The Roman Naval base outside Dublin.
I have sometimes wondered exactly how much of a liability the British Isles were to the Roman authorities in Rome, and exactly how much power and autonomy they gave to the military commanders of Britain. The main gold source in the islands was Ireland, though there was some in Wales. There was a Roman 'Gold Route' which went across the hills in South West Wales, to connect with the Irish Trade. There were Irish colonies on the West Wales Coast. The Roman authorities were asked by Suetonius if he could invade Ireland and add it to the Empire, he estimated it would only take one Legion. That request was refused.
A surprising number of challenges (some successful) to Imperial power in Rome came from commanders who had been stationed in the British Isles, they were very rich with highly productive agriculture and a Gold supply. There was no written record of the Roman Navy base found in Dublin, and I wonder if Rome was scared of the strength that could be gained by access to Irish gold, and tried to limit military activity there. Was it unofficial?
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More speculation: the very curious circumstances surrounding the death of Michael Collins, and the testimony of one of the guards in the truck following his car. This was that they witnessed no gun battle and were subsequently ordered by senior members of the republican movement to leave the country, with a sum of money that they were each given to do so. This testimony was given to an Irish historian who is a friend of the family, and who is a very erudite and elderly man with no political interest other than his own research as an historian. The car Collins was driving that day was one of the most expensive in the world, it was constructed by the man who also built the world record breaking vehicle which was destroyed when it crashed on Pendine Sands, South Wales. Where did he get the money for it? Collins activity and movements on the day of his death were odd. He spent the day travelling between banks, trying to raise money. He had been a wealthy accountant, and was treasurer of the movement. He had full control of funds, including those coming from America. There is a claim that there was only one bullet hole in the windscreen of that vehicle, and that it came from inside. The rumour exists that he was about to be investigated about his handling of the funds, and the suspicion exists that he committed suicide.
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A relic of Brian Boru -
'Twas a foot long, and made of elk hide,' - Is this historically likely?
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