A battlefield

I had a very busy day in Cork starting with a breakfast with members of the Chamber of Commerce. Then I met with Liadh Ni Riada, a Sinn Fein MEP with a particularly strong interest in language and culture.

I gave the Irish Institute for Contemporary`European Studies annual lecture in University College Cork and at the end of day heard about the opportunities & challenges facing the management team at Cork Airport.

For a couple of hours this afternoon however I left the city and travelled to the site of the battle of Knocknanuss where in 1647 Alasdair MacColla of Colonsay died fighting with his Highland troops as part of the Irish Confederacy . The victors were the Cromwellian Parliamentary forces.

My hosts were three Directors of Rubicon Heritage who work in Ireland, Wales and Scotland - Ross MaLeod who hails from Lochgilphead , Colm Moloney who also chairs the Irish Business Network in Scotland and Damien Shiels whose huge knowledge and infectious enthusiasm gave us all a unique introduction to the place and its story.

Many thanks - and it was also a beautiful spot to spend a small part of a sunny afternoon.