Celtic Recipes

Robert Kirk "The Fairy Minister"

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 21, 2019 - 4:56pm

Man surrounded by fairy folk

Aberfoyle (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Phuill) is a village that lies inside the Lomond & Trossachs National Park (Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean). Seen as a gateway to the Trossachs, Aberfoyle is situated on the River Forth (Abhainn Dubh) at the foot of Craigmore. Loch Ard (Loch na h-Àirde) , Loch Chon, Loch Arklet and Loch Lomond (Loch Laomainnare) to the West, Loch Katrine (Loch Ceiteirein), Loch Achray and Loch Venachar (Loch Bheannchair) to the North and the Lake of Menteith (Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig), to the East. The village is an attractive place to visit with a number of connections to historical figures. One of the most famous being the Reverend Robert Kirk, 

Robert Kirk (9 December 1644 – 14 May 1692) was a minister, Gaelic scholar and folklorist. He was the seventh son of the minister of Aberfoyle. He went on to study theology and eventually became minister of Aberfoyle, from 1685 until his death in 1692. He is noted for providing the first translation to Gaelic of the book of Psalms, published at Edinburgh in 1684 as Psalma Dhaibhidh an Meadrachd, &c. He also helped in one of the first publications of the bible into Scottish Gaelic. However, it was for another work, The Secret Commonwealth, and the stories that surround his death that he is now best remembered. Robert Kirk had an interest in the supernatural, fairies, folk beliefs, second sight and traditional stories and beliefs held by the people of the Scottish Highlands. He collected and wrote about these tales in around 1691, although his work was not published in his lifetime. They were released by Scottish author Walter Scott in 1815, then later a second edition was published in 1893, under the title The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies.

UK government opposition to a second referendum will only increase support for Scottish independence

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 20, 2019 - 2:42am

The Scottish National Party (SNP) won a landslide victory in Scotland in the British general election held on 12th December. They won 48, that is 80%, of Scotland's 59 seats. Although  the Conservatives won a significant majority across the rest of the UK, they lost seven of the 13 seats they previously held in Scotland.

Implications of UK General Election for unification of Ireland

Submitted by Eibhlin O'Neill on December 19, 2019 - 9:06pm

As most people are only too well aware. The 2019 United Kingdom General Election was held on Thursday 12 December. Three of the Celtic countries, Scotland, Cornwall and Wales also went to the polls as part of that election. Brittany, Ireland and Isle of Man are, of course, not part of the UK and did not participate in the election. However, that part of Ireland in the northeast where Britain retains a colonial presence did take part. The result was significant.

Manx Gaelic language reaches for the stars

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 19, 2019 - 8:37pm

A star and planet will be given Manx Gaelic names after being chosen in an international competition. The International Astronomical Society held the competition, to name a star and planet. The winners were two classes of eight and nine-year-olds from Cronk-y-Berry school in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin). The star, WASP-13, will be named Gloas, the Manx for 'shine', and planet WASP-13b will be now be known as Cruinlagh, which is Manx for 'orbit'.

Isle of Man: Local Charity Needs Your Help with the Homeless this Winter

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 12, 2019 - 5:10pm

Although the Island is often viewed as a place of wealth and prosperity, there's a growing number of people acutely affected by the high cost of living, whilst others find themselves homeless.

These issues are unrecognised by some living on the Isle of Man, but volunteers at the forefront of the charity Graih witness at first hand the growing number of homeless individuals, of both sexes, who arrive at their door looking for help and compassion.

Isle of Man: Tickets Available Now for Mollag Ghennal and Oie'll Verree

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 10, 2019 - 5:19pm

With the festive season just around the corner, there's a couple of annual events coming up with a special Manx flavour to entertain you during the cold, winter evenings.

The long-standing Mollag Ghennal, starting at 7.30pm on Sunday 29th December, has now settled into its new location at the Manx Legion Club on Market Hill in Douglas, offering a host of entertainers to lift your spirits midst the holiday activities.

Ancient site could prove to be some of best preserved Pictish dwellings in Scotland

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on December 9, 2019 - 1:23pm

Archaeologists are investigating what could result in some of Scotland's best preserved Pictish dwellings. As part of the University of Aberdeen's Northern Picts work is being undertaken along with Caithness Archaeological Trust and the Dunbeath Heritage Museum to investigate the Wag of Forse site. It is known that people lived in the settlement situated between Lybster (Scottish Gaelic: Liabost) and Latheron (Scottish Gaelic Latharn) in Caithness (Gallaibh). Included in the area of the site is an Iron Age stone tower known as a broch.

The Surprising Link Between The Pilates Physical Fitness Method and Manx Cats

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 8, 2019 - 8:30pm

Joseph Pilates

Pilates is a physical fitness method developed in the early 20th century. According to supporters of this exercise system regular pilates can improve posture, muscle tone, balance and joint mobility and at the same time relieve stress and tension. It was created and promoted by German-born Joseph Pilates (December 9, 1883 - October 9, 1967). Less well known is how Joseph Pilates observation of cats when interned as an “enemy alien” during the First World War influenced his development of the exercise. It happened in the Isle of Man (Manx: Mannin), the Celtic island located in the heart of the Irish Sea.

In the Isle of Man, close to the small village of Kirk Patrick (Manx: Skyll Pherick), was once located Knockaloe Internment Camp, which was constructed at the time of the First World War. This catastrophic global conflict originated in Europe and lasted from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. It is estimated that this war resulted in the death of over nine million combatants and seven million civilians. Amongst the victims of this conflict were also those civilians that were viewed at the time as being of enemy nationality. So called “enemy aliens” had their movements restricted during this period which also saw the development of internment camps.

Isle of Man: Ellan Vannin Service of Remembrance

Submitted by Valerie Caine on December 8, 2019 - 3:55pm

A dedicated group of supporters gathered at the memorial to the S.S. Ellan Vannin, placed by the Manx Heritage Foundation (now known as Culture Vannin) on the quayside at Ramsey to take part in the annual Service of Remembrance, to mark the anniversary of what is probably one of the greatest maritime disasters in Manx history.

How the Isle of Man is seen from a Norwegian perspective

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Submitted by Alastair Kneale on December 6, 2019 - 11:08pm

Media Release from Culture Vannin:

A Thousand Years in Man – a new book about the Island from a Norwegian perspective

A Thousand Years in Man offers unique insights into the history of the Isle of Man from a Norwegian perspective. Written by Jon Leirfall and published in 1979 to coincide with the Millennium of Tynwald celebrations, it has only been available in his native Norwegian as Tusen år på Man until now.

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