Celtic Culture & heritage

Kernow, a land apart - Kernow, tyr dyberthys

Submitted by Myghal Map Serpren on March 25, 2015 - 8:58pm

St Piran's Day 2015, Redruth

Yth eson-ny an le-ma.(1)

The Cornish and Welsh are the oldest peoples on this island and as a proud Welshman I look forward to seeing Saint Piran’s flag flying with extra Celtic pride on March 5 next year.

-Stephen Williams MP Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at Westminster, 24th April, 2014 on the announcement of formal recognition of the Cornish.

Having recently witnessed some 6,000 people process through the streets of Falmouth in Cornwall in memory of a much respected local beat police officer, PC Andy Hocking, who suddenly and tragically died aged 52, it has become increasingly apparent that Cornwall is a very special place. The procession ended with the singing of that ever popular Cornish anthem 'Trelawny' written as 'The Song of the Western Men' in 1824 by the Reverend R.S. Hawker. I don't suppose many other places in the British Isles would see such a thing. They certainly would not have sung this song.  Andy was a local man and a fine Cornishman. The singing of what has become widely recognised as the Cornish National Anthem was entirely appropriate.

Interview with Peter Berresford Ellis

Submitted by Transceltic team on February 22, 2015 - 5:00pm

By popular demand we have re-featured this exclusive interview with Peter Berresford Ellis, originally published on January 29, 2013.

Transceltic are delighted to interview Peter Berresford Ellis, the well renowed Celtic historian and author of the international bestselling Sister Fidelma historical mysteries under his pseudonym of Peter Tremayne. We put the following questions to Peter:

Peter Berresford Ellis

1. How do you see the future of the Celtic languages?

In spite of the achievements of the last decades, there is no room for complacency when examining the current situation and looking to the future. Coming from the 1960s perspective when Welshmen and women were going to jail in their campaign to gain status for Welsh; when the Cornish who proclaimed their Celticity were sneered at as fantasists dreaming of the second coming of King Arthur; when Scottish Gaelic speakers could not even register their children in the language … well – times have moved on. Since the 1960s there has been some legal recognition given to the Celtic languages and through this there is a more widespread knowledge of the languages and their historic, cultural and social value. But the fact remains, they are still endangered languages. Look at recent Census figures for Welsh as an example. There is no easy acceptable programme to ensure their salvation.  It comes down to hard work – we must publicise, educate and encourage. There is a pithy saying in each of the six Celtic languages – no language, no nation!

2.  What do you see as the future of the Pan Celtic movement?

Pan Celticism has its roots in the history of the Celtic peoples – links that can be identified even if, at the time, they were not articulated as a common identity. Remember how the Romans were aware of this? They asked the Celts of southern Gaul to contact the Celts of Galatia (modern central Turkey) to persuade them not to support Hannibal. But as a specific cultural movement linking the different Celtic peoples, this did not start until the 19th Century and (ironically) in the wake of the publication of a book by the Breton language poet Charles de Gaulle (1837-1880) the uncle of General de Gaulle.

Let's Rally to Save The Planet - Why It's Central to Our Celtic Soul

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on February 15, 2015 - 4:18pm

Raad ny Foillan, Mannin / Isle of Man

Numerous individuals and organisations around the world seek to protect nature and also alert the world to the grave environmental threats facing the planet. Protecting and caring for land, sea and freshwater environments has never been more important. This is a subject that applies wherever you live; and particularly for the Celtic peoples and those of Celtic descent. Our landscape, seas and geographic location has played a pivotal role in our history, beliefs and recognition of ourselves. For our culture tells us that we are part of and completely tied to the lands in which we live and the sea that surrounds us. We Celts cannot but be responsible for the protection of nature and the environment. Our ancestors demand it of us and if you delve into your Celtic soul you will hear that deep voice that says ‘protect the environment’. Wherever it is in the world in which you live or work, listen to that voice within and act upon it.

Celtic fish

That need to act is crucial because we have now reached a critical point in this planet's existence. You just have to open your eyes to the changes in climate and the major problems resulting from population growth to realise this. Evidence continues to build and there are a number of studies that point to the issues involved. For example there is the 2014 Living Planet Report by the World Wildlife Fund in regard to wildlife populations having halved in the last 40 years. The report states that "the biggest recorded threat to biodiversity globally comes from the combined impacts of habitat loss and degradation, driven by unsustainable human consumption". Humans are also on the verge of causing unprecedented damage to the oceans. This is according to a Study recently published in the journal Science. In regard to temperature changes a Center for Economic and Policy Research report warns that "an additional 1 per cent point of population growth through 2100 may coincide with an additional 2 degrees Fahrenheit in temperature". Global greenhouse gas emissions are also set to hit record levels in the coming period.

Dydd santes dwynwen hapus - Happy St Dwynwen’s Day

Submitted by Mair Williams on January 22, 2015 - 8:16pm

St Dwynwen's Church

St Dwynwen’s Day (Welsh: Dydd Santes Dwynwen) falls on 25th January every year. People all over Wales celebrate St Dwynwen's Day, the Welsh patron saint of lovers. St Dwynwen is the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine. Dwynwen - whose names translates to "she who leads a blessed life" - still enjoys great popularity throughout Wales, particularly in her home of Anglesey (Welsh: Ynys Môn). Whilst the date is not widely known outside of Wales it has become increasingly popular in recent times. In Wales special events commemorating St Dwynwen’s day are held. Dydd santes dwynwen hapus (Happy St Dwynwen’s Day) to everyone celebrating on this special date.

It was said Dwynwen was the prettiest of Welsh King Brychan Brycheiniog's twenty-four daughters. Her father had arranged for her to marry, but she fell in love with another man; a prince named Maelon Dafodrill. Dwynwen knew she had to follow her father’s wishes and though it broke her heart prayed to God and asked for help to forget Maelon. She was visited by an angel as she slept who gave her a potion to erase her memory of feelings for Maelon and turn him into a block of ice.

Up Helly Aa 2015. A celebration of Shetland’s Viking Heritage

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on January 14, 2015 - 8:03pm

Burning Viking Ship

Shetland (Scottish Gaelic: Sealtainn), also called the Shetland Islands, lie to the north-east of Scotland. The islands are some 50 miles (80 km) to the northeast of Orkney and 170 miles (280 km) southeast of the Faroe Islands forming part of the division between the Atlantic Ocean to the west and the North Sea to the east. This is also where Scotland meets Scandinavia.

In 2000/2001 DNA sampling  in Shetland and Orkney people were found to have a strong Viking genetic heritage with 60 per cent of the male population having DNA of Norwegian origin. The remainder of the area’s population was identified as similar to the Ancient Britons, with no evidence of Anglo-Saxon or Danish influences. It is also a place of great beauty where of the more than one hundred islands just 15 of them are inhabited; it is a noted haven for wildlife.

In Lerwick, the capital of Scotland's Shetland Islands, a fire festival named Up Helly Aa is held every January. Other smaller such festivals are also held on other parts of the Shetland Islands.

Illiam Dhône Commemoration 2015 - Mannin (Isle of Man)

Submitted by Mair Williams on January 4, 2015 - 8:16pm

Illiam Dhone

This years Illiam Dhône commemoration took place on 2nd January 2015. It was close to the location of Hango Hill that Manx National hero Illiam Dhône was shot on 2nd January 1663. Hango Hill is also possibly a prehistoric burial site with an artificial mound. Its name comes from the Norse 'Hanga-Haugr', meaning Gallows Hill. Illiam Dhône (14 April 1608 - 02 January 1663) was a Manx nationalist and politician, who was executed by firing squad at Hango Hill in the Isle of Man on 2nd January 1663 for his part in the Manx Rising of 1651. The name Illiam Dhône means "Brown William" in English, a name that was given to him because of his hair colour. His name in English was William Christian. Illiam Dhône was appointed Receiver General of the Isle of Man in 1648.

This years event was held on a very bright and cold winters day. The days proceedings were introduced by Bernard Moffatt, Director of Information for The Celtic League. The oration in Manx Gaelic was given by Cesar Joughin. Cesar is the son of well known Manx musicians Greg and Hilary Joughin. The oration in English was given by Alastair Kneale, President of Yn Cheshaght Vanninagh Lunnin (London Manx Society) and Transceltic.com contributor. Mark Kermode of Mec Vannin (the Manx nationalist party) talked of the need for the Manx government to change course from the programme of austerity which they have followed for a number of years now and to act in the best interests of ordinary Manx people.

Dark deeds and death at Carrowntryla House

Submitted by Ciaran De Búrca on December 3, 2014 - 9:45pm

Carrowntryla House

Dunmore (Irish: Dún Mór) is a village in the north of County Galway (Contae na Gaillimhe). It is the place where I grew up, on a farm that is on land that was once part of the Carrowntryla estate. Carrowntryla House was one of the ‘Big Houses’ in the area. The house was originally owned by the Catholic Burke family, who supported King James II at Aughrim. The Battle of Aughrim (Irish: Cath Eachroma) was one of the last and bloodiest battles on Irish soil. The protagonists were the army of King James II and the army of King William III. The deposed Catholic King James II fled to France in 1688 but sought to regain the throne. In 1689 this War of the Two Kings, or Cogadh an Da Ri moved to Ireland when James landed in Kinsale, County Cork. Two years later, an estimated forty five thousand soldiers from eight European nations fought a battle at Aughrim, at the end of the day of 12 July 1691 nine thousand, predominantly Irish, soldiers were killed. James’s army had to retreat. The name of the battle is taken from the nearby village of Aughrim (Irish: Eachroim) in County Galway. These events ultimately led in 1753 to the Burke’s having to sell and the house passed into the possession of the Protestant Henry family. Their only daughter, Anne married William Handcock, son of Reverend Elias Handcock of Cavan in 1802.

Kingdom of Galloway a Gaelic Stronghold

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on November 12, 2014 - 6:48pm

Threave Castle

Dumfries and Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Phrìs is Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) is a unitary council area in south-west Scotland. It is an area known for its natural beauty made up of forests, coastline, shores, hills, estuaries and winding rivers all with an abundance of wildlife. It has Scotland’s most southerly point, the Mull of Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: Maol nan Gal), from which can be seen clear views of the nations of Ireland and Isle of Man. The part of Dumfries and Galloway that is Galloway (Scottish Gaelic: an Gall-Ghaidhealaibh) is now made up the the historic counties of Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and Wigtownshire. The area  has a rich history and the remains of prehistoric monuments and carvings can be found, including the Drumtroddan Cup and Ring Carvings, Drumtroddan Standing Stones and neolithic chambered cairn of Cairnholy. It also has some  place-names derived from the Brythonic Celtic language and links to the Pictish people.

Kingdom of Galloway

At one time it was known as the Kingdom of Galloway. A Kingdom which at periods covered a much larger area than the present area that we know as Galloway. Including parts of southern Ayrshire (Scottish Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), Carrick (Scottish Gaelic: A' Charraig), Nithsdale (Scottish Gaelic: Strath Nid), The Stewartry of Kirkcudbright (Scottish Gaelic: Cille Chuithbeirt), Nithsdale; Scottish (Gaelic: Srath Nid) and beyond. The Gaelic origins of the name of Galloway gives an indication of the influence of Norse-Gaels (people of Gaelic and Scandinavian origin). As such, for a significant period it was associated with the other Norse-Gael lands of the Hebrides, Isle of Man, Dublin and the Kingdom of Man and the Isles.

The Thing Sites: A Norse - Celtic trail

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on October 15, 2014 - 7:55pm

Thing

A Thing or þing in Old Norse and Icelandic was the form of governing assembly found in the Scandinavian world that was also introduced into some Celtic societies. It is an assembly of the free men of a country or province and is located in specific sites identified for that purpose. At ‘the thing’, decisions were made  and disputes settled. Although presided over by a king or chieftain in theory it was a democratic assembly in that each person had a vote. The decisions made were recited by the speaker to everyone at the thing. Probably the most famous thing site in existence today is the Manx Tynwald (Manx Gaelic: Tinvaal) said to be the oldest continuous parliament in the world. The name Tynwald is derived from the Old Norse word Þingvǫllr,meaning the field of the thing.

Redruth Cornish Language Group Library Collection Boosted by Grant

Submitted by Myghal Map Serpren on October 2, 2014 - 8:15pm

Redruth Cornish Language Group Library Collection

Redruth Cornish Language Group Library Collection continues to thrive after another generous donation from the Redruth Charity Trust.

This grant will enable the group to purchase some more of the new books which are being published on a regular basis as the cost of books is prohibitive. In addition to new books, the group are constantly searching second hand book stores and even auctions for the sometimes rarer editions to add to their shelves.

The Group has been lucky in that some books have been donated from deceased persons’ estates and with the current contribution of money the number of their books will have risen to a figure in excess of 240 volumes.

Perhaps the public are unaware of the uniqueness of this library, its availability to the general public as a reference library, and the increasing use made by the public of this growing resource. The books managed are of three main types, and firstly these are the technical teaching books, dictionaries, grammars and detailed text books.

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