'...it is a glimpse, and on the whole a fascinating glimpse, into the quiet country life of the Ulster Scot, well calculated to quicken the interest in and the respect for the sturdy race he represents...'

So says one of the reviews of the writings of Archibald M'Ilroy, which I came across a few weeks ago in an old periodical which has been on my shelves for donkeys years, and which I then scanned to eventually post here. They amazed me because as the self-professed 'clever' people keep telling us, the term 'Ulster Scot' was only invented about 15 years ago. So the appearance of the term, twice, in these reviews from 1899 must therefore be elaborate forgeries, akin to the Hitler Diaries. Or else, maybe the 'clever people' are wrong.

But since when was 'quiet country life' given much 'respect' anyway? McIlroy's work is top-notch and highly recommended - I'm re-reading 'The Auld Meetin Hoose Green' and 'The Humour of Druid's Island' at the moment. Click to enlarge.