THE BRITiSH used to describe the Irish in much the same terms as the Irish themselves now describe the itinerant. The descriptions, then as now, had elements of 'fact in them. We were dirty, we were ignorant, we were fractious, and superstitious. All of these characteristics, however, were a direct result of our oppression. Denied access to education, ignorance was inevitable. Taxed for improveements to our houses, we lived in hovels. Denied the rights accorded to others, we fought for these rights and our only consolation in times of desperation was our religion.