Of Things Irish and Other Celt

celticrossharp72.jpg

 

Introduction
A work-in-progress ~ a labor of love ~ old and new in the Celt experience.
Enjoying new lights to things Celt, I hope you will visit again ~ share ideas and sources!

 

celticross.jpg
This one went to the Jesuit Communications Center in DUBLIN - memory Fr.Father G.Burke - friend.

This one went to the Jesuit Communications Center in DUBLIN - memory Fr.Father G.Burke - friend.

At the mounds at Solstice- an international lottery is held to see who gets to SEE this in person each year!  Knowth.com for more.

At the mounds at Solstice- an international lottery is held to see who gets to SEE this in person each year!  Knowth.com for more.




My childhood entertained me with blue satin and lace and heroes,
but also with celebrations with broad laughter
from hearty men enjoying great ale and so, I cannot, in truth, omit

"May ye be in Hivven, half 'n' hour
before the Divvil knows yer' gone!"

Not one for expletives, I ran into problems
for the loving way to share them....
they were fine men, honored in work and love,
and good and handsome, but...
the old "Da's" also enjoyed many a hearty curse...
rounding, sincere, and often effective. 
I can remember my Mother and the other women
hiding me in their skirts and giving me an example of
complexity of experience and expression, as,
within a split second, they exhibited love, loyalty,horror,protective instinct
and more, as they coped with such moments!
They could not always shield us from life's ungallant aspects,
but we certainly knew from their performance,
that princely behaviors were much preferred...and yet, 
a conspiracy between the men and women
to be loyal at the heart, true , and grand. "Love covereth !"(Saint John)

 

For my Father and his "chief"

~~~~~~~

The Finest Music
Fionn Mac Cumhail was a legendary Irish hero, urbane, cultured and cunning, who combined elements of warrior, seer and poet. In one story, Fionn sparked a debate when he asked his followers what they thought was the finest music in the world.
"Tell us what you think," said Fionn, turning to Oisin.
"The cuckoo calling from the highest tree in the hedge," cried his jolly son.
"That is a good sound," said Fionn. "And Oscar," he asked, "what do you think is the finest music?"
"The best music to my ears is the ring of a spear on a shield," cried the sturdy lad.
"That is a good sound," said Fionn.
And the other champions told what best pleased them: the bugling of a stag across water, the baying of a melodious pack heard from afar, the song of a lark,the laughter of a gleeful girl, or the whisper of a moved one.
"Those are all good sounds," said Fionn.
"Tell us, chief," one ventured, "what do you think?"

"The music of what happens," said great Fionn, "that is the finest music in the world."
James Stephens, Irish Fairy Stories
~~~~~~~
Another Fine Wish:


May there always
be work for your hands to do; 
May your purse always
hold a coin or two;

May the sun always
shine on your windowpane; 
May a rainbow be certain
to follow each rain;

May the hand of a friend always
be near you; 
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you! 
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~ 
On Saint Patrick's Day 2004,USA Irish-Americans: 

A Drinking Song

Wine comes in at the mouth
And love comes in at the eye:
That's all we shall know for truth
Before we grow old and die.
I lift the glass to my mouth,
I look at you, and I sigh. 
- famous one from Irish poet,
William Butler Yeats (1865-1939)

 

 


 

 

SAINT PATRICK
AND
HIS DAY

 

 

Saint Patrick :

Also known as Maewyn Succat; Apostle of Ireland; Patricius; Patrizio ~ Memorial: 17 March

Profile:
Kidnapped from the British mainland around age 16, and shipped to Ireland as a slave. Sent to the mountains as a shepherd, he spent his time in prayer. After six years of this life, he had a dream in which he received a command to return to Britain; seeing it as a sign, he escaped. Studied in continental monasteries. Priest. Bishop. Sent by Pope Saint Celestine to evangelize England, then Ireland, during which his chariot driver was Saint Odran, and Saint Jarlath was one of his spiritual students. In 33 years he effectively converted the Ireland. In the Middle Ages Ireland became known as the Land of Saints, and during the Dark Ages its monasteries were the great repositories of learning in Europe, all a consequence of Patrick's ministry. Born 387-390 at Scotland as Maewyn Succat
Died 461-464 at Saul, County Down, Ireland
Canonized... pre-congregation, meaning that the pronouncement was made before good written records.
Name Meaning warlike (Succat - pagan birth name);noble (Patricius - baptismal name)

His Patronage:
against snakes, engineers, "excluded people", fear of snakes, and a range of several spiritual sees, including of course, all of Ireland. 
Representation: bishop driving snakes before him; bishop trampling on snakes; shamrock; snakes; cross; harp; demons; baptismal font
Images Gallery of images of Saint Patrick at CatholicForum.com and other Church and Celt sites online...have a fun search! 
too little was known of Saint Patrick, and at one time , he was thought to be a fiction, an invention to explain the Christianization of his part of the world. However we know his profile much more accurately now, thanks to modern data manipulation. I want to spend myself for that country, even in death, if the Lord should grant me this favor.

It is among that people that I want to wait for the promise made by him, who assuredly never tells a lie.
He makes this promise in the Gospel:
"They shall come from the east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
This is our faith: believers are to come from the whole world.

... from" the Confession of Saint Patrick"


saint patrick, per catholicforum.com:

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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
If you need a dash off true empowerment try a phrase or two of the Morning prayer of Saint Patrick:
"LORICA" or  "BREASTPLATE" or "FAED FIADA", meaning "DEER'S CRY"

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven; 
Light of sun, 
Radiance of moon, 
Splendour of fire, 
Speed of lightning, 
Swiftness of wind, 
Depth of sea, 
Stability of earth, 
Firmness of rock. 

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me: 
God's might to uphold me, 
God's wisdom to guide me, 
God's eye to look before me, 
God's ear to hear me, 
God's word to speak to me, 
God's hand to guard me, 
God's way to lie before me, 
God's shield to protect me, 
God's host to save me, 

From every ill, 
Afar and anear, 
Alone and in a multitude. 

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, 
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, 
Christ on my right, Christ on my left, 

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, 
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks of me, 
Christ in the eye of every one who sees me, 
Christ in every ear that hears me. 

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, 
Through belief in the threeness, 
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of Creation. 

…. this one is my favorite version but a more learned translation, by Kuno Meyer, is to be - found at DomesticChurch.com 
...the prayer is a very famous one...meant to empower! Apparently it was used among Saint Patrick and his followers during times of danger and persecution. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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LESSER SAINTS AND SACRED LORE
new, incomplete, so please return!

St. Celsus of Armagh, also known as Cellach Mac Aodh, was born in 1079 and much of the information of his early life has been lost. In the year 1105 he became bishop of Armagh, in Ireland, a position he would hold for the rest of his life. Soon after becoming bishop, Celsus began to develop a wide reputation as a reformer and as an effective administrator. As bishop he traveled throughout his diocese, and other parts of Ireland, calling for reform and encouraging the clergy and the laity to a more zealous practice of their Faith. In 1111, Celsus was requested to preside over the Synod of Rath Bresail. This synod worked to bring several practices of the Church in Ireland in line with the rest of the Church. After completing the synod, Celsus returned to his diocese and oversaw the rebuilding of the cathedral at Armagh. Throughout the rest of his life, he often served as a mediator for political conflicts and he was widely respected for his wise decisions. Celsus died at Ardpatrick on April 1, 1129. 
I hope to link here,soon to some of the many more Celtic Saints I am meeting, lately, and hope you will enjoy it all along with me!

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Here in America, we pray that the new millennium will bring new solutions to old conflicts,
and that "Peace In Ireland" will be more than a prayer and a wish!


The loving spirit and fearlessness of my Irish forebears gave me the illusion that
humanity came first. An illusion that I have never surrendered... 

the drive motive that few of us on earth are excused from life's challenges, 
BUT with a good sense of good work and good love, and willingness to strike out on
one's own, as well as commit to team play for a cause, the worst days could be" turned 'round" completely!

And so he cause, the right and the need to celebrate the win! 
I am not an activist, but follow the news and have helped in some civic and US Patriotic, so, felt this link to The Bogside Artists was worth the posting. Their work portrays the 70's uprisings and the time of Bernadette Devlin in "unmissable" format, and fine skills. Lest we forget....looking for the right things for this page, re: Michael Collins and The man, DeLorme of early 1900's fame in "the cause".


 

SAGA OF THE LITTLE WHITEHOUSE


A 20th Century Irish-American Song

Irish and other Celt cultural have been enjoying a rennaissance!

And I have been enjoying time spent with all branches of my senior relatives and friends, an All-American collection of souls, but at one time, with a strong Irish contingent! They were so challenged and still made it a life to interest and delight us! 

It will always be my prayer that in their senior years, they would pat themselves on the back at least a little bit, for the grand business of life and all our parts in it...

And it is also my wish that you might rap on the door of the little house, below, to enjoy their story!..
a fun and rhythmic "read"...and a "bunny in the bottom of the bowl" for those who follow it to completion.

 

 

 

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Visit the complete posting at Knowth.com & its "Art Works" link at the home page head, for complete show/sale data, a treasury of text, image and links about this mystical occurrence. I will say that the backstone is the spot at the back of the inner walls of some of the Ancient Irish Burial Mounds. Like the astrological arrangement of the famous Stonehenge rocks, the doors of the mounds were constructed to admit the lights at specific times, revealing the ancient glyphs, runes, carvings and symbols. Thousands of years later, the effect is still true and impressive. 

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Our parents did well by us and so we were able to be their fans in the preservation of their heritage, to learn and share more of things Celtic...the memory of their special charms compels us to listen, and remember, research and share !
Most of "our own" have been Americans too long to do more than learn and love and respect the ethnicity, but most of us also have an interest in understanding it all and learning more... so, I hope to keep my promise to this page. 

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Winter leaves by aon-celt artist Cari Buziak!

 

 

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