Celtic Recipes

Scots Gaelic Continues to Strengthen - New Gaelic School For Caithness

Submitted by Niall McCarsten on August 1, 2013 - 11:59am

The online "HeraldScotland" reports, in the popular "Highland Line" column written by David Ross, on the victory for the Gaelic language in Caithness: "The first Gaelic medium primary school department is to open at the start of the new school session in August, Highland Council has said." 

Brittany Looks To Scottish Referendum Vote

Submitted by Dominique Corolleur on July 30, 2013 - 6:16pm

Breton flag

As Scotland moves ever closer towards the referendum on Scottish independence, it is not only the people of Cornwall and Wales who are looking with interest at the outcome. Breton’s are also looking at how they can move towards such a vote. Brittany with its deeply rooted culture, language and identity needs the opportunity to have its say on Breton independence. The issue is also heightened by the coming 2014 referendum on independence for Catalonia. Many in Brittany also look at smaller Celtic nations such as the Isle of Man, which clearly benefits from having autonomy and managing their own affairs. Their example dismisses those who are foolish enough to argue that countries like Brittany, Cornwall and Wales are too small for self-rule.

Welcome Support for Scottish Gaelic Online Language Resource

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 27, 2013 - 8:50am

Scotland’s government has given funding of £2m for an online Gaelic dictionary. Source material for a digital archive containing 30 million words has already started.

Sabhal Mor Ostaig UHI,Skye’s Gaelic language centre, is managing the project called Faclair na Gaidhlig. It will be in partnership with Aberdeen, Glasgow, Strathclyde and Edinburgh universities. Bord na Gaidhlig the Gaelic national body has been supporting the work for a number of years with contributions of £75,000 per year.

Celtic Cornwall

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 26, 2013 - 5:43pm

The Scottish referendum vote for independence is being looked at with interest by the other Celtic nations. This is also the case in Cornwall. Cornwall is recognised as one of the six Celtic nations and takes its place in both the ‘Celtic League’ and the ‘Celtic Congress’, along with Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man and Brittany.

The Cornish Language Revival - Helston Town Council Promotes the Cornish Tongue

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on July 26, 2013 - 1:54pm

The popular webpage "thisiscornwall." reports that the Helston Town Council have adopted a Cornish Language Policy.  It was reported that,  "Helston Town Council took an extra step to make sure it uses Cornish on official paper work and at Public events." 

Irish Minister Issues Statement on the Progress of Irish Language Plan

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on July 25, 2013 - 3:24pm

The Irish Language interest webpage, Gaelport.com, reports that the Irish Minister of State for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Irish Speaking Area of Ireland), Dinny McGinley, has issued a status report on the progress to date against the goals for the revival of the Irish language contained in the Government's "20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030".

Pan Celtic Unity - Irish President Welcomed To Scottish Hebrides Island of Iona

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on July 21, 2013 - 2:53am

The Irish Independent reports that the President of Ireland, Michael Higgins, Irish speaker and champion of of the Irish tongue, has visited the Scottish Hebrides island of Iona. "President Higgins was welcomed to the Island by Scottish Culture and External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslup who said the visit was a fitting way to celebrate Scotland's links to Ireland."

Celts and Vikings - Scandinavian Influences on the Celtic Nations

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 20, 2013 - 5:18pm

Viking carving

In the Celtic world, there are many Scandinavian influences. Within Scotland, Ireland and Isle of Man, the Vikings influences were mainly Norwegian. The Norwegians established significant settlements and then Kingdoms here. In Wales, there were recorded Viking raids and some evidence of small settlements. In Cornwall, strategic alliances were formed with Danish Vikings in order to defend Cornish lands from Anglo-Saxon incursion. Brittany experienced significant Viking raids and occupations. However, at times, strategic alliances were made, which can be viewed in the context of Breton resistance to Frankish expansionism and the complicated power struggle that existed during that period.

The Vikings in Scotland and Isle of Man

The Viking interventions began in the 8th century AD. The Islands of Scotland and the Isle of Man formed the Northern and Southern Isles. The Northern Isles of Shetland and Orkney were known to the Norse as Norðreyjar. The Southern Isles forming the Kingdom of Mann and the Isles (sometimes known as The Kingdom of the Isles) consisting of the Hebrides, the islands in the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Man were known as Suðreyjar.

The 2013 Commemoration of the Battle of St Aubin du Cormier (Breton: Sant-Albin-an-Hiliber)

Submitted by Dominique Corolleur on July 19, 2013 - 11:19am

On Sunday July 28th 2013 the cultural associations Koun-Breizh, MAB and Identity-Breton are inviting people to attend a rally to commemorate the Battle of St Aubin du Cormier. Historical flags of Brittany can be brought to this commemoration which takes place at the Memorial to the Bretons, route de Saint-Aubin-du-Cormier to Combourg / Sens-de-Bretagne commencing at 15:00. 300 m from the memorial place, the ground Koad Sev Pall is open from 12am for picnicking!

A Celtic Tribal Celebration: Albannach, Brother and Rathkeltair at Celtic Fling

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on July 17, 2013 - 9:19pm

View of audience gathering at the Celtic Fling and Highland Games

The Celtic Fling and Highland Games at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is one of the Major Celtic Festivals in the mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United Sates and Transceltic were the guests of the 2013 event organisers the weekend of June 21st. The driving force of the festival is the music, the Celtic bands that traffic in the language of the culture. The line-up included Seven Nations, Kilmaine Saints, Enter The Haggis, Scythian, Town Pants, Amarch, Ramblin Rose, Neidfyre, Seasons, Barby Holder and an appearance by the hugely successful Gaelic Storm.

Albannach & Brother – Bronach

Bronach logo

Sharing the stage at one of the festivals twelve stages, under the banner “Outlawed Tunes on Outlawed Pipes”, were the incomparable Scottish band “Albannach” and the Australian Celtic band “Brother”. These two bands are closely associated having just come off the April 2013 “Bronach Tour” of Scotland with another planned for 2014. 

Brother have uniquely placed their Celtic Stamp on indigenous Australian music. The Festival brochure aptly describes Brother as follows: “Fusing signature vocals and the deep pulse of the didgeridoo, the soaring highs of the bagpipes and tribal percussion”. The lead singer Angus Richardson is a steady hand that guides this energetic performance. The bands Piper makes it seem the most natural thing in the world to have the Pipes soaring into the canopy of trees whilst being dogged by the didgeridoo, a wind instrument developed by indigenous Australians about 1500 years ago.

Pages