- 3rd century BCE Chinese Taoist philosopher Chuang-Tzu for his constant reminder that true philosophy is of the flight of the butterfly
- 9th century CE Irish philosopher Iohannes Scottus Ériugena for his courage to freely speculate on even the greatest of human concerns, and in an age too when such profound questioning was looked upon as a waste of time
- 16th century English literary genius William Shakespeare for his admirable ability to transform his uncertainties with syntax into a powerful and enchanting art form
- 18th century Austrian musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart for his extraordinary ability within the difficulties of life to create some of the most beautiful music the world has ever heard
- 18th century English poet-artist-mystic William Blake for the serenity of his self-confidence in his inspiration though it meant for him a life of isolation, misunderstanding, and poverty

Interestingly, that while his inspirational mentors for the most part have all been men, his writings have women taking center stage.

Primary influences on my writings to date:

Spiritually: Native Éireinn, Christian, Jewish, Sufistic
Philosophically: Nature of Éire, The Chuang-Tzu
Literarily: John M. Synge, Kahlil Gibran, William Blake, William Shakespeare, Authorized Version of the Bible
                                                      (esp. Psalms, and Solomon’s Song)
Aesthetically: William Bouguereau

Quotations:
“… in these new days and in these new pages a philosophical tradition of the spontaneity of speculation kind has been rekindled on the sacred isle of Éire, regardless of its creative custodian never having been taught how to freely speculate, how to profoundly question, and how to playfully define.

Spontaneity of speculation being synonymous with the philosophical-poetic, the philosophical-poetic with the rural philosopher-poet, and by roundelay the rural philosopher-poet thee with the spontaneity of speculation be.

And by the way of the rural what may we say?
A philosopher-poet of illimitable space we say.

Iohannes Scottus Ériugena the metaphor of old salutes you; salutes your lyrical ear and your skilful strumming of the rippling harp.”

“This eloquent, honourable road you have chosen be surely a solitary one, and oft quite lonely it will be for thee, yet be of a joyful courage for in like balance rewarding it will be.”

(Sources: Hearing in the Write, Canto 19, Ivy-muffled)

Books published:

Innkeeper’s Fire (vols. 1 & 2)
Hearing in the Write
Generations Reaching
A Jesus of Nazareth
Myriam of Lebanon

Richard of Éire writes on a variety of themes, but primarily on those to do with promoting beauty, good-naturedness, love of family, artistic expression, respect for the natural world, and cosmic considerations. Much of his work is written in a style that lends itself to both exoteric and esoteric interpretations.  In addition to his own works, he has a liking and admiration for instance for:

Authors unknown: Songs sung to a Harp
Chuang-Tzu: The Chuang-Tzu
Friedrich Nietzsche: Thus Spake Zarathustra
Geoffrey Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales
Gibran Kahlil Gibran: The Prophet
Giovanni Boccaccio: The Decameron
Iohannes Scottus Ériugena: On the Division of Nature
John Millington Synge: Riders to the Sea
Titus Lucretius Carus: On the Nature of Things
William Blake: Songs of Innocence
William Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

New book ON SALE! as of 24th April 2009 ... Unto Lineage Royal - a midsummer's dream -

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