The Winegeese
|
First, the Wild Geese...
"Wild Geese" signifies Irish migrants of the 17th and 18th centuries who fought in the armies of continental Europe. Some left after the defeat of Hugh O’Neill and Hugh O’Donnell at Kinsale in 1601, but the term refers particularly to those who left in the years that followed the Williamite wars and the violated Treaty of Limerick in 1691.
Others left because of laws against Roman Catholics which were imposed in the late 17th century, including restrictions on their economic activities. Still others left to search for opportunities to develop profitable businesses. These adventurers came from all areas of Ireland and from different religious backgrounds. Many of these Irishmen attained great distinction fighting in the Irish Brigades in the service of France. A number of them would attain fame through the wine trade, such as Hennessy, MacCarthy, Lynch, O’Byrne, Dillon and Walsh.
|
|
|
The Winegeese
"Winegeese" is the name given to the emigrant Irish families who, from the 17th century onwards, engaged in the wine trade in the various countries that they adopted. Many of these pioneering Irish families played significant and enduring roles in the viticultural development of some of the principal winegrowing regions in both the Old and New World, such as Michel Lynch of Bordeaux, whose bust is shown here
The Irish did not become involved with the wine and brandy business by accident. For centuries there had been trading connections between Ireland and the wine producing areas of Europe. Irish emigrants were mainly involved in wine production in France, but they also settled in parts of Spain, Italy and Germany.
A number of Irish saints are honoured variously in regions of France, Switzerland, Lombardy, Germany and Jerez, including St Patrick, St Columbanus, St Fiacre, St Nessan, St Gall, St Fridolin and St Killian.
In later centuries, further generations of ‘winegeese’ settled further afield in North America, Chile, South Africa, Australia and Madeira.
|
The Order of the Winegeese
Today the Winegeese have their own association, which is also open to those with an interest in Ireland and the wine trade.
|
|
|
