Blogs

In a significant advance for the Welsh language the government has signaled a change in the direction of Welsh Medium education.  Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones along with Huw Lewis, Minister for Education and Skills, declared that a change is needed in the use of the Welsh tongue in the nations’ educational system.  Jones stated that the Celtic tongue needs to be made “…a part of pupil’s everyday lives rather than confined to specific lessons.”

If you fancy working off some of that Christmas turkey, then take a trip out to St John's on St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) and join in the traditional game of cammag for some fresh air and fun.

The game of cammag is considered to be an earlier form of hockey, and is recognised by its Celtic neighbours, where it is closely related to Irish hurling and camogie, Scottish shinty and Welsh bandy. The word itself is derived from the same root as camanachd - a word associated with a Scottish Gaelic stick and ball game.

The Royal Chapel at St John's was the venue for the official launch of this year's Christmas stamps, which feature the creative artwork of Julia Ashby Smyth.

Each of the five stamps focus on a specific Manx word and a religious emblem closely associated with the spiritual aspect of Christmas and the winter festival. The words and images in turn draw upon the history of the Manx Gaelic version of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, translated by the Bishop of Sodor and Man, John Phillips, in 1610.

 The Gaelic League (Conradh na Gaelige) is the main voluntary community organisation that promotes the Irish language in Ireland and abroad. The League’s primary objective is the reinstatement of the Irish language as the common tongue of Ireland.  Since its founding in 1893, members have been actively promoting Irish in every aspect of life in Ireland, from legal and educational affairs to the development of media and services through Irish.  Members of the Gaelic League are in the forefront of campaigns to strengthen the rights of the Irish speaking community.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Just weeks after we revealed the damage being wrought on fish stocks by so called monster trawlers off the West of Ireland a new EU deal has been reached, affecting the Irish Sea, which will cause even greater damage to fish stocks.

The Irish Wildlife Trust has expressed concern at the long term damage to the marine eco-system echoing comments we made about a month ago.

There’s an excellent report by Irish Times Marine correspondence Lorna Siggins at this link:

News From the The Australian Celtic Festival of Glen Inness.  See link below for additional information.

The Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, Northern NSW is unique for its colour, spectacle and range of entertainment and history. An opportunity to meet with friends and experience our country hospitality.

The 2016 Australian Celtic Festival will honour the Isle of Man.

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

It’s nice to stay in touch at Xmas even if the people you are staying in touch with can be – well a little rude!

Celtic League deals with all sorts of people from local Councils, Ministers to Prime Ministers and a plethora of agencies and bodies. Invariably you always get a very full response or at the very least an acknowledgement. We always try to be nice in return! I mean we even got a ‘positive’ response when we asked the CIA to change an entry in their (Isle of Man) country yearbook some years ago!

NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE

Some one forwarded a link to the ‘Ten most Radioactive Places on Earth’ and of course right up there on the list of shame is Seallafield. Here’s a quote from the site:

http://climateviewer.com/…/10-most-radioactive-places-on…/5/