Transceltic team's blog

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.

Michael Chappell has kindly sent us some photographs and a report on the St. Piran's Day celebrations that took place in Redruth, Cornwall on Saturday 2nd March 2013.

Saturday 2nd March, 2013 saw Redruth celebrate Cornwall's adopted Patron and the Patron Saint of Tinners, Piran in fine fashion.

St. Piran's Day is actually on the 5th March annually but the organising committee in Redruth, the World Capital of Cornish Tin Mining, set the celebration for the town on the preceding Saturday.

The day saw thousands take to the streets of the town waving the now familiar flag of Cornwall to commemorate the arrival of the Irish Saint in the Fifth Century bringing not only Christianity but also according to legend, discovering tin at the same time.

Agan Tavas announces the new Pewas Perghyryn Lyenyeth Kerneweck award for literature. The award, which was announced at the Agan Tavas AGM in Redruth, is in honour of Michael Palmer, who died in 2005 and who wrote short stories, novels and verse in the Cornish Language.  Agan Tavas is both a society for the protection and promotion of the Cornish language and a support group for the users of the Cornish language.

Agan Tavis Chairman Ray Chubb informed us that 'We are specifically looking for work that is publishable and therefore we want contributions of more than 2000 words.  It could be a piece of original prose e.g. short stories or a novel, or maybe a book of poems.  At the moment we are also considering the translation of literature into Cornish from other languages, a play in Cornish would also be acceptable.'

The homecoming year, known as 'The Gathering' is an invitation to those of Irish descent throughout the world to visit the land of their ancestors. After some years of economic strife the 2013 'Gathering' is seen as an opportunity for renewal in Ireland. The event is aimed at being a nationwide time of fun and celebration as well as giving a much needed boost to the economy by the millions in revenue and employment generated.

We've launched our own YouTube Channel. Search for "transceltic" on youtube.com and you'll find us. Alternative go there directly: www.youtube.com/user/transceltic

I stumbled across this superb rendition of Scotland the Brave the other day. I can't stop listening to it.

It makes me want to get back to Scotland.

To all our Manx friends, Happy St Maughold's Day on 27th April. St Maughold is the Patron Saint of the Isle of Man and his Feast Day is celebrated on 27th April each year.

Tradition has it that Saint Maughold Patron Saint of the Isle of Man was an Irish Prince, Macc Cuill. One legend is that he was leader of a band of thieves and converted to Christianity by Saint Patrick.