Blogs

As reported in the Donegal News, members of the Letterkenney music school "Ceol na Ciolle" are hosting the "Cairngorms Ceildh Trail" student music group based in the Cairgorms National Park region of the Scottish Highlands.

The University of Wales Centre for advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies in Aberystwyth has received a grant to fund a three year project to investigate the origins of the Celts. The focus of the study will be to investigate the "Archeological background of the emergence of the Celtic languages in Western Europe".

The 9th Annual Celtic Beltane Festival, takes place in New Franklin, Ohio on 18th May. This exciting event has dancing, music and great family entertainment. Details are as below:

On Sunday, April 28th, 2013 at the 14th annual Newport Beach Film Festival there will be an evening celebration of Celtic cinema and culture. The festival will present its Irish Spotlight that will feature the world premiere of the Irish film the O'Briens. The event will be followed by a reception.

The independent feature film is set in the west of Ireland where a family return to their home town. Two years after the death of his wife a father calls his two sons (Liam McMahon & Emmett Hughes) and daughter (Slaine Kelly) home where he has important news for them . The comedy looks at the dilemmas faced by each family member as they return home. Emmett Hughes and Slaine Kelly co-wrote the script for the film.

The proprietors of Stonehenge are seeking a General Manager whose duties will include "Liaising with Druid Leaders". According to the Daily Telegraph's  report, the General Manager's duties will include "..maintaining relations with Druid leaders such as King Arthur Pendragon..". 

Today 17 April 2013 the funeral of ex-British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was held. She was seen as a very 'English' Prime Minister who did not receive the level of support in Celtic areas that she gained in certain parts of England. In Scotland she appeared out of step with public opinion and is associated with industrial decline, the poll tax and also a failure to understand the desire by the Scottish people to gain more autonomy. Many would say it was the experience of the Thatcher governments that encouraged many doubters in Scotland to seek self-government.

In recent weeks, reports have emerged of seemingly aggressive moves to derail the 'Yes' Campaign for independence for Scotland. Pro-independence websites have apparently been closed down and bloggers allegedly faced intimidation. There are very serious issues at stake for Scotland and any moves to stifle debate that, for whatever reason, appear linked to the pro-union campaign, will do them no favours.

In a blistering attack on other political parties Mebyon Kernow has launched its 2013 Election Manifesto. The document entitled 'Putting Cornwall First' accuses the coalition United Kingdom Government of ignoring the needs of Cornwall and pursuing policies that are detrimental to Cornish people.

Late March 2013 has seen the Isle of Man experiencing some of the heaviest snowfalls since the early 1960s. The cohesive Manx community have rallied around to support Manx farmers who are facing catastrophic livestock losses. The severe weather conditions have also hit the south of Scotland and north of Ireland.

As part of the effort to raise funds for the Isle of Man Agricultural Benevolent Trust, Manx Music Trio 'Barrule' are releasing a track early from their forthcoming album. The track is poignantly entitled 'Ny Kirree fo Niaghtey' (The Sheep Under The Snow).

Wales achieved a stunning 30 - 03 victory over England in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on Saturday 16th March and were crowned champions. Their successful championship defence was achieved after a staggering performance. A rampant Wales dominated the match to deny England a Grand Slam in the six nations rugby championship.