History Quiz

[Riffmongous]

Rules are simple, whoever answers correctly first gets to ask the next question. If you're 100% sure you got it then go ahead and ask the next one, no need to wait for confirmation. If no one gets it within about 5-7 guesses we'll move on. No cheating obviously

To get the ball rolling..
What year was the Battle of Clontarf?

[765489]

1014.

What activity in Dublin coined the term "The Liffey Mile"

[SeanCena]

Swimming?

[765489]

Nope but did involve water and the liffey

[Uncle Frank]

A boat race?

[765489]

Nope, it was the Guinness steam barges transporting the barrels of stoat from James St Quay to the Customs House docks for Export. It was approximately 1 mile in distance.

Sorry someone else needs to take over I've to go to bed !

[esdras]

Why was there always an extra setting for dinner in Howth Castle?

[Hodors Appletart]

in case someone else turned up

[esdras]

in case someone else turned up

I'm afraid I'll need a more specific answer...

[765489]

Was it something to do with a ghost ?

[esdras]

Was it something to do with a ghost ?

Way more interesting and cool than that.

[765489]

Ah, I heard something about that before now, I've googled it so am prevented from answering it. Very interesting.

[Hodors Appletart]

people lost at sea?

[esdras]

people lost at sea?

I'm afraid not.

[Riffmongous]

Did the devil/ a fairy make an appearance there before one time?

I also googled out of curiosity, interesting story..

[esdras]

Did the devil/ a fairy make an appearance there before one time?

No, that is Loftus Hall you are thinking about.

[Riffmongous]

No, that is Loftus Hall you are thinking about.

These legends repeat sometimes so I thought I'd chance my arm

[esdras]

Happy to provide the answer if the forum want - it is a bit esoteric I guess

[Memento Mori]

They wouldn't let a pirate in and this annoyed them. So as a way of saying sorry they promised to always have an extra space? Something like that? Might have been a highwayman?

[esdras]

They wouldn't let a pirate in and this annoyed them. So as a way of saying sorry they promised to always have an extra space? Something like that? Might have been a highwayman?

Close...

[Memento Mori]

Close...

Ahh what am I missing? Why they had to say sorry?

[Riffmongous]

Ahh what am I missing? Why they had to say sorry?

Who was that pirate?

[esdras]

It was because of Grainne Uaile (Grace O'Malley), a very interesting character in Irish history. Pirate Queen, 'soup taker', convert to the English way, scourge of Dublin Castle (was imprisoned there actually), besties with Queen Liz and a throw back to the old Celtic ways of not nobbling (too much) women.

She was coming back from a hard day of asking people who were sailing in the Irish sea to give her a voluntary donation, and she felt in need of refreshment. It was the custom back then that people who owned castles would provide food and lodging to those in need, but when Grainne rocked up, they refused to open the door for her.

Unfortunately, the child son and heir of the dude who owned the castle was walking in the grounds, so Grainne nabbed him and went sailing back to her own castle.

As part of the settlement for the return of the child to the Lord of the Howth, they had to keep a place open for her (or for other travelers, depending on the source). This is something they actually kept doing for centuries, and there is a painting of Grainne in the dining room to this day.

[Memento Mori]

I should get half a point! ha

[Riffmongous]

I should get half a point! ha

Yeah next question is yours I think!