btw, Strongbow Cider takes its name from the Norman Richard de Clare, a Norman knight known to his men as "Strongbow". He is most famous for his invasion of Ireland in 1169 after being invited to Erie by Diarmuid MacMorrough, king of Leinster. Strongbow's invasion began the Anglo-Norman period of Irish history, and introduced many "Irish" surnames, such as Fitzpatrick, Fitzwilliam, Fitzgerald, etc.

The Normans were quite fond of Cider, and brought it to England with them. Calvados, the apple brandy, originates in Normandy.

Cheers,

Todd