Rebel County

[stargazer]

I have read that Cork's claim to being the "Rebel County" originally stems from a time when they sided with the English against their fellow Irish chieftains. The name has stuck but today it generally refers to the high level of rebel activity in the county during the war of Independence and the subsequent Civil War.
Does any one have any ideas on this?

Also, the origins of other county nicknames are intriguing such as "the Banner", the "Lilly Whites" etc.

 

[gordongekko]

Why is Clare called 'The Banner County'? The custom of carrying banners goes back a long way. There is little doubt that the Dal gCais carried banners at the battle of Clontarf in 1014 or that the Clare Dragoons carried banners at Fontenoy in 1745 and in the many battles fought by the Clare Regiments on the continent during the eighteenth century. However, the name 'the banner county' would appear to be of recent origin. In the last century as the population became more politicized, the custom of carrying banners to political meetings became widespread. Many banners welcomed Daniel O'Connell at the Clare election of 1828 and the freeholders marched behind banners to the Ennis courthouse to cast their votes for O'Connell on that occasion


http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACounty/Clare.html

 

[efm]

I have read that Cork's claim to being the "Rebel County" originally stems from a time when they sided with the English against their fellow Irish chieftains. The name has stuck but today it generally refers to the high level of rebel activity in the county during the war of Independence and the subsequent Civil War.
Does any one have any ideas on this?

Throughout history the people of County Cork have established a solid reputation of being recalcitrant and until the Civil War the county acted more or independent. In 1499 the English seemingly reconciled themselves to this situation and decided to name the county Rebel County. Although intended to be derogatory the name was embraced and caressed by people of Cork.
Nowadays County Cork is still a bit of an outsider. There is a group striving for the recognition of Cork as the real capital of the Republic of Ireland and an even smaller group has devoted itself to establish the Peoples Republic of Cork. These groups are completely harmless and non-violent.

There ya are now biy!

 

[bazermc]

There is a group striving for the recognition of Cork as the real capital of the Republic of Ireland

Never going to happen - Dublin is where it's at and we going to get back Sam this year. Come on you boys in blue.

 

[legend99]

you're on about the Percink Warbeck (spelling???) history. Its from a time when we legends in Cork backed a random punter who claimed that he was the rightful King of England. So despite 99% of people thinking it has smoe mad republican/Tomas McCurtain/Terence McSweeney origin its actually because we sided with a pretender to the throne!!!
[broken link removed] 9th paragraph