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An ornate prayer book that once belonged to Mary Stuart (Mary Queen of Scots) is to be auctioned at Christie’s in London in July of this year. The manuscript contains 40 exquisite paintings. It also includes a short verse written by Mary in French to her great-aunt and includes her monogram and motto. The prayer book was made for Mary’s great-aunt, Louise de Bourbon-Vendôme. She was Abbess of the The Royal Abbey of Our Lady of Fontevraud in the 1530s. It is believed that she gave it to Mary around the time of the reign of Mary’s first husband, King Francis II of France.

Archaeologists in north-western Spain believe they have discovered the burial place of 16th century Irish chieftain known as Red Hugh O’Donnell (30 October 1572 – 10 September 1602). Hugh Roe O'Donnell (Irish: Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill) was a ruler of Tyrconnell. Tyrconnell (Irish Gaelic: Tir Chonaill) was an independent Gaelic state in Ireland. Red Hugh and his father-in-law Hugh O’Neill fought the Nine Years’ War against the English and sought aid from Spain.

In normal times the most famous motorcycle race meeting in the world, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, would have been about to begin. However, as we are only to well aware, we in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result the Council of Ministers, which is the highest level decision making body within the Isle of Man Government, had some time ago taken the decision to cancel the 2020 Isle of Man TT Races which were due to take place between 30th May and 13th June. 

Planet Earth has five great oceans and 113 seas. They represent 72 percent of the surface of the globe. More then ever before people are becoming increasingly concerned about marine pollution. People have a special relationship with the sea and sea creatures. It has been the inspiration for poems, speeches and all kinds of philosophical thoughts and self-analysis. Perhaps not least because when we think of the sea and look at the ocean we are being drawn back from whence we came. 

The Office of the Irish Language Commissioner (An Coimisinéir Teanga) has charged the Kerry County Council with failure to take action to protect Gaelic in the Kerry Gaeltacht from the ill effects of property development. The Council failed to ensure compliance with statute attached to planning permission for a housing development in the West Kerry Gaeltacht. Dingle is the largest town in the area.

Media Release from Culture Vannin:

Clare Kilgallon has been reappointed to the board of Culture Vannin

The hills and mountains of Scotland are beautiful. The lure of Scotland's upland areas for hillwalkers, climbers, snowsports enthusiasts and those that love the outdoors is very strong. So it is clear that the present constrictions in place due to the coronavirus pandemic is a disappointment to many. However, the reasons are clear and the adherence to the advice given by the Scottish government is demonstrated by the fact that this is the longest period in almost 20 years without a mountain rescue incident.

The fate of the Spanish Armada of 1588 is well known. A fleet of 130 ships with approximately 30,000 men on board had sailed from Corunna in Galicia in late May 1588, under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. Their aim was to escort an army from the Spanish Netherlands to invade England. The invasion was defeated in a naval battle and the remaining ships of the Armada were forced to retreat north to attempt to round the northern coast of Scotland and so make it back to Spain.

Historians, Archeologists and Scientists have teamed up under the aegis of the European Research Council to work on the Food Cult Project. Hosted by the Trinity College Dublin School of Histories and Humanities, the objective is to figure out what was on the table in Donegal, Mayo and Galway in 1635.

For some weeks now the liberal left have pointed to New Zealand as the perfect example of how to tackle the threat of the Crononavisrus pandemic. In doing this it is often used, understandably given the incompetence of some governments, as a way to attack an administration they do not agree with. In doing so they have found a new poster girl for their cause, namely Jacinda Ardern Prime Minister of New Zealand. However, people should be careful of what they wish for.