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Viking harbour in Scotland's Loch na h-Airde designated as scheduled monument

Rubha an Dùnain is a peninsula to the south of the Cuillin hills on the island of Skye (An t-Eilean Sgitheanach) in Scotland. The headland rises to a height of over 98 feet (30 metres) above sea level. To the east of the peninsula is the freshwater loch of Loch na h-Airde. The peninsula has a variety of archaeological sites dating from the Neolithic period onwards.

Upcoming Breton dance sessions in Ireland

News from BeizhEire - Bretons in Eire:

Demat d'an holl / Bonsoir à tous / Dia dhaoibh uilig / Hi everybody,  

DUBLIN
Session Danses & Musique                                 Sun 26 Nov. 
 
GALWAY! Bertrand has organised this for you! 
Session Danses & Musique & Conversation       Mon 11 Dec.

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Inquest into sinking of Breton trawler Bugaled Breizh scheduled

This news item from Yn Commeeys Celtiagh - Celtic League Mannin gives the latest information on the inquest into the sinking of the Breton trawler Bugaled Breizh. MFV Bugaled Breizh from Loctudy, Finistère, in Brittany sunk with the loss of all five crew in 90 metres of water on 15 January 2004. It is strongly suspected that the ship was pulled under by a submarine during a NATO excercise. The article points out this was one of a number of such incidents that many believe to be due to submarine activity around the Celtic coasts:

Scottish ferry operator CalMac appoints a Wildlife Officer

Caledonian MacBrayne (Scottish Gaelic: Caledonian Mac a' Bhriuthainn), usually referred to as CalMac, operates passenger and vehicle ferries, and ferry services, between the mainland of Scotland and 22 of the major islands on Scotland's west coast. Now CalMac has seconded a full time ORCA Wildlife Officer to help educate crew and passengers about marine life across the west coast of Scotland. 

Lost teddy bear makes it 200 miles back home from Edinburgh to Orkney

Four year old Summer lost her teddy bear at Edinburgh Airport on Monday. So her mother Donna posted a plea on Facebook to help find the lost teddy. Scottish regional airline Loganair cabin crew member Kirsty Walter saw the appeal and came to the rescue and a search was organised. There were rumours that the teddy was seen lurking around the fine Scottish whisky section of Edinburgh Airport duty free shop. In any event the missing bear was found and was given star treatment by the airline on its flight home to Orkney in the Northern Isles of Scotland.

Scottish island of Barra raises the green and white Nordic cross flag

The Scottish island of Barra (Scottish Gaelic: Barraigh, Eilean Bharraigh), is an island in the Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar). The area of Barra is approximately 23 sq ml (60 square kilometres), 11 miles long and 6 miles wide. The main village is Castlebay (Bàgh a' Chaisteil). Now Barra has joined many other places in Scotland with its own flag. Although the island has used the the green and white Nordic cross for many years, now after a community campaign the flag of Barra has secured official recognition.

Statue of Irish writer and journalist Pádraic Ó Conaire unveiled in Galway

A bronze replica of a statue of Irish writer and journalist Pádraic Ó Conaire (28 February 1882 – 6 October 1928)  has been unveiled in Eyre Square, Galway (Irish: An Fhaiche Mhór, Gaillimh) in the west of Ireland.  Irish President Michael D Higgins performed the ceremony. The original statue, by sculptor Albert Power, was removed for preservation eleven years ago and the replica was made using original drawings by the sculptor and a caste from a mould of the existing statue, which is now located in Galway City Museum (Irish: Músaem Cathrach na Gaillimhe).

Cailleach the great Gaelic Goddess of Winter

In Gaelic mythology (Irish, Scottish and Manx) Cailleach is a creation goddess. She is commonly known as the Cailleach Bhéara and in Scotland also as Beira, Queen of Winter.  In partnership with the goddess Brìghde, they rule the seasons. Cailleach governs the winter months between Samhainn (1 November ) and Bealltainn (1 May), while Brìghde rules the summer months between Bealltainn and Samhainn. It is said that Cailleach carries a staff that freezes the ground.

Oireachtas Committee Issues Proposal to Strengthen Irish Medium Education

There is some good news for Gaelic for a change.

The Joint Committee on the Irish Language of the Oireachtas (Irish Republic Legislature) have called on the Minister of Education to give equal status to Gaelic in the procurement and distribution of school text books at all grade levels and in all subjects. If implemented this change will equalize funding for Irish and English. The result will be Gaelic language text books in all subjects available to all students.

Painting at Welsh castle found to be lost Murillo masterpiece

A painting at Penrhyn Castle, Llandygai, Bangor, in North Wales has been found to be a lost masterpiece by Spanish artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo (December 1617 – April 3, 1682). The painting is of Spanish writer Don Ortiz de Zuniga (1636 -  September 3, 1680 ) and has hung in the Welsh castle for 150 years. It was long thought to be a copy but has been verified by Spanish art scholar Benito Navarrete as an original work after he visited north Wales earlier this year.

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