TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

AN AMERICAN TOURIST TRAVELLING IN

COUNTY CLARE CAME ACROSS A LITTLE

ANTIQUE SHOP IN WHICH HE WAS LUCKY ENOUGH

TO PICK UP, FOR A MERE 200 IRISH PUNTS,

THE SKULL OF BRIAN BORU.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE WAS A CERTIFICATE

OF THE SKULL'S AUTHENTICITY,

SIGNED BY BRIAN BORU HIMSELF.

FIFTEEN YEARS LATER THE TOURIST RETURNED

TO IRELAND AND ASKED THE MAN FROM CLARE,

WHO OWNED THE ANTIQUE SHOP,

IF HE HAD ANY MORE BARGAINS.

“I'VE GOT THE VERY THING FOR YOU”,

SAID THE SHOPKEEPER,

“IT'S THE GENUINE SKULL OF BRIAN BORU.”

“YOU CHEAT”, EXPLODED THE AMERICAN,

“YOU SOLD ME THAT FIFTEEN YEARS AGO”,

AND PRODUCING THE SKULL ADDED LOUDLY,

“LOOK, THEY'RE NOT EVEN THE SAME SIZE.”

“YOU HAVE GOT IT WRONG,”

OPINED THE SELLER,

“THIS IS THE SKULL OF BRIAN BORU

WHEN HE WAS A LAD.”

Brian Boru (940 to 1014) managed the rare feat of

uniting Ireland. In a turning point in the war with the

Vikings, Brian Boru defeated the Viking leader

Ivar in single combat. Not only was Brian successful

in battle, but he also had at least 4 wives and founded

the O' Brien clan.