Embedded Files
I have provided the following links to organizations and businesses that deal with Celtic language and culture solely for the benefit and interest of the reader. I receive no financial or material incentive, remuneration, or other compensation of any kind from these sites or organizations. They are for the most part places that I have personally used and been satisfied with, and the owners are often known to me personally. However, neither I nor the site provider accept any responsibility for any problems with transactions, products, or any other issues arising from their use. Clicking on their links signifies the user's acceptance of this statement.
The Clan Leatherneck Society & Foundation was started by a group of U.S. Marines stationed in Holy Loch, Scotland in the early 1960s as a way of combining their interest in things Scottish and Celtic with their Marine heritage.
The original members moved on after their assignment, but in 1996, when the Richmond Virginia Highland Games & Celtic Festival started, Cpl. Wayne Watkins got together several of the Marines from Holy Loch for a reunion. They discovered that there was a Leatherneck tartan (designed by Rory MacLeod and our own Bob Hall who had previously been a member of the 26th Marines Radio Relay Team at the Sub-District HQ at Khe Sanh in 1967), and a new Clan Leatherneck came about.
In 2012, the Watkins family passed Clan Leatherneck on to Cpl. Donald Green, a Marine artillery veteran of Desert Storm, who took their beginning efforts and began bringing in members to raise money to cover expanded expenses and make some donations to Marines in need.
In June of 2017, the IRS approved Clan Leatherneck Society & Foundation Inc. as a 501(c)3 charity.
Their mission is to provide small, one-time grants to Marines, as well as family members, survivors, and Corpsmen who served with Marine units. monetary aid to Marines in need while celebrating Celtic Heritage and Marine Corps tradition, raising awareness of Clan Leatherneck through participation at Celtic Festivals, Highland Games, Irish Festivals, parades, military appreciation and recognition events, and in the media.
Funds to provide aid are gathered through donations and the sale of Clan Leatherneck logo coins, stickers, patches, shirts, and other items.
They raise awareness of Clan Leatherneck through attendance and participation at Celtic Festivals, Highland Games, Irish Festivals, parades, military appreciation and recognition events, and in the media. None of the officers or board of directors accept any pay or financial benefits.
For those of us who have Scottish, Irish or other Celtic heritage, or just an interest in the subject, Clan Leatherneck is a great way to combine our interests, and help our fellow Marines and Corpsmen.
Rainnea Ltd.
Rab and Tanya Gordon live and work on a hillside above Loch Ness by Druim na Drochaid. Their home and workshop are in an old water mill and farmhouse which they converted to a studio. They have always had an interest in Celtic and Pictish art, and concentrate on crafting custom made sgian dubhs, fine jewellery, and wedding rings. Their site is well worth a look!
Photo by Gearóid Ó Maonaigh
The famed Altan is in our opinion one of the finest Irish musical groups of modern times. Founded by the talented Belfast flute virtuoso, the late Frankie Kennedy, and the equally talented and beautiful Gweedore native Gaelic singer and fiddler, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, the duo evolved into a band that by the early 1990s had already acquired a well-earned reputation in the field of Irish music.
Sadly, even as the band was achieving their reputation in the early '90s, Frankie fell victim to the scourge of cancer. Despite his illness, he insisted that Altan continue touring. Though the band acquired other talented players, his loss was great. In 1994, the Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy winter music school and festival, was founded by Mairéad in his honor and continued for 20 years, featuring some of the best Irish and Scottish musical talent in the world. The last season ended in January 2014, and it has since been succeeded by the Scoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth Dobhair (Gweedore Winter School). We had the great pleasure of attending twice when we were living there, and it was phenomenal. In addition to the concerts, workshops and other formal events, the musical sessions at the local pubs (particularly the famed Teac Hiudái Beag in Bunbeg, Gweedore) were amazing, being literally packed with world-class musicians.
Mairéad and the band have continued playing and touring to the present day, adding to their fame each year. Its present line-up includes Mairéad, Ciaran Curran (bouzouki), Mark Kelly and Dáithí Sproule (guitar) and Martin Tourish (accordion).
They now present the first printed collection of their music in a stunning 206 page book which spans 30 years, 12 studio albums and 222 tunes.
"Errigal" by Rory O’Donnell, Ranafast, Ireland
Its pages contain the history, folklore, composers and musicians from whom their music was collected, and photographs that combine to illustrate the history of their musical roots, and the making of each album.
Each member of the current band contributed to this marvelous book. The learned Dr. Martin Tourish acted as editor and researcher, and contributed a very useful section on the nature of the music and how it is played that is scholarly, yet clear and easy to understand, while Dáithí Sproule did additional research and editing, while Mark Kelly contributed his useful guitar chords. We especially liked learning the stories behind the music, and the wonderful introductions from Mairéad, who writes;
“We play music which came from people that we loved and respected and were proud to know as friends. As is the cycle of life, a lot of these wonderful musicians are no longer with us, but their music and memories and stories remain. Their legacy is what is here in this book and above all we try to carry their humanity in every note.”
Their deep love and respect for the music and their musical mentors shines clearly in every note and verse, and in every page of this marvelous book.
Though the price might seem a bit high (€50.00 plus €15.00 shipping to the US), the quality is exceptionally high, starting with the gorgeous cover image of the iconic Mount Errigal, the craggy, rugged eminence that symbolizes both the antiquity and the strength of the Donegal Gaeltacht and its people, whilst the paper and print quality are both exceptional. Also, the notes and text are printed large enough that even our aging eyes can easily read them. When you consider the amount of music and lore contained in this text, it is well worth the price and in our opinion, more, and is bound to become a collector's item which will take pride of place on any Irish / Celtic music aficionado's bookshelf.
We unreservedly recommend this splendid book to every fan of Altan, and to any serious student of Irish music. You can order it direct from Altan on their site: https://altan.ie/altan-tune-book
For a complete list of their current and upcoming tours, go to Altan Live.
We had the great pleasure of attending our second Dàimh concert recently. They again played to a full house, and were as good as the first time (if not better!) and we greatly enjoyed the performance.
The estimable Dwelly's dictionary of the Scottish Gaelic language defines Dàimh (pron. approximately "dive") thus: "sm & f - Relationship, connection, affinity, friendship. 2** Kindness. 3** Friend. 4‡‡ Relative situation. Có ris a tha do dhàimh? with whom is thy connection? Mar nì athair dàimh, as a father befriends; an comh-strì ri dàimh, in contest with friends; dlùth an dàimh, closely connected; fad a-mach an dàimh, distantly related."
As you can see, the general connotation is one of kinship, connection snd affinity - in this case, symbolizing the cultural and musical kinship, connections and affinities of a superb group of musicians from Scotland, Canada, and California, who combine a high degree of musicality and technical proficiency with an obvious love of and respect for the Scottish Gaelic language and the cultural roots their music springs from.
They put on a great show, with an almost electric sense of high energy, great diversity, and what the Nova Scotians and Cape Bretoners call "lift" to their dance music - meaning it makes you want to get up and dance! Their tunes and Gaelic songs also have what the older generation called "blas" - meaning literally "taste" or "flavor" but in this instance meaning a song or story which has "the right stuff" - the Gaelic equivalent of "soul."
Among the multi-national recognition of their art are “Best Folk Band in Europe” at the prestigious Folkherbst competition in Germany and “Folk Band of the Year” at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards.
Their performances are well worth the price of admission, and their excellent recordings like Tuneship, whose clever and very appropriate cover (above) depicts a classic Hebridean birlinn (sailing galley) propelled by guitars, mandolins, fiddles and banjo!) and their Hebridean Sessions are likewise well worth the price of purchase, because once you hear them, you will want to hear them again and again!
Piper Angus MacKenzie is a native Gaelic speaker from Mabou, Cape Breton Island, whose father emigrated from South Uist, while his mother’s people were originally from Lochaber. Angus, the eldest of three brothers in a famous musical family, came to Scotland to study at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, the Gaelic College on the Isle of Skye, and ended up staying! His piping is IMO excellent in terms of technical skill, musicality and execution, demonstrating the qualities of "blas" and "lift" described above, as well as being an excellent composer of original tunes. Angus's style can best be described as what is now generally called "Gaelic" piping - that is, a form that hearkens back to the origins of piping, as opposed to the more rigid militarized style of playing that arose in response to pipes being incorporated into the British Army and then into bands within the Army, followed by the rise of civilian pipe bands which followed the military tradition. As both my boyhood instructors in Highland and uilleann pipes said, the pipes should follow the Gaelic singing voice, and the piper should model on it, as the Gaelic is the well-spring of the culture.
Their vocalist, Ellen MacDonald, is lovely lass with a tremendous voice. She was raised in Inverness, but has strong maternal and musical ties to North Uist and Scalpay. Ellen perfected her Gaidhlig at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. In addition to her remarkable singing talent, Ellen’s acting skills have resulted in a nomination for ‘Best Performance’ at the FilmG awards for her role in a Gaelic short film ‘Briste’ and to a key role in the BBC’s new Gaelic drama “Bannan.”
Fiddler Gabe McVarish grew up in Northern California, but his family originally emigrated from Morar, thence to Prince Edward Island and British Columbia. Gabe came to Scotland aged 17 on a fiddle scholarship with Aonghas Grant in Fort William. Deciding to stay, he moved to Morar, only to discover that he had landed in the village his great-great-grandfather had departed from - the only remaining MacVarish enclave in Scotland.
Talk about the hand of fate! (Gabe still tours with the band in Scotland, but e has started a micro-brewery and will not be on the current American tour, being replaced by the talented Alistair White, of Battlefield Band fame.)
Murdo ("Yogi") Cameron is from a long line of traditional Gaelic singers and was immersed in music growing up in Glenelg, a village across from Skye.
Murdo started out as an accordion player and piper, but also plays the mandola, mandolin, and guitar.
Ross Martin, the co-founder of the group (with Angus) is a native of Arisaig though he now lives in Morar. A fisherman in his early teens till his twenties, Ross has toured most of Europe and the U.S. In addition to his work with Dàimh, Ross has played with Irish singer Karan Casey and Buille, featuring the famed Vallely brothers from Armagh. His recordings include Dual, a collaborative exploration of traditional Gaelic music of Scotland and Ireland by the talented Gaelic vocalists Julie Fowlis and Muireann Nic Amhlaoimh, accompanied by Ross and Eamon Doorley.
Ever thought seriously about learning Irish Gaelic?
If so, a course at Oideas Gael should be on your calendar!
Beautiful, Historic and Scenic Glencolmcille in rural Co. Donegal
(Photo courtesy Oideas Gael )
Since its foundation in 1984, OIDEAS GAEL, located in beautiful and historic Glencolmcille, Co. Donegal, has attracted hundreds of participants annually its highly acclaimed language and culture courses for adults and Irish activity holiday cultural programmes each year.
Classes are not just for the Irish, but for people from all over the world who travel especially to attend. The unique blend of expertly prepared and customized language courses and an attractive mix of cultural sessions, all located within a lively Gaeltacht community that features neolithic passage graves and stunning natural vistas enables adult learners to improve their fluency in Irish, while at the same time enjoying the living culture.
These courses have produced some of the finest and most fluent non-native speakers of Irish in my circle of acquaintance, and their skilled staff can meet every need and level of fluency from beginner to advanced. Contact them at:
Cúrsaí Gaeilge agus laethe saoire cultúrtha
Irish language courses & cultural activity holidays
eolas@oideas-gael.com
fón: +353 (0)74 973 0248 / Faics: +353 (0)74 973 0348
For those interested in Scots Gaelic, The Gaelic College, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig has become internationally recognised as a National Centre for the Gaelic language and culture.
Located in Sleat on the scenic and historic Isle of Skye in Scotland, the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig is an innovative college with excellent learning resources, including an exceptional library, broadcast and recording facilities, residential student accommodation and a Gaelic-medium childcare facility. Current student numbers stand at approximately 90 on full-time courses, 260 on distance learning and access courses, and up to 800 on short courses each year.
The College's activities include links with the wider Gaelic community and the College is home to a number of creative and cultural projects.
The College plays a leading role in the promotion of the Gaelic arts and culture and hosts a programme of residencies for artists in music, literature and the visual arts.
Irish and Scots Gaelic Language Instruction App by Transparent Language ®
I have been using the excellent Irish and Scottish Gaelic desk-top and smartphone and tablet apps by Transparent Language ® for several years, and highly recommend it. While there is no substitute for total immersion in a Gaeltacht (such as the courses offered by Oideas Gael) this excellent app offers a combination of traditional and state-of-the-art research and methodology approaches to language learning.
The Transparent Language ® methodology is based on modern neuroscientific brain function research, and applies that knowledge to learning a new language. Research has found that two memory systems - "declarative" and "procedural"- enable people to learn, retain, and produce language. Declarative memory collects vocabulary words, phrases, and even short sentences, while Procedural memory manages the skill of applying grammar rules and producing language.
The system incorporates such venerable teaching tools as flashcards in a modern digital format with state-of-the-art computer-based tools, such as recordings of fluent speakers, which enable the learner to hear the word or phrase spoken at speeds ranging from slow (w/o distortion) to normal conversational speed. They also offer an on-line component. All of these tools utilize state of the art technology and scientific research, combined with the latest pedagogical techniques to enable the learner to progress as quickly as he or she is able to, with the capability of as much review and revision as needed at every stage.
Designed for all major platforms on desktop and portable devices, you can take your lessons with you everywhere you go, enabling you to learn any time or place you have the time.
Transparent Language ® offers both Irish and Scottish Gaelic courses, as well as Welsh among their over 100 languages, from Afrikaans to Zulu. While I haven't sampled the others, I can say that the Irish and Scots Gaelic versions are absolutely worth the money!
This long-awaited double-CD was put out by the late Bill Ochs (1946 -2016), who was a master whistle player, uilleann piper, and Irish music researcher. It consists of unreleased and out-of-print recordings of the late, great, tin whistle virtuoso, Micho Russel, and an accompanying pamphlet giving the historic context.
"Rarities & Old Favorites 1949–1993: Tin Whistle, Flute & Songs from North Clare and Beyond.” is accompanied by a booklet giving the historic context. This will certainly be an archival treasure, with Bill’s excellent research accompanying it.
Bill was singularly well-qualified for this project, as he devoted over thirty-five years to studying, researching, playing and teaching the whistle and pipes. Among other great mentors, he studied under master pipers including the late Andy Conroy, Pat Mitchell and my own mentor, the late Tom Standeven in Ireland and the U.S.
Bill was rightly called a "central figure in the renaissance of the tin whistle” (NPR's "All Things Considered”) and "the leading tin whistle teacher in North America” ("Irish Voice”).
He was also a prolific researcher and writer, being the author of the definitive “Clarke Tin Whistle Handbook” which has been truthfully been called "The best whistle tutorial on the planet.” by Dale Wisely of the premiere whistle and pipe site, "Chiff and Fipple”), and at last count, it was in its twenty-first printing with over 250,000 copies in print.
Bill's work was formally recognized by the Clarke Tin Whistle company, makers of the original tin whistle.
Bill was also the producer of the earlier Micho Russell recording, "Ireland's Whistling Ambassador” (which I have enjoyed for years) and was co-producer of the great Cathal McConnell’s "Long Expectant Comes At Last” (both recordings were nominated for "Best Celtic Album of the Year" in the NAIRD Indie Awards).
(Bill’s own piping and tin whistle playing can be heard on the Rounder CDs "Light Through The Leave” and "Irish Piping, Flutes, and Whistles"
I recently received word from my old friend, the learned Dr. Séamas Ó Direáin (formerly of UC Galway's School of Modern Irish, and now living in Galicia) about a fascinating project he has become involved in, the Gaelaico Project. In Séamas' own words;
"The website is devoted to the historic and prehistoric links between Galicia, Ireland and Scotland. Fortunately, we are starting at a good time, since the "Celtic from the West" paradigm has shaken up the world of Celtic studies in the last few years.
Fresh linguistic, archaeological and genetic evidence has established the importance of links between not just between Galicia and the Celtic lands to the north, but from the whole western coast of Spain and Portugal from Huelva (Tartessos) northward.
It is now clear that the oldest Celtic inscriptions in Europe date from around 700 BC, and that they occur in abundance in southwestern Spain -- around Huelva (Tartessos).
Through all its layers of mythology, Leabhar Gabhála na hÉireann (The Book of the Invasions of Ireland), contains a hard core of truth about the origins of the Gaels. All the evidence points to a major invasion of Ireland from western Spain -- probably Galicia, and to an earlier origin of the Goidelic Celts in the eastern Mediterranean, around the Balkans. Both movements -- westward and northward -- could have been made in the early Bronze Age.
The website will be devoted to all the evidence that comes to light connecting Galicia with its northern neighbours -- from the earliest times through the medieval Christian period.
Please spread the news to your friends, and get involved. If you like our work, we're very happy to receive donations, since we operate on a shoestring budget. We've had 32,000 "hits" on our website in our first two weeks, and the interest is phenomenal. This would be a nice way for people with a sincere interest in early Celtic prehistory and in the history of Galicia to link up with one another.
We hope to hear from you, and we hope that you like the website."
Talented Celtic artist Adrien Rain Burke (some of whose work appears elsewhere on this site) has established a new line of Celtic crochet designs on her new site "Faunashee" on Etsy.
Her first pattern is for a crocheted Claddagh design lace tiara, which can be used by Irish dancers, brides, or by any Irish Princess.
The Claddagh can also be appliqued onto a ring bearer's pillow, or just mounted and framed as a token of love. Adrien informs me that she will be following up soon with a shamrock tiara and a thistle tiara, as well as other products.
She is also still available for sales over art and commissioned works.
The ever-popular Yachats Celtic Music Festival is held annually in November, in the lovely and scenic Village of Yachats,Oregon.
For 18 years the Festival has thrilled audiences with a lively blend of Celtic music, humor, scrumptious food, and graceful dancers, and acclaimed performers from all over the Celtic world who fill the Village with traditional and modern Celtic music, dance and song. The Festival includes workshops for instruments, singers, and dancers, as well as an open Celtic music session and ceilidh. There are also vendors with Celtic art, jewelry, and instruments, as well as food, and some of the local restaurants and pubs also host Celtic music. This year's show was as great as always. Head for their website for full details.
The Northwest Gàidhlig Society and the Keppoch Regiment (formerly the NW Jacobites) are a living history group who re-enact the period of the Jacobite Wars in Britain (1689 - 1746 ), with an emphasis on the 1745 Rising in Scotland.
The group stages static displays of original and reproduction weapons, equipment, books, and pictures of the period, with demonstrations of their use.
Visitors are encouraged to view and handle some of the displayed items (under close supervision), and given the opportunity to ask questions. The group also conducts drill of the period, and are equipped to fire (blank) volleys from their reproduction muskets and pistols if desired.
Dylan Bagnall (L.), Geoffrey Wickliffe, piper Daniel Cespedes (C.), Noah Marhsall, and clan officer Preston Marshall (R.)
The Northwest Gàidhlig Society and the Keppoch Regiment (as the NW Jacobites) have appeared at a variety of Celtic Festivals and Highland Games presenting a view of 18th century Highland garb and life.
They are on Facebook, and are available for booking for Highland Games, Celtic Festivals, and other events.
Ms. Julie Henigan is a fluent Gaelic speaker, and a fine singer of American and Irish folk music, as well as a guitar, banjo, dulcimer and fiddle player.
Julie holds a Master's degree in Folklore, and a PhD in English Literature and Irish Studies. She has traveled and collected in the heart of the Gaeltacht, where she has met and played with some of the finest names in Irish traditional music. Her work has been endorsed by the beautiful and talented Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh of Altan, among others.
Julie's fine voice and instrumentals are highlighted in her CD called American Stranger her work is available at Waterbug and on iTunes TM.
See Julie's website for more information.
She has just released her second book on Irish / Celtic folk guitar "DADGAD and DGDGCD Tunings" through Mel Bay TM. It is aimed primarily at Irish / Celtic music players, but has some American folk music tips as well. You can order a copy here.
Iain Sherwood of Cuillinn Craft has been a friend of mine since our boyhood. He is a fine craftsman in metal, wood, and leather (the dirk pictured is one of his "bespoke" pieces), and a piper of many years standing. He carries pipes and supplies, tartans and Highland dress, band equipment, and his own fine products, as well as those of other craftsmen he has worked with. He also is available to play for events, and to teach. He is also a talented photographer. His site is well worth a visit!
One of Iain's splendid dirks.
Pipes and Piping Links
A repository of information about uilleann pipes and pipers is the NPU - Na Piobairi Uilleann, the Irish national piping association.
Other sites catering to pipes and pipers include:
Alt Pibroch - This excellent site began in May 2013 as a collaboration between David Hester and Barnaby Brown, with the admirable aim of researching ceòl mór (aka piobaireachd / pibroch), the
art music of the piob mhor (Highland bagpipe).
Sean Folsom is an old friend whose consummate skill on many pipes and other instruments has earned him the title of "World Minstrel."
Robert Burns (not the dead Scottish poet I hasten to add) is a friend, former student, and a fine Highland piper who has won several awards for his playing. Bob is also an experienced and highly qualified member of the legal profession.
Patrick Darcy's uilleann obsession is a site for all things pertaining to the uilleann pipes. Well worth a visit for pipers or those aspiring to the art.
Likewise, the San Francisco Irish Piper's Club is a great resource for West Coast pipers.
The late Bob Dunsire's piob mhor site lives on. They have now expanded into other areas as well.
Dale Wisely's deservedly famous Chiff and Fipple, while originating as a penny-whistle resource, has expanded hugely.
The Amazing VPipes!!
After years of research, testing, and development, Ramon M. Castro and Jose A. Garcia, talented Spanish piper-techs, and their team have brought this remarkable device to the piping world.
This virtual uilleann pipe solves all the problems of earlier electronic pipes, such as GSR (galvanic skin response) issues, sensitivity, etc., and has incorporated many new features such as the two-octave range, and the ability to make slurs, such as the critical "caoine" ( the wailing cry produced by note-shaping that is a hallmark of traditional uilleann piping ), as well as many other issues, and it has features previously unobtainable in electronic piping.
It also has its own on-board synthesizer and effects, and can be played with ear-phones or any other standard speaker or output device.
Sound samples for the initial release are full, rich, and authentic, having been taken from the Rowsome and Froment D and flat sets of the well-known piper, Cilian Valleley of Lughnasa, who field-tested the vPipes on his world tour a few years ago.
I am told that future versions will include piob mhor (Highland pipes) and Spanish Gaita Gallego (Galician pipes), and that other voices and instruments will eventually be available, and that it will eventually include a set of regulatoirs. (At this point, it only includes drones.)
The device has already attracted excellent reviews from noted pipers all over the world at field tests / demos.
(Note: I have tested this device and found its attributes to be as advertised. The sound quality, responsiveness, etc. , were all excellent!)
Another talented piper-tech friend is Michael Eskin of San Diego, CA. Michael is already well-known for his tutorials of Irish music, and he has now developed a great app which runs on the iPad and iPhone - a virtual "uilleann pipe set " of regulators and drones. The drone version for the iPhone, though made for the uilleann pipes, is also useful for penny whistle, flute, and other instruments wanting to use a drone note and regulator accompaniment. Michael used high-quality sound samples from his own Lynch set, and the sound is excellent. The free version is very cool, but the paid version is AWESOME!! Great fun for pipers or learners who have or are getting an iPhone.
MIchael has also developed virtual uilleann pipe chanters and "full sets" for the iPad, and most recently, a Highland pipe chanter and drones app, which are truly marvelous! Check out his apps (and Irish music lessons, etc.) at Tradlessons.
You can see the virtual pipes and regulators demonstrated on You Tube.
Carbony™ Instruments from Pipe Makers Union LLC
Galician Gaita in Carbony™
Carbony™ is a composite carbon fiber wood-alternative developed and used by the talented Rob Gandara of Pipe Makers Union LLC to make quality Celtic and other wind instruments
Located in Corvallis, Oregon, USA, PMU offers innovative Celtic wind instruments that blend the advantages of modern carbon fiber technology with traditional instruments and designs.
Rob's instruments include bagpipe practice chanters, pipes, whistles (including his unique "pipe-whistle" - a whistle with bagpipe fingering), flutes and didgeridoos.
Carbony™ is indestructible: it will not crack, break or rot; it is geometrically stable over variable temperature and humidity; it stays as built - no warping or drying out over time; and is highly responsive.
I have personally played some of these instruments, and their quality and responsiveness is excellent.
J. Higgins are specialists in outfitting Police, Fire, Veterans and Masonic pipe bands, honor guards, and other groups. They carry a large selection of Kilts, Highland wear, bagpipes, and a full line of Highland, Irish, and Celtic accessories, with something to suit every taste and budget.
Their well-made and well-designed garments look sharp and are reasonably priced - and the more so when you consider that they are based right in America's Heartland in Lenexa, KS. American owned and operated, they provide real value for money, so when you shop for Highland, Irish or other Celtic apparel, you can also shop American!
Formerly owned but gently used unique Highland Dress of quality and distinction
Based in elegant Helensburgh near the shores of Loch Lomond, the Ministry of Tartan has a unique selection of high quality gently used and new Highland Dress and accessories, with a wide variety of tartan setts and sizes. Most of MoT's pre-owned kilts, trews and jackets are of the same (or higher) quality as costly new garb, but for hundreds of pounds less. Their stock is always changing so if you can't see what you want just send them an email.
Tod of Tod's Workshop (formerly Tod's Stuff) is an antique weapons maker who comes highly recommended. The Tower of London commissioned some crossbows from him - the first they have ordered in 500 years!
Ryun, a Jacobite Highlander re-enactor with the Northwest Gàidhlig Society and the Keppoch Regiment got a fine brass-hilted dirk from him (below - based on a similar dirk in "The Swords and the Sorrows") and says it is highly satisfactory, well-crafted, and balanced. I would say it is, (in the words of a famous piobaireachd) "biodag boidheach" - a pretty dirk - and certainly a handsome piece for the re-enactor or collector.
Ryun's Dirk From Tod's Stuff
Among our many talented artist friends is Adrien Rain Burke, whose work graces some of our pages, and which is available for sale and commission.
She is also highly involved with An Claidheamh Soluis (The Celtic Arts Center) a small non-profit organization in L. A. dedicated to promoting Celtic language, dance, arts, theater, and concerts. It is also home to the longest-running traditional music session in Southern California.
Adrien organized and produced a CD called Ceiltis to commemorate the ACS' 20th anniversary some years ago. You can purchase it at CD Baby. The cover and CD art alone is worth the price (see below), but it also contains many talented artists who have played at ACS and who have donated their time and work for the the benefit of the Center.
Jen Delyth is a talented Celtic artist of Welsh heritage. Her art is based on ancient Celtic mythological and folk themes, as drawn from are an intricate delight to see, and can be seen at a number of Celtic events. Her DVD, "Beyond the Ninth Wave" featuring her art, music, and recitations of Celtic poetry is available through her site.
NANA'S IRISH PUB is located at 613 NW 3rd at the corner of Coast St., in the quaint Nye Beach district in Newport, OR, and has become a landmark, as well as a popular pub and restaurant. The publicans are from Ireland, and understand the atmosphere a real Irish pub should have, and are directly involved in the day-to-day management and operation of the establishment.
Live music (often Celtic) is complemented by Nana's authentic Irish pub atmosphere, and outstanding food and drink, and they host or sponsor many local Celtic events from the annual "Bloomsday" readings from Joyce, to the concerts and the local Celtic Festival and Highland Games of the Celtic Heritage Alliance.
Other Links
Though not strictly speaking of Celtic interest (although the author was a whistler and piper of Celtic stock), "Heaven's Pavement" is a gritty portrayal of an Airborne unit in the Second World War. The author, the late Juarez Roberts, was a paratrooper in the 507th, and fought with them from the first jump into Normandy all the way to Combat Varsity and the end of the war. Although this book is not Celtic per se, Juarez was very attached to his Celtic heritage. Available at Amazon.com in both print and Kindle edition.
CAP Oscar is a site about a later war, Vietnam. It is the story of a little-known Marine "hearts and minds" program.
For fabric artistic interests, Glen Quilts is the site of Lisa J. Taylor, a talented quilter and fiber artist.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse