Tag: Celtic

Pytheas of Massalia (350-285 BCE)

UK: How Celtic Languages Spread Across Britain & Ireland! (2.1.2026)

I hesitate to “agree” regarding the Ogham script and would like to see the evidence (that it evolves from the Roman alphabet). I have seen Ogham etched along the side of clay tablets (which were then “dried” for preservation) and engraved along the edge of stone tablets (a much more difficult task). As in China, early reading and writing evolved around the ruling families – the kings – and their specially trained advisors. Why write along the edge of things? Romans did not do this. I suppose a case can be made that Ogham might be a development of Roman numerals – but I would like to see the evidence. My parents live in South Devon, and although born in Oxford, I was brought-up in Devon and Cornwall – two of the UK’s Celtic heartlands. I learned Country Dancing at school, and visited museums that contained the Celtic Coracle (round fishing boat). We also learned about the magic of Druidism and how the mighty Boudicca united the Celtic tribes and inflicted terrible defeats on the Roman invaders. I also drink cyder and eat clotted cream. All of this I have imparted to the Chinese members of my family (we take our children all over the Celtic South-West) – just as they have imparted Hakka culture to me. Of course, also possessing Irish ancestry (my father’s mother was from Mullingar) – this confirms the Celtic identity.

Continue reading

Photogrammetry map of Brusselstown Ring showing locations of what may be roundhouse footprints!

Eire: Scientists Unearth Ireland’s Largest Prehistoric Hillfort Settlement! (1.1.2026)

Additional survey work revealed a unique structure near one of the trenches. The flat interior outlined by large stones, uncommon for roundhouses at the site, made it unlikely to be a prehistoric roundhouse itself. From previous surveys, it was known that a stream flowed into the structure from a rocky outcrop uphill.

Given its shape and size, it is hypothesized that this might be a Bronze and Iron Age water cistern like those found elsewhere in Europe. Because Brusselstown Hill would have had to accommodate a large population, a source of freshwater would make sense. If further investigations confirm the structure to be a water cistern, it would represent the first of its kind in an Irish hillfort.

More research is needed to better understand the extent and nature of Brusselstown Hill’s potential water cistern, establishing the nature and chronology of the enclosing elements and better understanding how and why the settlement may have been abandoned.

Continue reading

Flag of the 1st Cherokee Mounted Rifles. (Image Courtesy of Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30118)

CSA: How Jefferson Davis Offered “Freedom” to the Native Americans! (2.12.2025)

Indeed, the voluntary and determined presence of Indians in the Confederate Infantry defied all Northern attempts to paint the South as culturally backward. The North had never succeeded in convincing the Indians to be happy about their own genocide – but here was the Confederate South treating the Indians as fellow “human-beings” – and making way for their warriors to serve alongside White Men in the frontlines. On the official front, the Confederacy formed a specific Indian Regiment led by General Albert Pike. During the Civil War, he commanded the Confederacy’s Indian Territory, and raised troops in this area – and exercised Field Command in at least one battle (although Watson mentions his name – and Indian troops – a number of times). After the South lost the Civil War – the North simply carried-on its pre-war policy of genocide – depicting the Indians as “savages” and wiping their pro-Confederate struggle from the history books.

Continue reading

Playing Cricket in the Back Yards of UK Cities!

UK: British Council Film Archive ([1950] – Cricket Documentary! (25.9.2025)

At his peak, however, he was a very good all-rounder wielding the bat and ball. When a child, my father taught me all the rules of cricket and this is why I know a) how to play the game, and b) what is going on when watching it (we support Leicestershire County Cricket Club – and we watched them play once). I have tried to teach my partner and children – but the modern youth now have the internet to take their attention! I have played “in-door” cricket – as well as cricket on a proper pitch – and I never wore a helmet (I couldn’t afford one). When standing at the crease – the mind must be calm and expansive – clear and reflective. Peace and self-control must permeate reality – whilst the bat and ball must be properly utilised in a technically perfect manner. There is no hatred for the opposition – or unnecessary attachment to one’s team-mates – all are equal to the true gentleman. This is why I refer to cricket as a form of English Confucianism!

Continue reading

UK: Visiting Haytor – Dartmoor National Park! (17.4.2025

We were committed to traversing directly up before we fully appreciated the difference. Nevertheless, hundreds climb Haytor every week – with wild Dartmoor ponies wandering around the car-park area. These animals may – or may not – come over for a stroke, but visitors must be careful not to be bitten, head-butted, or kicked, etc. This does not happen very often – but wild animals should be respected. Another issues are yapping dogs (which must be kept on leads). As matters transpired, there was one or two calm and sedate ponies that wanted to be stroked and petted, etc. The general experience is important for children – particularly those from city areas – to re-connect with nature and experience the feeling that the immensity of nature – wide-open spaces – can generate! I last visited probably about 20-years ago with Gee – but our two children not yet born.

Continue reading

Dead Confederate sharpshooters of Hood's Division among the rocks in Devil's Den in front of Little Round Top.

CSA: Remembering the Bravery of “Irish” Company “K” – 15th Alabama – Little Round-Top [2.7.1863] – Gettysburg! (3.4.2025)

The weather was hot – and the Confederates had to advance over open ground before storming an inclined slope (in the form of a steep hill) – with the intention of sweeping the Federals off its top and consolidating the victory. The previous day had seen the Confederates sweep the Federals out of West and Central Gettysburg – and into the hills to its East. Washington was just 80 miles to the South – and legend has it that Lincoln was packing his belongings to flee! I have audio-typed part of a chapter from Stephen Sears’ book – carefully reproducing the text from an Audible edition (in my native British English). This provides a general background to the battle – but does not mention the Irish specifically – other than one or two fighting for the Union. For the story of “Company K” of the 15th Alabama Regiment of the Confederate States of America (CSA) – we must turn to the excellent work of Phillip Thomas Tucker – who has produced an excellent book examining the contribution to the Confederate cause made by the Irish!

Continue reading

1 2 3 … 6