Ériu

I wish to introduce our readers to Ériu; the national personification of Ireland. Ériu was one of the queens of Ireland at the time of the coming of the Milesians (Goidelic Celts). She made a deal with the poet Amairgin that her name would be remembered as the principle name for Ireland.

Non-folk and Nationality

Online Etymology Dictionary: Nation c.1300, from O.Fr. nacion, from L. nationem (nom. natio) "nation, stock, race," lit. "that which has been born," from natus, pp. of nasci "be born" (Old L. gnasci; see genus). Political sense has gradually taken over from racial meaning "large group of people with common ancestry." Older sense preserved in application to N.Amer. Indian peoples (1640s). Nation-building first attested 1907 (implied in nation-builder). Source: http://www.etymonline....

Lughnasadh: ‘The Commemoration of Lugh’, god of the Light

The Eric-Fine of Lugh THE chiefs of the Tuatha De Danaan thronged round Lugh on the Hill of Usna. Lugh stood on the summit, and the Sword of Light was bare in his hand: all the hill below him shone with a radiance like white silver. "Chiefs," cried Lugh, "behold the Sword! Ye should have three great jewels to match it. Where are the Spear of Victory, the Cauldron of Plenty, and the Stone of Destiny?" The Tuatha De Danaan bowed their heads and veiled their faces before Lugh, and answer...

Irish High Crosses

July 2010: The High Crosses are some of the greatest examples of how powerful religious communities supported and encouraged art in Early Christian Ireland. An Irish art form was developed, with artists working in metal, velum and wood as well as stone. This period is now looked on as The Golden Age of Irish art. Irish High Crosses Exhibition - National Museum of Ireland (Collins Barracks, Dublin)

National Library of Ireland

The Celtic Warrior Tradition – Julius Evola

"The legendary history of Ireland is based on the events of races that later invaded it and dominated it, coming from a mysterious Northern-Atlantic center, to which they sometimes returned. The Historia britorum often gives to this center the name Hiberia, but in truth such a term is only an imaginative rendering of the Irish names Magh-Mo, Tragh-Mor, or Magh-Mell, designating the "Land of the Dead", namely, the primordial Northern-Atlantic center. There are many stories surrounding such race...

Language Revivalism around the World: What can we learn?

On the subject of Irish language revival (see my previous post), I think it is worthwhile to look into other initiatives where other ethnic groups are trying to save their native tongue from language death. It may prove useful to see not only what we can learn from their endeavours but also to uncover what may be successful and applicable to our situation and also to avoid their mistakes. On this point I think we have plenty to learn judging by where we are currently at. We possess all the cri...

The Failure of Irish Language Revival

I recently happened to come across an interesting study on Irish language revivalism which was conducted by an American entitled: Modern Irish: A Case Study in Language Revival Failure (from which I have use excerpts and have attached at the end of post). It is quite worth the time to read (it’s fairly short) as it brings to attention things we may have skimmed over and overlooked in relation to revitalizing our native language. Still, the same old criticisms are evident concerning the Irish ...

Lá Fhéile Pádraig

On Birth Rights

No one belongs anywhere. All people belong everywhere. All people are equal. This is the tenor of the liberal mind-set. It is the doctrine of egalitarianism. Readers may be unfamiliar with this term but they will not be unfamiliar with the concept. Egalitarianists hold that all people are equal in their worth; or in other words, that our moral sphere should extend to all people equally. In simple terms this means that we, collectively as a society, should not give precedence to Irish people. Or...