Blogs

News from the Celtic League:

An analysis conducted by the Irish Language Commissioner has made scathing criticism of many Government departments, local authorities and State agencies for completely ignoring their obligations to the Irish language.

Report here in the Irish Times:

An Garda Síochána, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí is the police force of Ireland. For many years the Garda Síochána has faced allegations of corrupt and dishonest policing. There has been a history of the mishandling of investigations. This included the past failure of the Garda Síochána to protect victims of child abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese. Involving the church sexual abuse scandal in Ireland which revealed inappropriate relationships and contacts between Gardaí and the Dublin Archdiocese.

Based on a blog posting of Septemebr 17, 2016:

I believe a case could be made for a form of union between the republic, an independent Northern Ireland and an independent Scotland, a union which could be of benefit to the approximately 12 million people concerned. - Retired Colonel Dorcha Lee

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has signed a joint agreement with the governor of California, Jerry Brown committing them to work together on climate change. They met for talks in Sacramento during a five-day visit to the United States that the First Minister is undertaking. World Wildlife Fund's US senior vice president of climate change and energy, Lou Leonard, said:

There is no shortage of superstitions on the Isle of Man. One of them is that if you are Manx, you do not use the word - RAT (I am touching wood as I write this)! People from the Isle of Man are deeply superstitious about using the three-letter "r" word for vermin. I am the same and like any self-respecting Manxman I use other terms, such as the native Gaelic word "roddan", or maybe "longtail" and "ringie". The origins of the superstition are not clear, but many think it began with fishermen and their loathing of the animal.

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, is undertaking a five-day visit to the United States. She has been invited to give a speech at Stanford University during her trip on Scotland's place in the world. The first minister also has a meeting scheduled with Governor of California Jerry Brown to discuss climate change. This has been welcomed by environmentalists.

Described as a unique celebration of Cape Breton’s living Celtic culture, the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia has announced a commitment of $375,000 C$ over the next three years to the International Celtic Colours Festival.

The Fettercairn Jewel has been described as a rare and outstanding piece of Scottish Renaissance jewellery. Now the 16th Century Scottish jewel has been bought at auction at Sotheby’s by National Museums Scotland (NMS) for more than £200,000 and its future in Scotland has been secured. David Forsyth, principal curator of the Scottish history and archaeology department at National Museums Scotland said: "The purchase of this piece will significantly enhance the national collections and present new insights into the magnificence of the Renaissance in Scotland."

The Scottish regional airline Loganair has 29 destinations including the to the Hebrides, Orkneys, Republic of Ireland and Norway. Now the airline has announced that it will be starting direct flights between the Isle of Man and the Scottish capital Edinburgh in May.  Managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: "Our new Edinburgh service will provide much-needed weekend flights between Scotland and the island." The new service between the two Celtic nations will operate up to four flights each week during the summer and two throughout the winter season.

Orkney (Scottish Gaelic: Arcaibh) is an archipelago situated off the north coast of Scotland. Wind and marine energy resources are of growing importance, and the island generates more than its total yearly electricity demand using renewables. Renewable energy is energy collected from renewable resources, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal heat.