Celtic Recipes

The Mystery of Scotland’s Flannan Isles Lighthouse

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on May 18, 2014 - 6:16pm

Lighthouse on Eilean Mor, Flannan Isles

Na h-Eileanan Flannach is the Scottish Gaelic name of the small group of islands known in English as the Flannan Isles, located in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar). Also known as the Seven Hunters they stand just over 20 miles (32 kilometres) from the Isle of Lewis (Leòdhas ). They are a bird sanctuary and at times a place of beauty. At others these remote islands bear the brunt of severe Atlantic storms, which whip the seas into frenzy and force even the hardy gulls to stay sheltered in the cliff face crags. For many years they have remained uninhabited, the last residents of any length being the lighthouse keepers, who between 1899 and its automation in 1971, kept the light burning on the highest point of the island group, Eilean Mòr.

Until the lighthouse had been built between 1895 and 1899 it is probable that Na h-Eileanan Flannach had not been inhabited permanently since the days of the Celtic Church. The Celtic Church was predominant across the Celtic speaking world in the early middle ages (5th to the 10th century). On the island of Eilean Mòr is the ruin of an old chapel dedicated to St Flannan. However, over many centuries for many of the Gaelic Hebridean community the islands have been viewed as a place of superstition and bad luck. A view that was reinforced by the tragic and mysterious events that befell the lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mòr in mid-December 1900.

It is the fate of the lighthouse keepers in 1900; just over one year after the island’s lighthouse came into operation that is the cause of much mystery and speculation. For all three keepers, Thomas Marshall, James Ducat and Donald Macarthur disappeared without trace. It was on 15th December 1900 that the ship Archtor which was sailing for Scotland from Philadelphia had reported that as they passed the islands the lighthouse was not in operation. In those days there was no radio communication between the keepers on Eilean Mòr  and the shore station of Breasclete on Lewis. When the lighthouse tender Hesperus arrived on St Stephen’s Day (26th December) 1900 having been delayed due to adverse conditions, they found the lighthouse abandoned.

Plaid Cymru Member of European Parliament Condemns Zero-hours Contracts

Submitted by Mair Williams on May 17, 2014 - 10:52am

Plaid Cymru (the Party of Wales) MEP Jill Evans has called for a Europe wide ban on the use of Zero-hours contracts. A Zero hours contract is a contract of employment that allows employers to assert that they have no obligation to provide work for an employee but that the employee agree to be available for work as and when required. For the majority of the working population such an arrangement means that those with ongoing financial commitments and a family to support face unpredictable hours and earnings.

Gaelic Awareness Month in Nova Scotia

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on May 16, 2014 - 8:52pm

The following is an editorial appearing on the Website of The Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia, in honour of Gaelic Awareness Month: 

The matter of Gaelic language in Nova Scotia has been a subject of discussion for its advocates for nearly two hundred years. The question most asked is: will Gaelic die? Whatever will be, the Gaelic language yet lives in Nova Scotia and the month of May has been designated to celebrate its achievements.

Support for the Celtic Tongue Pushed as an Election Issue by Ireland's Gaelic League

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on May 15, 2014 - 11:47pm

Turning to the ballot box as a weapon in the struggle to advance the Irish Language, Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) are calling on candidates in the upcoming local and European Parliamentary elections to declare their support for the Irish tongue. 

The Irish Times under the headline “Conradh na Gaeilge Pushes Irish as an Election Issue” reports that the organisation is calling on candidates to make public their position on supporting the Irish tongue so that voters can make their decision on which candidate to support using this information. 

Irish Branch Celtic League Supports Yes In Scottish Referendum: Meeting in Dublin and Belfast

Submitted by Myghal Map Serpren on May 15, 2014 - 2:26pm

This news from Celtic League just received:

Irish Branch Supports Yes In Scottish Referendum: Meeting in Dublin and Belfast

Broad Coalition Urges Action To Ensure "All Children Gain Welsh Proficiency"

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Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on May 14, 2014 - 3:02am

The battle lines are hardening in the struggle to make Welsh the language of instruction in schools in Wales.

Cornwall Branch Celtic League tackles BBC over lack of co operation

Submitted by Myghal Map Serpren on May 12, 2014 - 3:44pm

Information release from the Cornwall Branch of the Celtic League:

"On 19th March, 2014, the BBC aired a programme entitled ‘W1A’ which was supposed to be humorous. Several reports in the media followed which informed people in Cornwall expressed dismay at the programme’s treatment of the Cornish who were portrayed in the usual bigoted manner by the London based broadcaster.

Welsh Language Rights Activists Arrested

Submitted by Mair Williams on May 12, 2014 - 2:19pm

Three Welsh language activists have been arrested this morning 12 May 2014. As reported in the Welsh Daily Post newspaper the two women and one man belong to Cymdeithas yr Iaith who are campaigning on the issue of the lack of support for the Welsh language by the Labour-led Welsh Government:

“Three campaigners have spray painted the Welsh Government offices in Aberystwyth this morning in a language protest about an alleged lack of support for the Welsh language.

Fête de la Bretagne 15 to 18 May 2014 - Gouel Breizh

Submitted by Dominique Corolleur on May 12, 2014 - 12:10pm

Fête de la Bretagne week is celebrated by Breton’s in Brittany and around the world. It is a celebration of Breton culture in the lead up to St Yves Day. St Yves' Day on 19th May is celebrated on the date of the death of Saint Yves. Saint Yves was born on 17th October 1253 at Kermartin in Brittany. He graduated in civil law and became a lawyer and judge who was famous for defending the poor without taking payment. Saint Yves was ordained in 1284 and when he retired from law in 1287 became a preacher.

Remembering Manx Rescuers at the Sinking of the Lusitania

Submitted by Valerie Caine on May 11, 2014 - 6:36pm

Crew of Manx fishing boat PL11 Wanderer

The sinking of the luxurious liner Lusitania in just eighteen minutes off the Old Head of Kinsale in Ireland in 1915 by a German submarine resulted in the loss of 1,198 lives, but one of the first rescue vessels on the scene was a small Manx fishing boat PL11 Wanderer, from Peel on the west coast of the Isle of Man.

It was to be two hours before rescuers heading from the Irish mainland reached the scene, but the crew of the twenty ton lugger, Wanderer, fishing a few miles off Kinsale, with 800 mackerel on board, was alerted by Thomas Woods, after he saw the Lusitania listing. Steering the vessel, Woods was alone on deck, on watch, having sent little Johnny Macdonald below to make tea. The skipper of the Wanderer, Stanley Ball from Jurby, is reported to have said to Woods ‘Go for her, be British’.

Undeterred by the danger of enemy submarines, these brave Manxmen headed for the scene of the incident, and were soon within a quarter of a mile of the Lusitania; witnessing the horrifying spectacle of hundreds of people, many badly burned, fighting for their lives in the sea.

The crew of the Wanderer hauled on board 160 men, women and children, including a two month old baby, but others were clinging on to the sides of the vessel pleading for help; its heavy load pulling the boat low into the water.

As they sailed towards the Old Head of Kinsale, with fine weather and a calm sea, towing two lifeboats besides, the skipper and crew of the Wanderer offered comfort to the survivors with clothes, blankets, food and drink.

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