any other instrument, high emotion, they can inspire valor, and tell of tragic tales of battles long ago. They can call forth merriment or sentiment. It does not matter what the sound is called, those who are deaf to its merits would not understand anyway.
God then made man. The Italians for their beauty. The French for their cuisine. The Welsh for their voices. The Germans for their cars. And on and on until He looked at what He had created and said, "This is all very well, but no-one is having fun. I'll have to make an Irishman."
The Red Hand of Ulster, also called the Red Hand of Ireland or the Red Hand of O'Neill is a symbol that appers on the O'Neill coat of arms as well as the flag of Ulster. There are several variations of the Legend. In most versions Uí Néill is challenged by Dermott for the crown of Ireland which occurs at sea. The legend is that the first man to touch land will be named the king. Variations occur as sometimes both men are on the same ship, while in other versions they are on seprate ships. In one version the challenge actually occurs as a horse race, where the participants must cross a river at the end of the race.
As Uí Néill and Dermott approach land (either by boat, or cross a river on horseback), Uí Néill draws his sword, takes the sword in his left hand and severs his right hand. Missing his right hand, Uí Néill picks up his severed right hand and throws it past Dermott to be the first man to touch the land, abeit with a disembodied hand. Uí Néill is then named the rightful king of Ireland.