"Ireland is the ols sow that eats her own farrow"

does anyone know to what political and historical event refer this quote? my teacher was saying something about an "uncrowned king" or something...
ps: I'd also like to say sorry in advance if this question has already been posted

The fall of Parnell. Stephen is refering to the way the Catholic Church and the Irish turned their backs on Charles Stewart Parnell, Ireland's biggest champion of homerule, after it was discovered that he was having an afair with Kitty O'Shea.

He's also refering to the bleak future he sees for himself as an artist if remains in Ireland and attempts to write/become a writer. It's also somewhat of a reference to the way the Irish reproduce, as his family is consuming itself by constantly perpetuating the race.

It is strange in retrospect considering that Micheal Collins was with Kitty O'Shea too.
Of all God's nations
The Irish were mad
For all their wars are glorious
And all their songs are sad

Or somehting to that effect.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IrishCanadian

It is strange in retrospect considering that Micheal Collins was with Kitty O'Shea too.
Of all God's nations
The Irish were mad
For all their wars are glorious
And all their songs are sad

Or somehting to that effect.

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You messed it up. It's:

The great Gaels of Ireland
Were the men that God made mad,
For all their wars were merry
And all their songs were sad

what chapter is that quote in??? doing an essay on irish politics in a portrait:sick:

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-- Do you know what Ireland is? asked Stephen with cold violence. Ireland is the old sow that eats her farrow.

That line is in Chapter 5 near the middle :)

(there are also many other animals that eat their young including rabbits :sick: )

Quote:

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It is strange in retrospect considering that Micheal Collins was with Kitty O'Shea too

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This is not the same woman. Michael Collins's lover was Kitty Kiernan not Kitty O'Shea.

And hamsters!

Charles Stewart Parnell was considered by the Irish people the "uncrowned King of Ireland" before his affair with Kitty O'Shea was discovered. Look back in the first Chapter when Stephen's Dante has two brushes of different colors:

". . .the maroon velvet back was for Michael Davitt and the brush with the green velvet back was for Parnell."

Irish Catholics were considered Green men, and Protestants "orange men", look to the colors of the Irish flag for this. Catholic Bishops came out against Parnell after his affair was made public.

Hope that helps some...

rabbits are sacred to Rhiannon, a goddess in celtic lore...

Sounds sort of like the 'tale of the brave Ulysses...read Joyce...or watch the John Wayne Movie " The Quiet Man"....John Wayne, now there was an Irish American!