WHEN LIVERPOOL FC players were planning a friendly match in the west of Ireland, little did they know that their footwork might be tested with Ionsaí na hInseor the Siege of Ennis. Yet, as the sun split stones northwest of Spiddal, Co Galway, yesterday the young "Reds" took to the floorboards to dance several steps of the jig . . . and partook of some legal poitín.
The venue for the "immersification" in Irish culture, organised by Fáilte Ireland, was Cnoc Suain, the award-winning hill village and heritage centre which has earned a reputation as one of the island's top "green" destinations. The young Anfield players, mainly reserves and youth team, had lost to Galway United FC before a full 5,000-seat house at Terryland Park on Monday night. "Well, it would have been nice to win, but we got a very warm welcome," captain Steven Irwin (19), whose grandfather was from Ireland, told The Irish Times.
Developed by musician Dearbhaill Standún and geologist/botanist Charlie Troy, Cnoc Suain was originally a pre-famine clachan or hamlet.
Once the large air-conditioned coach had negotiated the gravel and stone driveway to the centre, the young players were taken over the blanket bogland by Troy, who explained to them how turf was formed, cut and used.
He explained how sphagnum moss found on the peatland was used for bandages in the war, and he spoke of the "insectivorous" nature of the sundew plant, which traps unsuspecting insects with its gel. The young players were shown a poitín stil, and took a sup of legal "moonshine" made under licence at Bunratty Castle. Patricia Ní Fhatharta from Ros-a-Mhíl gave a quick demonstration of sean-nós dancing, and Mairéad Ní Fhatharta from Spiddal sang the verses of Sí do Mhaimeó.
“I am sure they would far prefer to be out shopping, but they’ll remember this in years to come,” said Ms Standún,