Of course in his "Description of Wales" Giraldus, describes his native bretherin thus:

"No one of this nation ever begs, for the houses of all are common to all; and they consider liberality and hospitality amongst the first virtues. So much does hospitality here rejoice in communication, that it is neither offered nor requested by travellers, who, on entering any house, only deliver up their arms. When water is offered to them, if they suffer their feet to be washed, they are received as guests; for the offer of water to wash the feet is with this nation an hospitable invitation. But if they refuse the proffered service, they only wish for morning refreshment, not lodging.

The young men move about in troops and families under the direction of a chosen leader. Attached only to arms and ease, and ever ready to stand forth in defence of their country, they have free admittance into every house as if it were their own. Those who arrive in the morning are entertained till evening with the conversation of young women, and the music of the harp; for each house has its young women and harps allotted to this purpose. Two circumstances here deserve notice: that as no nation labours more under the vice of jealousy than the Irish, so none is more free from it than the Welsh: and in each family the art of playing on the harp is held preferable to any other learning."

Again, you can't fault the man for accuracy.

Giraldus Cambrensis aka Gerald of Wales?

Aka Gerry the Norman

I heard he didn't like the native Irish very much, although his Ma might be a distant relation of 12Bar being a Fitzgerald?

Gerallt doesn't mention anything about the Shirt making abilities of the Irish though, maybe it was something he imparted onto them?

I'm still amused at what can transpire if I step away from the forum for a day.  I actually have my own set of derogatory terms I've made up for each of you.

^They use to do that in Bala, I've witnessed it myself.

What's welsh for "look at that bald guy in the madras jacket"?