The Celtic Tiger? Pic: Tambako the Jaguar

As you know, we at the Celtic Myth Podshow, try and avoid any particular political and/or religious stance - our main sphere of interest is in the Ancient Celts. Where did they come from? Where did they go and what traces of them are left today? We found this following commentary by George Monbiot in the Guardian.co.uk newspaper website, and the political questions he asks bear a direct relationship to the religious, archaeological, and traditions/heritage of the Ancient and modern Celts in Ireland.The economical growth that Ireland has seen has been called the ‘Celtic Tiger‘. He looks at the economical growth over the past 60 years and asks the question: how much of this is real?I do not understand the politics involved, I do not understand the choices that have been made or are available to be made - politics has never been my strong suit – I only understand the destruction that the Sacred Landscape in Erin has suffered.

This post is for those who do understand such things and are in positions where they have the power to help preserve the land and traditions of the Ancient Celts, that precious Irish heritage that is genuinely so important to our global Celtic heritage as well as the Irish tourism industry.

George goes on to say:

How much of this is real? How much of the economic growth of the past 60 years? Of the wealth and comfort, the salaries and pensions that older people accept as normal, even necessary? How much of it is an illusion, created by levels of borrowing – financial and ecological – that cannot be sustained? Go to Ireland and you’ll see that even bricks and mortar are a mirage: the marvels of the new economy, built on debt, stand empty and worthless.

To sustain the illusion, we have inflicted more damage since 1950 to the planet’s living systems than we achieved in the preceding 100,000 years. The damage will last for centuries; the benefits might not see out the year. Ireland, again, points a withered finger at the future.

Among other iniquities, the government forced a motorway through the Gabhra Valley, part of a site – the Hill of Tara complex – comparable in its importance to Stonehenge. It was both an act of wilful vandalism and a notice of intent: no consideration would impede the economic miracle. The road hadn’t opened before the miracle collapsed.

Once our needs had been met, continued economic growth did most people few favours. During the second half of the growth frenzy, unemployment rose, inequality rose, social mobility declined, the poor lost amenities (such as housing) while the rich enhanced theirs. In 2004, at the height of the longest boom the UK has ever experienced, the Nuffield Foundation published this extraordinary finding:

“Rises in mental health problems seem to be associated with improvements in economic conditions.”

Now, bar the shouting, it’s over. Last week the Wall Street consultant Nouriel Roubini, one of the few who predicted the financial crash, spelt out the fix we’re in. Governments cannot afford to bail out the banks again. Quantitative easing can no longer help, nor can currency depreciation. Italy and Spain will be forced, in effect, to default, and Germany won’t pay out any more. The successful capitalist reached this striking conclusion:

“Karl Marx, it seems, was partly right in arguing that globalisation, financial intermediation run amok, and redistribution of income and wealth from labour to capital could lead capitalism to self-destruct.”

The Solution?

The most hopeful sign that politicians might now be prepared to ask the big questions was the presence, in Ed Miliband’s pile of holiday reading, of Prof Tim Jackson’s book Prosperity Without Growth. It’s a revolutionary text, now two years old, whose time has come.

But how do you escape from growth without tanking the economy – and our prosperity? Under the current system, you can’t: when growth stops, it collapses. So Jackson has begun developing a macroeconomic model which would allow economic output to be stabilised. He experiments with raising the ratio of investment to consumption, changing the nature and conditions of investment and shifting the balance from private to public spending, while staying within tight constraints on the use of resources. He finds that the redistribution of both income and employment (through shorter working hours) is essential to the project. So is re-regulation of the banks, enhanced taxation of resources and pollution and measures to discourage manic consumption, such as tighter restrictions on advertising.

His system is not wholly different to today’s: people will still spend and save, companies will still produce goods and services, governments will still raise taxes and spend money. It requires more government intervention than we’re used to; but so does every option we face from now on, especially if we try to sustain the growth illusion. The results, though, are radically different: a stable, growthless economy which avoids both financial and ecological collapse.

From now on, as the old dream dies, nothing is straightforward. But at least we have the beginning of a plan.
Read the full article on the Guardian website at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/22/economic-growth-environment

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Description Page.
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The BGS and Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park Authority (LLTNPA) have collaborated to produce a new navigation chart of Loch Lomond. The chart dataset can also be analysed for a variety of scientific purposes including geological interpretation.

The image below shows how one of Britain’s largest ‘lakes’ would look if the water was taken out.

Loch Lomond, pic source: BGS

On the video: pink colours indicate shallow areas; dark blues are the deep areas.

 Underwater Glacial Features

The loch lies at the southernmost edge of the ice limit during the last glaciation to affect Scotland. The survey shows glacial features, which will add to our understanding of how quickly the ice retreated. The Highland Boundary Fault, which separates the Scottish Highlands from the Central Valley, runs through the loch and the survey also provided an opportunity to acquire underwater data across this important structural feature.

Data were collected during a 7-week period from December 2007– January 2008. The BGS has extensive experience of using multibeam data in the marine and coastal environment, where the data have been used for a wide range of scientific research topics including mapping the habitats of marine flora and fauna.

The data are also widely used by marine management organisations with responsibilities for fisheries, oil and gas, cables/pipelines, conservation etc. This project is the first occasion that BGS have used echo-sounding equipment in freshwater.

Highland Boundary Fault

The geology of the loch is strongly influenced by the Highland Boundary Fault, a fracture formed several hundreds of million years ago that forms the boundary between the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands. The fault crosses Loch Lomond and can be seen on the elongate islands of Inchmurrin, Creinch and Inchcailloch. To the north of the fault the hard metamorphic rocks were more resistant to erosion and weathering than the softer sedimentary rocks to the south.

Evidence of the Highland Boundary Fault and the glacial features of the last Ice Age can be seen onshore around the loch, but for the first time, a sonar survey of the loch floor has revealed the detailed landscape that remained after the ice melted. The survey, conducted by the British Geological Survey and the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park Authoritywill help geologists to understand the changes that took place in our climate over 10 000 years ago and can be used to produce detailed charts of the loch floor.

Read more on the British Geological Survey website or contact Alan Stevenson for further information from the BGS.

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our description Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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Pic: BBC

BBC News tells us : Archaeologists believe that bones discovered at Stirling Castle, Scotland may have belonged to a knight killed in battle or during a siege in the early 1400s. It is thought that despite the warrior’s relatively young age of about 25, he may have suffered several serious wounds from earlier fights. Researchers thinks it is also possible he may have been living for some time with a large arrowhead in his chest. The bones were discovered in a chapel at the castle in 1997.

They were excavated when archaeologists were working in an area of the castle which turned out to be the site of a lost medieval royal chapel.Some research was carried out on the skeleton at the time of its discovery, but a lack of technology meant it was difficult to assess the remains in more detail.

Since then scientists have been able to perform laser scanning which revealed the wounds.

Bone regrowth around a dent in the front of the skull suggested the man had recovered from a severe blow, possibly from an axe.

The warrior had also lost a number of teeth – perhaps from a blow, or a fall from a horse.

The fatal wound, however, occurred when something, possibly a sword, sliced through his nose and jaw.

Mr Yeoman said: "We know little about this burial area but the evidence suggests it was sometimes used during extreme circumstances, for example to bury the dead during a siege.

"However, by using modern analysis techniques we have started to discover quite remarkable information about this man.

"It appears he died in his mid-20s after a short and violent life.

"His legs were formed in a way that was consistent with spending a lot of time on horseback, and the upper body points to someone who was well-muscled, perhaps due to extensive training with medieval weapons."

A large, tanged arrowhead was found in skeleton and appears to have struck through the back or under the arm.

Crystalised matter attached to the arrowhead may have been from flies or other insect larvae and could have been from clothing the arrow forced into the wound.

Gordon Ewart, of Kirkdale Archaeology, who carried out the excavation and some of the research for Historic Scotland, said: "This is a remarkable and important set of discoveries.

"There were a series of wounds, including a dent in the skull from a sword or axe, where bone had regrown, showing that he had recovered.

"At first we had thought the arrow wound had been fatal but it now seems he had survived it and may have had his chest bound up."

War hammer

Little is known about who the man was or where he came from.

Further study is planned on tooth enamel and bone samples which may shed light on his origins.

His body appeared to have been buried in the same grave as a small boy of one to three years old.

Archaeologists cannot be certain that the two were linked but radiocarbon dating suggests both date from the early 15th Century, and there was no evidence of one grave having been cut through the other.

They were part of a group of 12 skeletons, some highly fragmentary, which were discovered.

Among them was a female, probably buried some time in the 13th Century, who had two neat, square holes through her skull which were consistent with blows from a war hammer.

Source:

Originally posted 2009-08-24 08:30:44. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Arthur Pendragon Pic: Stormwatch on Facebook

On the 23rd of August 2011 the BBC reportedthat King Arthur Pendragon went to the High Court in a Battle to have the Bones found at Stonehenge in 2008 to be reburied. They have been in the hands of the scientists for three years now, and Arthur was arguing that the Bones of the Guardians and our ancestors need to be rest. He said: “Let those we lay to rest, stay to rest! The article said:-

Self-styled druid King Arthur Pendragon wanted the remains found in 2008 to be reburied immediately.

He was fighting a Ministry of Justice decision allowing scientists at Sheffield University to analyse the samples for five more years.

His bid was rejected at a High Court hearing.

Former soldier Mr Pendragon, 57, who represented himself at the hearing, has vowed to continue his fight to have the remains reburied.

He told the judge that he did not believe the bones would ever be returned. The Ministry of Justice denied his allegation.

Talking prior to the hearing, Mr Pendragon said:

“If we don’t get them to, force them to, put them back, they’re going to end up in Salisbury museum.

“I know that for a fact, and I’m not prepared to stand around and wait for them to come up with other excuses.”

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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Hazel Down Lynchets Pic: University of Oxford

The University of Oxford’s website tells us :A new five-year project has been announced looking at the history of the English landscape from the middle Bronze Age to the Norman period. The English landscape of fields, trackways and settlements is an ancient one.  While much has changed over the 3,500 years since the agricultural landscape was laid out, surprising continuities exist. ‘The English Landscapes and Identities project’ will use a mass of mapped data for the period from the middle Bronze Age to the Domesday Book (AD1086) to explore continuities and changes in the use of the land in different parts of England

The results will be publicly available on a website to be called ‘A Portal to the Past’, which is being created by the School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford. The project with funding of €2 million from the ERC (European Research Council) will not only map the whole of England, but also allow the research team to collect and analyse huge amounts of digital data – on a scale never attempted before.

The five-year project run by The School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, will take as its starting point the middle Bronze Age when a settled agricultural landscape was laid out in England for the first time. It will then chart changes under the Iron Age inhabitants, the Romans, the Anglo-Saxons, and up to the arrival of the Normans under William the Conqueror, who commissioned the famous Domesday Book of AD1086, a country-wide survey providing a wealth of information about life in England at the time.

English Heritage has used aerial photographs of over half of England showing ancient sites of interest and this will form the basis for the project.  Material will also be drawn from county archives, databases of ancient coins, and the Portable Antiquity Scheme (which records the archaeological finds made by metal detectors). Oxford researchers will also work with the British Museum, the Archaeology Data Service and local history experts with a good knowledge of the period to draw together the different regional histories and analyse what variations existed and why.

English Heritage has used aerial photographs of over half of England showing ancient sites of interest and this will form the basis for the project.  Material will also be drawn from county archives, databases of ancient coins, and the Portable Antiquity Scheme (which records the archaeological finds made by metal detectors). Oxford researchers will also work with the British Museum, the Archaeology Data Service and local history experts with a good knowledge of the period to draw together the different regional histories and analyse what variations existed and why.

Principal investigator Professor Chris Gosden, from the School of Archaeology at the University of Oxford, said:

‘England is extraordinary in the level of information about the ancient landscape. We want to discover what this huge database of information on ancient sites can reveal about England at a national level. Until now we have had fragments of information about landscape use during this period but this project allows us to form a bigger picture of overall patterns and regional variations within England.

‘Variety characterises the English landscape, with dispersed settlements in the south-west and north-west contrasting with more clustered settlements in the Midlands and elsewhere. The project will also provide the public for the first time with online access to a wealth of archaeological information about any part of England.’

Eighteen areas of the country have been picked out as case studies demonstrating how land was commonly used in the past. For example, in the Upper Thames Valley patterns of ancient field settlements are still evident in the landscape today. The researchers will also carry out new research to link distributions of metalwork and landscape forms.  In East Anglia a much metalwork was deposited by ancient communities and the researchers want to find out where on the landscape such deposits were made and whether this indicates that these were gifts to the gods or deposited for more pragmatic  reasons.

Oxford University’s School of Archaeology is collaborating with the University’s e-Research Centre to create this ambitious website, providing access to maps and databases on artefacts. John Pybus from the e-Research Centre said: ‘We are developing software to allow people to query the huge mass of archaeological data out there. Our software should allow cross-referencing and an ability to map national patterns in land use on a scale never attempted before. This will allow for a new understanding of archaeology at a local and national level.’

The Portal to the Past website is expected to go live in 2014. It will be available through the University of Oxford School of Archaeology website.

Source

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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The Wild ManPic: Wild Man on Facebook

The National Forest Wood Fairis taking place at Beacon Hill Country Park in Leicestershire this Bank Holiday Monday 2011 from 10 am till 4 pm. The Wood Fair promotes sustainable forestry and woodland leisure, showcases wood crafts and products and celebrates all aspects of wood, with fun activities and local food.Situated in Charnwood Forest in north-west Leicestershire, Beacon Hill Country Park  has over 135 hectares (335 acres) of mixed woodland, grassland, wildflower meadows and adjoining farmland.  This popular countryside area is owned and managed by Leicestershire County Council for peaceful recreation whilst conserving the site’s considerable historic and wildlife value.Visitors can explore an extensive network of paths, enjoy picnics and barbeques, and discover the many features of interest.

Something for all the family

• Don’t miss the live demonstrations of woodworking skills, craft displays and chainsaw sculpting.
• There’s plenty for children – stories from the Wild Man of the Woods, birds of prey, craft activities, coracle paddling and the brilliant climbing wall.
• Find out more about woodlands – from tree planting to felling. Talk to the experts and watch forestry in action including timber processing and horse logging.
• Take a break in the Food Area where you’ll find a great selection of delicious locally produced food.
• And that’s not all! There will also be an exciting lumberjack show, Bodger’s Corner and charity auction.

The Wild Man of the Woods

He has many other skills and characters which you can explore on Birch Tree – I hope to meet Barry oner day!

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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The Stone of Uisneach (‘Catstone’) Pic: Festival of Fires

One of Ireland’s greatest living historians, Ruth Illingworth, is to give a guided walk and tour of the Hill of Uisneach, formerly regarded as the centre of Ireland, at 2pm this Saturday August 27th 2011. This is a rare chance to hear the real stories of Uisneach whilst walking Uisneach. Meet at the lay-by at 2pm.

In Irish mythology, it was considered to be the omphalos or mystical navel of Ireland, upon which rested a great stone (Ail na Míreann, which means “stone of divisions”) which was said to indicate the meeting point of the provincial borders of Leinster, Munster, Connacht, Ulster, and Mide (which was once a separate, fifth province). Tradition tells that the Hill of Uisneach was a site favoured for Beltane fires and Druidical ceremonies, and as a ceremonial site it was regarded as second only to Emain Macha. In the poetic history Lebor Gabála Érenn (Book of the Takings of Ireland), the Nemedian Druid Mide lit the first fire there. A fire was also lit on the Hill of Uisneach on the feast of Bealtaine. This fire could be seen from Tara, and when they saw it, they lit their fire. [Wiki]

We covered this story, which is usually known as “The Settling of the Manor of Tara” in Episode 18: The Judgement of Fintan. Fintan is called upon to decide how the land is to be divided and he gives his final decision or judgement by the Stone on the Hill of Uisneach at the Centre of Erin. This is the stone picture above – I would love to hear Ruth Illingworth tell the tale and what the Historians have discovered in the area!

The Festival of Fires and Uisneach

My impression is that the Festival of Fires organisation, recently formed and doing such worthy work in trying to restore the importance of Tara, Bealtaine and Fire in Erin, have arranged for this guided tour. They are certainly publicising it – if I’m wrong, I apologise and will happily credit the organiser(s). If you’re able to attend the tour, they have the following information and guidance:
It has been a very busy summer on the Hill of Uisneach and David and Angela Clarke and their family are to be commended on their courtesy and kindness to all visitors who check in with them before walking the hill. Uisneach is still very much a working farm so please follow the instructions on the signs at the parking lay-by if you intend walking it.

Hundreds of tourists from all over the world have visited the hill this summer and among those was the American musical group The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. In Ireland to play with Prince, they took time off their busy schedule to visit the centre of the country and learn some its history before they continued their world tour with Prince, playing to hundreds of thousands across the globe. The band are back in the country in the Autumn with Damon Albarn and they are always welcome back to Uisneach.

If you have never visited Uisneach with an expert then this Saturday is a must.

Ruth Illingworth was a key member of the team at Festival of the Fires, giving tours and talks throughout the three festivals to date, and in historic circles in Ireland she is among the highest rated and most passionate historians. A widely published author and expert on all things in the midlands, Ruth is also a Mullingar Town Councillor. She has served as mayor of Mullingar on two occasions and were it not for Ruth’s voice being on the Council, much of Westmeath’s history would have been lost forever.

What is the Festival of Fires?

Festival of the Fires is a rekindling of Ireland’s oldest recorded festival, Bealtaine. The dawn of May will see Ireland illuminated as the festival returns to the Hill of Uisneach and selected sites nationwide.A cultural celebration on a national scale, the Festival’s epicentre is the Hill of Uisneach in Co. Westmeath. Started in May 2010, 73 other sites & communities joined in the main Uisneach celebration, with 14 international fires also lit in solidarity. In 2011 the festival is to grow, with a full weekend of celebrations planned…

The Fire Festiaval Pic: Festival of Fires

The dawn of May will see Ireland illuminated as Festival of the Fires returns with very special musical guests The Saw Doctors. From its Hill of Uisneach Epicentre, the festival will spread to communities across the country with over 100 hills all across Ireland uniting to welcome in the summer.

Celebration in 2010

The main festival takes place on the Hill of Uisneach, with a unique festival village featuring three musical stages, food & beverage villages, art installations, heritage trails, guest lectures, comedy, spoken word, debate, hundreds of horsemen and women, arts and crafts, and of course a spectacular night-time Fire Parade led by the multi-award-winning Luxe group from Donegal.

Musical guests will include the aforementioned Saw Doctors, playing their ONLY Midlands show of the year, and they will be joined by a diverse and exciting line-up which will be revealed over the coming weeks.

Tickets are on sale now from all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.ie priced €35. Camping tickets are also on sale price €40. Tickets are also on sale at selected venues throughout the midlands and major cities (see festivalofthefires.com)

Arts, Culture and Heritage – Reignite your passion with Festival of the Fires!

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
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Irish Claddagh Unity Candle Pic: Brides’ Village

Guest blogger Brian Cross gives us some useful tips on creating our own Irish or Celtic Wedding: Feeling connected to your culture? Nothing compares to the celebration of heritage that can be found at a traditional Irish wedding. An authentic Irish wedding ceremony blends beautiful symbolism and art into a romantic tapestry inspired by centuries of history and tradition. Learning the stories behind these traditions, where they began, and what they mean to us today, is part of what makes Irish traditional weddings so personal and so special. Where did the Claddagh ring come from? Why do Celtic knots look that way?

What is the significance of the shamrock? We’ve compiled a bit of background as well as some key tips and ideas for adding these and other elements to an Irish Celtic wedding design of your very own!

Is Your Traditional Irish Wedding “Irish” Enough?

• Most modern weddings already draw from Irish and Celtic tradition, so don’t worry that your own wedding isn’t Irish enough. Instead, use your ceremony as an opportunity to educate your guests!

Looking forward to the bouquet toss or relaxing on your honeymoon? You can thank the Irish and the Celts for both! Most brides don’t realize it, but many of the most popular features of the modern wedding are direct descendents of Irish and Celtic culture.

By working a little history of some popular traditions into your ceremony, you can easily give your guests a Celtic experience that is as fun and romantic as it is informative. The back of your wedding programs, for instance, is a great place to explain the origins of your favorite traditions or the meaning of the symbols your guests may encounter at your celebration. There are literally hundreds of stories, and researching them can be some of the most fun you’ll have planning your wedding.

Use Celtic Knots for Your Wedding Rings and in Your Theme

• Celtic knots are a universal symbol for eternity that have come to define Celtic culture and the look of Irish weddings.

Celtic knots are one of the most ancient styles of art still practiced today. Incredibly intricate and mathematically precise, these designs have been perfected over the centuries and can be used as the main visual element of your Celtic wedding design.

But what do they mean? A great deal of debate surrounds the exact significance of these braids and what they meant to early Celtic artists. No complete record explaining the “language” of Celtic knots has ever been found, but research suggests the Celts were first inspired by the elaborate root systems of oak trees. The Celts believed trees were natural symbols of eternity, and there is strong evidence that the endlessly repeating patterns in Celtic knots were intended in part to represent the infinite cycles of the natural world.

In spite of the mysteries surrounding Celtic knots, few will dispute their stunning beauty and their ability to capture the imagination. The connection between the endless weaves of these knots and the unbreakable bonds of love is immediately recognizable, and Celtic knots are rightfully one of the most versatile decorative symbols of an Irish wedding.

Experience the Love, Loyalty, and Friendship of the Claddagh Ring

• The Claddagh ring is ancient symbol that represents the three qualities of any successful marriage.

You may have seen them on the fingers of young brides or in movies and television — the Claddagh ring is a centuries old design that has recently made a comeback among women and even some men as a symbol of Irish pride and heritage. Named after a small fishing village in Ireland, the Claddagh ring features a circle that ends in two hands clasping a heart topped with a padded crown.

Each of the three parts of the Claddagh ring has a specific meaning that has made it a favorite addition to the modern Irish wedding ceremony. The hands represent friendship, the heart of course represents love, and the crown represents loyalty. The traditional expression associated with the Claddagh ring explains it simply, “With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my loyalty.” The combination of these elements is also considered by many to be a metaphor for the Catholic Trinity, while the circular nature of the ring itself, like the Celtic knot, is also said to be an expression of infinity.

• Claddagh designs can be used for more than just wedding rings and look beautiful on a variety of wedding accessories.

While Claddagh wedding rings are becoming increasingly common, they can be worn by unmarried women and are a popular standalone fashion. Claddagh rings can also be used in other parts of your wedding and often make appearances on unity candles, embroidered onto ring pillows (a particularly nice use for the design), and even wedding cake toppers.

• The myths surrounding the origins of the Claddagh ring are full of adventure, magic, epic romance, and make for great stories to tell at your wedding.

The exact origins of the Claddagh ring are shrouded in legend; though elements from the design such as the clasped hands have been traced clear back to the Roman Empire. The look of the Claddagh ring as it is known today dates to the 1600s, but Irish folklore has at times credited a fisherman, a prince, and even a magical eagle as the original artist.

Our favorite story of the ring’s origin is also the most romantic and is likely partially true. A fisherman named Richard Joyce was attacked and captured by Algerian pirates near the West Indies and sold into slavery in Tangiers. A slave to a goldsmith for over 14 years, Joyce is said to have designed the ring as a promise that he would one day return to the love he left behind in Ireland. Joyce was eventually freed; he went back to Ireland with his ring, married his sweetheart, and became a successful goldsmith in his own right.

Use Shamrock Accents for an Immediate Irish Flourish

• Shamrocks don’t just “look” Irish, they are also connected to Celtic knots and Claddagh rings in meaning.

Shamrocks are by far the most widely recognized emblems of all things Irish and are, of course, an indelible part of St. Patrick’s Day. No Irish wedding ceremony would be complete without a nod to them, but the deeper significance of the shamrock and its relationship to other Irish symbols is perfect for tying your wedding theme together.

Just as with the three parts of the Claddagh ring, the three leaves of the shamrock is also an important symbol of the Holy Trinity. According to legend, St. Patrick himself used the shamrock in his travels to explain the concept the Trinity to converts across Ireland. Even more, the trefoil shape of the shamrock is also found over and over again in many Celtic knots.

The accuracy of the St. Patrick story is debatable, but don’t expect the shamrock to disappear from Irish culture anytime soon. They are the ultimate natural symbol of what it means to be Irish and are a simple blend of all the stories, faith, and timelessness of Irish heritage.

• Use shamrocks as a natural complement to the other symbols of your wedding.

The decorative potential of shamrocks is essentially endless and you can feature them anywhere from your wedding gown to your table confetti. We especially like seeing them used in centerpieces and bridal bouquets, but what’s best to keep in mind is that Celtic knots, Claddagh rings, and shamrocks can all be used interchangeably and their special meanings complement one another. Find a balance that feels right for you, and your Irish wedding will be as authentic as you want it to be.

Irish Traditional Weddings Are a Way to Tell Your Story

The best part of Irish traditional weddings is there’s always more to explore, learn, and discover! Irish and Celtic culture is a deep well that can be drawn from again and again when planning your wedding, and now you have all the basics you need to get started. So, go ahead and lose yourself in the stories and the artwork for awhile — you’ll find that the true magic of Ireland is in its stories and ultimately in your heart!

About the Author:
Brian Cross has been an active freelance writer and researcher since 2007. He also regularly writes articles, tips, and content for BridesVillage.com, an independent retailer of wedding accessories.

Author: Brian Cross
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

This episode of the Albion Diaries is even more fascinating because you get to see some of the most amazing ancient sites across the land of Albion. The Albion Diaries tell the Behind the Scenes story of the production of the Spirit of Albion movie.

Esther, Annie and George are 3 people whose lives have reached a crisis point. On the night of 31st October, all three find themselves drawn to a clearing in the woods. Secrets are revealed and nothing will ever be the same again as an ancient power emerges from the shadows…

As you know this movie was inspired by the works of Damh the Bard and the Director, Gary Andrews, has put the whole story together into something new and astounding, something with a powerful message for today’s youth and we are so excited to see the film’s launch sometime around the end of 2011.

We are lucky that Marq English of MEV Productions is producing a video diary of the film’s production, so you can get some idea of what’s coming and how it has all been put together.

Production Diary from the Filming Tour of the West Country including iconic Landmarks such as the Rollright Stones, Wayland’s Smithy, Uffington White Horse and Stonehenge – Directed by Gary Andrews.

Video Diary Filmed and Edited by Marq English.

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You can also now download a Celtic Myth Podshow App from the iTunes store. This is the most convenient and reliable way to access the Celtic Myth Podshow on your iPhone or iPod Touch. You’re always connected to the latest episode, and our App users have access to exclusive bonus content, just touch and play! To find out more visit the iTunes Store or our Descripition Page.
You can now also find an Android version of the App which works identically to the iPhone version. You can find it on Appbrain at http://www.appbrain.com/app/celtic-myth-show/tv.wizzard.android.celticmythpodshow841 or by using the QR code opposite.
If you come to the site and listen or listen from one of our players – have you considered subscribing? It’s easy and you automatically get the episodes on your computer when they come out. If you’re unsure about the whole RSS/Subscribing thing take a look at our Help page.

Pic: bloke_with_camera

The British Government is to stump up more than £6m to promote the Irish language following top-level negotiations at Downing Street, it was revealed today. The £6.2m follows direct meetings between Gerry Adams and Gordon Brown in recent weeks which led to speculation that Sinn Fein might not renominate Martin McGuinness as Deputy First Minister.

The cash will maintain the Irish Language Broadcasting Fund, which commissions Irish programmes for BBC, RTE and TG4, as well as providing training, for a further two years.

Sinn Fein had accused former DUP Culture and Arts Minister Edwin Poots, now replaced with MP Gregory Campbell, of threatening the future of the fund which formed part of the Good Friday Agreement.

The DUP’s Nelson McCausland said today, however, the funding would be discriminatory unless equal amounts are made available for an Ulster Scots fund.

Source

Originally posted 2008-06-18 11:26:13. Republished by Blog Post Promoter