Celtic Recipes

Feast Day of Saint Collen and the story of St Collen and the King of the Fairies

Submitted by Mair Williams on May 21, 2018 - 11:06am

Today, 21st May, is the feast day of Saint Collen. Saint Collen was a  monk born in c.600 and the Welsh town of Llangollen takes its name from him 'gollen' being a mutation of "Collen". He is said to have arrived in Llangollen by coracle and to be descended from the Kings of Gwent. St Collen died on 21 May, at sometime in the early 7th century and was buried in his chapel, which for many centuries was located immediately to the west of the present medieval church of St Collen in Llangollen.

Independence for Scotland debate will restart in coming weeks says Scottish leader

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on May 20, 2018 - 11:29pm

Nicola Sturgeon First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party  has said that the debate on independence of Scotland will restart in the coming weeks. Her comments were made ahead of the publication of the report of the growth commission, set up in 2016 and due to be published next week, it will make recommendations on monetary and other policy options for an independent Scotland. 

Anniversary of passing of Welsh nationalist, poet and pacifist Waldo Williams

Submitted by Mair Williams on May 20, 2018 - 7:31pm

Waldo Williams (30 September 1904 – 20 May 1971) was born in Haverfordwest (Welsh: Hwlffordd). He was one of the leading Welsh-language poets of the 20th century, a Christian pacifist, anti-war campaigner, and Welsh nationalist. He used his bardic name Goronwy. His early childhood was spent in Mynachlog-ddu, where his father was the head teacher of the primary school.

BASQUE COUNTRY: REPRESSION CONTINUES

Bernard Moffatt's picture
Submitted by Bernard Moffatt on May 20, 2018 - 1:16pm

On May 17th members of the infamous Spanish Civil Guard undertook action in the Southern Basque Country to seize the property and possessions of former Basque prisoners.

The operation is sanctioned by the Spanish Courts with much hyperbole about continuing a crackdown on persons linked to the now disbanded ETA armed liberation movement.

However of the fifty persons targeted only 10 had any links to ETA and the others had been convicted of offences such as street protest.

Launch of Nominoë Memorial at Bain-sur-Oust, Brittany on May 26th

Submitted by Dominique Corolleur on May 19, 2018 - 3:28pm

The Battle of Ballon took place on 22 November 845 when Breton forces led by Nominoë, Duke of Brittany defeated the Frankish army of  Charles Le Chauve (13 June 823 – 6 October 877) who was the King of West Francia and grandson of the Emperor Charlemagne. Nominoë (d. 7 March 851) was the first Duke and later King of Brittany from 846 to his death and is also known as Tad ar Vro ("father of the country").

MANN: FOOD AND FUEL POVERTY WORSENS

Bernard Moffatt's picture
Submitted by Bernard Moffatt on May 19, 2018 - 1:42pm

It is shocking that two years into a new Manx government and a Tynwald that has seen a ‘churn’ of over 50% in membership poverty and deprivation in Mann are getting worse.

This is best illustrated by the fact that the Isle of Man Foodbank with increased demand for the food aid it supplies is moving to new larger premises.

A spokesman for the body speaks about the increasing demand and the factor of what he terms ‘poverty within employment’ where folk who are gainfully employed can still not manage to meet basic needs for food because pay levels are so low:

French Colonialists Visit An English Fiend

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Submitted by Bernard Moffatt on May 19, 2018 - 12:30pm

The Manx media report on a visit by a number of French warships to Mann it's one of a regular series of such military jollies in the Port of Douglas and the vessels Officers were entertained by local civic dignitaries and the Islands English Lt Governor.:

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=40624&headline=French%20Navy%20...

Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man: Beautiful, Unique and Haunted

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on May 19, 2018 - 12:46am

Nestling on the promenade in the Manx town of Douglas (Manx: Doolish) stands the Gaiety Theatre. Built in 1899 to the designs of architect Frank Matcham as an opera house and theatre, the Gaiety Theatre opened on the 16th of July 1900. It enjoyed considerable success, particularly in the Edwardian era until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914. Despite various attempts to make it a commercial success after that and particularly in the years following the Second World War there was a period of structural deterioration, to such an extent that by 1970 the theatre came close to being demolished.  Fortunately, what would have been an act of dreadful vandalism, was avoided when the Manx Government purchased the building in 1971

Caergwrle Castle set to become new addition to Cadw portfolio of Welsh castles

Submitted by Mair Williams on May 18, 2018 - 8:00pm

Caergwrle Castle (Welsh: Castell Caergwrle) is a fortification in the town of Caergwrle, Flintshire (Sir y Fflint), close to the English border. It was built by Dafydd ap Gruffydd (1238 - 3 October 1283) between 1277 and 1282.  It is one of the castles of the indigenous Welsh princes built in order to defend their land from invasion.

Giant 'NO' abortion sign in heart of 'Yeats Country' sparks protest

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on May 18, 2018 - 12:47pm

News from the Celtic League:

The placing of a giant ‘NO’ sign by campaigners opposed to abortion in Ireland on the side of Ben Bulben mountain has prompted protest from the Ireland's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).

The sign is 100 foot high and made out of plastic cladding. It has been erected with the landowners permission.

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