Celtic Recipes

Commemoration of Illiam Dhone's Execution

Submitted by Valerie Caine on January 5, 2014 - 3:20pm

Bernie Moffatt, Celtic League/Mec Vannin

A brisk wind whistled through the site of Hango Hill as a crowd gathered in the winter sunshine to commemorate the execution of Illiam Dhone of Ronaldsway on the 2nd January, 1663, for his part in the Manx rising of 1651 against the Derby family. Although a Royal pardon was dispatched it arrived too late to save him from execution.

Believed to be an prehistoric burial ground with an artificial mound, the name Hango Hill is derived from the Norse hanga-haugr, meaning Gallow's Hill, but was renamed Mount Strange by the Derby family in honour of the Derby heir Lord Strange. The poignant remains are that of a castellated summerhouse built on the site during the late seventeenth century.

The event is a joint effort between the Manx branch of the Celtic League and the Manx Republican Nationalist Party Mec Vannin.

Following an introduction by Bernie Moffatt (Celtic League/Mec Vannin), the Manx oration was given by Mark Kermode (Mec Vannin) and that in English by Bill Henderson MHK (North Douglas) followed by a brief wreath-laying ceremony and a remembrance of some important players in the arena of Manx culture and language.

Whiskey Fueled Celtic Rock - The Kilmaine Saints and the Celtic Renaissance - Interview With Michael McNaughton

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on January 3, 2014 - 5:47pm

"The music is in our blood when we perform, in our hearts when we write it and in our heads when we sleep." - Mike McNaughton

A focus at Transceltic this year will be the resurgence of Celtic Identity in North America and surge in attendance at Celtic festivals.  We caught up with Mike McNaughton, drummer for the Kilmaine Saints, an American Celtic Rock band who are popular on the festival circuit. The Kilmaine Saints were started in 2009 by a few members of the Lochiel Emerald Society Pipes and Drums (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) and were joined by a classicly trained fiddler and a singer from Ireland's County Mayo. Since then the band have have enjoyed major success playing the growing number of Celtic Festivals in the United States. 

Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws: "Time Is Now For a Welsh Way of Drafting Laws"

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on January 1, 2014 - 7:22pm

The Welsh Language Commissioner Meri Huws is quoted in an article on the web site "Daily Post" calling for a more rigorous application of the spirit of the "Welsh Language (Wales) Measure of 2011" in drafting legislation and policy. The 2011 Measure confirmed the status of Welsh as an official Language in Wales. Under the 2011 Act, Huws was appointed as the first Welsh language Commissioner. In the Daily Post article the Language Commissioner is quoted as follows: "It is now time for the Welsh Government to develop a 'rigorously Welsh way' of drafting laws.

St Stephen's Day on Isle of Man (Mannin)

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 30, 2013 - 8:59pm

Hunt the Wren 2013 - St John's, Isle of Man

As the Isle of Man enjoys a brief respite after being pounded incessantly by ferocious winter storms, which forced an increasing number of cancelled sailings to the UK and Ireland and an unscheduled journey by the Isle of Man Steam Packet on Christmas Day, here's a selection of photographs from St Stephen's Day (Boxing Day) as people enjoyed Hunt the Wren and the annual Cammag Match in some much needed winter sunshine!

Blass – An Album of Good Taste

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 30, 2013 - 8:43pm

Blass album cover

Blass (Manx Gaelic for flavour or taste) is a new CD which reaches out from the developing Manx traditional music scene, revealing a younger generation of musicians with their own ideas and interpretation of both traditional and original material.

Manx Music Celebration - Mollag Ghennal 2013

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 30, 2013 - 7:55pm

Davy Knowles

Once again the annual Mollag Ghennal bridged the gap between Christmas and the New Year with a fine selection of  music, song and dance at the Masonic Hall in Douglas, Isle of Man (Mannin). Organised by the mighty Mollag Band (new CD out soon) it was, as usual, a sell-out as revellers enjoyed a range of Manx traditional music from the contemporary scene.

Lately there's been a surge of young musicians coming to the fore with their own unique approach to Manx folk music, many of whom entertained an enthusiastic audience with some of their latest arrangements.

Compered by Bob Carswell, the evening kicked off with some lively unaccompanied singing by Manx Gaelic choir Caarjyn Cooidjagh and was swiftly followed by Manx vocalist Ruth Keggin accompanied by David Kilgallon. Musicians ebbed and flowed throughout the night with appearances by the Barefoot Quartet (with special guest Cairistiona Dougherty), and some spirited entertainment by four young and energetic Manx dancers.

Demand For Irish Medium Education in Ulster - The Success Of The Irish Tongue In The News

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on December 29, 2013 - 7:59pm

The Ulster Star reports, under the headline "Irish Language School Gets The Go Ahead", that a new Irish Medium school is to be constructed in the village of Crumlin in County Antrim.  Crumlin has grown into a center of the Irish Language revival in Northern Ireland.  With an active Irish medium Primary School and Nursery, the continued success and growth of Irish in this area of Ireland is assured into the next generation.  Local organisations conduct fund raising efforts to support Irish education in Crumlin which reflects a true community effort to preserve the tongue.  

Campaign Intensifies to Free "The Chronicles of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles"

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 28, 2013 - 11:33pm
The campaign to have the "Chronicles of the kings of Mann and the Isles", a mediaeval manuscript compiled around 1257 A. D. returned to Isle of Man (Mannin) has intensified.  Written and compiled on the Island’s Rushen Abbey the Chronicles record major events in Manx history from 1000 A.D. to 1316 A.D. They look at the Islands place as the centre of the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles .

"Parents For Welsh Medium Education" Challenge Local Councils To Improve Plans for Teaching Our Children in Welsh

Submitted by Niall McCarsten on December 25, 2013 - 5:05pm

The website "SouthWalesArgus" reports under the headline "Warning To Councils Over Welsh Schools",  that the Welsh Language Group, "Rhieni Dros Addysg Gymraeg"  (RhAG) have called on local Councils in Wales to "take ownership of their duty"  under the provisions of the Welsh Government's "Schools Standards and Organisation Act".  This legislation, passed in January of this year, places a statutory requirement on local education authorities to submit a "Welsh in Education Strategic Plan" to Cardiff for review and approval.

A Boost For The Welsh Language - A Plan To Strengthen Welsh Speaking Areas (Y Fro Gymraeg)

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on December 25, 2013 - 12:04am

In an article entitled "A Boost For the Welsh Speaking Heartland ",  the website "Click on Wales" reports on an announcement made by the Chair of a Welsh Government Policy Group on to increase the number of communities where Welsh is spoken as the main language. These recommenations along with the group's members are listed below.

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