Patricia Carswell - The Observer On the Welsh hills with a pony, a map and the freedom to make your own way, discover the joys of unguided trail riding Thundering along a springy turf track at a turbo-charged gallop, I realise I’m not quite in control. I concentrate on keeping my feet in the stirrups and steering a safe path over the heather-strewn landscape. “Oh please God, don’t let me fall off,” I whisper as we fly across the hill. Poppy, the pretty Welsh pony I’ve been given for the weekend, is on her way home. We’ve spent a blissful two days exploring the Radnorshire hills, but while I’d happily stay several more days, Poppy can smell the bucket of food awaiting her back at the stables. Just as I’m starting to get a bit panicky, she lollops back to a walk; she knows that it’s time to consult the map. There’s a choice of routes ahead and Poppy remembers that she needs to give me time to think. This is unguided trail ...
Saturday 28th November, 2009 Class: 11.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. Lunch: 1.00 p.m. Dance: 2.00 - 4.30 p.m. St. Columba’s Church Hall, Pont Street, SW1 Admission: 2.50(pounds) for class. 1.00 for lunch. 2.50 for dance. Whole day ticket 5.00 Everyone welcome for all or part of the day. Dances in the afternoon will be talked through. At the same time as the children’s class, there will be a special gentle introduction to Scottish Country Dancing class for the grown ups the children bring with them to help you join in the afternoon’s dancing. Dance Programme Dances will be chosen from: Cumberland Reel, The Dashing White Sergeant, The Dhoon, Espie McNab, Highland Fair, The Flying Scotsman, A Jig for Mrs Dunn, Jig to the Music, Johnny Groat’s House, The Merry Reapers, Petronella, Rabbie’s Reel, A Reel for Jeannie, The Round Reel of Eight, The White Cockade, Wild Geese. For more information, contact Angela Young on 07976 353 608 or e-mail youthcoordinator@rscdslo ...
by Jean Mallory - World Celtic Connection We arrived home from Dublin on Sunday night, exhausted, but happy. I have been telling people ever since how wonderful Ireland is. I do have a few thoughts that I will share. The people of Dublin are some of the most fashionable in the world. I have been to London, Paris, and Rome; and the people of Dublin are right up there in the fashion world. Since I really want to update my wardrobe, I was in the right place to see fashion. I took mental notes all week. And it wasn’t just the wealthy either; it was everywhere. In case you didn’t know, boots are totally “in” this year. Technology was also everywhere. And I don’t just mean cell phones. I saw more Blackberries, iPhones, and the like being used than I usually see here in the US. It was common to see people waiting at the bus stop checking their email and working online. It was also so nice to be able to use a debit card everywhere. I was always ...
by Jean Mallory - World Celtic Connection Today, Saturday, was our last day here, and it could not have been more beautiful. It was sunny and in the high 50s (F). On this last day, we went into the city for one more visit. First we went to Trinity College; the leading university in Ireland, and the site of so much of Dublin’s history; to view the Book of Kells. This book contains the four gospels, beautifully written and illustrated on vellum. The exhibit went step-by-step into the making of vellum, how the book was bound, calligraphy and illustrations, and how many monks actually worked on this masterpiece (which was actually written on the Scottish island of Iona). It was excellently done and even kept the interest of 12-year-old Tanner. The actual book is in another room; in a glass case that everyone walks around. This entire exhibit is a must-see if you are in Dublin. Then we walked to Christchurch Cathedral; which, I’m very happy to say, was open to the ...
by Jean Mallory - World Celtic Connection Today we had planned to sleep-in and take a tour to Malahide Castle the seacoast town of Howth. Sleeping in was wonderful after the tiring, but fun, days that we’ve had. Our tour to Malahide Castle was a half-day tour. We arrived at city center, on O’Connell Street, and boarded our double-decker. Our tour guide/bus driver was very knowledgeable and a fine singer. Every now and then, he would just start singing Irish ballads. Anyone who knew them would join in. If he doesn’t sing in a pub in the evening, he should be. And, of course, like all of the drivers; he would point out places of interest on the way, with a good bit of history added in. The actual tour of Malahide Castle, in my opinion, was boring. The castle was built in the Norman times; and the same family, the Talbots, owned it until the last one died in February. The Talbots were a very rich, powerful family - one of the ruling families of Ireland - w ...
by Jean Mallory - World Celtic Connection Today we went to the Wicklow mountains. They are wild and beautiful. Our bus driver/guide, David, was humorous, and very informative. Even the children on the tour listened and learned, and that in itself is a miracle. David said that a lot of movies are made in Wicklow, because the movie companies pay no, or very little, tax here in Ireland. He did mention that Mel Gibson filmed Braveheart there and not in Scotland. In fact, there is a little town in which the movie personnel stay - it is named Hollywood and you do see road signs leading to it. These mountains play a big role in Irish history, for they are just south of Dublin, and Irish rebels, who fought to get the English out, would hide out here. They would also raid Dublin from time to time. The English finally built a road through in the late 18th century, in order to get troops into the region. The route we took today was a military road. Our next stop was Glendalough, the ...
by Jean Mallory - World Celtic Connection Today, Wednesday, Tanner and I went to the Dublinia exhibition, housed in the former Synod Hall of Christ Church Cathedral. Life-sized reconstructions starting with the Viking trading village of 841 and then the city during the Middle-Ages occupies the basement and the first floor. The second floor is all about the archeology that has taken place and is taking place currently. The entire exhibition comes alive with computer-generated projections depicting everyday life and customs, and with hands-on activities. The Viking exhibit had a life-sized house and how the people lived and what kind of trading that they did. Their boatbuilding skills made them fearless on the sea. After they had stolen all of that plunder; they then founded trading cities in which to sell their new-found wares. They intermarried with the locals, but enriched the locale with their culture. The Medieval floor had different exhibits depicting living conditions o ...
Jean Mallory - World Celtic Connection My 12-year-old grandson, Tanner, and I arrived at Dublin at about 8:30 on Monday morning. After going through customs and getting to the hotel, Tanner fell asleep and slept most of the afternoon. I explored the hotel. We are staying at the Clontarf Castle Hotel. Clontarf Castle was built in the 12th century. At that time castles weren’t very big, not like we think of them today. Of course beside the hovels of the common folk, they seemed huge. When the Castle was being made into a hotel, more rooms were needed. The architects decided to make the addition ultra-modern and sort of encase one side and the rear of the castle, making the old stone walls part of the lobby and turning the actual castle into the 3 restaurants, while having the sleeping areas very modern. They did a fantastic job. Somehow the old and the new work beautifully. The rooms are spacious, and have every amenity. The restaurants are excellent and the locals c ...
Newry has been chosen as the host city for the prestigious Celtic Media Festival from the 21st-23rd April 2010. The three day celebration of broadcasting and film talent will showcase work from Scotland, Northern Ireland, The Republic of Ireland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. Now in its 31st year, the festival is expected to attract up to 400 delegates to the city including some big name guests and prestigious industry speakers. The Celtic Media Festival is supported by broadcast, film, cultural and economic organisations across the Celtic nations and provides a unique opportunity for those within the film and broadcasting community to network, exchange ideas, attend workshops and sessions and promote the unique cultures and languages of the Celtic diaspora. Previous high profile guests include screenwriter Jimmy McGovern (Cracker, The Lakes, The Street), film maker Ken Loach (The Wind That Shakes The Barley, Kes, My Name Is Joe), Russell T Davies (Doctor Who) and actors Rhys I ...
The 2nd Australian Gathering of the O'Dea Clan was held in Adelaide, South Australia in February 2010. Photos from the event can be found here: Clan Gathering in Adelaide in 2010
The 7th International Gathering of the O'Dea Clan was held in Ennis, County Clare in July 2008. Photos from the event can be found here: Clan Gathering in Ireland in 2008
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