Blogs

'Ireland 2023 will capture the imagination of the world. We promise to stage a Rugby World Cup full of Irish spirit and commercial success, that will help drive rugby's global momentum.'  This is the promise on the official site for Ireland's 2023 Rugby World Cup Bid, which also has information on the Bid Team, Venues and the Bid itself.

The below letter has been sent to Cornwall Council. Oversight of Heritage matters in Cornwall has been devolved by the Westminster Government to Cornwall Council and a stakeholding body was suggested from the outset of that announcement.

Re: Heritage Kernow

I was one of the stakeholders who attended the Heritage Kernow meeting last autumn. I was to have attended its follow-up a few months ago, but that was postponed for an unspecified reason, and we've all been waiting to hear of the rearranged date ever since. We still haven't been advised of this.

The 1851 oil-on-canvas painting of a red deer stag The Monarch of the Glen by Edwin Landseer has been described as encapsulating the majesty of Scotland’s highlands and wildlife. The painting is Landseer's best known work and depicts a ‘royal’ or twelve point stag, which is a reference to the number of points on its antlers.  The setting is said to have been in Glen Affric (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Afraig), which is amongst the most beautiful in Scotland and located within the Highlands National Nature Reserve.

The International Isle of Man TT continues. Today (5th June) Michael Dunlop, from Ballymoney in Ireland rode his MD Racing Carl Cox Yamaha to his 14th TT victory when he won the Supersport TT Race 1.  James Hillier came in second on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki with Peter Hickman securing third place riding the Smiths Trooper Triumph. 

The International Isle of Man TT (Tourist Trophy) Race is underway on the Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic: Mannin). The TT was first held on the Island in 1907 with the now world famous Snaefell  Mountain Course first used in 1911. The 37¾ mile course rises to 1,385ft (422 metres) above sea level at its highest. Yesterday June 4th) the Superbike race was won by Tyco BMW rider Ian Hutchinson, five seconds ahead of Peter Hickman, while Dean Harrison on a Kawasaki was third.

Saint Columba (Irish: Colm Cille) was born on the 7 December 521 near Lough Gartan, which was part of Tyrconnell and now in modern County Donegal, in Ireland. Columba's father was Fedlimid and his mother Eithne of the Cenel Conaill. He was the great-great-grandson of Niall Noígíallach, Irish high king who reigned in the late 4th and early 5 centuries, and ancestor of the Uí Néill family who were dominant in Ireland from the 6th to the 10th century.

A selection of artefacts from a Viking treasure hoard uncovered in Galloway is to go on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh next month. Around 70 items from the Galloway Hoard will be able to be seen for the first time in an exhibition from 16 June to 1 October. Metal detectorist Derek McLennan, from Ayrshire, discovered the haul of Viking treasure in Galloway in 2014, after it had been buried for safekeeping 1,000 years ago. The value of the treasure runs to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Today (30 May 2017) the Scottish National Party (SNP) launched their manifesto for the 2017 UK General Election which takes place on June 8th. Some 1,400 people gathered in Perth for the launch of the manifesto 'Stronger For Scotland'. In it they set out their plan to end austerity, strengthen Scotland’s hand in Brexit negotiations and ensure the right for Scottish people to choose their own future. Leader of the SNP Nicola Sturgeon stated that now, more than ever, it is vital to have strong SNP voices standing up for Scotland.

Local traditional music group Croan yn Tead recently hosted a very successful visit by The Lissenhall Harp Ensemble from Ireland who journeyed to the Island from Dublin.

Both groups joined forces to rehearse their joint sets at the Mitre Hotel in Ramsey in preparation for their forthcoming concert, but managed to fit in a visit to the House of Manannan in Peel. After their brief sojourn in the west everyone returned to the Mitre in Ramsey for a mighty music session, with more than thirty musicians from both groups taking advantage of the weekly Irish music session.

Hay-on-Wye (Welsh: Y Gelli Gandryll), is a small market town and community in Powys, Wales. Since 1988, it has been home to a literary festival, which draws thousands of visitors over ten days at the beginning of June. The scope of the festival has expanded over the years to include musical performances and film previews. Hay Festival Wales is taking place now until 4 June. In describing the event the organisers state: