Celtic Recipes

Manx Fairy Tales by Sophia Morrison

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 16, 2013 - 8:26pm

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This outstanding collection of stories, initially published in 1911, has lost none of its original appeal, with its reissue by Lily Publications bringing these thought-provoking tales to a new audience.

Earlier editions were presented in a much simpler style, but with the assistance of Manx Gaelic speaker Bob Carswell, Island based illustrator Julia Ashby Smyth and the Manx Heritage Foundation, these stories have been developed into an eye-catching and memorable book.

These classic tales are testimony to Sophia’s work, and introduces readers to some of the great characters from Manx mythology by using stories with a prophetic or moralistic tone.

Incorporating familiar place-names with copious amounts of humour and drama, this selection of wide-ranging stories has been edited by Bob Carswell, offering a contemporary feel to this well-presented hard back edition.

New Desktop Calendars for 2014

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 16, 2013 - 8:18pm

With scenic views of the Isle of Man becoming increasingly popular, a selection of desktop calendars, newly available for 2014, would make an ideal stocking filler this Christmas, and brighten up the office on any day of the year.

Designed by local photographer, John Bennett, his distinctive style has resulted in two compact desk calendars, one featuring a range of familiar scenes focusing on different areas of the Island and the other concentrating exclusively on his home town of Peel.

Celtic Identity, Language and the Question of Galicia

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on December 11, 2013 - 1:50pm

Celtic nations

An issue raised on occasion is the question of why the Six Nations of Cornwall, Brittany, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales are specifically identified as Celtic and only these six. Over the years there have been persistent calls for the inclusion of the North Western Spanish provinces of Galicia and Asturias within the family of modern Celtic Nations. What follows focuses on the “Galician Question” but allows us to share a working definition of what constitutes a Celtic Nation.

The Pan-Celtic movement is built on the recognition that Bretons, Cornish, Welsh, Manx, Irish and Scots benefit from a special relationship with one another due to a shared identity. An identity that is rooted in the distinct living Celtic language of each of the Six Nations.  It is also true that history, mythology and the bitter legacy of persecution at the hands of the English and French nation states bind us together.  Yet, it is the shared linguistic heritage that primarily defines Celtic identity and drives the Pan-Celtic movement. And it is the existence of the Celtic language that defines the modern Celtic nation.

Latest Opinion Poll in Scotland Shows Rise in Yes Vote

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 10, 2013 - 8:42pm

As reported in the Scotsman Newspaper an Ipsos-Mori opinion poll shows a 3 per cent rise in support for a Yes vote in the forthcoming referendum. Scotland’s SNP Government has predicted that there will continue to be a shift in opinion in favour of independence as the referendum draws closer. The number of undecided voters continues to cause alarm in London and amongst the pro-union lobby.

BZH New York Announce Celtic Languages of Brittany and Ireland Evening

Submitted by Dominique Corolleur on December 10, 2013 - 8:15pm

The Endangered Language Alliance and BZH NY present the third installment of Unheard Of! featuring the Celtic languages of Brittany and Ireland on December 15th at The Bowery Poetry Club (308 Bowery between Bleecker and Houston) from 6 - 7:30pm, $10 cover.

Unheard Of! presents live readings of poetry and oral literature, both traditional and modern, by native speakers with simultaneous projections of texts and translations. The presentations employ theatre, music and dance by way of introduction to these rarely performed pieces.

Shock Announcement - Irish Language Commissoner Resigns In Protest of Government Failure To Protect Gaelic

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on December 6, 2013 - 3:30pm

Battle lines are being drawn for the coming conflict to protect the Celtic tongue of Ireland from a government that has turned its back on it previous committments to restore the Irish language to its rightful place. There are numerous press reports over the past two days describing the dramatic announcement by Irish Language Commissioner, Sean O' Cuirreain, that he is resigning his post in protest over the governments increasing reluctance to support the tongue of Ireland.

Peter Pan Now Available as a Manx Gaelic Ebook

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 3, 2013 - 7:40pm

With reading methods becoming firmly embedded in modern technology, it’s encouraging that Manx Gaelic should join forces with a Scottish based media company who specialise in producing eBooks in Scottish Gaidhlig, Irish and Welsh.

Seen as a leader in eBook education, Giglets Limited, centred in Ayrshire, has developed its first Manx language, animated eBook, Giglets ayns Gaelg Peddyr Pan, in conjunction with the Manx Heritage Foundation to encourage the use and support of the Manx language.

The Manx Workshop for the Disabled Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Launch of New Website

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 3, 2013 - 7:29pm

Manx Workshop for the Disabled

Celebrating thirty years of helping disabled people back into the workplace, the Manx Workshop for the Disabled is about to launch a new website, as they continue to expand their profile and develop greater awareness within the Island’s community.

Claasagh – New Manx Harp Book

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 1, 2013 - 11:31am

Claasagh

Scottish harpist Rachel Hair is recognised as one of the UK’s finest contemporary Celtic harpists and tunesmiths, with several tune books and a number of CDs under her belt, but she has recently widened her focus to include the Island’s rich traditional musical heritage.

For the past two years Rachel has been giving monthly harp lessons (courtesy of the Manx Heritage Foundation) to a growing number of pupils on the Isle of Man, and from this has emerged a collection of 20 tunes which she has arranged for her students, and now available to everyone under the fitting title of Claasagh (Manx Gaelic for harp).

Based in Glasgow, Rachel is a First Class Music Honours graduate and a winner of the Alexander Stone Award for excellence in performance, and keeps herself busy with a full range of teaching, touring and recording.

Claasagh is an extension of her first two books which concentrated on Scottish and other Celtic music, with volume three devoted exclusively to Manx compositions.

Salmon and Queenies

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 1, 2013 - 10:44am

Laxey Wheel

This recipe is very appropriate for the Manx seaside village of Laxey (Manx: Laksaa) combining as it does Salmon and Queenies. The name Laksaa is derived from Old Norse Laxa meaning Salmon River. ‘Queenie’ is the name given by Manx people to the Queen Scallop (Manx: Roagan).

Ingredients for two:

  • 6 rashes of Manx cured bacon with rind removed.
  • 2 salmon fillets
  • 8 oz Manx Queenies
  • 1 Manx Onion
  • 2 glasses of dry white wine
  • A portion of chopped garlic
  • A dash of fresh lemon
  • 5 fluid ounces of double cream
  • 2 tablespoons of butter
  • 2 tablespoons of grated Manx cheddar cheese
  • Salt and pepper

Place the salmon into separate loose foil parcels having put a splash of lemon and wine (using half of one glass), then one tablespoon spoon of butter and the garlic on each. With the oven at a temperature of 180 degrees C place the salmon to bake for ten minutes. Using a large frying pan very lightly fry the chopped onions and bacon. Then with the heat increased add the queenies stirring the mixture together for a minute. Put in the remainder of the wine simmering to reduce just a little. Take from the heat and add and stir in the cream so thickening the sauce. Add seasoning as desired.

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