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Archie McGeachy was born in Cambeltown in 1932. He was aged 14 years when identified as someone with promising bagpipe talent and given the gift of a set of Henderson pipes. Using the pipes Archie played at the Queen's Coronation in 1953 at the age of 21 and went on to become a world champion piper. He emigrated to North America  where his interest in piping continued, playing with other talented musicians and as a member of Pipe Bands. He also formed a band in Ontario Canada called Kintyre. Sadly, Archie McGeachy died at the age of 83 years at home in Ontario in November 2015.

News from the Celtic League:

Report here from Wales online about what appears to be the start of a direct action campaign by some members of Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (the Welsh Language Society) to have broadcasting devolved to Wales (link):

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/…/tv-licence-fee-strike-launch…

The Welsh tradition of the The Mari Lwyd was a custom performed during winter celebrations around the dates of Christmas and New Year. A horse-figure, that in the past was often made from a horses skull, was mounted upon a pole. Which was carried by a person hidden under a cloth from door to door. Accompanied by a group of singers the Mari Lwyd knocks on the door and the first verse of a traditional song is sung. This would in turn be answered in song by the person in the house.

The following editorial appeared in Ireland's Leinster Express.  Nothing can be added to this eloquent testimonial to the Celtic tongue of Ireland.

There has never been a period in the past thousand years or more when it has not been spoken and written. Even at the worst period of anglicisation and national catastrophe, before and after the famine of 1847, it remained the language of the great mass of the people outside the Pale.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) have today (29th December 2016) unveiled their Gaelic Language Plans for the coming five years. It is a statutory requirement for all Scottish public bodies to have a Gaelic language plan. Under the plans Police Scotland officers will be encouraged to learn Gaelic and the service’s vehicles rebranded as part of an initiative to help promote the language within Scotland's national force. Vehicles in Police Scotland’s N Division (Highlands and Islands), including the force helicopter, already carry the “Poileas Alba” branding. 

Between 1845 and 1852 the Great Famine (Irish: an Gorta Mór) or the Great Hunger was a period of mass starvation, disease, and emigration in Ireland. Following the failure of the potato crop one million people perished, and one million were forced to emigrate. It devastated communities throughout Ireland and left an indelible mark on the country. 

Although other cultural pursuits may have lapsed, the annual procession of dancers, singers and musicians gathered for the traditional Hunt the Wren, travelling through the streets and lanes of some of the main towns and villages of the Island.

News from the Celtic League:

No Xmas break for the many Irish peacekeeping forces serving in a variety of roles as part of the wider UN global peacekeeping effort.

There are currently 605 Military Personnel serving in fourteen different countries around the world. The biggest troop missions are the 377 personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the 136 personnel with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria.

They took a brief moment out to compile this montage of Xmas photos (link):

News from Mannin Branch of the Celtic League:

There’s no better to celebrate Xmas Eve and the run in to the two day holiday that this absolutely excellent series of Xmas songs from the Culture Vannin web site (link):

http://www.culturevannin.im/news_story_460609.html

BERNARD MOFFATT

Public Relations Officer Mannin Branch

Issued by: The Mannin branch of the Celtic League.

24/12/16

Santa Claus has been granted clearance to enter Irish airspace on Christmas Eve, Ireland's Transport Minister Shane Ross has said. He went on to say, "I have been informed that a large, jolly man on a low-flying sleigh, assisted by reindeer and perhaps some elves, will be entering Irish air space tomorrow evening. I would therefore encourage all children to be safety tucked up in their beds as early as possible to ensure Santa and his reindeer can go about their work successfully."