Blogs

“Public support for the language (Scots Gaelic) in terms of government financing, institutional provision and favourable attitudes among the Scottish population has never been greater…” - Professor Wilson McLeod

For those seeking a sober measured assessment of the state of Scots Gaelic, it is certainly worth a visit to the website “Scribd” (linked below) for a look at “ Gaelic in Contemporary Scotland: Contradictions, Challenges and Strategies”, by Wilson McLeod.   Professor McLeod has since early 2013 been the Edinburgh University’s Chair in Gaelic.

As reported on WalesOnline all four main political parties in Wales have pledged to adopt Welsh internet domain brands. Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats will switch their web domains to .cymru.wales when they become available later this year. 

For anyone that has not seen the “Wee Blue Book” by the superb website Wings Over Scotland here is the link. It makes a clear and concise argument for a positive Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence. It demolishes the many half-truths and inaccuracies of the No campaign which is supported by the overwhelming majority of the media. The “Wee Blue Book” sets out to give the case in support of independence for Scotland. The demand for the download is overwhelming.

The success of the Milwaukee Irish Fest since its founding in 1981 is not letting up.  Organisers are expecting to build on last year’s record attendance with the 2014 “Scotland Music Showcase”.  This major festival has seen such success since its founding that the organisation has established permanent institutions, such as the "Irish Fest Centre" and the “Ward Irish Music Archives”.

This year’s 2014 Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival has been another resounding success. Artists and performers gathered in Lorient (Breton: An Oriant) in Brittany (Breizh) from all over the Celtic world. 750,000 spectators attended the ten day event which concluded on 10th August. 60,000 people came to see the parade of Celtic nations and millions watched the event on television. This year was the year of Ireland with great displays by Irish musicians and dancers.

At the moment there is a barrage of publicity given by the London based media to any celebrity who happens to oppose Scottish independence. However, the message to Scotland from many people in other parts of the United Kingdom and beyond is Vote Yes Scotland. As reported in the Daily Wales Gwynedd Council has voted to support the campaign for Scottish independence. Gwynedd is an area in north-west Wales.

S4C (Sianel Pedwar Cymru) is a Welsh language public-service television broadcaster in Wales. It is aimed at a specifically Welsh speaking audience. At the Welsh National Eisteddfod, which is taking place this week, it has announced new programmes aimed at learners of the Welsh language and those seeking to improve their language skills. The title of the programmes will be Dal Ati (Go for it) and will start being broadcast from September 28.

The phenomenally successful Lorient Inter-Celtic Festival will burst into life at the beginning of this month to entertain an audience of almost one million people, with an increased Manx presence and the ever popular Manx pavilion ready to welcome those who pour into the port of Lorient, Brittany.

Billed as Europe's largest Celtic festival, with 200 events and 5,000 performers, it's a ten day extravaganza which gives the Isle of Man a perfect opportunity to promote both cultural and business opportunities in a vibrant setting of music, song and dance.

A unique exhibition made a short stop-over in Peel earlier this summer as part of an exciting journey christened The Thing Trail 2014.

The exhibition, which was housed on a converted Norwegian fishing boat, MS Nybakk Venner, attracted a large number of visitors interested to learn more about their mission and why they were visiting the Isle of Man.

The Great War lasted four years 1914-18 (Manx: Va'n Caggey Mooar ayn rish kiare blein 1914-18).