First, an interesting article about the Gundestrup Cauldron. The Gundestrup Cauldron: Its Tale From the Balkans to Denmark Originally published October 2013 John Norton John Norton was born in Scotland in 1765 to a Cherokee father and a Scottish mother. He joined the British army and was shipped with his regiment to North America in […]
Category: Blast from the Past
Celtic Hist. Newsletter Blast from the Past: Irish Mermaids
Originally published August 2013 Irish Mermaids Mermaids have been in the news a little as a result of a couple recent programs on the Discovery Channel which have been blasted by scientists as misleading. (The NOAA actually felt the need to issue a statement that “No evidence of aquatic humanoids has ever been found” after […]
Celtic Hist. Newsletter Blast from the Past: Boyerstown Ring Brooch
First some current news… New archeological dig uncovering Glencoe’s dark secrets. Originally published July 2013 The Boyerstown Ring Brooch Just a little look at an artifact and the possible symbolism. The Boyerstown Ring Brooch was found during an excavation of a 12th to 14th century site that was discovered […]
Celtic Hist. Newsletter Blast from the Past: Scottish Blue Bonnets
14-Year-Old Boy Finds ‘Lost’ Medieval Gravestones in Scotland “In the 19th century, 46 ornate medieval gravestones were discovered at a churchyard in the Scottish district of Govan, which is now part of Glasgow. Thirty-one of the “Govan Stones” were moved into the church for safekeeping, and the rest were displayed against a churchyard wall. But […]
Newsletter Blast from the Past: Irish Kilts?
Originally Published May 2012 Irish Kilts? In the U.S. when you are out and about in public while wearing a kilt it’s not at all uncommon to be asked if you are Irish, as opposed to Scottish, since the kilt has become stereotyped as a part of traditional dress Ireland as well as in Scotland. […]
Celtic Hist. Newsletter Blast from the Past: Scottish & Irish Pirates
Scottish & Irish Pirates Originally Published June 2012 Although when thinking about pirates most people think of Johnny Depp, tricorn hats and Captain Hook, pirates probably appeared on the scene shortly after people started transporting valued goods via boat. I thought it might be fun to take a look at some of the colorful figures […]
Newsletter Blast from the Past: The Connaught Rangers
The Connaught Rangers Originally published July 2012 The 88th Regiment of Foot, nicknamed “The Devil’s Own,” was an Irish regiment of the British army. It was one of eight regiments raised and garrisoned in Ireland. The 88th Foot were raised in 1793 to be prepare for the threat from Napoleonic France. One of their early […]
Celtic Hist. Newsletter Blast from the Past: Fighting Jack Churchill
Interesting tidbit. According to Nation Museums Scotland “George R. R. Martin has stated many times that the Massacre of Glencoe, along with the Black Dinner at Edinburgh Castle in 1440, is what gave him the idea for Game of Thrones’ most infamous scene – the Red Wedding.” Read their article. Fighting Jack Churchill Originally Published […]
Celtic Hist. Newsletter Blast from the Past: Alexander Selkirk
Alexander Selkirk Originally published November 2012 Alexander Selkirk was born in 1676, and was the real-life inspiration behind the novel Robinson Crusoe. He was the seventh son of a shoemaker from Largo, Fife in Scotland. He is described as a “spoiled and wayward boy” who “frequently engaged in mischief of one kind or another.” He […]
Newsletter Blast from the Past: Celtic Chariots & Cavalry
Free online course on the Book of Kells returns Following a hugely successful debut, Trinity College Dublin is again running its free online course on the Book of Kells – one of the world’s most famous medieval manuscripts. Originally Published February 2013 As with many ancient peoples chariots were an important part of Celtic warfare. […]