Guest Simon Bull Posted 20 October , 2004 Posted 20 October , 2004 I hope those on the Forum who come from Ireland will forgive my appalling ignorance but could somebody tell me roughly where Inniskilling is?
HERITAGE PLUS Posted 20 October , 2004 Posted 20 October , 2004 Enniskillen (Inniskilling) is the County Town of Fermanagh, located almost exactly in the Centre of the County on the natural island which separates the Upper and Lower sections of Lough Erne.
curranl Posted 21 October , 2004 Posted 21 October , 2004 Hello Simon, Your lack of knowledge on the subtleties of Irish town geography is entirely forgiven!! I would have to scratch my head a bit to find Matlock, for example! The best thing to do is come over on holidays and explore the place for yourself. Regards, Liam.
Guest bonza Posted 21 October , 2004 Posted 21 October , 2004 I would have to scratch my head a bit to find Matlock, for example! The best thing to do is come over on holidays and explore the place for yourself. G'day Liam. Would have thought you'd be in for more than head scratching to find Matlock. Perhaps we can share the secret with others. Had you gone there during WW1 you could have taken one of our famous Puffing Billy trains from Moe to Walhalla, a horse & cart to Matlock, spent a couple of nights recovering, horse again to Whitfield & Puffing Billy to Wangaratta.
curranl Posted 21 October , 2004 Posted 21 October , 2004 Hello Bonza, Not quite the Matlock I had in mind. By the way, shouldn't the map be the other way up, like the rabbit poem? My Dad tells a story from his primary school days; the teacher asked them why Australians don't fall of the bottom of the world. His reply: " Because they're nailed on, Sir!" He got a few belts for that one! Regards from the people who don't need to be nailed down. Liam.
Guest deepathart Posted 21 October , 2004 Posted 21 October , 2004 PUFFING BILLY - what memories - jumping out and walking alongside - cinders in the eyes, getting a clout from Dad for sitting on the window sill with legs dangling outside. Thems were the days. Dee
Guest bonza Posted 21 October , 2004 Posted 21 October , 2004 G'day agen Liam Your lot must like asking questions about Australians. Dave Allen would ask "Why are Australians all Level - Headed?" Because they've got a chip on both shoulders. Glad some-one appreciated the antipodean rabbits. Dee My Dad used to work on the narrow gauge line between Colac & Crowes. We even got to drive! nanenanenana! Dont ask any questions that might be considered racist! Remember legislation 'delisting' terms such as Pom & Wog from anti discrimination provisions has not yet been passed. ooRoo
Guest Simon Bull Posted 22 October , 2004 Posted 22 October , 2004 Thanks gents. Despite Matlock and Australia hijacking the thread I am now a little clearer.
Desmond7 Posted 22 October , 2004 Posted 22 October , 2004 Check out 'The Royal Irish Rangers' on the web for more on formation of Skins. Plus the town itself has some good info on the web. Great place for boating holiday/drinkies/eating. Also good base for touring south and west of Ireland. Museum in the castle always worth a visit. Des
Guest deepathart Posted 23 October , 2004 Posted 23 October , 2004 Spose this is a dumb question for those who know but why are the Irish called "Skins"? Bonza - in yer boot Regards Dee
Desmond7 Posted 23 October , 2004 Posted 23 October , 2004 Ok - Skins was nickname for Inniskilling Fusiliers/Dragoons; Faughs was Royal irish Fusiliers because of their battle-crey 'Faugh a ballagh'or 'clear the way'; The Royal Irish Rifles nasically got 'The Rifles' although the Royal Ulster Rifles were called 'the stickies' - maybe because so many Southern Irish members of the Regiment 'stuck' with it post 1922 partition. Skins is just a play on Inniskilling. Cheers Des Poor Bonza ....
Guest deepathart Posted 23 October , 2004 Posted 23 October , 2004 Thanks Des. Good to know someone can help an Aussie with both Irish and British blood coursing through their veins Regards Dee
trooper Posted 28 October , 2004 Posted 28 October , 2004 Sorry to contradict a fellow Ulsterman but the nickname "Stickies" I was assured by a former Lt Col. of the regiment came from their regimental motto "Quis Separabit" which means "Who can separate us" Trooper
Desmond7 Posted 28 October , 2004 Posted 28 October , 2004 No problem - glad to know the real reason. Cheers Des
jollyfifer Posted 14 March , 2007 Posted 14 March , 2007 Ok - Skins was nickname for Inniskilling Fusiliers/Dragoons; Faughs was Royal irish Fusiliers because of their battle-crey 'Faugh a ballagh'or 'clear the way'; The Royal Irish Rifles nasically got 'The Rifles' although the Royal Ulster Rifles were called 'the stickies' - maybe because so many Southern Irish members of the Regiment 'stuck' with it post 1922 partition. Skins is just a play on Inniskilling. Cheers Des Poor Bonza .... I cant remember what conflict - maybe Boer, but I read skins come from an attack on the inniskilling while they were bathing and they fought the skirmish in the buff!!
Desmond7 Posted 14 March , 2007 Posted 14 March , 2007 Absolutely right - that is one of the reasons given for the nickname. The nickname The Skins was allegedly gained at Maida in Italy when a naked bathing party of Inniskillings abandoned their swim and prepared to meet French cavalry with little else but their muskets.
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