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Sinn Féin, the Irish republican political party has accused Fianna Fáil of a U-turn and shifting back to the Fine Gael position on the issue of water charges. A report by an Oireachtas committee on domestic water charges has made its final recommendations after a number of last minute changes were made. The last-minute alterations included re-introducing a measure to install meters in all new builds and the inclusion of “excess use” levies. 

The First Minister is the only domestic politician with a positive approval rating in Scotland, according to a new poll. The Scottish sample found that 53% of respondents viewed Nicola Sturgeon’s performance above the rating of 50 out of 100, giving the SNP leader an +11% net approval rating. The poll by Tory peer Lord Ashcroft asked respondents to rate politicians from one-100, with zero meaning “terrible” and 100 equalling “excellent”. Respondents north of the border placed Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson well below 50 out of 100 with a rating of -21%.

Josephine Kermode (18 September 1852 - 15 February 1937) was a Manx poet and playwright better known by the pen name "Cushag". Cushag was a name that she was known within her family. The Cushag, is the national flower of the Isle of Man and is also known as Ragwort. According to legend, King Orry who was the Norse-Gaelic ruler Godred Crovan (died 1095), chose as his emblem the cushag flower.

The Royal Coat of arms of Scotland was the official coat of arms of the King of Scots from its adoption in the 12th century. Two unicorns are featured on the coat of arms and in heraldry this legendary animal is best known as the symbol of Scotland. In Celtic mythology, the Unicorn of Scotland is said to symbolise bravery, innocence, purity, healing powers, pride, intelligence, joy and virility. 

News from the Celtic League:

I wrote about the Siege of Jadotville when an Irish Army UN Force of a few hundred men held of an attacking force of several thousand supported by aircraft in the Congo during the Defence Forces first (of many) UN peacekeeping deployments in 1961.

I came across this report recently which was written last year in the Derry Journal and gives a quite detailed account of the action and the involvement of a local man from the City, John MacAnaney

Oireachtas is the National Parliament of Ireland. A committee of the Oireachtas has been looking into the issue of water charges. Raising money from water charges was a condition imposed on Ireland by the EU-IMF-ECB troika as part of the country's bailout in 2010 after the economic crisis. The introduction of such charges as an austerity measure was very unpopular. It led to nationwide protests, the prevention of contractors installing water meters and the boycott of paying charges. The scale of opposition made it obvious that these charges could not be implemented.

A study by the World Economic Forum has ranked Ireland third out of 136 in the world for the effectiveness of its marketing and branding to attract tourists. The index forms part of the biennial Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report and shows that Ireland has moved from number five in the world, when the index was last compiled in 2015, to number three. Placing them ahead of countries including Spain, the UK, the US, Australia and France.

News from Kernow Matters To Us:

At the suggestion of the police, two members of the KMTU steering group, met with two representatives of the Devon & Cornwall force from 7.30pm Friday 7th April, 2017 in the organisation's meeting room in Redruth.

The main topic of discussion was racist and hate comments directed at members of the Cornish National Minority.

The Celtic Media Festival, is an annual three-day celebration of broadcasting and film from Alba (Scotland), Éire (Ireland), Cymru (Wales), Mannin (Isle of Man), Kernow (Cornwall) and Breizh (Brittany).  The festival aims to promote the languages and cultures of the Celtic nations in film, television, radio and new media. The festival has existed for nearly forty years and hosted in turn in different of the Celtic nations. This years event is being held on Mannin (Isle of Man) on the 3 - 5 May. The Torc Awards are presented to the winners in various categories.

Bannockburn House, which was built in the 17th century, has been said by some to retain the haunting presence of Bonnie Prince Charlie. Prince Charles Edward Stuart, (31 December 1720 – 31 January 1788) The Young Pretender, affectionately known as Bonnie Prince Charlie was the grandson of James VII of Scotland and had led the second Jacobite Uprising of 1745 to overthrow King George II. He spent time in Bannockburn House, near Stirling, in 1745 when gathering support for the Jacobite cause.