RIP Laura Buckley Noonan
Search
06 Sept 2025
Search
06 Sept 2025
Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content.
Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist.
If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter .
Support our mission and join our community now.
To continue reading this article, you can subscribe for as little as €0.50 per week which will also give you access to all of our premium content and archived articles!
Alternatively, you can pay €0.50 per article, capped at €1 per day.
Thank you for supporting Ireland's best local journalism!
The Door of Reconciliation
Did you know the legendary origin of the phrase "chancing your arm" came from Dublin in 1492.
A fascinating social media thread from Buchanan: Dublin Time Machine outlines the origins of the saying.
Just as the phrase 'beyond the Pale' has its origins in Irish history, so too does the phrase 'chancing your arm'
The story goes that the Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare were involved in a violent land feud at that time.
The Butlers retreated to the sanctuary of St Patrick's Cathedral, with the FitzGeralds in hot pursuit.
Youtube video: St Patrick's Cathedral
A standoff took place, with the Fitzgeralds refusing to leave until the Butlers surrendered.
However, the Butlers feared they'd be massacred by their sworn enemies if they left the sanctuary. To break the stalemate, Gerald came up with a genius idea.
To show his sincerity to let the Butlers surrender peacefully, Gerald Fitzgerald cut a hole in the chapterhouse door and put his empty sword arm through, as a gesture of peace. The Butlers recognised the honour of the act of Fitzgerald "chancing his arm".
A standoff took place, the Fitzgeralds refusing to leave till the Butlers surrendered. However, the Butlers feared they'd be massacred by their sworn enemies if they left the sanctuary. To break the stalemate, Gerald came up with a genius idea. pic.twitter.com/fBW8xN9pJJ
— Buchanan: Dublin Time Machine (@RobLooseCannon) June 1, 2023
Their leader shook Fitzgerald's hand. Both families left the cathedral in peace and in one piece!
The 'Door of Reconciliation' is still on display in St Patrick's Cathedral’s north transept to this day.
Subscribe or register today to discover more from DonegalLive.ie
Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.
Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.
This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice of the Press Council. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1800 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie.
