Liam's Irish Traditional Music - Irelands culture and tradition

A substantial amount of land was left vacant for colonization, and it was in Ulster, which had been least affected by English administration that Another planned plantation went ahead, geographically, Ulster had been cut off from most of the devastation caused by the Anglo-Irish now that the forfeit lands had no. Aristocratic tenants, the Crown was able to launch plans for another colony, from this time, English admistrators were sent in on a permanent basis to carry out government policy in Ireland. Irish people were gradually excluded from these posts.

Food is abundant, and the inhabitants cat and entertain very well… the usual drinks being Spanish wines, French claret, very good beer and, excellent milk Butter is used abundantly with all kinds of food… There is also plenty of fruit apples, pears, plums, and artichokes. All eatables are cheap. A fat ox costs sixteen shillings, a sheep fifteen pence, a pair of capons, or fouls, five pence eggs a farthing each, and other things in proportion. A good-sized fish costs a penny, and they don't bother about selling game they kill birds almost with sticks. Both salt and fresh water fish are cheap, abundant, and of excellent flavour.

(Source: from a letter of Dionysius Massari, The Papal Nuncio's Secretary, sent from Limerick to Florence in 1645, quoted in James Carty, Ireland 1607-1782, C. J. Fallen Ltd 1949)