Peter Berresford Ellis, Celtic historian and novelist, author of the international bestselling Sister Fidelma historical mysteries under his pseudonym of Peter Tremayne, became a prominent advocate of Pan-Celticism in the 1960s. He joined the Celtic League in 1966. Born in Coventry, Warwickshire, in 1943, he was the son of an Irish journalist. While his mother's paternal family were an old English one, her mother was of a Breton family. "With Irish, Breton, Welsh and Scots uncles and aunts as well as the English, what else could I do but be interested in the Celts?" he has often quipped.
Leaving College Peter went into journalism, and eventually helped Brendan Mac Lua (1935-2009) launch the Irish Post newspaper in Britain in 1970. Peter was deputy editor. He later became editor of weekly magazine in London before returning to higher education. As well as a first class honours degree in Celtic Studies, a master's degree in the same subject, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. In 1987 he received an Irish Post Award in recognition of his work.
The same year was inaugurated a Bard of the Cornish Gorsedd mainly for his ground breaking work The Cornish Language and its Literature (Routledge, Kegan Paul, 1974) which was used for many years as a text book for the Cornish Language Board. He took the Bardic name of Gwas-an-Geltyon (Servant of the Celts).
In Cornwall the cove of Pendour is located close to the village of Zennor. A local legend tells of the story of Morveren the mermaid who lived at Pendour Cove. She was attracted to Mathew Trewella a handsome young local man and was captivated by his beautiful voice. Morveren would visit the church at Zennor just to hear him singing hymns and look upon his fine features.
The prolific Patricia Monaghan, at the time of her recent death in November 2012, was Professor at Chicago's DePaul University School for New Learning (America's largest Catholic University). The author of "The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore", Monaghan is from an Irish American family and held dual citizenship. She was author of over 20 books reflecting a general interest in Celtic and non-Celtic deities, an example being her "Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines" first published in 1981. An author of eclectic interests, Monaghan also penned the 2008 "Wineries of Minnesota and Wisconsin" and at the time of her death at age 66 had just completed an anthology entitled "Brigid: Sun of Womanhood" which is set for 2013 publication.
The Selkie-folk, in the mythology of Orkney and Shetland, are a supernatural race of shape-shifting seal creatures. They are said to be able to shed their seal skin and then take human form. However, it was vital for the Selkie never to lose its seal skin for it was that which gave them the ability to return to their original seal from. Sometimes the Selkies were known for shedding their skins and sunbathing on the beaches and rocks in their human form.
In some stories they are described as ‘shape shifters’. They are able to transfer themselves into beautiful women who can lure men and trap them. However, the Kelpie does not always take a female form and are mostly male. They are also described as posing a particular danger to children when in the shape of a horse. Attracting their victims to ride them they are taken under the water and then eaten.
