On Connaught

While in Kilkenny about a month ago now, I stopped in at one of the small museums in town. My favorite exhibit was on Irish recent history, particularly the section involving Oliver Cromwell. What made it my favorite? A nice little board off to one side reading:

"...Cromwell tried once and for all to crush the Irish resistance by deporting thousands of Irishmen, using the catchphrase:

" 'To Hell or to Connaught!'

"At the sight of the poor and barren province of Connaught located to the west of Ireland, one of Cromwell's own generals observed that there was 'neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him.' "

It made me smile. It's really not that bad though, and can be quite scenic.