Is this ancient Irish custom true?
 

I'm reading "Princes of Ireland" by Edward Rutherford where he says that an ancient Irish custom, similar to shaking hands or ritually exchanging blood to seal a deal, was that men "bared their breasts" and briefly sucked each other's nipples. (I can see most the men thinking, "Thanks anyway, I'd sooner cut myself!"). Has anyone else heard of this custom and is it true? I've heard of the phrase "baring your breast" as a way of saying you are unburdening yourself to someone, but I didn't know that this may be where it originated.

I don't know about the custom, but I'm glad to hear that there is yet another Rutherford book to read once I finish Russka -- I've enjoyed Sarum, London, and The Forest... on to Ireland!

I had never heard of this custom until I read "How the Irish Saved Civilization." It's a great book, read it if you have a chance.

That's why they're called a Gay-Lick people!

PalQ's probably said it all, but this is one custom that, thankfully, Australia's many Irish immigrants (voluntary and otherwise) did not bring with them. Was there a heterosexual version, by any chance?

I met a man in an Irish pub one night who told me that this is the traditional greeting between men and women. I thought it was just a bad pick-up line. But depending on what the guy looks like, maybe I'll respect this custom next time. ;-)

People who don't have any gender identity "issues" have absolutely no trouble with it.

People who don't have any gender identity "issues" have absolutely no trouble with it.

Don't try that in my neck of the woods or some big bubba will wack you up side the head with a 2x4!

Here's what Thomas Cahill, author of "How the Irish Saved Civilazation" explained this, and apparently he is the main proponent of this theory:

When St. Patrick escaped from slavery and was attempting to board a ship, the captain at first refused. A few moments later, a crew man invited him to come aboard. When Patrick came back to the ship, the crew men invited him to suck their nipples. He declined but they invited him on board anyway.

What Cahill went on to say was that because Patrick didn't explain the context, that must therefore mean that readers of the day wouldn't need to have the context explained and so it must have been a widely followed custom.

I find that to be highly dubious logic for the assumption that this was a widely followed custom.

BTW, here's the speech Cahill gave where he referenced the incident and his explanation.

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/cahill/essay5.html

I have NEVER heard that one! Ha! Try that one these days and you will get your head bashed in...possiboy even if you ask is its a custom as they may think you are coming on to them...unless you are in the George on Georges street, then its ok :-)

Neil Oz,
You asked "Was there a heterosexual version, by any chance?"

Turns out that there was actually but these days it's better known as "customary foreplay". Modern day celtic warriors for the most part consider it to be an archaic custom
serving no purpose whatsoever in post celtic tiger Hibernia. It's existence is solely dependant on the more traditional women folk keeping it up.