Celtic Recipes

Coming elections and the Celtic nations

Submitted by Mair Williams on April 19, 2017 - 1:22am

Elections are being held that will have a major impact on all of the Celtic nations. Voters in Brittany will be casting their votes in the first round of the 2017 French presidential election on 23 April 2017. Should no candidate win a majority, a run-off election between the top two candidates will be held on 7 May 2017. A victory for candidate Marine Le Pen would signal attempts to suppress the Regions which could destroy the limited regional power that Brittany currently has. Now a British General Election is to be held on June 8th, 2017.

General Election and the long grass for 'Devonwall'?

Submitted by Kernow Matters to Us on April 18, 2017 - 9:40pm

Redruth

18 April 2017

In a clever move, Mrs May has called a General Election. Although following Cornwall's own elections on 4th May, 2017, the electorate in the Duchy are likely to be 'electioned out', in one swoop, Mrs May will look to increase her majority in the Westminster Parliament and in so doing, give her greater ability and mandate to deal with those 'rebellious Scots' and to effect whatever deal she chooses over Brexit taking advantage of the lack of any determined opposition.

However, there may be a little silver lining to the large blue cloud!

Scots Gaelic Heartlands Strengthen – Jump in Funding for Gàidhlig Cultural Centre

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on April 15, 2017 - 9:06pm

The Stornoway Gazette is reporting that the Bòrd na Gàidhlig has announced funding for the Cnoc Soilleir project in Uist.  The Cnoc Soilleir project is a partnership between both Ceòlas Uibhist and Lews Castle College (UHI) to establish a centre for Scots Gaelic Gàidhlig music, dance and cultural heritage.

Snaefell Mining Disaster 1897, Isle of Man

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on April 15, 2017 - 8:06pm

Snaefell Mine in 1870

Snaefell (Manx: Sniaull) is the highest mountain on the Isle of Man (Mannin), at 2,037 feet (621 m) above sea level. To the east the magnificent Laxey Valley sweeps down towards the coastal village of Laxey (Manx: Laksaa) where it meets the Irish Sea. Walking upwards along the track from Laxey, past the tiny settlement of Agneash, a gradual climb takes you alongside the river that flows along the floor of the valley. On a fine day the views are spectacular. As you approach Snaefell you eventually reach the remains of the old Snaefell Mine that lie in the shadow of the mountain. Just above the site nestling behind a group of pine trees there is a beautiful little waterfall. A peaceful and tranquil place to sit and take in the scenery. Nevertheless, there is an air of sadness here, often commented upon even by those without a knowledge of the events that took place at the Snaefell Mine on 10th of May 1897. As if a memory of the tragedy that happened here over a century ago is held within the clasp of the surrounding hills.

Horses in Celtic Mythology

Submitted by Eibhlin O'Neill on April 15, 2017 - 5:11pm

Boudicca

Amongst Celtic peoples the horse has always been highly venerated and seen as a prized possession. Horses were viewed as status symbols, treated with great respect, treasured and well cared for. There was a great bond between Celts and their horses. The esteem in which they were held is not surprising when the impact of the animal on everyday life, survival and battle are considered. The Celts were known as very skilled cavalry fighters and charioteers. The Romans used mercenaries from Gaul because they were known to have these skills. The importance of chariots in battle is recounted in Irish medieval literature that draws on much older ancient folklore. Such stories are told in the Ulster Cycle featuring the legendary Irish warrior Cú Chulainn, son of the god Lugh associated with the pre-Christian Celtic pantheon of the Tuatha Dé Danann.

Major street art festival under way in Aberdeen

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on April 15, 2017 - 1:15pm

Nuart Aberdeen is taking place this Easter weekend. Inspired by Nuart that has taken place in Stavangar, Norway since 2001, this major street art festival in Aberdeen is on from Friday 14 – Sunday 16 April. Developed in collaboration with Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council, Nuart Aberdeen aims to provide a platform for local, national and international artists to showcase their work through a series of site-specific murals, installations, interventions, and temporary exhibitions. Large and small images have been appearing on city buildings in recent days.

Department of the Gaeltacht Occupied by MISNEACH

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on April 14, 2017 - 10:57pm

News from Irish Branch of the Celtic League:

Members of the radical Irish language group MISNEACH occupied the Department of the Gaeltacht on Kildare Street, Dublin on 12th April. After figures published in the census last week revealed a dramatic fall in the number of daily speakers of Irish in the Gaeltacht between 2011-2016 the group is demanding a fundamental shift in the approach of the State to our national language.

Referring to the fall in numbers, a spokesperson for MISNEACH said:

Horses put down after military jets incident

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on April 14, 2017 - 9:05pm

News from the Celtic League:

‘Low flying military aircraft…does not just cause death or injury to the animals but also can lead to the deaths of horse riders’.

A number of horses had to be put down following an incident involving low flying United States Air Force jets in Cornwall (see link):

http://www.cornwalllive.com/…/story-30270897-det…/story.html

Isle of Man: Manx Singers & Musicians Head for Pastures Old and New

Submitted by Valerie Caine on April 13, 2017 - 7:44pm

No matter what the temperature might be on the Isle of Man, things are hotting up for Manx music this month, with many singers and musicians heading for pastures old and new - together with a special weekend for harp players.

Launch of new set of Manx coins

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on April 12, 2017 - 4:14pm

The first new set of Isle of Man (Mannin) coins for 13 years has been launched by the Manx Treasury. The Treasury (Manx: Yn Tashtey) of the Isle of Man is the finance department of the Isle of Man Government (Manx: Reiltys Ellan Vannin). The set of seven includes a new version of the five-pound coin, which was first introduced on the island in 1981.

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