IRISH TRAVELLERS IN FICTION

By Caroline Clemmons

In THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, the heroine, Cenora O’Neill, and her family were among those turned off their land by an English landlord. Rather than starve, they joined a band of Irish Travellers. How did they end up trekking across the U.S.? You’ll have to read the book to learn the answer.

Cenora O'Neill

Recently, I was the guest speaker at the Irish-American Society of Dallas TX. I discussed my book, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, which some members had read beforehand. In my talk, I spent a few minutes talking about Irish Travellers because they play a prominent role in the story.

 Many scholars believe Irish Travellers' language is descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland in the 13th century telling myths and stories. Those medieval entertainers were respected and learned. That ancient language crops up in the Irish Travellers’ language called Shelta, a mixture of English and Irish grammar. Their dialect, or Cant, allows them to speak freely in front of what they call the  “settled people,” "buffers," or the non-travellers. They are careful that no non-traveller learn Shelta.

 At the time of English occupation, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. Since it was illegal for Irish to learn to read and write—only the English could attend schools and universities—the homeless Irish were ill equipped to fend for themselves. Some attended what were called hedgerow schools, where a person who knew how to read and write taught with only sticks and dirt as writing tools. Doesn't it make you angry that a group of people were denied education?

Photo from 1954, but times have changed.

Many homeless Irish families drifted into accompanying the traveling minstrels and other entertainers. Eventually, they became the Irish Travellers. At first they camped in fields. Later, they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons.

They are not gypsies, though. Gypsies are Romani and are thought to have originated in India. Their religion is Rom. Travellers are of Irish origin, although they have now spread throughout the Western world. Legislation in Ireland has set aside special camping places for the Travelers. Much controversy exists over whether the children should be forced to attend school or not. In the U.S., they are supposed to attend school. Fortunately, more and more are graduating from high school and some are going on to university and to additional training.

On 1 March 2017, the Irish state recognized Irish Travellers as a distinct ethnic group. An ethnic group is defined as one whose members identify with each other, usually the basis of a presumed common genealogy or ancestryl Ethnic identity is also marked by the recognition from others of a group's distinctiveness and by common cultural, linguistics, religious, behavioral or biological traits.  

Generalizing, most of the families are Roman Catholic and in general, the wives attend mass. They were/are also called Tinkers because there was usually one among them who repaired pots and pans and metal wares. In one of Louis L’Amour’s books, a Tinker makes a large knife for Tell Sackett, the description of which resembles that of a Bowie knife.

Irish Travellers and Irish-American Travellers face discrimination and racial hatred. Their children are the target for bullies at school and the adults are the target of the type of law enforcement members who like to throw around their weight.  As with any group, Travelers include good and bad citizens. Most earn an honest  living working in various forms of construction or carnival concessions. Unfortunately, those who are dishonest often ply one of the construction trades such as roofing, house painting, or paving. The tricksters get half the money up front or a down payment—supposedly for supplies—and are never seen again. Please don’t think I’m bashing the Irish. I’m of Scot-Irish descent and love anything to do with Ireland!.

 By the way, if you haven’t read, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, why wait? Here is the buy link at Amazon, where you’ll find e-book and print.

https://www.amazon.com/Texans-Irish-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B008V1UG54/

The book is also available in Kindle Unlimited.

While you’re at Amazon, please click the Follow button by my name/bio. 

Stay safe and keep reading!

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Travellers 

Irish Travelers by Caroline Clemmons

By Caroline Clemmons

What are you doing today? Why not go with me and spend a few minutes in Ireland? 

Irish Travelers are descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland telling myths and stories. At that time, they were respected and learned. Travelers have their own language, Sheldroo, which is linked to medieval language. At the time of English occupation, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. At that time, it was illegal for Irish to learn to read and write—only the English could attend schools and universities. Many of the homeless Irish families drifted in with the traveling minstrels and eventually became the Irish Travelers. They camped in fields. Later they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons.

They are not gypsies, though. Gypsies are Roms and originated in India and migrated across the world. (They were one of the groups the Nazis tried to eradicate in World War II.) Travelers are of Irish origin, although they have now spread throughout the Western world.

 *Note: I haven’t visited Ireland in many years, so conditions may have changed. Plus, this information on Irish Travelers is a generalization—which is like saying all Americans are rude when visiting other countries. Still, this is the only way I know to explain the ethnic group. Please realize I am not bashing Irish people! I’m of Scot-Irish descent and love anything to do with Ireland. I’m merely identifying a stereotype. As with many other subjects, we hear about the bad ones. For a couple hundred years, Irish Travelers have been thought of as con men and their wives as beggars. They make an interesting backdrop for a historical romance—but I find most subjects do.

 In Ireland in this century, legislation set aside special camping places for the Travelers. There was much controversy then over whether the children should be forced to attend school or not. In the U.S., they are supposed to attend school. There’s a large base of Irish Travelers in White Settlement, Texas (a suburb of Fort Worth) and another in Los Angeles, California. In White Settlement, many live in RVs or mobile homes at a park owned by one of the Travelers. Most of the families are Roman Catholic, and the wives attend mass. They were/are also called Tinkers because there was usually one among them who repaired pots and pans and metal wares.

 Now let's leave Ireland and travel to the Texas Hill Country. I love Texas, even when we have those awful triple-digit temperatures, (My ardor is much higher when we have moderate days.) I love Texas. I love Texas history, especially the 1870-1890 time period. 

THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is set in 1885 Central Texas near Bandera and Medina, and also the Lost Maples State Natural Area. That location appeals to me and is the setting of many working ranches and some fairly famous dude ranches. Years ago, my family and I stayed at the Mayan Dude Ranch, and the girls loved it. It wasn’t Hero’s thing, but he was a very good sport.

Visiting Ireland, I heard more about Irish Travelers. I'd already learned a little from Louis L'Amour's books. The more I studied about them, the more fascinated I became. Then I learned that a huge group of Traveler families wintered in the Fort Worth suburb, and some even lived there year-round.

 I decided to bring a group of Travelers from Ireland to Texas in 1885. Irishman Sean O’Neill’s family has been traveling with the group, though not truly absorbed by them. I love this book and love the cover. The couple is among my favorites about whom I’ve written. This book does include intimacy, but the couple is married at the time, and the sex is not graphic. If you haven’t yet read this book, Give it a try. I hope you’ll enjoy reading THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE as much as I enjoyed researching and writing Cenora and Dallas’s story. 

Here's the buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Texans-Irish-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B008V1 

Here’s the blurb:

 Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed a handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine handsome settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.   

 Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s gypsy-like Irish Traveler’s wagon to be tended. He’s trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife chatters constantly and has a silly superstition for everything. Passion-filled nights with her make up for all her faults—but what is he supposed to do with her wild Irish family?

 In THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, how did the heroine and her family end up trekking across the U.S.? You’ll have to read the book to learn the answer. <G>

 Stay safe and keep reading. 

SUMMERTIME!

By Caroline Clemmons

The song “Summertime” keeps playing in my head. I love the song, but I’m puzzled as to why the living is easy in summer. If you love the sun and hot weather, you’re in luck. As for me, I whine, “It’s hooottt” and remain indoors as much as possible. Here in North Central Texas, it is not as overwhelming as in some parts of the country. I pity construction workers, road crews, landscapers and others who have to work in these temperatures.

You probably know I’m fascinated by Ireland and the Irish. One of the groups from that culture that fascinates me is the Irish Travelers or Tinkers. The Travelers are an ancient group of minstrels who traveled from kingdom to kingdom back when Ireland was ruled by multiple kings or queens. They sang, juggled, performed acrobatics, and entertained the royalty.

When the English took over and booted many Irish tenants off their land with nowhere to turn, they were given help by and joined with the Travelers. They speak—in addition to English—a language called Shelta or Cant.

Irish Travelers are disliked—even hated—by many. Although often confused with them, they are not Romani gypsies, who originated in India and have their own religion. Travelers are originally Irish and are predominantly Catholic. Many of the children do not attend school, due in part to the mobile nature of the families. They have now crossed the ocean and colonized in the USA in several places. One is in White Settlement, a suburb of Fort Worth. Most live in mobile homes or RVs and travel around the country. You may have seen them featured on a television show about their lavish weddings dresses.

Interior of restored caravan

from Irish Heritage Park

This is from the gypsy travellers (British spelling) organization at

https://www.gypsy-traveller.org/

For Irish Travellers, the language you speak can have varying names according to the family to which you belong. Mincéir Thari can be called Shelta, Cant or De Gammon. It is an ancient indigenous language formed using the Ogham technique that gradually developed towards its present form under the pressure of contact with Irish and Hiberno-English. Mincéir means Traveller and Thari means talk, so this might be translated as ‘Traveller talk’. The closest living language is old Irish, which was spoken in Ireland pre 1200s. While the language is practiced mainly through oral tradition, with very little written history of it, the words for ‘priest’ and ‘God’ shown in old, pre-Christian documents in Ireland show shared lineation between the languages. The language is widely used today and the majority of people who speak it also speak English. There are different dialects of Irish Cant and in Ireland alone, there can be differences in words commonly spoken across the country and differences in spelling between people.

ARE YOU GOOD? Ar munya dil? /Ar munya hu?

WHAT NAME DID YOU TAKE? Munika Bug astúrt, lit?

I’M GOOD Mydil Tome/Munya

ONE, TWO, THREE Ain, do, tré

In 2017, Irish Travellers were recognized as a distinct ethnic group in Ireland, and recognized as Ireland’s only indigenous community.

The reason for my telling you about this is that the heroine in THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE and her family travel with a group of Irish Travelers. THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is the first of five books in the popular McClintock series.

Here’s the book description:

Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the Irish Traveler bully, Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom.   

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives him crazy.

I love the hero, Dallas, so much. He is such a good and generous man. I know you’ll love him, too, if you haven’t already read this book. You’ll find it at

https://www.amazon.com/Texans-Irish-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B008V1UG54/

Stay safe and keep reading! 

ST. PATRICK'S DAY 99¢ SALE - THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE!

 Top ‘O The Morning! It’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, so I’ve the perfect bargain read for you. THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is on sale for 99¢ from March 11 to 17. I love this book and hope if you haven’t read it, you’ll take advantage of this sale!

 

https://www.amazon.com/Texans-Irish-Bride-McClintocks-Book-ebook/dp/B008V1UG54/

Heat rating is PG18. Although most of my recent books are sweet and G rated, be aware that this book contains mild sex scenes between the married couple. In addition, there are a few curse words.

Most of all, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is a compelling story of finding love unexpectedly, of family values, and of overcoming prejudices. Dallas McClintock, the hero, is truly heroic—at least, in my opinion. Cenora and her family members have to learn how to fit in to achieve the life for which they’ve yearned.

This book has a lot of reviews, and most are very positive with five stars. One that surprised me gave the book a bad review because of “all that Irish stuff” in it even though the story was good. May I refer that person to the title, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. Yes, there is dialogue that includes the Irish dialect. There are Irish blessings and superstitions. Having uneducated characters from the 1800’s Ireland speak with perfect diction and use proper grammar would be wrong.

Ireland is one of my husband’s and my favorite places we’ve been. After visiting Ireland and hearing about Irish Travelers, I was drawn to their quaint carts, strange cant [language], and their sad plight. The more I studied about them, the more fascinated I became.

Irish Travelers are descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland telling myths and stories. At that time, they were respected and learned. Travelers have their own language, Sheldroo, which is linked to medieval language. At the time of the English occupation of Ireland, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. At that time, it was illegal for Irish to learn to read and write—only the English could attend schools and universities. There were a few “hedge schools” but the teachers faced serious penalties if caught.

The homeless Irish families drifted in with the traveling minstrels and eventually became the Irish Travelers. They camped in fields. Later they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons. Modern Travelers we saw in Ireland used RV’s. They are not gypsies. Gypsies are Romany, who originated in India and spread across the Western world. Travelers also have spread throughout the Western world.

Ah, forgive me. I could go on for hours.

Here’s a description of THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE:

Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the Irish Traveler bully, Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom.   

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended.  He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives him crazy.

Here’s an excerpt to tempt you set at Dallas and Cenora’s wedding feast (Aoife is Cenora’s mother):

Four girls danced, but only one drew his attention. Shoulders straight and feet flying, Cenora met his glance, then broke away from the other dancers to perform only a few yards from him.

Dallas raised his gaze where Aoife directed.

Catcalls sounded nearby. She ignored them but gave a toss of her head. Her hair had come unbound, and her act sent her fiery hair awhirl. Light from the blazing campfire cast an aura-like radiance around her. Lantern glow overhead reflected her eyes sparked with merriment, challenge, and something mysterious he couldn’t name.

No longer the delicate china doll, her wild beauty called to him, mesmerized him. He visualized her brilliant tresses spread across a pillow, her milky skin bared only for him. His body responded, and savage desire shot through him. Surprised at the depth of his reaction, he wondered if her performance in bed would parallel the unbridled nature of her dance.

Good Lord, could this glorious woman truly be his wife? And if so, heaven help him, what on earth was he to do with her?

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s an Irish blessing for you:

Those things I warmly wish for you-

Someone to love,

Some work to do,

A bit O' sun,

A bit O' cheer,

and a guardian angel always near

 Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

Keep reading and stay safe!

WOO HOO! RE-RELEASE OF THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE

When an author's rights on a previously published book reverts to him/her, the  process of publication begins anew. This time, I wanted to self-publish. Please don't think I have any complaints about the previous publisher, The Wild Rose Press. In fact, the staff and other authors at The Wild Rose Press are wonderful people. However, I'm trying to view my writing as a business, and I can make more money by self-publishing.

Hero and I planned the cover and Hero put it together. I love the result.What do you think?

Here's the blurb:

Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.    

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended.  He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives crazy. 

Here's and excerpt from the first night on Dallas's ranch:

Her rose scent filled him, and he thought he would never tire of it. She fumbled with his shirt buttons then pushed it from his shoulders. 

“Yours is a very broad chest.” 

Her fingers skimmed across him, and his need for her magnified. When she traced the whorls of his nipple, he thought his knees might give way. He stilled her hand.

“There’s something I want from you, have wanted since we met.”

Fear sprang into her widened emerald eyes and she paled. Dang, he cursed himself for frightening her and her for not trusting him. 

Her voice trembled. “Wh—What would you be asking?” 

“Dance for me.” He knew it sounded crazy, but he’d imagined this for days.

She looked askance. “Here? But ‘tis your bedroom, and not a note ‘o music playing.”

“This is our bedroom, and you can sing or hear the music in your head to keep time.”

“But—” 

“Please? Not for coins or where others can see, but only for me.”

A slow smile spread across her face, and she cocked her head to one side. “Aye, I see now. If ‘tis for your pleasure, then ‘twill be mine.”

After she took off her shoes and stockings, she spun away. But not in the regimented dance he’d seen when other women accompanied her. This time she took the red scarf from her waist and used it as an instrument meant to entice a man. 

Her man. 

Him.

She twirled as if to a measured rhythm only she heard. Her green skirt and white petticoats billowed out to reveal long, perfect legs. Legs he wanted around him. She slid the scarf in imitation of a caress along her slender arms. Then she moved the red silk along her body. 

Dang, he was hot as a gunslinger’s pistol and just as hard. His manhood strained against his britches until he thought he’d pop through the fabric. He loosened the buttons and stepped from his clothes, never taking his gaze from her. Reaching behind him, he turned back the bedding and sat on the sheet.

Before his heat warmed the cool fabric, she pulled him to the middle of the room and circled around him. He pivoted, naked as a newborn, and watched her every move. Dipping, fluttering, and arching her lithe frame, she lured him with each sinuous flow of her body. 

Flush with the throbbing pulsating through him, he pictured himself plunging into her again and again as she wound around him. Her erotic gyrations set his already heated blood at a boil, but he stood mesmerized by her and the dance. 

Her flaming hair streamed around her in a fiery cloud. She looped the scarf over his head, and the red silk left a tingling trail across his shoulders and down his right arm. Then she threaded it around her own shoulders and sawed it while she shrugged first one shoulder up and then the other one. Fabric of her blouse pulled taut against her full breasts and pushed the peaked nipples into view. 

Dallas McClintock
iStock Photo

Dang, he couldn’t take much more of this, or he’d explode like fireworks on the Fourth of July. On and on she whirled and kicked, first coming near to brush against him, then moving back with a captivating smile. Teasing him with the piece of silk as she pulled it across his body, she seared him with her touch and made him part of her beguiling ritual. 

When he could stand it no longer, he said, “Come here, let’s dance together in bed.” To his ears, his voice rasped hoarse with the need that burned inside him.

She approached slowly, seductively, with fluid grace. As she moved, she drew off her remaining clothes. Twining the scarf around his wrists, she pulled his arms high until she slid under them, imprisoning him and herself in their circle.

“Now we are truly bound together,” she said, her voice breathy from her exotic dance.

“Am I your prisoner, then?” he asked, amused at her tempting play even as her touch fueled his need.

“Yes, and I am yours.” She met his gaze, but her jewel eyes held uncertainty. “Did I please you then, or was I too forward with meself?”

“You are beautiful and graceful, and your dance was even more special than I’d hoped.”

She breathed a big sigh. “Then you approve and will be taking me to bed now?”

“I suppose I must do as you say, since I’m your prisoner.” He nibbled at her neck, and she released the scarf binding him. The silk fell from his skin as her arms slid around his shoulders. 

Their lips met, and he delved his tongue to sample her nectar. She responded with fervor. He rejoiced that if he must be tied to this woman, at least she shared his apparently boundless passion. He pulled her with him across the bed, then scooted her until she lay cushioned in the center of the thick mattress. 

“Finally, I can see and taste all of you.”

“I’m hoping ‘tis all right for us to act so heathen.”

He lay propped on an elbow beside her, content for a moment to look his fill of her. “It isn’t heathen for a husband and wife to enjoy one another. Doesn’t it feel right?” 

In the golden lamplight, her skin gleamed like ivory. 

“Aye, it feels more than right. It’s as if being with you is where I was meant to be.”

He smoothed her auburn hair across the pillow. It looked even more glorious there than he had dreamed. Desire darkened her emerald eyes, and the pink of exertion tinged her cheeks. 

“No woman will ever be more beautiful than you are right now.”

“If you think that, then we’re well matched, for never lived a more handsome man than you are.”

He took her graceful hand in his and brought it to his lips. After he pressed a kiss to her palm, he suckled each fingertip. 

She pulled away and put her hands under her. “You’ll be driving me mad with wanting. Hurry.”

He smiled down at her and shook his head. “Nope. I’ve thought about this night since we wed. Reckon we might not get much sleep, for I intend to take my time.” 

“But ‘tis torture waiting.” She reached for his manhood.

He twisted away. “Let me give you something to think about, then.” Starting with her beautiful eyes, he rained kisses on her face, her neck, and her shoulders. He cradled one of her ample breasts while his mouth suckled the other. 

She moaned and clutched him to her. 

In spite of his throbbing need, he restrained his own urgency and slowly trailed kisses down her ribs, her stomach, to her mound of curls. He slid a finger inside her moist heat. 

“Now, Dallas, now. I can’t wait another second.”

Desire won, and he stretched himself over her. “Nor can I,” he said and slid into her. “Let’s begin our own dance.

If you haven't read this book, I hope you will. It's available in print and ebook from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and in ebook from Smashwords:

In print from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Texans-Irish-Bride-McClintocks-Book/dp/1478351675/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344613910&sr=1-2&keywords=The+Texan%27s+Irish+Bride

As an ebook from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/TEXANS-IRISH-BRIDE-McClintocks-ebook/dp/B008V1UG54/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1344613991&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Texan%27s+Irish+Bride

Thanks for stopping by!

WHERE ONE BOOK IDEA ORIGINATED + HINT



Writer waiting for idea!

 Where do writers get our ideas? Everywhere! Mine for THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE came partly due to my fascination with Ireland, and partly due to a very sad event that occurred several years ago in the Fort Worth, Texas area. This particular idea also required extensive research.


Perhaps you already know that Irish Travelers are descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland telling myths and stories. At that time, they were well respected and quite learned. Travellers claim that they even predate the Celtic invasion of Ireland, and are the oldest inhabitants of that Island. Travellers claim by oral tradition to be descended from the pre-Celts. Mab is an old pagan female goddess of the pre-Celts, who were known as the "fairies," "Fir Bolgs," and "Tuatha De Danann."

20th Century Irish Travelers

Modern Travelers have their own language or cant (also known in Ireland as Gammon), Sheldroo, which is linked to medieval language. At the the various times of English occupation, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. During periods of the 18th and 19th centuries, it was illegal for Irish to learn to read and write—only the English could attend schools and universities. Teaching an Irish child to read was even a crime. Hedgerow schools met--you guessed it--under the hedgerows where those displaced who could read taught some of those who could not. Most, however, did not learn to read and write more than their name, if that.

Restored Traveler wagon has a
surprising amount of storage

Homeless Irish families drifted in with the traveling minstrels and eventually became the Irish Travelers. They camped in fields. Later they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons. Hero and I were fortunate enough to see several of these colorful wagons in Irish and Scottish museums and they are amazingly compact with a surprising amount of storage. Those we saw were in primary colors of red and green with yellow wheels. 

Even though their wagons are similar, Travelers are not gypsies. Gypsies are Roms and originated in India/Asia. Travelers are of Irish origin, although they have now spread throughout the Western world.

Legislation in Ireland has set aside special camping places for the Travelers. In Ireland and the UK, controversy continues over whether or not the children should be forced to attend school. In the U.S., they are supposed to attend school.

A large base of Irish Travelers is in White Settlement near Fort Worth, Texas and another in Los Angeles, California. There are other settlements thoughout the United States, especially in the Carolinas and the Appalachian states. In White Settlement, many Travelers live in RV’s or mobile homes at a park owned by one of the Travelers. The children don’t attend school, or if they go, it’s only sporadically. Most of the families are Roman Catholic and most wives attend mass.

Travelers were/are also called Tinkers because there was usually one among them who repaired pots and pans and metal wares. I first heard the word tinker as a child, used in the nursery rhyme I sang as I jumped rope. Wherever the jumper missed, that was who she or he would marry. The rhyme, in case your childhood was more sophisticated than mine, went something like, "Doctor, lawyer, policeman, thief. Tinker, tailor, Indian chief." Later, I read the word tinker in Louis L'Amour's books, referring not only to a man who worked metal, but one who made knives.

My first introduction to modern Irish Travelers—or Tinkers—came one January day when a terrible accident happened on Interstate 20 just west of Fort Worth, Texas. I've mentioned this before, but it made an indellible impression on me and many others. Hero and I were driving by as traffic was diverted by State Troopers. Paramedics spread yellow groundsheets over the last victims as we passed. From the several groundsheets spread on the ground, we knew the accident was a bad one, but learned from the newspaper the following day just how sad. A group of boys had been driving the new, red, double-cab pickup one received as a Christmas gift and going to visit their uncle west of Weatherford. The five boys—all cousins or brothers—were going so fast when the driver lost control that the pickup actually became airborne, sailed across a median, and landed on top of another pickup. All six people died. Three were brothers, cousins to the other two brothers, plus the man driving east toward Fort Worth.

Texas State Troopers, sheriff’s deputies, police officers, firemen, and paramedics were so moved by the deaths of these five young men from one extended family that many of them attended the funeral in White Settlement. At the funeral, they learned these young men were all much younger than they'd believed. Their drivers licenses were fakes! The ages were from 13 to 16, not 16 to 21 as the ID’s had indicated. Sadly, fake ID's are not uncommon for modern Irish Travelers. This accident sparked several in-depth columns about Irish Travelers and their culture in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

About three or four times a year, an Irish Traveler stops by our rural home and offers to pave our drive or repair our roof. The men are usually medium height and have startlingly clear blue eyes. If we were gullible enough—as one of our friends was—to let him resurface our driveway, in all likelihood he would use a mixture of fluid which might resemble asphalt, but actually would be oil which washed away in a hard rain. Another common ploy of dishonest Traveller (and other) roofers is to get a 50% deposit for roofing, then disappear.

I am not bashing Irish people. After all, I’m partly of Scot-Irish descent and love anything to do with Ireland!

I’m identifying a stereotype. I’m sure there are good people from this sub-ethnic group of Irish Travelers. As with many other groups, we only hear about the bad ones. (When's the last time you heard a feature news story about a happy Hollywood couple?) For a couple hundred years, Irish Travelers have been thought of as con men and their wives as beggars. In fact, some make a good living honestly while others live hand to mouth or steal.

They’re accused of “selling” their daughters at a young age to marry much older men. Is that true? I don’t know. I admit I've watched the tasteless TV show "My Big Fat Irish Wedding." What can I say? It's like a train wreck and I simply can't look away. 

Travelers have made national news because of their shoplifting rings. Are there honest Travelers? Of course there are, just as there are honest and dishonest people from any ethnic group.

In THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, the heroine and her family were among those turned off their land by an English landlord. Rather than starve, they joined a band of Irish Travelers. How did they end up trekking across the U.S. and in Texas?

Sure, now, and it's a lovely tale. I hope you’ll read the book to learn the answer. (Hint!)

Buy link: www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html OR at Amazon and other online stores. Makes a great gift! (hint, hint, hint!)

BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND GIVEAWAYS CONTINUE!

Did you venture out yesterday among the Black Friday shoppers? Most of my shopping is done online. Still, I went a little nuts and, instead of one name, I  chose four readers to receive SAVE YOUR HEART FOR ME: Ann, Sue, Desi, and Patsy. I’ll email you ladies with your download of this book and hope you enjoy reading it. Thanks for commenting!

THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is my giveaway for today’s post in our Black Friday Blog Mini-Hop. This is my all-time favorite book cover. Isn’t it gorgeous? The artist was able to duplicate the Irish Traveler’s wagon in the lower right corner that the heroine's family would have used. She also found a fabulous model with green eyes and a red scarf. The fact that the red scarf in the story does not have coins is not relevant when you consider the striking cover. THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is available in print and e-download from The Wild Rose Press and other online stores.

Mayan Ranch Trail Ride

I love driving through the Texas Hill Country where this THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE is set. Years ago, my family and I stayed at the Hicks family’s Mayan Guest Ranch near Bandera. Our daughters and I loved our visit and found the experience unforgettable. My husband...mmm, not so much. As usual, he was a good sport. After all, we’d already been fishing, his favorite portion of the vacation. That's when I fell in love with the area, and why I chose this setting for my western historical romance set in 1885.

Each time I’ve driven through Central Texas, I’ve loved the scenery. (Even though my sinuses hate the cedar. Ahhhchooo!) Often referred to as the "Swiss Alps of Texas," this is primarily ranching country, but with some great apple orchards. Bandera calls itself the "Cowboy Capital of the World." Works for me, but I imagine there are similar claims all over the West.

Lost Maples in spring

An especially pretty area is the Lost Maples State Natural Area. Maple trees aren’t native to Texas except in this one area--hence the term “Lost Maples.” It's as if the trees wandered away from New England and dug in their roots to stay. I’m so grateful this area is protected for visitors and wildlife.

Lost Maples in fall

Years ago, Lost Maples was a bandit’s trail, a route for thieves to drive their rustled horses down to South Texas and Mexico, and a trail well known by Native Americans. Now, an almost cathedral-like aura hovers over the valley. The little streams hurry along the rocky creek beds.

Golden-cheeked warbler
found in Lost Maples

Birds chatter from the trees, but there is little other sound. With high cliff walls on each side, the result is almost mystical. Imagine traveling through there in the 1800's, when you wouldn't know whether good or bad lay around the bend. That’s why I had rustlers drive my hero’s horses to Lost Maples with dire results.

How about a blurb:


Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. A fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora, but he is not a man who goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, but passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives crazy.


How about an excerpt:


Here’s an excerpt during the celebration for Dallas’ forced wedding as he sits with his new mother-in-law, Aoiffe O’Neill, while his new wife dances with other young women.

Dallas raised his gaze where Aoife directed. Four girls danced, but only one drew his attention. Shoulders straight and feet flying, Cenora met his glance, then broke away from the other dancers to perform only a few yards from him.


Catcalls sounded nearby. She ignored them but gave a toss of her head. Her hair had come unbound, and her act sent her fiery hair awhirl. Light from the blazing campfire cast an aura-like radiance around her. Lantern glow overhead reflected her eyes sparked with merriment, challenge, and something mysterious he couldn’t name.


No longer the delicate china doll, her wild beauty called to him, mesmerized him. He visualized her brilliant tresses spread across a pillow, her milky skin bared only for him. His body responded, and savage desire shot through him. Surprised at the depth of his reaction, he wondered if her performance in bed would parallel the unbridled nature of her dance.


Good Lord, could this glorious woman truly be his wife? And if so, heaven help him, what on earth was he to do with her?


Any reviews?


Reviews for THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE have been great. Here’s an excerpt from Night Owl Reviews, a Top Pick review:

Dialogs are fantastic as the O’Neill family still speaks as if they are still in Ireland. The wording is such that you can hear the brogue. Even better are the blessings and toasts that are shared as well as customs and superstitions. What starts as a clash of cultures becomes a fantastic story. Just when you thought a happily ever after was just around the corner, another corner appears. What should have been a simple, sweet love story developed into a complex family affair...I want more! Fantastic historical set in cowboy country.

The buy link for THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE is
www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html If you haven't read this book, I hope you'll give it a try.

 Our Black Friday Mini-blog Hop continues through Sunday evening, so please visit the other three authors participating--Isabel Roman, Nicole McCaffery, and Susan Macatee--and return here tomorrow. Click on each name below to be taken to that author's website:

Isabel Roman


Nicole McCaffery


Susan Macatee

If you haven’t already discovered them yourself, each of these authors is a wonderful multi- published writer worthy of your reading time.  Yes, they're my friends, but I am being honest when I recommend their books to you.

Thanks for stopping by!

IRISH AMERICANS

Top o’ the morning to ye! It may not be morning where you are, but the best to you no matter what time of day you’re here. If someone greets you with "Top o' the morning" then your response should be "And the rest o' the day to yourself."

The only place I love almost as well as the United States is Ireland. Please let me introduce you to a few facts on Ireland and Irish-Americans before I remind you about my western historical, THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE in print and e-book from The Wild Rose Press.

Maureen O'Hara

Irish-Americans have made considerable contributions in the United States from Charles Carroll III (the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence) to Andrew Jackson to Sandra Day O’Connor. My favorite is Maureen Fitzsimmons, whose name was shortened to O’Hara. (Maureen O’Hara holds dual citizenship with the United States and Ireland.) Irish-Americans fought in our wars from the American Revolution forward. In fact, John Coleman, an Irish sailor on Henry Hudson’s Half Moon was killed by Indians in 1609 at what is now Sandy Hook, New Jersey.

Irish immigrants waiting to depart

When the infamous potato famine struck and millions in Ireland literally starved to death, there was a mass immigration of Irish into the United States. Due to their poor education, they were looked down on by many. At the time, it was against the law for Irish to learn to read and write. Only the English could attend Irish schools. The Irish’s only education came from “hedgerow” schools in which someone would teach a small group of children behind a hedgerow using a stick to draw on the ground. Anyone caught teaching Irish children to read and write was jailed.


You ask: What does this have to do with romance novels? Thank you, I’m so-o-o glad you asked!


When I was researching for THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, I became even more enthralled with Ireland and the Irish role in my home state of Texas. Many of our pioneers were Irish or of Irish ancestry. In fact, some of my ancestors came from Ireland, or from Scotland to Northern Ireland and then to the United States. 

Because of the lack of schooling, the book's Irish heroine Cenora Rose O’Neill (who may look suspiciously like a young Maureen O’Hara) cannot read cursive and reads only a little in print. Hero Dallas McClintock reads most evenings and values education. This difference causes only one of the many conflicts that arise in the book. (Shameless ploy to tempt you to buy this book.)


Cenora and her family had fallen in with a group of Irish Travelers. The Travelers, or tinkers, are descended from medieval minstrels and poets who traveled Ireland telling myths and stories. At that time, they were respected, learned, and welcome everywhere. Travelers have their own cant or language called Sheldroo, which is linked to the medieval language of the minstrels. Although I'm sure many modern travelers are fine folks, the ones who make the news are of the scandalous type. And perhaps you've seen the TV series "My Big Fat Irish Wedding" and have been puzzled by the attitudes of the brides and their families. 

At the time of Cromwell’s English occupation, many Irish families were turned out of their homes. Homeless Irish families drifted in with the traveling minstrels and eventually became the Irish Travelers. They camped in fields. Later they acquired tents, then the colorful wagons that resemble gypsy wagons, such as the ones used in my novel (see lower right on the gorgeous cover for a depiction). I was fortunate enough to see a couple of these wagons in museums when my husband and I were in Ireland and Scotland. Unbelievably compact, the wagons are brightly painted inside and out.

Available from The Wild Rose Press

Reviews for THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE have been extremely gratifying. For instance, Night Owl Reviews gave it a Top Pick.

"Dialogs are fantastic as the O'Neill family still speaks as if they are still in Ireland. The wording is such that you can hear the brogue. Even better are the blessings and toasts that are shared as well as customs and superstitions. What starts as a clash in cultures becomes a fantastic story. Just when you thought a happily ever after was just around the corner, another corner appears. What should have been a simple, sweet love story developed into a complex family affair...I want more! Fantastic historical set in cowboy country."

Authors love it when a reviewer "gets" what the writer has tried to convey as the Night Owl reviewer did!

In THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, Cenora Rose O’Neill knows her father somehow arranged the trap for Dallas McClintock, but she agrees to wed the handsome stranger. She’d do anything to protect her family, and she wants to save herself from the bully Tom Williams. She believes a fine settled man like Dallas will rid himself of her soon enough, but at least she and her family will be safely away from Tom Williams.

Dallas McClintock

Texas rancher Dallas McClintock has no plans to wed for several years. Right now, he’s trying to establish himself as a successful horse breeder. Severely wounded rescuing Cenora from kidnappers, Dallas is taken to her family’s wagon to be tended. He is trapped into marrying Cenora. As much as he resents the forced marriage, he is not a man who ever goes back on his word. His wife has a silly superstition for everything, and chatters endlessly. But passion-filled nights with her make up for everything—even when her wild, eccentric family drives him crazy.


Here’s an excerpt from the wedding in THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. (Aoife is Dallas's new mother-in-law):


Dallas raised his gaze where Aoife directed. Four girls danced, but only one drew his attention. Shoulders straight and feet flying, Cenora met his glance, then broke away from the other dancers to perform only a few yards from him.
 

Cenora Rose O'Neill

Catcalls sounded nearby. She ignored them but gave a toss of her head. Her hair had come unbound, and her act sent her fiery hair awhirl. Light from the blazing campfire cast an aura-like radiance around her. Lantern glow overhead reflected her eyes sparked with merriment, challenge, and something mysterious he couldn’t name.


No longer the delicate china doll, her wild beauty called to him, mesmerized him. He visualized her brilliant tresses spread across a pillow, her milky skin bared only for him. His body responded, and savage desire shot through him. Surprised at the depth of his reaction, he wondered if her performance in bed would parallel the unbridled nature of her dance.


Good Lord, could this glorious woman truly be his wife? And if so, heaven help him, what on earth was he to do with her?


I hope you’ll read and enjoy THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE. The buy link in print and e-book  is www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html. Of course, it's also available at Amazon, Digi-Books, and other online stores. You can find me on Facebook, Goodreads, and Amazon as Caroline Clemmons, and on Twitter as CarolinClemmons (no E in Caroline).

Now here's an real Irish blessing to send you on your way:

Those things I warmly wish for you-

Someone to love,
Some work to do,
A bit O' sun,
A bit O' cheer,
And a guardian angel always near.

That's my wish for you this Thanksgiving season. Thanks for stopping by!