Greg, Please send me the web site where I can read the complete version of this story; also, I'd love to reaad the ship story. Thanks, Sara Ann O'Neal Keaton Greg Anderson wrote: > HI Alice > > A similar story was passed down to me along with the crest of the > family by my Great Uncle Harold O'Neal. > > Since then I have discovered many difference versions of the story. > MY version told of a great race for land, and the first one to put > his hand on the land will rule all of Ireland. I was told our O'Neal > ancestor saw that he could not win, so he chopped off his right hand > and threw it and his was the first to lay his hand on the land. > another speaks of love , and another speaks of the ship story you > mention in you re-mail. I have even found a web site that told of the > story in great detail. However, There is no proof that the story is > even true nor can it be proved at this point. It is just legend. It > is a great story to tell your children when you are old and sitting > by the fireplace on a cold dark night. > > Greg Anderson > > >can anyone tell me the story behind the 'red hand of Ireland' > >crest~something about 2 Irish favored soldiers of an Eng.king/prince[?] > >who told them something like on returning to Ireland you can have the > >land you first touch and as the ship they were on came close to land the > >soldier by the name O'NEILL cut off his hand and threw it on land~I'd > >like to know a more detailed story if anyone knows~~Thanks > > > > ALICE >*;*<