Celtic Recipes

Dublin and Stormont United in Short Changing Gaelic Medium Secondary Education - Surge in Irish Language Schooling

Emmett McIntyre's picture
Submitted by Emmett McIntyre on July 30, 2019 - 12:16am

In July 2016 we reported on the then latest salvo in the battle between language activists and Dublin’s malevolent attitude towards Gaelic. Ireland’s President Michael Higgins had condemned the failure of the government to honor its responsibility to the Irish language.  In an address to a group of language activists in Dublin, Higgins questioned the goodwill of the Irish Government and lashed out at its failure to meet the increased demand for for Gaelic Medium Secondary education.

Scottish Highland Games continue a proud historical tradition

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on July 29, 2019 - 12:26pm

In many countries throughout the world, wherever there are Scottish connections, Highland Games take place. There are about 100 Highland Games in Scotland between May and September every year. Most recently, on 28th July, a successful St Andrews Highland Games was held. This was the Scottish town of St Andrews (Scottish Gaelic: Cill Rìmhinn) 35th games, but the history of such events in Scotland go back much further. The story of the Scottish Highland Games date back many centuries. 

The Deer's Cry and Its Link to Animism and Shapeshifting in Celtic Mythology

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 28, 2019 - 11:02am

Celtic deer design

Celts had and continue to hold a great respect for the environment. Nature, the elements and the other creatures which share their land and sea held a sacred significance. Animals and birds were vital to everyday life and well-being and they feature in art, literature, rituals and religious beliefs. Our landscape, geographic location and wildlife has played a pivotal role in our history, beliefs and recognition of ourselves. For our culture tells us that we are part of and completely tied to the lands in which we live or from where we came. Pre-Christian Celtic beliefs perceived the presence of the supernatural in every mountain, river, coastal feature, spring, loch, marsh, tree and rock formation. All had their own spirit and life force that were integral to, and interwoven with, the material world. Humans formed just one part of this understanding of an interlinked world. Given this strong link with nature, it is not difficult to see why the idea of shapeshifting, the ability of a being or creature to transform its physical form or shape was also widespread in Celtic mythology and folklore.

On Cornwall Councils Chief Planners own admission ‘’Langarth is a mess’’.

Submitted by Kernow Matters to Us on July 24, 2019 - 2:05pm

News release from Cornish Solidarity:

The entire Langarth saga was encapsulated in a remark made by a former Cornwall Council CEO to BBC Radio Cornwall that ‘’The Developers Own Us’’.

 Many Cornish people openly speak of the developer involved in Langarth as being ‘’dodgy’’ given that the developers track record thus far has done nothing to dispel that perception.

Historic Provost Skene's House in Aberdeen to celebrate heroes of the city

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on July 23, 2019 - 10:08pm

George Skene of Fintray (1619–1707) was a Scottish merchant who served as elected Provost (convener) of the city of Aberdeen (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Dheathain) from 1676 to 1685. George Skene is now probably most famous for his house, which is a tourist attraction in Aberdeen. Built in 1545, the house was bought by him in 1669. In 1953 it was opened to the public and is now a museum and free to the public. More information can be obtained from Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums website.

Search for Scotland's rare and endangered mountain plants

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on July 20, 2019 - 6:20pm

Botanists from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh (RBGE) are trying to find out where three rare and endangered species of plants grow in Scotland. In doing so they have requested the help of climbers and hillwalkers to report the sightings so that they can be better studied. The Cicerbita alpina (alpine blue-sowthistle), Saxifraga cespitosa (tufted saxifrage) and Alectoria ochroleuca (alpine sulphur tresses) are under threat of extinction and protected by law.

Remarkable Scottish scientist James Croll who developed revolutionary theory of climate change

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 17, 2019 - 1:01pm

These days there is much concentration on the issue of climate change. The main debate now is focused on the issue of Global Warming and the current warming of the Earth's climate being due to human activities. However, research of geological records going back millions of years, have indicated that there have been a large number of variations in the Earth’s climate. A variety of natural factors have caused this, including the Earth’s orbit, changes in the sun, volcanoes and CO2 levels.

Scottish filmmaker tours Scotland with film that explores Native American experience

Submitted by Douglas MacQueen on July 15, 2019 - 3:42pm

Steven Lewis Simpson is an independent film and documentary filmmaker from Aberdeen, Scotland. In 2016 he released the film "Neither Wolf Nor Dog", which is an adaption of the award winning book, with the same name, by Kent Nerburn. Steven Lewis Simpson's film's film festival premiere was at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in 2016. He took the unusual step of releasing the film directly into US cinemas in 2017. It continues in first-run cinemas in 2019, making it the longest first-run theatrical release in the US in over ten years.

Isle of Man: Yn Chruinnaght - One of the Longest-Running Celtic Festivals in Europe

Submitted by Valerie Caine on July 12, 2019 - 9:53pm

Now in its forty first year, the Yn Chruinnaght Celtic Gathering is firmly established in its role as an annual celebration of music, song, dance, language and culture in Peel, and is recognised as one of the longest-running Celtic festivals in Europe - which later this month will present a packed programme of entertainment from both at home and abroad.

Isle of Man Post Office celebrate the Manx language and International Year of Indigenous Languages

Alastair Kneale's picture
Submitted by Alastair Kneale on July 9, 2019 - 8:38pm

In celebration of The International Year of Indigenous Languages 2019 and the Manx Gaelic language, Isle of Man Post Office (Manx: Oik Postagh Ellan Vannin) recently produced a presentation pack of six stamps. The issue also coincides with the 120th anniversary of the Manx Language Society (Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh) and is produced in conjunction with Culture Vannin and  Manx artist Mary Cousins.  Details can be found on the Isle of Man Post Office website.

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