Celtic Recipes

Irish Goddess Banba (Banbha)

Submitted by Eibhlin O'Neill on August 28, 2023 - 9:43pm

La Druidesse by Alexandre Cabanel (1823 - 1889)

Banba’s Crown is the northernmost point on the Irish mainland located at Malin Head, Inishowen, County Donegal (Irish: Cionn Mhálanna, Inis Eoghain, Contae Dhún na nGall). Its name pays homage to the goddess Banba or Banbha. According to Irish legend, Banba was one of the three goddesses who protected Ireland along with her sisters, Ériu and Fódla. They are members of the Tuatha Dé Danann, Celtic pre-Christian gods with supernatural ability.

According to the Lebor Gabála Érenn, first compiled in the 11th century AD and intended to be a history of Ireland. The Milesians, who are the final race to settle in Ireland, came into contention with the Tuatha Dé Danann. On their way to Tara, the ancient ceremonial site and seat of power, the Milesians are met on three mountains by Banba, Fódla and Ériu. Each goddess asks for the land to be named after her. This is agreed to by Amergin, who is said to have been a bard and judge for the Milesians. As a result they give permission for Amergin and his people to settle in Ireland.

Archaeologists Reveal Emain Macha in Ireland as Site of Huge Iron Age Temples and Other Religious Complexes

Submitted by Eibhlin O'Neill on August 23, 2023 - 11:33am

Emain Macha (Navan Fort) is a large circular Iron Age earthwork on top of a hill close to the city of Armagh (Irish: Ard Mhacha) in the north of Ireland.  For centuries it was home to the kings and queens of Ulster, which is one of the four historic Irish provinces. Archaeologists, who have been studying the site over recent years,  believe they have now found physical evidence that Emain Macha  could have been in use as early as the 4th Century BC.

Irish Comedy Writer Graham Linehan Makes Stand Against Edinburgh Fringe Festival Attempts at Censorship

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on August 22, 2023 - 10:21am

Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan has performed his Edinburgh Fringe Festival show outside the Scottish Parliament after the venue Leith Arches cancelled his show in a blatant attempt to close down freedom of expression. A second venue had also pulled out of hosting the event demonstrating how far the The Edinburgh Festival Comedy Fringe has moved away from its original idea of being a celebration of cutting edge comedy and free speech.

Manx Viking Age Runestones

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on August 20, 2023 - 4:01pm

The Isle of Man is home to a remarkable number of carved crosses and monuments dating from the 5th century to the 12th century. Protected by the Manx National Heritage there are over 200 decorated stone crosses on the Island, most of which can be found in graveyards and churches. The earliest stones carry Celtic designs and inscriptions using an early Celtic script called Ogham. Later Norse sculptors decorated their crosses with both Christian icons and images from their own pagan mythology, along with Norse Runic inscriptions.

Gaelic Festival of Lughnasadh

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on August 1, 2023 - 3:34pm

The name of the month of August in all three Gaelic languages is derived from the Celtic god Lugh (also known as Lug and in Modern Irish: Lú). In Modern Irish August is called Lúnasa, in Scottish Gaelic: Lùnastal, and in Manx: Luanistyn. At the beginning of the month Lughnasadh is celebrated. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc and Beltane. The festival of Lughnasadh, Lughnasa or Lúnasa, like August is named after the god Lugh.

Kilmarnock celebrates Robert Burns first book of poems

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on July 26, 2023 - 10:37pm

The Scottish town of Kilmarnock (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Mheàrnaig) is marking their part in the history and fame of Scotland's national poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759 – 21 July 1796). It was a Kilmarnock publisher, 240 years ago, that decided to print his first book "Poems, Chiefly in the Scottish Dialect". The Kilmarnock Edition features 44 of Robbie Burns best known poems including To a Mouse, Address to the Devil and Halloween. It was printed and issued by John Wilson of Kilmarnock on 31 July 1786. First editions of the book are very rare. Only 612 copies were originally published.

English Labour Party Stamps Down on Scottish and Welsh Labour

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on July 21, 2023 - 1:39pm

It has been reported today on Scottish social media sites that a Senior Labour Party advisor has informed Scottish and Welsh Labour that all Regional Policy decisions will be formulated in London. He has said " We can't have contradictory statements in the press, Keir has made it clear, its his way of not at all". This confirms the long held view of many in Scotland  that Scottish Labour is still in the pocket of a London dominated Labour Party that will never act in the best interests of the Scottish people.

Lorient Interceltic Festival in Brittany 4 - 13 August 2023

Submitted by Dominique Corolleur on July 19, 2023 - 1:42pm

The world's largest annual gathering of Celts is taking place in Brittany (Breton: Breizh) from 4th to 13th August 2023. This year the Le Festival Interceltique celebrates the country of Ireland. There will be 10 days and 10 nights of concerts, shows, entertainment and much more.  More than 5,000 musicians, singers, dancers, visual artists, academics, filmmakers from the Celtic nations and Celtic diaspora around the world gather in the town of Lorient (Breton: An Oriant) for the event.

Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering 24th - 30th July 2023

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 17, 2023 - 5:22pm

The Isle of Man's top Celtic festival promises a gifted line up of artists for Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering 24th - 30th July 2023. Information can seen on this link to their website Yn Chruinnaght. The origins of the Festival date back to 1924 and was the idea of William Cubbon, the first director of the Manx Museum, who was also the Honorary Treasurer of both Yn Çheshaght Ghailckagh (The Manx Gaelic Society) and the World Manx Association (WMA).

Celtic Triskel Celebrated on Stamps from Isle of Man Post Office

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 17, 2023 - 4:39pm

The ‘Three Legs of the Isle of Man’ triskelion (or triskel) is the Island’s national symbol. Derived from an ancient sun symbol, the triskelion is one of the oldest continually-used national symbols. The Celtic triskel was a symbol that had various meanings for the early Pagans: it was linked to the sun, triadic Gods and the three domains of land, sea, and sky and was also believed to represent the cycles of life, as well as the Triple Goddess - the maiden, mother and wise woman.

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