Blogs

President of Ireland, Michael Higgins, has addressed the “International Conference on Language Rights” held in Dublin May 23-25, 2013.  The conference is sponsored by the “Office of An Coimisineir” established by the Irish Government under the provisions of the “Official Languages Act of 2003” which aims to increase the use of the Irish language by government employees.  The Conference is also sponsored by Cardiff University.

To all our Breton friends, Happy St Yves' Day on 19th May. St Yves Day is widely celebrated in Brittany and around the Breton world. Our best wishes to everyone in Brittany and around the world who are celebrating Saint Yves Day.

Saint Yves was born on 17th October 1253 at Kermartin in Brittany. He graduated in civil law and became a lawyer and judge who was famous for defending the poor without taking payment. Saint Yves was ordained in 1284 and when he retired from law in 1287 became a preacher. The feast day marks the date of his death on 19th May 1303 at Louannec, Brittany.

As reported in the Donegal News, members of the Letterkenney music school "Ceol na Ciolle" are hosting the "Cairngorms Ceildh Trail" student music group based in the Cairgorms National Park region of the Scottish Highlands.

The University of Wales Centre for advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies in Aberystwyth has received a grant to fund a three year project to investigate the origins of the Celts. The focus of the study will be to investigate the "Archeological background of the emergence of the Celtic languages in Western Europe".

The 9th Annual Celtic Beltane Festival, takes place in New Franklin, Ohio on 18th May. This exciting event has dancing, music and great family entertainment. Details are as below:

On Sunday, April 28th, 2013 at the 14th annual Newport Beach Film Festival there will be an evening celebration of Celtic cinema and culture. The festival will present its Irish Spotlight that will feature the world premiere of the Irish film the O'Briens. The event will be followed by a reception.

The independent feature film is set in the west of Ireland where a family return to their home town. Two years after the death of his wife a father calls his two sons (Liam McMahon & Emmett Hughes) and daughter (Slaine Kelly) home where he has important news for them . The comedy looks at the dilemmas faced by each family member as they return home. Emmett Hughes and Slaine Kelly co-wrote the script for the film.

The proprietors of Stonehenge are seeking a General Manager whose duties will include "Liaising with Druid Leaders". According to the Daily Telegraph's  report, the General Manager's duties will include "..maintaining relations with Druid leaders such as King Arthur Pendragon..". 

Today 17 April 2013 the funeral of ex-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was held. She was seen as a very 'English' Prime Minister who did not receive the level of support in Celtic areas that she gained in certain parts of England. In Scotland she appeared out of step with public opinion and is associated with industrial decline, the poll tax and also a failure to understand the desire by the Scottish people to gain more autonomy. Many would say it was the experience of the Thatcher governments that encouraged many doubters in Scotland to seek self-government.

In recent weeks, reports have emerged of seemingly aggressive moves to derail the 'Yes' Campaign for independence for Scotland. Pro-independence websites have apparently been closed down and bloggers allegedly faced intimidation. There are very serious issues at stake for Scotland and any moves to stifle debate that, for whatever reason, appear linked to the pro-union campaign, will do them no favours.

In a blistering attack on other political parties Mebyon Kernow has launched its 2013 Election Manifesto. The document entitled 'Putting Cornwall First' accuses the coalition United Kingdom Government of ignoring the needs of Cornwall and pursuing policies that are detrimental to Cornish people.