Blogs

An internationally significant find of Viking Age artefacts were declared as Treasure by the appropriate authority in the Isle of Man (Manx Gaelic: Mannin) today (February 18th 2021). They were discovered in late 2020 by metal detectorist Kath Giles whilst metal detecting on private land. The Treasure is of international significance and consists of a gold arm-ring, a massive silver brooch, at least one silver armband and other associated finds. They were buried around AD 950. 

Rhuddlan in the county of Denbighshire (Welsh: Sir Ddinbych) is in the north-east of Wales (Cymru). Rhuddlan has the highest concentration of Mesolithic sites in Wales. The Mesolithic period of pre-history, sometimes called the middle stone age is dated between 9,600 and 4,000 BC. An archaeological dig, carried out in October 2020, at a site designated for development on Castle Hill, Rhuddlan, has uncovered a 9,000 year old site with more than 300 stone age tools and artefacts.

This month, February, marks the birth of Constance Markievicz (4th February 1868 – 15 July 1927). Constance Markievicz was a staunch Irish Republican who was to play an integral role in the birth of modern Ireland. Born Constance Gore-Booth in Lissadell, Co. Sligo on February 4, 1868. Her early life was typical of many young women from a wealthy Anglo-Irish background at that time. Constance studied art in London and Paris. In France, she met her Polish husband, Count Markievicz. They married in 1901 and had a child in Dublin.

Orkney (Scottish Gaelic: Arcaibh. Old Norse: Orkneyjar. Norn: Orknøjar) is an archipelago made up of 70 islands, 20 of which are inhabited, that lie 10 miles (16 km) from the coast of Caithness (Scottish Gaelic: Gallaibh) in northern Scotland. The islands have been inhabited for at least 8,500 years. There are a number of world famous prehistoric sits on the islands.

The Massacre of Glencoe (Scottish Gaelic Mort Ghlinne Comhann) took place early in the morning of 13 February 1692. One of the most beautiful places in Scotland Glen Coe (Scottish Gaelic: Gleann Comhann) takes its name from the River Coe that winds and tumbles its way through the glen. It is hard for those who visit this area of great beauty today to think that it was the site of such a treacherous act of murder and brutality against the Clan MacDonald of Glencoe.

Media release from Jeebin, Manx Language Network via Culture Vannin.

A celebration of the Manx language and its sister Gaelic languages planned for June and July 2021

A sculpture of a woman and child looking forlornly out to see stands in the Scottish fishing village of Pittenweem (Scottish Gaelic: Baile na h-Uaimh). Created by sculptor Alan Herriot it bears the inscription: “The memorial is dedicated to the men and women who make their living from the sea and to those who have lost their lives in doing so.” The sculpture was unveiled in 2019  after a fundraising drive by the Pittenweem Fishermen’s Memorial Association. 

A documentary is due to be aired soon about the search for lost treasure from the Jacobite rising of 1745. The programme relates to the story of the gold being carried in Bonnie Prince Charlie’s ship The Hazard, or as it had been renamed Le Prince Charles Stuart. It was sent by King Louis XV of France to aid the Jacobite cause. Along with 160 men and some supplies, gold coins to the value of £13,000 were onboard the vessel, which translates to over £1.5 million in today’s money.

Loch Arkaig (Scottish Gaelic: Loch Airceig) is in Lochaber, Scotland, to the west of the Great Glen (Scottish Gaelic: An Gleann Mòr). It is a freshwater loch and approximately 12 miles (19 km) in length and a maximum depth of about 300 feet (91 m). At the eastern end of the loch are two small islands. The largest of which, Island Columbkill, is the site of a ruined chapel dedicated to St Columba which is the former burial ground of the Camerons of Locheil. 

We have received the following response from Natural England about the upset caused by that unelected Quasi-NGO on the Lizard where their response to the removal of a bench placed there by a local person in memory of her late husband many years ago was unacceptable and resulted in emotional hurt to the bench donor, Mrs Prince. Mrs Prince even offered to pay to put right the damage caused by Natural England and to have a new seat installed.