Celtic Recipes

No - the Cornish language is NOT dead!

Submitted by Kernow Matters to Us on January 3, 2018 - 8:11pm

"The Cornish Language is Dead" is something anti-Cornish bigots often say. Instead there is a growing group of speakers, so why does this lie get repeated? In part it is due to what we call "Twistory" or the way the English Authorities twist our history to erase our unique language and culture. 

Three times the English Authorities have raided and burned our archives, destroying our Cornish voice, and yet we are still here. They tried to wipe out the Cornish language, and yet it survives. One myth that has caused confusion is that of Dolly Pentreath. 

British clandestine security service MI5 planned terrorist assassination plot on Irish political leader

Submitted by Eibhlin O'Neill on January 1, 2018 - 8:13pm

The "thirty-year rule" is the informal name given to laws in the Republic of Ireland, that under the 1986 National Archives Act, allows certain government documents to be released to the public each December, thirty years after they were created. The latest release of Irish State Papers relate to 1987. Included in the papers is further information on the murky involvement of British security agencies in Irish politics. Part of which includes their close relationship with the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), which is an Ulster loyalist paramilitary group in the north-east of Ireland.

New Year's Honours knighthood for Cornishman Professor John Curtice who predicted the 2017 election result

Submitted by Kernow Matters to Us on December 31, 2017 - 12:18pm

He stunned the nation with exit poll that accurately stated Theresa May would lose her Commons majority

Sir John Curtice, born in St Austell and educated in Truro, was regarded by some as a winner of election night when he stunned the nation by foreseeing that Theresa May would lose her Commons majority – despite the Tories wielding a significant lead over Labour in the polls at the start of the campaign.

Roy Kennaugh - Sad loss of a truly great Manxman

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 30, 2017 - 10:51am

Roy Kennaugh passed away suddenly on Wednesday evening 27th December. The response to his passing demonstrates the high regard in which he was held. As reported by Manx Radio: "The Isle of Man has lost one of its most prominent, active and energetic members of the national and cultural community." Roy Kennaugh was a key and very popular member of several organisations, including the Celtic League, Mec Vannin, Celtic Congress, Michael Heritage Trust, Michael Commissioners, and the Michael Players RBV. 

Ireland looks at new ways to expand tourism success

Submitted by Eibhlin O'Neill on December 29, 2017 - 2:45pm

Recently Tourism Ireland announced that 2017 has been the “best year ever” for overseas tourism to Ireland. The country attracted around 10.65 million visitors generating roughly €5.78 billion in revenue. Ireland has been innovative in exploiting its rich cultural history and great natural beauty over the years. 

Scottish reef identified as the biggest of its kind

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 27, 2017 - 1:08pm

Loch Carron (Scottish Gaelic: "Loch Carrann") is a sea loch in western Ross in the Scottish Highlands. It has now been discovered that it is home to an extensive bed of flame shells. Much larger than a similar feature in Loch Alsh (Loch Aillse) which been previously thought the biggest. Flame shells are a small, scallop-like species, which has numerous neon orange tentacles that emerge between the creatures' two shells. They group together on the sea bed and their nests create a living reef that supports numerous other species.

Christmas Cultural Events on the Isle of Man

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 27, 2017 - 12:15pm

If you're looking for something a little different during the festive season, there's an excellent opportunity to participate in a number of long standing Manx events which will give an insight into the unique cultural identity of the Isle of Man.

This year's Mollag Ghennal will be returning to Douglas, setting up at the Manx Legion Club on Market Hill, but promises a great line-up of singers, dancers and musicians as well as a tantalising supper from the Mollag Kitchens.

The Celtic Roots of Christmas Traditions

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 23, 2017 - 10:48am

Celtic Christmas

The roots of the Christmas traditions that we recognize today can be traced back to pre-Christian celebrations of the Winter solstice. The solstice is the twice yearly event when the sun appears to be at its highest or lowest point above the horizon. In the northern hemisphere the Winter solstice usually occurs annually between December 20 and December 23.

The Winter solstice was seen by the ancient Celts as one of the most significant times of the year. The Neolithic monuments of Newgrange in Éire, Maes Howe in Orkney, Scotland and Bryn Celli Ddu in Ynys Môn,  Wales are examples of burial chambers scattered throughout the Celtic nations constructed to capture the full impact of sun’s rays during the solstices.

Druids, the priestly class in ancient Celtic society, celebrated the festival of Alban Arthuan (also known as Yule) at the time of the Winter solstice. It was on this day that they ceremonially gathered mistletoe from oak trees. A practice described in the writings of Roman historian Pliny the Elder (Gaius Plinius Secundus AD 23 – August 25, AD 79).

Pro-independence parties win Catalan election

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 22, 2017 - 12:17pm

Despite a suspended self-government, opposition from the media, military threats from Madrid, a candidates in exile and in prison and continued intimidation from Spain, the latest elections in Catalonia have resulted in pro-independence parties winning a majority in the Catalan parliament. The Madrid government stripped Catalonia of its autonomy and called the election after declaring an October independence referendum illegal.

"Truly the eight bravest men I've ever seen"

Submitted by Kernow Matters to Us on December 19, 2017 - 11:54am

At this time each year, we remember eight brave Cornishmen:

Trevelyan Richards (56) – coxswain, James Stephen Madron (35) – 2nd coxswain/mechanic, Nigel Brockman (43) – asst. mechanic & fisherman ,John Blewett (43) – emergency mechanic & telephone engineer, Charles Greenhaugh – landlord of the Ship Inn, Mousehole, Barrie Torrie (33) - fisherman, Kevin Smith (23), Gary Wallis (23)

“Truly the eight bravest men I’ve ever seen.”

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