The Irish Gaelic Tattoo Handbook


Book Description

Learn how to honour the Celtic language of Ireland in your tattoo or craft design - and avoid embarrassing mistakes - with a glossary of over 400 authentic Irish-language words, phrases, and sayings. The book also includes illustrations of real-life tattoo mistakes, a history of the Irish language, and advice on spelling, fonts, symbols, and more.




Beginner's Irish


Book Description

This popular introduction to the Irish language is now accompanied by an audio CD. Irish, also known as Irish Gaelic or Gaelige, is spoken today by approximately one million people worldwide. It is also the basis of the Irish literary tradition, which is the oldest in Europe after Greek and Latin. This valuable guide, ideal for both individual and classroom use, teaches the basics of Irish grammar and vocabulary in 10 easy-to-follow lessons. The audio CD feature complements the dialogue and grammar sections of the lesson, aiding the reader in understanding the language as spoken.




Scottish Gaelic


Book Description

Scottish Gaelic: A Comprehensive Grammar is a definitive description of contemporary Gaelic. The volume presents an authoritative account of modern Gaelic grammar, attending to both idealised usages – as typically taught in formal education – and more colloquial forms. Core chapters include useful observations about dialectal and register differences, such as variations in inflection, pronunciation and word forms. The book also demystifies nuances of the language that many users find opaque, according to recent research. In each chapter, the most important, basic information is presented first (e.g. standard verb conjugations), followed by increasingly detailed information for more advanced users. This way, the book addresses the diverse needs of its intended audience. Brimming with authentic examples, the volume accommodates readers of all levels, from complete beginners to professional linguists. It is both an ideal textbook for structured coursework and an indispensable companion for independent study.




Brehon Laws


Book Description

A fascinating look at the lifestyle and values of ancient Ireland Thousands of years ago, Celtic Ireland was a land of tribes and warriors; but a widely accepted, sophisticated and surprisingly enlightened legal system kept society running smoothly. The brehons were the keepers of these laws, which dealt with every aspect of life: land disputes; recompense for theft or violence; marriage and divorce processes; the care of trees and animals. Transmitted orally from ancient times, the laws were transcribed by monks around the fifth century, and what survived was translated by nineteenth-century scholars. Jo Kerrigan has immersed herself in these texts, revealing fascinating details that are inspiring for our world today. With atmospheric photographs by Richard Mills, an accessible introduction to a hidden gem of Irish heritage




An Leabhar Mor


Book Description

A 21st- century Book of Kells that brings together the work of more than 150 poets, visual artists, and calligraphers. Scotland and Ireland share a mythology, a rich music tradition, languages and some history. Irish Gaels, known as Scoti, invaded Scotland in the 5th century and gave it their name. An Leabhar Mòr is a major artwork which renews the connection between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland and celebrates the diverse strands of contemporary Celtic culture. A beautiful book featuring work from every century between the sixth and the twenty-first - contains the earliest Gaelic poetry in existence. One hundred visual artists respond to the poetry in a variety of media. Includes work by poets Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill and Máire Mhac an tSaoi and by artists Allan Davie, Will Maclean and Rita Duffy among others. There is a website for the book, full of more information and details of related projects. Click here to watch a slideshow of 18 of the artworks in the book. Here are two samples 100 specially-commissioned artworks in the book, to whet your appetite: Art by Doug Cocker inspired by Tairseacha by Liam Ó Muirthile (b. 1950) Art by Andrew Folan inspired by An Scáthán by Michael Davitt (1950-2005)




Gaelic Scotland


Book Description

This book, originally published in 1988, examines the Highlands and Islands of Scotland over several centuries and charts their cultural transformation from a separate region into one where the processes of anglicisation have largely succeeded. It analyses the many aspects of change including the policies of successive governments, the decline of the Gaelic language, the depressing of much of the population into peasantry and the clearances.




Celtic Myth & Magick


Book Description

Tap into the mythic power of the Celtic goddesses, gods, heroes, and heroines to aid your spiritual quests and magickal goals. Human and divine energies complement each other; when joined, they become a potent catalyst for true magick and change. Celtic Myth & Magick describes the energies of over 300 cross-referenced Celtic deities and heroic figures so you can quickly determine which one can best help you in attaining specific goals through magick—such as greater prosperity (Cernunnos), glowing health (Airmid), or a soul partner (Aengus MacOg). This guidebook explains how to use creative Pagan ritual and pathworking to align yourself with the energy of these powerful archetypes. Undertake three magickal quests to the inner plane—where you'll join forces with Cuchulain, Queen Maeve, and Merlin the Magician to bring their energies directly into your life. This inspiring, well-researched book is written especially for solitary Pagans who seek to expand the boundaries of their practice to form working partnerships with the divine.




Gaelic in Scotland


Book Description

In this extensive study of the changing role of Gaelic in modern Scotland, Wilson McLeod looks at the policies of government and the work of activists and campaigners who have sought to maintain and promote Gaelic.




The Celtic Languages


Book Description

This comprehensive volume describes in depth all the Celtic languages from historical, structural and sociolinguistic perspectives, with individual chapters on Irish, Scottish, Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Breton and Cornish. Organized for ease of reference, The Celtic Languages is arranged in four parts. The first, Historical Aspects, covers the origin and history of the Celtic languages, their spread and retreat, present-day distribution and a sketch of the extant and recently extant languages. Parts II and III describe the structural detail of each language, including phonology, mutation, morphology, syntax, dialectology and lexis. The final part provides wide-ranging sociolinguistic detail, such as areas of usage (in government, church, media, education, business), maintenance (institutional support offered), and prospects for survival (examination of demographic changes and how they affect these languages). Special Features: * Presents the first modern, comprehensive linguistic description of this important language family * Provides a full discussion of the likely progress of Irish, Welsh and Breton * Includes the most recent research on newly discovered Continental Celtic inscriptions




The Nation


Book Description