Rogue Regalia
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Rogue Regalia
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You're probably wondering "what's up with the Red Hand?". There is a story of our family much shrouded in the mists of time. It is the tale of the O’Neill, the Red Hand of Ulster. Many years ago the kingdom of Ulster in the north of Ireland was invaded by giants from the north. Their leader was Dermot. The tallest and strongest of the giants, he a great horseman and could run faster than any of his clan. The chief of Ulster was Neill. He was short but strong and the best fighter of his people and he too was a very good horseman. There were many battles as the giants tried to wrest control of Ulster from Neill. The first clash was in the north near Ballymena. More than twenty men on each side were killed in the battle. That was followed by an ever greater battle in the south near Downpatrick where more than fifty men on each side were killed. The biggest battle came soon after in the east near Bangor. More than one hundred men on each side lost their lives. It soon became apparent that both sides were so evenly matched that neither could gain the upper hand, so at last the High King of Ireland called Dermot and Neill to his castle. ‘‘This fighting can’t continue,’’ said the High King. ‘‘Ulster is a rich land with many good farms. If this war continues soon there will be no men to till the fields and tend the cattle. You must agree who is going to be King of Ulster.’’ ‘‘You must agree to stop fighting. We shall devise a test to decide who is going to be King of Ulster,’’ said the High King. ‘‘Let’s have a fight,’’ said Neill. ‘‘I’m the best fighter in Ulster. I’ll win and I’ll be King of Ulster.’’ ‘‘No,’’ said Dermot. ‘‘I don’t want to fight. I want to have a race. I’m the best runner in Ulster. I’ll win and I’ll be King.’’ ‘‘No,’’ said the High King of Ireland. ‘‘I don’t want you to fight. I don’t want you to have a race. You must have a test which is fair to both of you.’’ ‘‘What would you have us do?’’ they asked. ‘‘What sort of test can we have?" ‘‘I want you to have a horse race,’’ said the High King of Ireland. ‘‘You are both good horsemen. A horse race will be a good test for you. The winner will become King of Ulster.’’ So it was that the two men agreed to have a horse race to decide who was going to be the King of Ulster. ‘‘The race will begin at sunrise,’’ said the High King. ‘‘You will start here at my castle. Listen carefully. The winner will be the first man to put his hand on Ulster.’’ ‘‘I’ll be the winner!’’ said Dermot. ‘‘I’m the best horseman. My hand will touch the land of Ulster first!’’ ‘‘No!’’ said Neill. ‘‘I’ll be the winner! My horse is the best in Ireland. I’ll be in Ulster first!’’ ‘‘The winner will be the first man to get to the river and put his hand on the land of Ulster,’’ said the High King. ‘‘Do you both agree to this test?’’ ‘‘I agree,’’ said Dermot. ‘‘I also agree,’’ said Neill. Early the next morning the two men got ready for the horse race. Dermot had a big grey horse. Neill had a big black horse with white spots. ‘‘Ready!’’ shouted the High King. Dermot’s grey horse nodded his head, ready for the race. ‘‘Steady!’’ shouted the High King. Neill’s horse snorted. ‘‘Go!’’ shouted the High King.... and off the two horsemen raced! The two horses and their riders raced away from the High King’s castle. The horses ran and ran, with their riders on their backs. Dermot on his grey horse ran fast, and he shouted to make his horse run even faster. Neill and his horse ran fast, but in silence. They raced north, away from the High King’s castle. All the people of the land came out from the villages to watch the race. Sometimes Dermot was in the lead ... and sometimes it was Neill. At Drogheda Neill was leading on his great black and white steed. ‘‘Who’s going to win?’’ asked the people as Dermot and Neill raced past on their horses. ‘‘Neill’s horse is winning - but Dermot’s horse is not so tired.’’ At Dundalk Dermot was in the lead on his grey horse. ‘‘Who is going to win?’’ asked the people from Dundalk as Dermot and Neill raced past them on their horses. ‘‘Dermot’s horse is winning - but it’s a very close race!’’ The two riders and their horses still had the hardest part of the race. They had to cross the high mountains into Ulster! The two horsemen were equal as they started to climb the mountain road. Both horses were snorting and panting as they raced up and up. At last they reached the top of the hill. There was a narrow gap between two cliffs, with room for only one horse and rider. Dermot reached it first. He was in the lead. Dermot’s horse was tired - but so was Neill’s. The race was very close. Dermot was in front! Then they raced down the hill. A minute later Neill was in front! Every minute there was a change and a chance for the other horseman. Each man was pushing himself and his mount to the limits for they were racing to decide who was going to be King of Ulster! Dermot’s thoughts were on the great prize of the rich lands of Ulster. Neill’s thoughts were on his people and how they would be cast from their lands if he lost. They both shouted loudly to make their horses run even faster. Then the horsemen saw the river! The last part of race was on! Faster and faster raced the horses! The two riders shouted louder and louder as they got closer and closer to the deep river! Dermot reached to the river first. He did not stop on the bank. His horse snorted loudly as it jumped into the cold water. The panting horse and its rider started swimming the cold, deep waters of the great river. Neill suddenly stopped and got off his horse. He stood on the bank of the river. He watched Dermot and his horse as they swam across the deep river. Had he lost the test? He had only one chance left! One chance to save his land and his people. Taking his great sword in his left hand and closing his eyes, Neill lifted his sword high above his head, held out his right hand and with one great blow he cut it off! The bleeding hand fell to the ground. There was blood everywhere! Then Neill bent down and lifted his bleeding hand high in the air and ran to the banks of the river and with all his might he threw it across the flowing water. The bleeding hand flew through the air. Which was going to arrive first - the bleeding hand Neill or the panting horse with its tired rider? ‘‘It is Neill!’’ the people shouted as the bleeding hand of their leader landed on the bank of the river. ‘‘We win! Ulster is ours!’’ And so the story finishes. Dermot and his men went to live far away in the west. Neill won the race but lost the kingship, for in Ireland the king must be whole and unblemished. Instead his son was made the king. Still the people honored Neill’s sacrifice. He became The Neill or O’Neill, and the sign of the Red Hand became symbol of both the Kingdom of Ulster and the family of O’Neill To this day The Neill remains a revered ancestor of our family. He speaks to us and reminds us of our duties to our clan. It is under his direction and in his honor that we use the Red Hand of the O'Neill as the symbol of our commitment to offer only the finest hand crafted products to you, our friends. Grey & Kellas |
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