Conference tallis::celt

Re 1.0:	I'm afraid you're going to raise heavy objections from the Normans
	if you maintain that the Channel Islands are Celtic land :-).
	Since they become islands (in the 10th century) and even before that,
	they were part of the duchy of Normandy and remained so till the wars
	between William II of England (Red William) and his brother Robert
	"Courte Heuse" (Short Leg) who was duke of Normandy. Since then they
	have stayed English, and up to the heavy English plantations there
	by retired English after World War II, the local language has been a
	mix of 90% Norman (a French dialect) and 10% English.
		On the other hand, you could have included Spanish Galicia
	among the Celtic countries.
				Denis.

    I am delighted that you have started this notes file.  I don't have
    the time at this moment to enter some of my interests, but I will
    soon be writing some notes concerning: 
    
    
    My interest in Irish language (and, hopefully, where to learn)
    My FANATIC interest in Celtic music  -- I have quite a respectable
                 collection; perhaps others do also - I'd like to find
                 out!
    Where to go for real Irish culture and/or ambiance 
    Celtic concerts/festivals in the area
    
    Until soon,
    
    Mary Beth Lawler (originally "Lalor" or "O'Lalor")
    MK01-2/E02
    DTN 264-6885
                             

    re 1.1
    
    Where from England did the Channel Islands settlers come from? 

    Are the inhabitants ethnically mixed - English and Normans?  Or are
    they considered thoroughly English now?

    George

    Re .3: It depends a lot which settlers you're thinking about: you
    see, the sea is very active in this area. I've an aunt living in
    the Cotentin (the French peninsula which divide by 2 the width of
    the Channel) just in front of Jersey, the biggest of the Channel
    Islands. Her house is presently about 50 meters from the sea; at
    the present rate of the erosion, the waves will intrude in her living
    room in about 20 years. She's quite upset about it. Jersey, as I
    said, was still attached to the Cotentin (which was part of Neustria,
    the present Normandy, and still is, - even at the time of Salaun
    the Great, it wasn't part of the kingdom of Brittany, except the
    most Southernly part of it - ) until the 9th or 10th Century. The
    population was the same as that of Normandy: a mix of Gallo-Romans,
    and Germans (Francs, etc...), plus a few Normans recently arrived
    with Rollo the Ganger (Treaty of Saint-Clair sur Epte in 914, I'm
    not absolutely sure of the date, give or take 10 years). When the
    Islands where attached to England (circa 1100) a few Normans lords
    and warriors came there too, but the English plantation there I
    was writing about came from the fact that there's no indirect taxes
    and very little income taxes in the Islands (they're autonomous
    and make a very big profit on the selling of duty-free goods, mostly
    spirits and photo and hi-fi items), so, after WW II, a lot of English
    settled there as soon as they retired in order to avoid high taxes
    on their pensions (the same apply to the Isle of Man, too). I don't
    know if this answers fully your question. If not, say so and I'll
    have a look in my history books.
    			denis. 

    Re. 1.1
    
    I forgot to ask you where Spanish Galicia is located.  Tell me more
    about them - I never heard of them before.  Thanks.
    
    George

    Re .5: They're just some lost Celts in the North Western extremity
    of Spain.
    			Denis.

    The Galicians are the ones responsible for the Spanish arch in Galway.
    
    Maurice
    

    I think that's where the Claddagh is located - the source of
    the Claddagh ring story.
    
    Did these Galicians speak Spanish or some Celtic tongue?  Galway
    at that time had a large trade business between Spain.  These people
    were probably merchants and barters.
    
    George

    The Claddagh is in Galway. I don't know the Claddagh ring story.
    They aren't sold in the Claddagh. (Entrepreneurs wake up!!!)
    
    Maurice
    

    Leaprechauns know herring chokers.
    
    Well folks its me first entry albeit not under my usual node (lack
    of version 4.2 plus VMS)
      1. I'm from the very center of Galway city and yes the Claddagh
         is right here on the west bank of the Corrib river. It was
         the Irish speaking fishing village attached to the city, (hence
         our nickname for all its inhabitants - herring chokers).
    
      2. The Claddagh ring originated there and Dillon's jewellers on
         Shop St. Galway are the oldest known goldsmiths associated
         with the ring. I can get the story behind it if anybody is
         interested.
    
      3. If ye want a ring, ye can buy it yerselves ($35 - $150) depending
         on the carat and the weight. :-)
    
    
    Snake is glad to find this place.
    

    
    WELCOME, Snake !
    
    With your Blarney I'm sure we'll be entertained by many a tale
    so don't be a stranger now that you've found us here.
    
    Please post the history of the Claddagh ring if you can.
    
    Best regards,
    
       Tom
    

    
    	I have a "hard-copy" version of the history of the Claddagh
        Ring, it's one full page of text, if anyone wants a copy, send
        me mail.
    
    	It is worn on the right hand with the crown turned inwards when
    	the wearer still has an unoccupied heart.
    
    	Worn on the right hand with the crown pointing towards the
        knuckles, is an indication that there is a suitor under
        consideration.
    
       
    	Worn on the left hand with the crown towards the knuckles,
        indicates that the wearer is already wed.
    
    
    
        keVin_with_ring_on_the_left_hand.

    
    	Hello,
    
    		I'm glad I found this file. I am an Irish Pure_Bred.
    My great-grandparents on both sides are from Ireland, but each and
    every family member leading to me, married another Irish Pure-Bred.
    I'd like to keep the tradition up, but it is mighty hard.  After
    I am finally done school in June, I aim to learn some Irish folk
    on my guitar. I am also interested in learning to speak some Celtic
    language.  Well, I look forward to reading, learning, and talking
    to ya.
    
    
    					/mike

    well I'm glad I found it too: 5 of mygreat-grandparents are Irish,
    3 are Scottish (gaelic speakers).
    
    Under current Irish nationality laws I could have Irish citizenship.
    
    However I am rapidly losing contact with my roots.
    
    /. Ia. .\

    My sir name is German (my great grandparents on my father's side
    came from Nassau, Germany) but the other 3/4ths of me is Irish.
    My mother is a McNamara (her parents and sister were born in Cork
    City) and my father's mother was an Arkins from Cavan (some say
    she was related to Cromwell).  My children are 7/8ths Irish extraction.
    My wife is an O'Grady and on her mother's side is decended from
    the landed gentry up north.  Have enjoyed this conference and have
    grand intentions about learning some of the language.

	My name is Michael Foley and I'm 99% Irish.. (I was born here) My
	parents are from Cork and all my relatives are still there.. 
	I just got around to this conference and I'm lookin' forward
	to reading it..

	I'm going back to the old country this summer for a vacation..
	See you in a couple of months Michael!

						michaell

    Leaprechauns go pony crazy at the end of July.
    
    I'll still be here, Mike, up to my usual tricks of course.
    
    Snake will be yappin' to Greenaway, he's up to speed at the Guinness.
    

     re .17:
     
     I hope that your 'inside' information is better than it was last
     September.  (I'm too much a gentleman to suggest where the 'inside'
     information came from.)
     
     Have they fixed the turnstiles yet?
     
     --Mr Topaz

    
    
    	The "Snake", Mr. Topaz, and MTV::Foley all in one note  !!!!
    
    	oh my gawd .
    
    	Here is a "tip" for the Galway races ......
    	
    	Bet any horse who's first and last name begin with the same
    	initial ...
        
        i.e.  Brian Boru or Galway Gal (stop laughing Mr. Topaz)
    
    
     keVin
    

    Hello, Snake!  Was wondering if you were still round...
    
    Glad I found this file, too... I'm Greek married to a half-Irish/
    half-Nordic (what a combination,eh?).   Hope to learn lot..
    
    Cheers,
    Billie CEO04::Ackerman
    

    re: .16
    
    My grandparents on my mother's side came from Cork City.  My grand
    aunt, Molly Daly O'Connell died there about two years ago.  Her
    daugher, Maureen O'Connell Hayes and her husband still are there.
    Maureen's son Stephen was quite the local athelete about the late
    70's.  Her daughter Anne is married to Leo Mulvey who was a court
    clerk in Cork.  My Grandfather was Christopher McNamara and he was
    born on Lavitt's Quay in 1882.
    
    Welcome.

	I'm leaving July 2nd!!!  I'll be in touch with you as to when I'll
	be in and around the Galway area.. Probably the following week for
	a day or two.. I'll be in Ireland at least two weeks and England
	for almost two weeks.. It's flexible..

	RE: -1 Thanks for the welcome! I'm gonna print out some of the 
	stuff in here and run it past my Mother.. I'll see if recognizes
	any names..  (BTW, she used to date one of the Lord Mayors of Cork.
	Long before he became Lord Mayor of course.. :-))

						mike

    Hello Everyone!
    
    I just joined DEC and found this conference!
    My grandparents are also from the Old Country, My father's father
    was from Dingle in Country Kerry where my relatives are called
    'Granville.'  My father's mother was from Kill in County Waterford
    (her maiden name was Torpy) and where I have many relatives living
    named Crowley.
    I look forward to following this!
    
    Jackie STAR:: Granfield

	Name : Dick Brooks
    	LOC  : Merrimack N.H. MK01-2/E6
    	DTN  : 264-0404
    	GROUP: BOSE System Technical Evaluation and Planning
    	JOB  : Software engineer
    
    
    Now for the good stuff...
    
    	Heritage :  90% Irish , the other 10% is a mix of Sweedish and
    		    English (more sweedish than the other).
    	Basically what I know about my heritage is that my great
    great grandparents left Ireland destined for Prince Edward Island
    Canada , - Charlotte Town (PEI) more specifically, don't exactly
    know when their journey began. Eventually moved to Lowell Ma. ,where
    my story began.
    
    My interest in this file really lies in my love for Irish music;
    in particular Makem & Clancy. Surely everyone has personally
    autographed Makem & Clancy albums !! Also very much enjoy Seamus
    Kennedy (formerly of the Beggerman) and his former sidekick Tom
    O'Carrol (also formerly a Beggerman). This introduction wouldn't
    be complete if I didn't also include my fancy for the Clancy Bros.
    Well I could go on but ..
    
    By the way - DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHERE I CAN GET CD's OF IRISH MUSIC?
    
    I'll bet Liam Clancy would sound great on my CD !!!!
    

    RE: .25
    
    No but I have an autographed hardbound copy of their songbook.
    
    Do you play any Irish music, or just listen to it?  See note on
    Celtic Jam in this file, if interested in playing anything.

    RE: 1.25 
    
    		Dick: I'm not sure if these stores carry CD's but they
    		      may be able to help ...
    
    
    	
    	o	Brigggs & Briggs 
    		Mass. Ave 
    		Cambridge Ma.      547-2007
    
    	o	Gattett Productions
    		22 Benton Rd.
    		Somerville (my old hometown) Ma.	666-1536
    
    	o	Green Linnet Records
    	        70 Turner Hill Road
    		New Canaan Ct.		(203) 966-0864
                                              
    
    	o	House of Ireland
    		15 Crescent Ave.
    		Waltham Ma.		899-7733
    
    	o	Irish Records International
    		Box 196 
    		Accord Ma. (where ever that is ??)	878-7936
    
    	o	Quinlan Campbell Publishers   (Irish Music also)
    		Box 651
    		Boston Ma.		254-2179
    
    	o	Sandy's Music Shop
    		896A Mass. Ave
    		Cambridge Ma.		491-2812
    
    
    	Hope this helps .... Nice to see some activity in here  !!!
    
    
    
    	keVin

    re: .27 .. thanks keVin for the info I'll check into these.
    
    re: .26 .. Unfortunately I'm only a listner, sure wish I were a
    	       participant , those folks sure look like they have fun
    	       when you see them up on the stage!!
    

    I am very interested in Irish folk music.  I play fiddle and penny
    whistle for fun, and listen to as much as I can.  I enjoy Scots
    folk music, too, but don't know as much about it.
    
    I hope to visit Ireland someday in search of ancestors.  My family
    names are O'Reilly and McSherry (MacSherry?)  As far as I know they
    emigrated from Bandurin (sp?) village in Donegal in the 1850's and
    came to Providence, RI.  If anyone has any information on these
    families, or descendants of these families, please send me mail. 

I am glad to find this conference and look forward  to sorting thru all
the info here.

I'm Alice DiPace, maiden name Gibbons.  I'm a software engineer
in the SEG/CAD group, in Hudson Ma.  I have only recently have been able
to get my grandparents to open up on their past and have been filling
in information rapidly since then.

My paternal grandfather's parents (strangley enough is mother's maiden
name was also Gibbons) both came from County Mayo, from a township he
calls Runith (sp) that I have never been able to find on a map.  It is
supposedly between Castlebar and Clew Bay.  He thinks the name comes
from the Normans and is a celticized-anglocized version of Gibois.
He does know that while most of his father's family came to New England,
2 brothers remained in Ireland, but not what happened to them.

My paternal grandmother is a mix.  Her mother (a Rigby) came from Piltown,
County Kilkenney.  Her grandmother was a Hines (Hynes?) and died near there.
Her father was a New England Maine yankee, who, when I traced his family,
turns out to have gone from Ireland and England to Nova Scotia and then to
Maine.

My maternal grandfather (R.I.P.) is interesting.  His mother was from Wales
and his father was from Scotland.  They were missionaries in Burma where they
met, married and my grandfather was born.  We do know that the name Burhoe is
not the original spelling but some change during naturalization.  His father
died of malaria in Burma, so his mother came to New England to a cousin.  We do
know that he was a member of the Stuart clan, as he used  to recieve reunion
and family info from them regularly.

My maternal grandmother is the keeper of her family bible, complete with the
family begats, which dates back to the early 1600's, when the Emery's and the 
Winter's came from Kenningston, England.

So my ancestors, one way or the other, came from the islands off europe.
My husbands family all comes from Italy with equally interesting geneology,
but that belongs in another conference I haven't found yet.  
My family's reaction was, "Well, at least he's a Catholic!"

Look forward to reading the rest of this conf, (looks like quite a bit of
reading).

Alice

    There apears to be a very strong Irish bias to this notes files
    (just recently found it and my comment comes only after reading
    1.0 through 1.30).  The Scots and the Welsh are also Celts.

    Re .31
    
>        There apears to be a very strong Irish bias to this notes files
>    (just recently found it and my comment comes only after reading
>    1.0 through 1.30).  The Scots and the Welsh are also Celts.

    I agree, and I hope that is some incentive for people of Scottish,
    Welsh, Breton, etc. ancestry to start contributing more to this
    notesfile.
    
    BTW:  "The Story of English" is an interesting 11 part series on
    Channel 2 on the development of the English language.  Last week's
    episode included discussion on the Welsh language and its interaction
    with English.  Very interesting show for those who enjoy languages.

    Re 30, 31
    It's just that the Irish are so full of blarney, the Scots and Welsh
    are a bit quieter, that's all, mind you , a few nips of the "crittur"
    and I'll jabber on as much as you like.
    
    Drew :-)
    

    Steve MacDonald here to speak up for the Scots.  I am a descendant
    of the Clan Ranald and, I am told but haven't confirmed, a descendant
    of Robert Bruce who fought the English.  Also some Irish here with
    my mother a Tracy, her mother a Hickey, and my paternal grandmother
    a McKenna.  All from Ireland via Nova Scotia sometime late in the 
    19th century.                                   
                                                    
    This is some good reading.
                              
    Looking forward to more.
    

    You must be related to my wife, who is also descended from
    Robert Bruce. She is an O'Grady. Her father married into the
    Moutray family (the son who was left landless in Scotland and
    got himself "landed" in Northern Ireland.
    
    Dick

    Leaprechauns have some update.
    
    Re .29
    I think the town in Co. Donegal that you refer to is Bundoran.
    McSherry or McSharry is a common name in the Sligo/sth Donegal region.
    
    Snake is only catching up.
    

    Happy Birthday Snake ! (is this when you shed your skin ?)
    
    Drew
    

    < Note 1.34 by BCSE::MACDONALD "Steve MacDonald" >

    Well hello there!  My gosh Steve I'm really impressed with your
    lineage. U N F O R T U N A T L Y  the news is we don't allow any
    little fleas in here  :-) :-;
    
    

    My name Bancroft shows my English background (for Ban the Crofter,
    crofter is a tenant farmer), BUT my mother was a Duthie which is
    a sept of clan ROSS.  
    I claim 50 percent Scottish.  My wife is 10 percent clan MacNab,
    and 50 percent Chevis Regal with a leavening of Laphroag, Cutty
    Sark, and a few exotic single malts.
    Phil (I have kilts, but the draft KILLS me!)

I am a third generation 100% Irish American.  Although there is a Tyrrell's 
Pass in Westmeath, we have never been able to find out where my father's family 
came from.  On my mother's side, I am one fourth Sullivan from the Beara
Penninsula - a place called Allihies, which I visited last spring.  It is  very
remote - we were definitely the only tourists they had seen in a while.  If
anyone has any information about that area, I would appreciate hearing from
you. 

I am certainly glad to have found this conference.

_Mary Tyrrell

    Well, my lineage goes back only three generations into the mining
    country of central Prydain (Saxon dogs call it Wales); my SO's lineage
    goes clear back to pre-Saxon (what is now) Somerset (does the name
    Ynnis Witrin ring a bell?  The Saxons call it Glastonbury...).
    
    If you're looking for distant Celts, there are still many in central
    Turkey - in fact, Paul wrote them a letter (Galatians).  If you
    don't believe this, just look at all the sins Paul was decrying.
     Sounds like they had a good Irish pub in the middle of the church.
    
    We do not care for the idea that every Celt is an Irishman, since
    only in Prydain have they kept their language whole.  (Yes, "they"
    - we do not currently know the language ourselves.)  (Further
    historical note - Prydain = Britain.  English = Angles.  We are
    British - They are Saxons.)
    
    Not really being bitter, just driving an unmade point home.
    
    Also please note that the Old Religion is largely practiced in the
    open "back home" - the Cymry are the last Goddess worshippers in
    the Western World, as a people.
    
    Enough preaching - I would be happy to hear from anyone on these
    issues, even Normans, Germans, and Swedes.
    
    Elizabeth (rambling more than usual: a-e)

    
    I'm Irish on both sides of my family. Dad's father & relatives came to
    Quyon, Quebec, in Canada, from what now is an unknown town near Galway
    in 1880. 
    
    John and Mary Stanton left behind two sons, Edmund (2) and John Jr. (1)
    in the care of their grandparents. They worked 6 years before they had
    money for the boys, but everytime they sent money to ship the boys over
    the grandparents had to use it to feed everyone. It took 2 years before
    the boys finally came. They had to travel over 100 miles by themselves
    (now ages 11 and 9, but finally reached Ottowa, only 20 miles from
    home. After many misadventures on the road a fellow carrying lumber for
    a barn raising picked the lads up & took them to Quyon. The barn
    raising was for the Stantons. When the fellow came up he called John &
    Mary Stanton over to see "what I found by the side of the road. Mary
    fainted dead away. She had not seen Edmund since the age of 1, & had
    not heard a word about them for months since their departure. The barn
    raising turned into a three-day celebration that is still legendary... 
    
    Mom's parents (Lynch) have a very detailed lineage. Mary Finn (grandma)
    came over to the U.S. from Dublin in 1908. She met Lawrence Lynch
    (grandpa) in 1910 & were married shortly thereafter.
    
    My wife's father (Brewer), is 1/2 Irish, 1/4 Spanish, 1/8 German
    (the name) and 1/8 Indian (Potawatome). Her mother is 100% 3rd
    generation Irish from Dublin.
    
    Except for my wife's father's somewhat more colorful lineage we
    are as Irish as far back as we dare see. To that end we have produced
    two lovely children (Geoffrey and Elizabeth) to carry on the proud
    heritage.
    
    

    re. 1.25
    
    If you look in the FOLK_MUSIC notes file, you'll find a section
    on CD's.  As soon as I finish reading this section of the notes
    file, I'll do my intro.  But just in case I don't get there real
    fast, suffice it to say that my name is Roxanne O'Connell, and I'm
    married to Robbie O'Connell of The Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell
    and Moloney, O'Connell and Keane...who by the way, will be at Paine
    Hall on February 7th (Saturday night).  Their music is slightly
    more traditional than the Clancy's, but very lively.  I'm tickled
    to have found this file...The Clancy Bros. and R.O'C. will be in
    the area during the first few weeks of March (I wonder why... ;-)).
    I'd be willing to make a distribution list up to send the schedule
    out to anyone that's interested.  Send me some mail if you want
    to be on.
    
    I guess this was kind of an intro after all...so I'll continue.
    
    Anyone coming this way (Maynard) is invited to bring with them some 
    Barry's Gold Blend (bags).  I'm down to the last half of the last
    box!!!  
    
    We're planning to bring the brood (four kids ages 9, 8, 6, and 4)
    over with us to Ireland this summer around the 4th of July.  Robbie
    is planning on coming over at the beginning of the week, after the
    Foxboro Irish Festival, with the oldest boy, and he's going to bring
    him to a bunch of places, including Cashel and Newgrange, and
    absolutely the National Museum.  My daughter is going over with
    her grandfather and staying with her Aunt and cousins for a few
    days, I'll struggle over with the youngest two, and we'll rendez-vous
    and travel around in a motor-home if we can get one.  Anyone having
    any ideas of places to bring children, please send me mail!!!  Our
    biggest anxiety...the weather being what it usually is, is getting
    stuck in the rain with nothing to amuse the wee ones.  I'm printing
    off the Good Food topic.  There's some places I've never heard of,
    and I lived there for three years!
    
    There's another thing...Robbie and I ran a hotel with his father
    in Carrick-on-Suir.  Anyone remember Tinvane Hotel on the road to
    Waterford??  Robbie was born in Waterford, on the Cork Road.  He's
    still bumping into people from there...in California, no less.
    
    I'd better sign off now.  
    
    Slainte!

    By the way...the reason for my Personal notes name...I'm married
    to an Irishman, but my family is French Canadian...BRETON French
    Canadian.  My mother is forever teasing my husband about how this
    tune isn't Irish, it's French, and it's name is really "xxx".  There
    are some great Breton folk musicians around too.  Kernog and Alan
    Stivell come to mind immediately, and there's a French Canadian
    group called Bard that borrow liberal from the Irish/French music
    idiom.  

    Re .43 ...
    
    With a name like Stanton, the folks must have come from
    Spiddle - about 11 miles west of Galway, on the Coast.
    
    
    
    Mike McCrohan
    

    
    Mike -- Thank you for the info. I'll pass it onto my father
    & my uncle when I see them this spring. We know very little
    about the Stanton name or their history. My father has lamented
    this fact for years, particularly after an aunt on my mother's
    side (Lynch) managed a detailed geneology of the Lynch-Finn
    crowd, complete with names, dates, places, & anecdotes dating
    back to the 1700s. For all my father knows the Stantons could
    be peat farmers or poets (we seem to have the talent for both).
    
    

    Re .-1
    
    On the Lynchs. THis family was for mant centuries the most powerful
    clique in the city of Galway. The cornered the market on the office
    of mayor for a long time. They were a rich merchant class (a la
    J.R. Ewing). One of the mayors is reputed to have hanged his own
    son for murder, when nobody else would execute him --- hence the
    term Lynching.
         This family had a country house (a small mansion) at Lavally
    between Clarinbridge and Craughwell in Co. Galway. This house is
    now owned by my wife's first cousin.
    
    Snake knows the world is shrinking.
    

I have a newspaper article at home about a Welsh community in Argentina, of
all places.  They were a thriving local democracy for quite a while, due to
their remote location, but were eventually absorbed into Argentina.  As of
today, only the old folks still speak Welsh, which is sad.  But although
they are losing the language, they seem to be holding onto their culture.
They still have an Eisteddfod every year, at which they still crown a bard.
Last year, only three of the poems entered were in Welsh, but there were over 
60 entries in Spanish.  (Does anyone need it explained what an Eisteddfod is?)

	Enjoy,
	Larry

PS:  I've no Celtic blood that I know of - but one can always hope.

    Are ye all daft????
    
    I guess a good scot should have his say.  I'm 100% Scot.. My mother's
    side is the Camerons of highland fame and my father's side is from
    the Aberdeen area.  I had to say someting... all this blarney was
    killing me!!
    

    AREN'T THERE ANY MANX OUT THERE? 
    

    Larry, what is an Eisteddfod?
    
    Thanks,
    George

    Leaprechauns are active today.
    
    Re -1, (in the absence of Larry)
    
    The Eisteddfod, is the Welsh festival of culture, language and music.
    I am not well enough up on the frequency of its staging, or its
    exact content, but I know that its similar to our Fleadh Ceoils
    here in Ireland. Its more exact Irish counterpart is the Oireachtas
    festival, though that important festival is often not given the
    proper publicity. I seem to recall that the Welsh festival has
    got some very excellent aspects, espceially the semi-druidic
    undertones (especially the selection of judges and bards).
    
    Snake too would like to know more from a man from the valleys.
    

    Re: .38
    
    Dermot,
    
    Well I certainly haven't read this file in some time have I.  Ah
    yes, 'little fleas'.  She, I remember.

    
    Steve
    

    HELLO, THIS IS C.J. IN ATLANTA.  BORN IN COUNTY KERRY, IRELAND.
    ME MUM IS A SCOT,FROM EDINBURGH, FATHER FROM CLARE, IRELAND.
    THIS IS A WONDERFUL THING, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
    
    CJ

    My family name is originally a Saxon name (as are many name that
    are considered 'Irish', such as Kennedy, Fitzgerald...) that ended
    in Ireland around 900-1000 AD.  You will also see the name in England.
    
    My ancestors, however, are from County Waterford.  There is an area
    or collection of homes north of Waterford along the river known as
    'AYLWARDSTOWN' that are on the site of where the Aylward manor was.
     You can apparently still see the ruins of the manor from the river.
     I missed it when I had the chance to visit.  A couple of shops
    in Waterford are still owned by Aylward family.
    
    Also had a nice reception when we just sort of wandered into the
    Clonmel plant...
    
    Brian J. Aylward
    Cincinnati, Ohio USA
    

    Not that I like to be picky....but
    
    Re:  .56
    
    > My family name is originally a Saxon name (as are many name that
    > are considered 'Irish', such as Kennedy, Fitzgerald...) that ended
    > in Ireland around 900-1000 AD.  You will also see the name in England.
      
    Fitzgerald and virtually all Fitz-prefixed names are of Norman origin,
    arriving in Ireland during the Norman invasions, which began in
    1166. The one exception to the above, as I understand it, is
    Fitzpatrick, which is was introduced into Ireland a few centuries
    prior to the Norman influx. I received this information at an Irish
    genealogy seminar series which I attended a few years ago.
    
    Mike
    
        

    Re .56, .57: Correct on Fitzgerald (fitz come from the French fils,
    Latin filius, meaning son, so Fitzgerald is the equivallent of
    Geraldson or Mac Gerald - if Gerald is spelt the same way in Gaelic,
    which I doubt - ). Kennedy doesn't come from a Saxon origin either,
    (it hasn't a German form at all), I've been told it means something
    like Ugly Head in Gaelic, which is possible, as I'm pretty sure
    that ceann means head in Gaelic. Could a Gaelic speaker confirm it,
    and give the Gaelic spelling of Kennedy, please?
    		Denis.

    Leaprechauns have the blas.
    
    Re .-1
    Mac Gearailt is the gaelic for Fitzgerald
    O' Cinneide, with a fada over the first e, is the gaelic for Kennedy.
    
    Snake oblidges.
    

    Re .59: Thanks for the info, Mike. I might see you in Galway in
    about 10 days as I'll spent the next 2 weeks in Ireland and intend
    to stay 2 or 3 days around Galway and Spiddal. Vacations at last!!
    			Denis.

    
    
    	My grandmothers maiden name was Kennedy..
    
    							mike

    Can anyone Help me?
    
    	The name is Chuck Bleakney and I'm trying to find out just
    What heratige "BLEAKNEY" is... I believe that it is Scot.. but am
    not sure. I cannot find it as one of the Clans of Scotland so I
    I suspect it was some kind of liege.
    The names of my other ascendants were GRANT (Scot), NICHOLS (?),
    and OULLETTE (French).
                        	Any help on my heritage appreciated.
    
    					Chuck

    Re .62: The French name Oulette or Hulotte has been brought to Scotland
    by Huguenot expatriates after 1684. A hulotte is a kind of owl in
    French. In Scotland, the name has become Hewlett and is generally
    considered as a branch of clan Mac Donald of the Isles.
    			Denis.

    Hi!  I've recently discovered this file (thanks Kevin), and I'm
    really enjoying it.  It's now painfully clear to me, however,
    that I should know a lot more about my ancestors than I do.  My
    paternal grandparents were both from Ennis in County Clare.  On
    my first trip to Ireland 5 years ago, I visited my grandfather's
    homesite--it's now a chicken coop!  The family farm went to the
    oldest son, so my grandfather emmigrated to America and settled
    in Dorchester, MA.  I know less about my maternal grandparents.
    My grandmother was born in Canada, although she was of Irish
    decent.  I don't know if my grandfather was born in America or
    Ireland, but his name was McGrath.
    
    I made my second trip to Ireland last year, and I'm already planning
    the next trip in a year or two.  For such a small country, it sure
    is a big place!
    
    Reading this file is giving me lots of ideas...
    
    Denise O'Hare
    
    P.S.  My biggest pet peeve is when people spell my name with an
    "a" on the end, instead of an "e"!  And in this computerized age,
    I guess it's just a matter of time before the apostrophe disappears
    altogether!

    Leaprechauns are reassuring.
    
    Re.64
    Denise, I want to put your mind at ease regarding the future of
    your surname (O'Hare). If you are keeping abreast of Irish affairs
    at this time (get Kevin Burns to help you onto the distribution
    of the Irish Emigrant), you'll no doubt be very aware of the green
    pimpernel. 
    This thug, has kidnapped a man, mutilated him,(cut off his fingers),
    has been foiled by the police, and then repeatedly escaped their
    nets in daring car chases, and shoot-outs. His name has by now
    entered the folklore -- Dessie O'Hare.
    
    Any relation??   ;-) 
    
    Snake will sting.
    

    
    Re .65
    
    Perhaps I'll change the name to O'Hara after all!!!
    

    Great to find this notes file! Celt history is one of my favorite
    subject. Can you mail me (I don't have enough time to read every
    thing here) the notes # about history, legends, celt symbols (I use 
    to wear a Celt cross).
    
    Do I have celt roots? I guess so. On my mother side, I come from
    Ile de RE (whith a french accent on the last E), which is a little
    island on the south west of France. I've there at least 7 generations 
    (probably more) of sailors and fishermen ancestors (name : PATUREAU
    RENAUD). The first people who settled here where celts.
    My father (name : DUMSCHATT) was from Lubeck and his father 
    from Tilsitt ... As Celts came from center part of Europ ... If
    we accept the traditional description of celts, my two sons and
    I could be OK as we are blond with blue eyes. But historian from
    antiquity describe celt people with dark eyes and hair! Is'nt it
    funny?
    
    My favorite european country is Ireland where I've been very often
    (Casttletown, Limerick, Cork, Galway ...). Unfortunatly, I've not
    been there since 10 years, and I look forward to come back. I'm
    very found of irish music, and I can say you, listen to it is my
    way to stay cool when I'm in Paris traffic jam!
    
    Are we only two french people here (congratulations, Denis, you
    seem to be a very strong specialist)?
    
    Nice to ear from all of you,
    
    Nanette GUERIN 
    SWAS (advisory for networking)
    PUTEAUX (Paris)
    EMILE::GUERIN or @PAO
                                         

    Leaprechauns say bienvenue,
    
    Welcome to the file Nanette, if you know Denis Maillard, you two
    should be able to find the basenotes that you want to get into.
    
    Snake from Galway, where else???
    

    Wook Lee
    Systems Analyst
    VRO6 on the hill,
    Concord Ma
    
    I'm probably as far from being celtic as you get.  I'm Korean
    (pure-bred with records going back at least 30 generations according to
    my parents) but I'm very much interested in celtic language, music and
    myth. I've visited Dublin, New Grange and the Boyne Valley. I hope to
    visit the southwestern coast in a future visit and eventually kiss the
    Blarney Stone. 
    
    I did have a couple of ex-girl friends who are of Irish descent. One is
    named Patricia and the other is Deirdre.  (I don't know where Patty's
    family comes from, but Deirdre's folk are from the Aran Isles and
    County Galway where incidentally there is an O'Lee family, no relation
    I'm sure.)  I guess it's largely through their influence that I became
    fascinated with Celtic Culture. I've also had a special place in my
    heart for the stories of Wales (Prydain?, Kingdom of Summer?) and other
    celtic lands.  I'm interested in learning Gaelic (after I get better at
    Korean, of course!) 
    
    I listen to "A Celtic Sojourn" hosted by Brian O'Donovan every Friday
    evening on WGBH, Boston.  Does anyone remember the "Thistle and
    Shamrock" show hosted by Fiona Richie that used to be on during that
    time slot? 
    
    Wook

    Leaprechauns say f�ilte (welcome).
    
    Come right in Wook, your people are obviously from Cork.
    
    THere are loads of Lees here in Galway.
    In Cork there are Fo-lees (right Mike ??)
    
    Its great to have you on board.
    
    Snake is the only survivor of the 432 A.D. Holocaust.
    

    Dia Dhiut!  (Did I get that right?) I'm glad you survived.  And
    thanks for the welcome aboard.  I had a science teacher in the ninth
    grade named McLaughlin (Mc-Haha-lin when we were teasing him.) 
    He was also instrumental in the development of my celt-nicity. 
    I also picked up some of his broughe(sp?).  I'll have to visit Galway
    someday and find my "roots" :-).  BTW, if anyone has any suggestions
    for a "gaelige" pseudonym for "Wook", please feel free.  The name
    in Korean can be translated as "Elegant" with connotations of
    "intricate patterns".  "Lee" means "plum tree".
    
    Slainte
    
    Wook (for_lack_of_a_proper_Celtic_name)

    
    	Greetings, sisters and brothers of Celtic heritage,
    
    	Dave Hardy here, mother's side of the family all from the north
    	of England, father's side split between Irish Catholics from
    	the Cork area, and Scottish Protestants from the Glasgow area.
    
    	I'm now studying Irish Gaelic, and enjoying myself most of the
    	time...finishing a BA degree in English literature, and hopefully
    	going on to grad school, using Gaelic and Welsh as fulfillment
    	of my foreign language requirements...
    
    	Never been to the Emerald Isle, Scotland, or England, but I
    	plan to go as soon as possible...
    
    	A good part of my Celtic heritage seems to be evident in my
    	love of the languages, and my huge propensity for arguing about
    	religion and politics at the drop of a leprechaun's hat...
    
    	Favorite drinking combination:  "Black-and-tans" with shots
    	of Old Bushmill's...
    
    	Favorite musical instrument: the bagpipes...
    
    	Favorite color:  green plaid
    
    								Dave

    If anyone in Ireland owns an Atari 520/1040 and wishes to swap
    some software please send me a mail message.
    (note: also posted in the Atarist conference)

    I am Mary Beth Mackey.  
    
    My family heritage is Irish/French.   
                          
    The family history is currently being studied, so I don't have much
        detail regarding that as yet.
        
    I am located at CSC/CXO in Colorado Springs, CO working with the Internal
    Integrated Support Group/ Remote Support.
    
    
    I have always held a special affinity toward my Irish heritage.

    				< me toooo! >
    My name is John Bean....friends call me Tony.  I am a product support
    engineer for South Central Area (work in San Antonio)....
    
    One year ago this month, our family had a reunion in Calif.  15
    members of the clan came from Ireland to attend, I'd never met any
    of them before.  We had a wonderful time.
    
    I am the first-born of the U.S. family.  My mother is Philomena
    Byrne (from La Bergerie (sp?)) not far from Dublin.  Her dad, Jeff
    Byrne was boyhood friend of James Joyce, and they continued
    corresponding after granddad moved to New York in the early 1900's.
     My maternal grandmother was Marie Headen from Timahoe.  There are
    still two Headen families in Timahoe (they both came to the reunion)
    and there are Headen family in Dublin, and also Hartford, Conn.
     I think the name Headen *used* to be spelled Hayden.
    
    My father's family came from Scotland.  I *think* the Bean name
    is still traceable there.   Maybe as MacBean or something like that.
    
    There's my 2 cents....I'd love to correspond with any Headens, Byrnes,
    or Beans....
    
    Tony

    Thanks to Mr. Topaz I found this conference.  This discussion needs
    another Foley (whic I have been told is the "Smith" of Ireland).
    Foley means Descendant of the Marauder/Rapacious.  So I guess we
    are all horsethieves.
    
    My mother's maiden name is BRANLEY, of which there are very few
    left in the world.  If anyone knows of one, please let me know.
    
    For a good read on the Celtic trek from Spain to Ireland, you may
    enjoy "BARD" by Morgan Llewlyn.
    
    

    I also wish to say I'm glad to have found this file. And I second
    -1 on the book "Bard". My Celtic lineage is mostly from my mothers
    side, she was a Walsh and her mother was a Yates. I haven't been
    "home" to the Isles, but hope to someday soon. Enjoy Irish folk
    music and art.
    
    Joe

       
       	I'm here!!  Jayzus, a Byrne and a Foley!  My Mom's name is
       Philomena Byrne also!!  As for "Foley" being the "Smith" of
       Ireland, well, I dunno about that.. But "Foley" does mean
       "Plunderer" on my map..  And my Grandmother on my Dad's side was
       a women of very dark hair and a darkish complexion. Some might
       say that she was a decendant of the Spanish.. :-)  My Moms mom was
       a Kennedy.
       
       						me_haul

    Leaprechauns are back.
    
    I went to school in Galway and one of my classmates was a Branley,
    from Shantalla here in Galway city.  A right headcase, and believe
    me, I know one when I see one..... hows things Don.???
    
    Snake resumes.
    

Well, I've been reading you here for quite awhile now, so it's time
to step forth with an introduction.

I'm "PMA" (Pat MilliganAbber), working in Digital Telecommunications at 
Virginia Road in Concord.

My paternal grandfather was a Milligan, and my grandmother was a Reardon.  I
believe she came from Cork.  My Father used to tell us that "Mulligan" was
Irish and "Milligan" is Scot, and so are we.  My maternal grandfather was 
a Whalen (R.I. semi-Peace), and my grandmother was a Maguire.  Other than 
Nana Reardon, my grandparents were second or third generation here.

My Dad grew up in South Boston and worked, as a boy, in his father's smithy
shop.  He used to spend summers in Woodstock, Ct., at his uncle's hotel.
It was on the Boston Post Road which was the "stagecoach" route of Boston to
New York.  Dad would tend to the horses, and help out cleaning rooms, waiting
tables, etc.  His uncle's name was "Osiah" (they called him "Uncle Ose"),
and a few years ago I went to Woodstock and found the house and barn, and
the grave in the cemetary.  It marks himself, his wife and their two daughters.

There was a ripple in the family when I married a man of the "Jewish 
persuasion"...but I think we've turned out a nice little group!  Our children 
are Lauren Ruth ("Lauren" for my husband's (RIP) father, Ruth for my mother, 
who gratefully is still with us) 7/10/79; Caitlin Patricia, (Caitlin because 
my husband liked it, Patricia because he insisted) 12/31/83;  and, glory be 
to God, James Michael Lawrence Abber (a.k.a "the little prince") on 1/24/87 
(I'm what?!  I'se too old be to birthin' babies, Miz Scarlett!)

Michael was named James for my (RI blessed Peace) Father, and Lawrence for 
my husband's (again!) "Michael" is to make him unique, and also 
because it's my brother's birthright to produce another "James Milligan", 
but just in case he doesn't...there's a child who carries our Father's name.

The other fact I'd share about my little family is that Michael is my Dad's 
last gift to me.  Got his start a few days after Dad died; at a time when 
I should not have been able to conceive.  However, I never considered what 
the emotional upset could do physically, and so I have James Milligan's first 
(and so far only) grandson.  "...he gave to me a gift I know I never can 
repay".  ("Leader of the Band", Dan Fogelberg)

Which brings me to what I LOVE about the Celts: Our humor, and our emotion!
And the fact that we can relate emotionally burdened stories like the above,
with tears close to brimming, and smile at the same time...and laugh, when
concluding: "sure, there won't be a dry eye in the house".

I've enjoyed reading this file; now that I'm intro'd, I'll contribute.

Best wishes,

Pat

    Leaprechauns are stoic bastards.
    
    Re .80
    
    C�ad m�le f�ilte, Pat
    
    Permit me to be the first to say hello and welcome to the culture
    club.
    
    Sole surviving Snake of the island of saints and scholars.
    

    re: 1.75
    Tony, Contact The Clan MacBean in North America, 441 Wadsworth BLvd.,
    Suite 213, Denver, CO. 80226  303-233-6002. Marge
     

    Hi,
    
    My name is Denise Hurley and I just started reading this file. 
    It's nice to have some information about the Irish community and
    perhaps I'll become a bit more inform about Ireland itself.  Also
    I just started an interest in tracing my family roots. So perhaps
    I could once in awhile ask for a little assistant in my venture
    Nice to meet of all you.
    
    Denise

For newcomers to the file... I'd like to suggest Note 277.0
(A potted history of Ireland by the Snake) A work of literary
greatness :-)

Kate G.

    Hello, my name is Julia Horgan and I hail from Concord, Mass.  My
    grandparents and great grandparents are from Kerry and Galway. 
    I just spent 2 years in South Florida with the General International
    District.  I am thrilled to be back in the Boston area where one
    can find great Irish music every night of the week.  I would like
    to know what happened to the Black Rose.  Since when do they charge
    $5 to get in to listen to a terrible band?  Where is the good music
    these days?  I do love the Midnight Court but I have never been
    there when there wasn't a fight. 
    
    Slan,
    Julia

       
       
       	Go to Limericks then, on BatteryMarch St. in the finacial
       district.. It's much better than that "Irish" bar, the 
       Black Hosed. (A bar Boston magazine said "The college flunkies
       behind the bar pour the Guinness like Miller Lite!")
       
       						me_haul

    My advice is to stay away from the lot of them. They are the very
    same type of bars that the American tourists get trapped in at home.
    
    Poetic justice........possibly!!
    
    Just because they are "Irish" gives them the right to have a cover
    charge, Irish music (that I'm too polite to describe), poor service, 
    high prices, generally filthy and bad Guinness.
    
    You wouldn't be found in one of them anywhere else.
    
    Now, if you're looking for a good lively place, plenty of good
    drinkers, music (C&W), dancing, conversation, pool, more dancing,
    the odd brawl, darts and late hours..............
    
    Then....THE MEADOWS LOUNGE ON 3A IN NORTH CHELMSFORD is what you're
    looking for. Rarely a dull moment.
    
           Stand by your.........local.
    
                    Murphy. 
    
                 
    
      
    

    re:  -1
    
      Oh no not the much dreaded  "Meadows Lounge"......
    
       Jeezzze Murphy you have let it out of the bag....  Now everyone
    will know the secret....
       
       I still say that the Midnight Court has the best Guinnes in New
    England......
       
       And by the way a bit of advice if anyone plans to go to the Meadows
    please wear a HARD HAT and EARPLUGS 8*)
    
    paddy
    

    
    RE: -1
    
    Paddy   Paddy    Paddy
    
    Now that your a state rep maybe you should take a trip to Ireland
    
    so that when you make the remark of who has the best guiness you'll
    
    be able to make a knowledgeable (sp) statement;^) :^) 8^)
    
    john_who_has_been_there  :^)

    .........And a bulletproof vest and maybe a baseball bat, or hurley 
    if you wish to maintain tradition.......
    
    But a good (intresting) time is guaranteed for all?!?!?!?
    
             Yours Yahooingly,
    
                 Who Else.
    

       
       
       	Having had the opportunity to drink "real" Guinness back home one
       day and then at Limericks a week late, I must say that Limericks
       (and of course, the 'Court) serve excellent Guinness.  Not as good
       as home, but excellent for this side of the pond.. Back home it's
       a tad smoother...
       
       							me_haul

    What is a hurley?
    
    Denise

Re: .93

It's a good old-fashioned (ash) hurling stick.  Also known as a cam�n.

Do they still make them out of ash ?  Wouldn't be surpised if they've
"improved' them by using something natural like fibreglass.

    Leaprechauns use them.
    
    Re .93/94
    
    Yes they only kind in use are those made of Ash (Rowan is another
    name for Ash).
    
    KeVin Burns has one or two, plus a sloithar, the neighbours are
    worried about their car windscreens when the Burns' go out hurling
    on the street.
    
    Pull into it and give it shtick.
    
    Snake knows that the kings of hurling wear maroon.
    
    

    Hurling, as played by the Kings and certain Princes, is indeed one
    of the most skillful and exciting games on this planet. 
    
    But, when you get to the parochial, junior and league B level, then you
    have yourself a horse of a different colour.
    
    All over Ireland, almost every weekend, thirty brave and loyal heroes
    take the field, to defend the honour and glory of their own particular
    parish.
    
    I have seen the HURLEY transform, in many instances, from an instrument 
    of skill and beauty into a Genghis Khan style lethal weapon. Scenes
    such as those that ensue the meeting of Astrix and Obelix with a
    Roman legion are not uncommon. Cracked skulls, blood and stretchers....
    something for all the family......Sons are brought by fathers to
    witness these momentous clashes weekly....Quality Time......no wonder
    we all have this "funny" sense of humour......?????
    
    Another Hurling phenomenon is the Jenkel & Hyde supporter. If you
    ever wanted to catch a glimpse of the DARK side of your normally
    pious Parish Priest, mild-mannersd housewife or angelic child, catch
    them in the heat of a real needle match. The cursing, swearing, tempers
    and name calling is indeed a rare treat.                       
    
    Just another Irish conundrum, I guess, SKILLFUL, HEALTHY AND DANGEROUS!!!!
    
                   Yours attempting to "give it sthick",
    
                               Murphy.
                                                       

    This happened in one of those club matches many moons ago somewhere
    in Ireland. Durning the first half of the game a certain back was
    giving stick to the forward he was marking...they odd clatter of
    a hurley stick across the shins,back and hands,tripping,namecalling
    ,bad language and spitting. At half time his team mates tell him
    to go easy on his opponent as he is a priest. When the game resumes
    for the second half the back apologises for his 'rough' treatment
    during the first half and says....
    
    "Sorry Father about the first half,but I didn't know you were a
     priest....
    
           ....I thought you were one of those f***ing Christian Brothers" 
                                                   

       RE: Mr. Hughes and KeVin
       
       	But Michael, those cam�ns that KeVin has are CLEAN! He told me
       	himself "That bugger Hughes sent me USED ones with dirt all
       	over them!" So he washed them!
       
       						me_haul_stirring_the_sthick

    re: the last few ....
    

    
>>    KeVin Burns has one or two, plus a sloithar, the neighbours are
>>    worried about their car windscreens when the Burns' go out hurling
>>    on the street.
    
>>   Pull into it and give it shtick.
    
>>    Snake knows that the kings of hurling wear maroon.
    


	Mike: Both times I saw you use a Hurley (Here in the states) it
	      was indoors  !!!!!

	      Once inside Houlihan's, and once inside my house at 4.00 a.m.


	      In both cases, you gave the sliothar a "Mighty Pull"   :=)



	Me_Haul: Be Jaysus if you were next to me now the Sthick would not
	         free of your "Cork Blood" very long ...   :-)
		 Does the term "Blood & Bandage" ring a bell with ya ??  :-)

	         Foley always thought the term was "Blood and Bondage" !!!

       RE: .99
       
       	Beat me like a redheaded stepchild you brute... :-) :-) :-)
       
       							me_haul

    Hi,
    
    My name is Karen; if I'm not mistaken, did I see a FEW other notes
    from some sons/daughters of St. David in here? Ninnau!
    
    I'm second generation - my father was born in the states, but his
    brothers and sister were born in South Wales, not sure exact
    location, somewhere near Pontypridd.  Left the coal mines in Wales
    to work in the coal mines of Wyoming Valley, (Wilkes-Barre)
    Pennsylvania.
    
    For recreation and solace it was music, music, music and sing, sing
    sing.  According to my father "makes no sense to be Welsh if you
    can't sing". -)  My ex-husband once asked what my family would have
    done if anyone had been so unfortunate to be born a monotone :-)
    
    I'm now in my mid-forties (yuk); just starting to get in touch with
    my roots - very sorry I never learned to speak/read the language.
    My grandfather Reese was a pretty stiff-necked individual, insisted
    the kids learn English.
    
    Have recently learned that I do have second cousins residing in
    South Wales.  Trying to get more details.  My grandmother was named
    Margaret Mainwaring - married to Edward Reese - my Dad's name was
    Taliesin.                                             
    
    Read somewhere that all Celts express their greatness, needs,
    desires, in music and poetry.
    
    Think I'm going to enjoy this file.
    
    Karen
    
    PS:  As a child I competed in an Eisteddfod; but my biggest thrill
         is the singing at a Gymanfa Ganu.....
    
    

    Failte!
    
    I'm another newcomer to this forum... and actually, sort of a newcomer
    to my Celtic ancestry.  I only discovered last spring that I'm Scottish
    and Irish (my mother's paternal grandparents); I've been studying
    Celtic culture for a while, though, and have been to Wales and Ireland
    (and maybe Scotland this year).  Interests: music, calligraphy and
    illumination, food and drink, heraldry, mythology, and mayhem.
    
    Glad to see you're here.
    
    --Karen Norteman (different from the last Karen)

    Leaprechauns say f�ilte.
    
    Welcome to the celt file Karen.
    
    The olny surviving Irish snake
    

.103�    The olny surviving Irish snake

    ...of the one-eyed variety...
    
    				....just kiddin' Mike :-)

    I'm from a little village in Galway named Lavally, but it's not
    the Lynches' Lavally. It's outside Tuam. I'm currently in Nashua,
    NH. I spend quite a bit of time in Galway as my family is there.
    My father died in Merlin Park last June.
    
    There were some Branlys near Lavally who owned a pub. I'm not sure if any
    of them are left or not, as I've haven't heard my mother mention
    their name in a long time. 
    
    I'm very pleased to have discovered this file!
    
    Eileen
    
    

   
    
    	Welcome Eileen    !!!!	:-)
    
    
    	From the Bannerman in MK02-1
    
    
    
    
    
    	keVin

    Bob McQueeney
    Op'n's Mgr. U.S. Finance Data Center
    PKO1/E2 Maynard, MA. USA
    
    I stumbled across this file a few weeks ago, and have been furiously
    reading the file to get up-to-date.  I glean a vast majority of
    folks represented in this conference are from my ancestral home
    of the Emerald Isle, and greetings to you all.
    
    I recognize a few names from the days when I was working at the
    Ballybrit plant in Galway several years ago ('80 - '82), and I'm
    ashamed to say I haven't been back since that assignment.  With
    any luck at all I'll get back there next year to renew some old
    acquaintances, and imbibe some of me favourite brews, Smithwicks
    and Guinness.  Ah, but I lust for a fresh pint of either!
    
    So, as the discussions continue, I may well be throwin' in
    me tuppence worth.  Slainte!
   

Hi,
My interest in Celtic and Irish history and culture is quite recent.  Just
under a year ago I was poking aroung a book barn in New Hampshire and I
came across the book:

     A Report of the Proceedings in Cases of High Treason at a Special
     Commision of Oyer and Terminer, held in and for the County and 
     City of Dublin, in the Month of July, 1798.

This book was actually published in Dublin in 1798 and contains the entire
transcripts of the trials of some of the well-known "rebels".  Included are
the trials of the Sheares brothers, Oliver Bond, John McCann, and
William-Michael Byrne.  Anyway, my curiosity was aroused and I continued
to read history and buy some Irish music.  I'm going to start bothering
people for some song lyric translations, so I though I ought to drop into
the introduction note and say hello.

                                         -Randy
(100% Norwegian...by way of Minnesota)

    
    Welcome Randy,
    
      I am sure there will be some folks reading Celt that will be more
    than happy to translate for you.   
    
    Again  Welcome
    
    paddy

    And could some excepts find their way here too....!

    Hi,
    As I was sifting through the endless lists of conferences, to my
    delight, at last I found a conference that made me feel a little less
    home sick. Yes I am Irish. I come from Templemore, Co Tipperary. For
    all of those who have never heard of Tipperary, we're the lads who won
    the ALL IRELAND SENIOR HURLING FINAL last Sunday  (at last!). I have'nt
    had the time to read through this wonderful conference, but when I have
    some free time I will, and hopefully have something informative and
    useful to say to someone.
    
    My interests Celtic/Irish are : Traditional Irish Music
    		       		    Gaelic Football
    		         		"  Hurling
    
    I served for twelve years in the Irish Defence Forces.
    I serverd in Lebanon with the United Nations for one year.
    Last year I joined Digital and have'nt looked back since.
    
    Nice to meet you all,
    
    
    Kevin Maher (7830 3116)

    Kevin,
    
    Nice to hear from a fellow Templemore man. I lived in templemore
    from 1975 to 1978 when my father, who was in the gardai, was 
    transferred to the training centre. They were three good years and
    I made a lot of friends there. 
    
    I joined DEC three years ago and I've been working here in N.H.
    for the last 8 months.
    
    Congratulations on the good win last Sunday. I know from my time
    in Tipp how much the people appreciate their hurling and I know
    that this win means a lot. 
    
    cheers.............Shane

    Shane,
    
    As your Dad was a member of the Gardai, does he remember Paddy Maher.
    He was the barber in the depot at the time and still is. Just curious.
    
    Regards,
    
    Kevin....

    Kevin,
    
    My father, God rest him, has past away since then, but I remember
    many's the time going down to the depot to get my haircut. I can't
    remember the barber's name, but i remember he used to be located
    at the back of the building just inside the front gate, the guard
    house or something. I think he also had a barbers at the very top
    of the square. 
    
    Is he some relation of your's? We used to be terrified going into
    him because of the skinning he gave the recruits.
    
    
    Shane

    Hi Shane,
    
    	I hate to say this, but he is more than a relation of mine, he's my
    Father, and believe it or not, I'm a qualified barber as well. It sort
    of runs in the family, and yes he also has a barber shop at the far
    side of the town hall. Sorry to hear about your Dad. We'll have to get
    together some time for a few pints of the dark stuff. What do you say?
    
    Regards,
    
    
    	Kevin.....

    Kevin,
    
    My locks could do with a bit of a trim, so why not. Where do you
    hang out? I work in Salem, New hampshire and I live in Boston so
    I cover a lot of ground in a day. Maybe we could meet after work
    some day for a few scoops?
    
    
    Shane

    
    
    Shane,  
    
      Such a small world.   I work in Salem also.  Maybe we can all
    meet for a pop somewhere in the area.  
    
       (this is not an offer to set up the next party, George is doing
    that.  Right George???? )
    
    paddy

    
    
    paddy: WHAT is it that you said you do in Salem  ???
    
    
           You must be using the term "work" just for simplicity.  :-)
    
    
    
    
    
    
    keVin

    Call me stupid or thick or whatever you like, I've only just realised
    ye're all at the far side of the pond. I don't think there's much
    chance of me making over there unless they invent a new course
    overnight. Well anyway I returned to the Homeland last week and joined
    in the last of the celebrations after the marvelous victory we had over
    N.Ireland. I consumed large quantities of the dark stuff, and twas only
    magic. I then proceeded on to Kildare to renew some old friendships and
    proceeded to consume even greater quantities of the stuff. I am now
    back in Reading U.K. to recouperate and take it easy for a while. If
    you ever find yourselves in this neck of the woods, don't hesitate to
    give me a buzz.
    
    Kevin.

    Hi, Sue Lilly here.  I'm a 16bit Systems Support Specialist at the
    Customer Support Center in Colorado Springs (yes, there really are
    people who know something about those little machines and what runs on
    them!).  
    
    My penchant for Celtic art, in particular the knots and associated
    designs, has  been an on-going "love affair" for most of my life.  I
    found it manifested in the wonderful fantasy artwork of Sulamith
    W�lfing, when I was about 13, in the designs of the clothing many of
    her female persons wore (ethereal and earthbound), in the interior
    decorations, like curtains, and often her knights wore long capes or
    jerkins with incredible knotted designs.  Since I started collecting
    her artwork,  I've found other artists and jewellers who enjoy
    employing Celtic knots in their designs.  I'd like to own the
    authorized reproduction of The Book of Kells, but that will have to
    wait a while.  (Having twins doesn't often allow for many frivilous
    purchases.) 
    
    My fascination with the Celtic artwork has also manifested itself in my
    interest in illuminated manuscripts - I went to see The Book of Hours
    display at the Walters Musuem in Baltimore a year ago, and picked up
    the display 'catalog', which explained how the Book of Hours was
    separated and utilized by the elite in those days, as well as depicting
    samples of the different pages. The Book-of-the-Month Club had an offer
    for a reproduction of the "Tres Riche Heures de Jean de Berry" (not
    sure of the exact title) and I managed to get that for about half price
    with my bonus points.  The original price was almost the same as The
    Book of Kells repro. 
    
    [My cubicle walls would tell you a lot about me -- unicorns, celtic
    design notecards, dragons and other 'fantastic' art, not to mention my
    three leprechauns on my terminal stand.] 
    
    I have always enjoyed the various literary and historical positions
    taken around the Arthurian legend, and consider Lady Mary Stewart's
    four novels almost historical fiction.  The several books by Geoffrey
    Ashe about Arthur have a special place in my heart; there are two new
    books about Merlin and Arthur, that are described as being written
    about the real persons, from a new and more scholastic point-of-view.
    [Haven't either either of those, yet, but hope to, soon.  Forget who
    the author is.] 
                  
    Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing the Tannahill Weavers in
    concert at The Colorado College, here in Colorado Springs.  What a
    wonderful way to spend several hours!!  I picked up a few of their
    tapes, to add to my pitiful collection of traditional and progressive
    folk music, which includes the Chieftains, Steeleye Span, Fairport
    Convention, Maddy Prior and Tim Hart, Alan Stivell, Judith Pintar, and
    some Clannad.  There are several other kinds of music that I enjoy,
    too.  But I stay away from what I call Heavy Metal and your average Top
    40 stuff. 
    
    I'm enjoying this notes file...I've learned a lot about CELTS, their
    history and art, and about their various places of residence over the
    centuries, which have absorbed their artistic influences.
    
    Hope this file doesn't die for lack of interest.  I was reading it long
    before I put my intro in here.  Don't speak Irish or Scottish or
    Gaelic, but I'm enamored with those cultures.
    
    
    Blessed be.
    From a someone who feels out of place and time in the 21st century,
    A Unicorn lover and twin mother,
    
    Sue Lilly

Hi there,

I'd like to introduce myself as someone new to DEC and hence this conference.

I started with DEC in Reading two weeks ago as a graduate writer working on 
All-in-1.

I'm very interested in Celtic culture as I'm nearly all Welsh!. My mother and 
Step-father are both Welsh and have recently moved back to Wales (Rhyl) after
25 years of living in the Manchester area. They are both very active in 
supporting the Welsh language and do a lot of translation work.
(Anyone who has experience of using Welsh for word processing please see note 
694)

As a linguistics graduate I'm particularly interested in the Celtic languages
(though I'm not very good at them!) and I hope that I'll have plenty to read 
about in this conference.

So long for now,

Catrin

    Let me be the first new entry of the 90s.
    
    I'm at least 50% Irish; my mother's grandfather was a shipbuilder in
    Belfast until he fled the country (I'm trying to find out just why...)
    for America in the mid- to late 1800's. My mother's mother was a
    McGarry from County Cork (I think). Apart from being primarily English
    I'm uncertain of my father's family lineage.
    
    I've been to Ireland three times now on business, and look forward
    eagerly to my return. I'm taken with all things Irish, but most
    particularly the Guinness. I've just found this conference, and it's
    going to take me a good long while to work through it, but it'll be a
    true pleasure.
    
    By the way, the draft Guinness available from The Grog in Newburyport,
    Mass (where I live) is passable.
    
    Slainte,
    
    	/Harry Sutton

    And another who's very happy to have found the conference....
    
    Paternal Grandparents were from Mayo - Grandmother, Anne Mulhearn, from
    Westport; Grandfather, Dan Murray from Castlebar.
    
    The Maternal side is Irish and German - unfortunately, their
    backgrounds were never really explored - MacCauley was my maternal
    grandfather's name;  Leitke my maternal grandmother's (Stuttgart, FRG). 
    
    What an education this conference is!  Here in Marlborough,
    Massachusetts it's truly a pleasure to read these notes;  was in
    Ireland 3 years ago and will definitely be back soon.  Please keep this
    conference active!
    
-wilhelmina murray

    Just rummaging...
    
     I've been muckin' around in here for more than a year already and know
    a few of the noters from the occasional get-together, though they prob-
    ably wouldn't admit it.  :-)
    
     I'm but a scant three-quarters Irish.  The contamination is Quebecois,
    via my father's father's father's father's etc which accounts for my
    name which derives either from Champlain or Chapdelaine depending on
    which ex-convict you ask.  I was hoping the Meech Lake Accord would
    fall through and Quebec become Ireland's largest county just so I could
    pass the Kevin_Burns_Standard_New_World_Here's_What_It_Takes_To_Be_Irish
    Exam coming up in the fall.
    
     My human genes come from Harrington/Murphy/White of Dunmanway, Co Cork
    and environs, and from Reynolds of Ballinamore, Co Leitrim & Fermanaugh,
    though they too will undoubtedly deny any and all American relatives if
    you but mention my name.
     
     I love the Irish language; love listening to it that is. Every time I
    try to say anything more complex than 'Slainte' I end up in the local
    Emergency Room with tubes in my nose and a splint on my tongue with 
    friends standing around muttering 'nice try, Frank, nice try'.
    
     I love Irish literature and poetry as well.  I once read aloud the
    first page of Finnegan's Wake in public and ended up sharing a cell
    with 2 Live Crew.  Recordings of my own poetry are being used as 
    mosquito repellant and in cancer experiments on lab rats.
    
     Enjoy...
    
     

    
    Time to introduce myself I 'spose.
    
    I have lived most of my life (since I was 4) in West Wales 
    (Carmarthenshire and North Pembrokeshire, these days its all called Dyfed).
    My parents are irish (dad was from Newcastle,Co Wicklow, and mum is from
    Dublin).
    Ancestry is I suppose scottish on both sides (mums maiden surname was 
    Dunbar).
    I unfortunately am technically English, since I was born in cornwall
    when mum and dad were working there for a few months months before
    returning to ireland. 
    
    I used to be semi fluent in Welsh (and i'm trying to brush up on it
    again after actually finding it difficult to follow a conversation in
    one of the local pubs last time I was home), and after a recent visit to
    Galway with a few of my Wicklow cousins i'm trying to learn a few irish
    phrases.
    
    nigel

re .126 ...

>    I unfortunately am technically English, since I was born in cornwall
>    when mum and dad were working there for a few months months before
>    returning to ireland. 
>    

wwwwhhhhaaaatttt????

If you were born in Cornwall You are not English (spit!) and you should be
proud of being _Cornish_. We have our own language, a vast culture (mainly
involving drink and food ;-) ) and if the Tamar was just a little bit longer
Cornall would be an island.

So don't give me a hard luck story about being English when you're not!!!


Paul.
	Who started reading this conference a short time ago and had noticed a
lack of Cornish entries...

    
    OK, ok, I should have realised I would upset somebody ;-)
    
    I knew about cornwalls celtic heritage but I wasnt sure how many others
    did, and I cant exactly remember the place since I was only a few
    months old when I left...
    
    Dad did used to say that that the Cornish locals were often complaining
    about the 'english', saying that they should get back across the tamar 
    to england where they belonged.....
    
    nigel                 

    Hello All,
    
    My name is Gerry O'keefffe and though new to this notesfile I'm not new
    to DEC. While catching up on the topics in this notes file, I came
    across the discussion on the name Kennedy and have decided to add my
    tuppence worth. 
    
    The name Kennedy, it is indeed of Irish origin and means 'armoured head' 
    as in war helmet. It was the name borne by Brian Boru's father whose 
    decendants are called O'Kennedy or O'Cinneide as opposed to the O'Briens 
    who are directly descended from Brian himself. Each son of note was
    allowed to start his own lineage, Kennedy's other son of note was
    Mahon. His other sons however carried their father's name.
    
    Regards,
    Gerry

      Hi, My name is Marshall Watkins.  Yes, Watkins a Welsh name.  My
    family came from Cymru to the US in 1607 to James Town.  That is
    according to the studies my aunt did on my family.  I am sad to say 
    that I do not know much about my homeland, Cymru.  I am now going to
    spend some time at my local library and learn more.  Maybe some of you 
    can help me on this.
    
    
                                Welsh-American,
    
                                               Marshall

	Name:			Mitchell Gwyn Jones
	Date of birth:		6th May 1951
	Place of birth:		Port Talbot, South Wales, Great Britain
	Job title:		Technology Consultant I
	Organisation:		EIS/CSO (Complementary Solutions Organisation)
	Location:		Munich, Germany
	DTN:			896-2756
	VAXmail:		MUDIS3::JONES
	All-in-1:		Mitchell Jones @MFR

    I was told that my father was 3/4 french and 1/4 scots.
    
    My mother told me that she was 1/4 Scots, Irish, English and French.
    
    On my fathers side I have found only french names.
    
    On my mothers side, I have
    
    Mason  (I do not know origin.)
    Van Luvan or Luven!  (dutch?)
    Blast or Blass (I think even Blais) {French or Indian}
    unknown last name... Nancy was the first name.
    
    So I have no known CLAN of my own, however my wife is Wilson.. part of 
    the Gunn Clan.  She is also part Taylor, so she has claim to 3 tartans.
    I was thinking of using Gunn, and she would wear Wilson.  
    
    I wish that I knew more of my mothers family...
    
    Dave

    Alice;
    
    My name is Ed McCrory (scots/irish) and I am working as a consultant in
    DCSS, living in San Diego,  working the South West.
    
    I am particularly interested in your paternal grandmother's name being
    Rigby.  My grandmother's maiden name was Rigby.  She came from a very
    large family living in the vicinity of Blenheim, Ontario.  Since then
    many of that family still live in Blenheim and the Toronto area.  As
    near as I can determine, the roots pf the family are in the Dingle
    peninsula, somewhere, but records I have being slim, this may be in
    error.
    
    I wonder if you see a connection there somewhere?
    
    Please leave a note or send mail.  Ed MCCRORY @ SDO  ro
    SWAM1::MCCRORY_ED
    
    Regards;
    
    Ed
    
    P.S.  This conferance is worth the time and effort to keep it going. 
    Seems to have a definite Irish bias, though.

    Hi Steve MacDonald, Ed McCrory, a member of Clan Donald wherever I go.
    
    My father decends from a small house in Antrim County.  This house
    moved from the Isle of Skye sometime in the 17th century, as far as i
    can determine - still working on it.
    
    The MacRory Clan (numbering about 40 at the time) joined Clan Donald on
    Skye (Lord of the Isles)
    sometime in the 11th century and have been associated with the clan
    ever since. (naturally)
    
    I am still doing research on this side of the family as well as the
    maternal side which is all Irish.  (from Cork and Dingle)
    
    I appreciate the dialog in this conference and the opportunity to
    contact others of the Celtic family.
    
    Regards;
    
    Ed
    

    Hello Celts,
    
    I am not much of a noter, and I have only just discovered this one,
    even though I have been with Digital in Reading for over seven years!  
    I couldn't resist joining in now I have found you all.
    
    My folks live in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo.  My mother's maiden name was
    Tierney and my father's name is King.  I am married to a Scot and can
    therefore indulge my interest in things Celtic in many ways.  My
    husband Frank is an accordionist and runs a thriving Scottish Dance band
    here in the South of England, and I am a Scottish dancer.  We have just
    returned from a dancing trip in Australia and New Zealand where we met 
    many enthusiasts.
    
    Scottish and Irish Music are our main purpose in life I am happy to
    say.  We have a large collection of records, tapes and CD's, both
    vocal and instrumental.  I can thrash out a tune or two on the whistle, 
    tame by comparison to Frank's musical talent, but we have a lot of fun.   
    
    
    I look forward to joining in this great conference from time to time,
    and would be delighted to hear from anyone with similar interests.  
    Mail me on PEKING::REIDK or Kathy Reid @REO.
    
    Kathy
    

    Shw mae pawb,
    
    My name is Geraint Torrington and I'm from a little village 8 miles
    north of Swansea, South Wales, but I'm now working in Reading.
    
    I'm on my year out from Nottingham Poly, so I'll have to get as much
    out of this conferance as I can in a year.
    
    I'm a fluent Welsh speaker but I don't get much of a chance to use it
    now that I've crossed the Severn Bridge. If anyone else out there
    speaks the 'Language of Heaven' feel free to mail me, Geraint
    Torrington @REO or SUBURB::TORRINGTONG.
    
    look forward to hearing from you all,
    tara,
    
    geraint.

> <<< Note 1.136 by SUBURB::TORRINGTONG >>>
> -< Cymro arall... >-

>    I'm a fluent Welsh speaker but I don't get much of a chance to use it
>    now that I've crossed the Severn Bridge. If anyone else out there
>    speaks the 'Language of Heaven' feel free to mail me, Geraint
>    Torrington @REO or SUBURB::TORRINGTONG.

I jointly run the Gaelic-l mailing list which is for discussions in
or about Irish, Scottish or Manx Gaelic. There's about 200 people
on it, including many others who read the messages via bulletin boards.
I would like to see a sister list set up for the other Celtic languages,
namely Welsh, Breton and Cornish. I'm currently discussing with one
of the other co-owners of Gaelic-l about getting such a list going.
I'll post a note in this conference if such a list gets going.

Craig

Hi,

My name is Scott Forten and I work in the T&N Publications group here in
Littleton, Mass (LKG).


I'm afraid I dont know the first thing about Gaelic, Celtic traditions and 
folklore but I would like to learn. I find their language incredibly beautiful
and their legends and stories really reach the imagination.

I found out about this conference from someone who sent me mail asking about
what my personal name meant (which was in Gaelic). Needless to say, I was
embarrased to say I didn't know but I just liked it. Which will lead me to my
next note here...

Scott

    Dia Daoibh
    Is mise Tom Casserly. I have worked in Dec Dublin for 7 years
    and only today did I find this conference. At first glance the topics
    are of great interest. No doubt it will take some time to read the
    contents.
      The bulk of the material seems to go back in time a bit.Does anyone
    actually use the conference on a regular basis these days or is it a
    conference of the past?
    
    Slan go fol
    Tom        

    
    Hiya Tom,
    
     It's only a conference of the past when either Paddy Culbert or Kevin
    Burns get involved.  Then everybody disappears until they've left.
    
     Then it's very much an active and enjoyable forum.  8)
    
    Frank
    

     
    Tom: If you look closely you'll find some notes from other lads 
         from the Dublin Office. Dermot O'Sullivan was one of the
    	 "Founding Fathers" of this conference, and Martin Brennan,
    	 and Joe Farrell, and Peter Tinnelly, enter notes whenever 
         they feel the urge.           :-)
    
	 we KNOW that there others from Dublin that are more of the
    	 "Read-Only" type ....
    
    
    	
	keVin
    
    PS: Rule #1
    
        Pay no attention to anything that Frank Chaplain enters in this 
        notesfile ... he's known as the "Bollix from Boston"    ;-)
    

    
    Welcome Tom.......
    
    
       Don't bother with that Frankie Chaplain fella....  He was dropped on
    his head at a rather young age....
    
       The file has spurts of activity and slow times too.  If the read
    only noters would write every so often this conference would be 
    rockin off the walls....
    
    paddy 

    
     Ha!  At least I finally got some sense pounded into me, one way or
    the other, Paddy Culbert.  You on the other hand, are soft as grapes...
    fermented ones at that.  
    
     Saint Patrick's Day is only a week away.  I hope you'll make an effort
    to slip the latch on yer cage and step out for a drop or two before the
    keepers notice yer gone.
    
     I promise we'll have you back before July.
    

    
     Well, OK...TWO weeks away, give or take a month.  So we start a little
    early.  
    
     Ah, so October is a LITTLE early...
    

  	Frank.....Paddy ain't soft ('cepting his tummy).....he 
	eats RAW fish.........!  Of course to hear tell it
	takes a whole lot of sake    :-)



	kits

    
     Ah, well there you have it...it's all that sake picklin' his brain
    cell.  And nobody knows the long-term effects of a diet of raw fish
    on Irish-Americans, so he may be explorin' a whole new DEMENTIA of
    sight and sound.
    

    
    	that was real cute, ::CHAPLAIN_F.
    
    	can you do it again?

    
    Lesseeee..
    
    Padraig is my father, 100% county Cork Irish on both sides. McMurtry
    (sp?)
    
    My mother is 1/2 scottish (Campbell clan, and you imagine my
    grandparents' horror!), 1/2 german.
    
    Interested in Irish music, legends, and geneology!  Hope to travel for
    a leisurely exploration there some day.
    
    Jamd

I'm just about to make the transition from a read-only to a rw noter
so I thought I'd introduce myself

I'm Paul O'Reilly and work for TA/DS in Berne, Switzerland. I'm
originally from Dublin and came to Switzerland 6 years ago after
spending 1 1/2 years in Cork (no connection).

/Paul.

    I've stuck a couple of replies into this conference, so I 'd better
    introduce myself.
    
    I'm Clive Summerfield. I am currently a contractor working for Digital
    Services as an implementation and support specialist for an internal
    European project called EODB. This is my third stint with Digital,
    after 1 year as a permanent employee (1987 - 1989) and 1 year as a
    student (1985 - 1986).
    
    My mothers side of the family comes from Ireland - maternal
    great-grandparents came to Britain in search of food and work.
    
    To put a stake in the ground, I don't believe that violence can solve
    any of the worlds problems be they in SE Asia, Central America, S
    Atlantic, NI, Jugoslavia, Africa, S America, etc... I am also firmly of
    the belief that attempting to exclude groups from any discussions only
    paves the way for future divisions. However, I find it hard to
    understand anyone who calls for peace yet will not condem acts of violence. 
    
    Clive

    I just found this conference today, and thought I might as well sign
    in.
    
    As far as I know, I'm not of Celtic descent; although, I did hear once
    that my mother's father was of Irish and German descent (he'd swear it
    was Pennsylvania Deutsch, though), and I do have green eyes and
    freckles.  That side of the family, however, hasn't been researched
    (it's one of my many future projects) at all.  For a long time, I
    didn't even know my grandfather's given name: Joseph Earlin "Bud"
    Shoup.  Anyway, even if I'm not of Celtic descent in this life, I'm
    sure I was in another life.
    
    I spent a semester studying in Bath, England.  While there, we studied
    much Celtic myth, including the Mabinogian (sp?) and the Arthur
    myths/lore.  I was and am absolutely enthralled by it all; I did a
    paper on Merlin - the actual person; apparently there are two versions
    about 100 years apart which may or may not have spawned the legendary
    Merlin of King Arthur's time - who was actually Welsh if I remember 
    correctly (it's been awhile).  I have visited Ireland (Dublin and
    another town nearby), Wales (Swansea, the Black Hills, and St. Fagans),
    Scotland (Edinburgh and Glasgow), and Cornwall (including Tintagel).
    
    I am interested in learning as much as possible about Celtic legend and
    lore, as well as the languages.  I'm really looking forward to this
    file, and hope that it is still very active.
    
    BTW, I work for DEC in Fresno, CA, USA.
    
    Best,
    Michelle

    
    Ah well, Michelle, you may learn much about legend and lore in this
    notes file, but reality may be more elusive.  :)
    
    

        Hello all,
     I'm glad to find the conference as I may soon be moving to Galway
    from Wilmington Ma. with the wife and kiddies(2). It hasn't been
    approved yet but I,m packin' the house up anyway.
     As for my background:
                      Paternal Grandmother - Gallagher, Co. Galway
                         "     Grandfather - O'Corrigan, Co. Ross Common
                      Maternal Grandmother - Kelly, Co. Longford
                         "     Grandfather - Mc Gillowey Co. Donegal
                              (where they eat the potatoes, skins and all)
    
     This opportunity to live and work in Ireland is like a dream come
    true. I've always wanted to visit and explore the country, and
    the music tugs at my heart strings.
     My parents are elated that one of their seven is going "home".
    They have visited the country an can talk only of it's beauty and
    the charm of the people.
     My children, two boys, ages 8 and 10, are anxious to begin this new
    adventure and have some of the funniest questions and concerns.
     My wife can't wait to get there either, but her parents are having
    a bit of a hard time letting go. The thought of not seeing us for
    the best part of 2 years is understandably difficult for them.
     I've made a few freinds from Galway and Cork over the last few years here
    in the Boxboro facility and hope to see them over there in a couple
    of weeks.
       
     All the best,
          Bob Corrigan      

    Where in Galway are you working?
    I work in the Ballybrit Plant and I am a Galway native so I may be able
    to help with answers to your questions.
    

        If all goes as planned, Ballybrit is it. Thanks much for the 
    offer to help with questions. We have many as you might imagine.
        Beginning with schools for the 2 boys, ages 8 and 10. Most
    of my concerns involve their ability to get into a good school
    and adjust to the new surroundings. They have been going to
    public schools in Massachusetts and are good students. Our local
    school system is considered to be very good compared to other
    area schools. The 8 year old will be entering his 2nd year and the
    10 year old will be in the 5th.
       We wouldn't be arriving until late september/early october.
    This is one of our major concerns. I'd rather have been there for
    the beginning of the school year but it isn't possible. I wasn't
    offered this opportunity until two weeks ago and as fast as things
    are going it wouldn't be possible to get there sooner.
       If you have any suggestions for the best locations for housing 
    and schools I'd appreciate the input.
    
      more questions later,
      thanks,  Bob

    The only concern I would see in education would be that they will have
    to learn Irish, which Irish children start learning from Day One. ( At
    four years of age.) Education system in Ireland is of a very high
    standard and should present few problems to you, they certainly will
    not be allowed to idle! Universtity entrance is heavily restricted and
    open only to the  top performers in terms of academic performance,
    money doestn't confer any advantage. This makes our education system
    very work conscious.
    

       Thanks for the pointers. I guess my major concern for the boys
    is that they aren't too far behind the students in Ireland. I had
    heard that the schools are excellent and if anything a bit more
    advanced.
       My other question would be where to look for housing/schools
    in the Galway area.  Any thoughts?
    B.C.
    

    Accomodation in Galway is among the more expensive in Ireland but is
    moderately priced in comparison to  the East Coast of the States or
    Mainland Europe.  The plant is situated on the North East side of the
    city and people commute in relatively short times to the plant from as
    far as 40 miles away, in my own case I live in Oranmore and can get to
    work in ten minutes so its handy. The most convenient suburbs to
    Digital include Renmore, Merview, and Wellpark, all within two miles of
    the plant. For convenience to leisure facilities there are the Western 
    suburbs of Salthill and Rahoon which are still within a manageable
    drive of the plant thanks to a recently constructed complex of roads
    and a new bridge across the Corrib, Galways principle river.
    The City Centre also has several appartments and town houses on offer
    but parking and gardening could be a problem here.....
    
    1992 price guidelines would indicate �45,000 to �50,000 for a three
    bedroomed semi-detached house in the city as a basic starting point.
    
    On the subject of schools, I went to St Patricks in Market St (
    National) and St. Josephs in Nuns Island ( Secondary ) both of which
    are run by the Patrician Brothers who have strong Irish-American
    connections. National school would be equivalent to the first 6 years
    of education after infants and secondary would be like high School in
    the states. There is also a wide selection of community Colleges which
    were originally Technical and Vocational Schools run by Local Commitees
    on behalf of the state but now with a wider curriculum than before.
    
    One big change since my time at school is that uniforms are now
    compulsory at all levels for both boys and girls, time was when only
    the girls had to wear them. 
    
    Cycling is a popular pastime in Ireland and is still possible on nearly
    all the roads. Cyclists tend to obey their own rules here, however....
    

       Thanks again for the info J. Dooley. I suppose I should open a
    new topic for these inquiries so I don't clutter the Introduction
    topic. Til' then....
      cheers,
        Bob

    As this is the Introductions Topic perhaps I better do that and get on
    with it.....
    
    My name is John Dooley. I work in Digital's Ballybrit Manufacturing
    Facility here in Galway. My main interests are music and current
    affairs ( those of you who follow this file will be more than aware of
    my feelings on certain subjects north of the border......). As times
    are getting tougher for us all, I'm a firm believer in further
    education in order to survive in the future. I live in Oranmore which
    is 5 miles east of Galway and have done so all my life with no
    intention of moving. Things would have to be very bad to force me to
    leave, although out of a group of about 20, there are only three of my
    age-group left in this village. Emigration is a major influence on the
    way we think and live and features prominently in our songs.
    
    Things I like about Ireland are the attitudes towards work, the
    Guinness, the food and the standard of housing.
    
    Things I hate about Ireland are the attitudes towards religion, the
    roads ( although improving ) and the rain.
    
    
    

Re .153 Bob Corrigan

I see that one of your ancestors is a Kelly from Longford.  Don't 
forget to visit the town and while there have a pint in Kelly's 
bar in the middle of main street.  The proprietor, Peter Kelly, 
claims that it is the longest bar in Europe.  Some people might 
remember the same Peter Kelly in the audience of the Late, Late 
Show a few years back when the outrageous cost of funerals was 
being discussed.  The bold Peter stood up and said that he, his 
father and grandfather were in the undertaking business and in 
all that time they have never sent a bill for their services. 
I've already booked him for mine - I don't want any bills to live 
after me!

So when your cousin, Peter, serves you the pint you can tell him 
that story and if he doesn't give it free let me know.  
Incidentally he is a very good friend of a man called Reynolds who 
has a bit of influence over here.  It could be a good connection 
in case you should loose your job.

       I'll surely visit Kelly's then Mr. OFarrell, free pint or no!
    I'll be arriving in Shannon at 6:00am Saturday for a 12 day 
    look see at the city of tribes. I hope to find a new home and
    a place in school for my two little indians so that we may
    settle down again, very soon!
     Hoping to make new friends and rekindle old friendships.
    Pleased to make your aquaintance Mr.(John) Dooley! Perhaps
    we'll run into one another soon.
    
    cheers,
     Bob

After having read many notes by Mr Drotter I was curious one day
to read his introduction. Unfortunately it is conspicous by
its absence.

Please could you correct this.

Thank you,
Paul.

    Now that is really funny!!!
    

    re: .164
    
    
       <Now that is really funny!!!
    
    
    Perhaps not as funny as the fact that you haven't signed in either,
    Sullivan - except to praise the Meadows Lounge. ;^>
     

    Not that you hadn't signed in, but that you needed further introducion.
    (And I thought you had a sense of humour). Very disappointing!!!
    
    

>
>    Not that you hadn't signed in, but that you needed further introducion.

Further clarification and maybe a little personal history.

Go on then sign in!

/Paul.
 

    re: 167
    
    Paul,
    
    All my friends know who I am, where I'm coming from, and where I'm going. 
    
    
    All my enemies don't care. ;^>

    
    	straight to hell, ::DROTTER, is where you're heading, ole man.
    	be careful and please stay off of 495 & 3 betwee the hours of
    	8-8:30 & 4:00-4:30.
    
    	thank you very much.
    
    	actually, as ::DROTTER's very own PR person i can tell you that
    	he's everything he thinks he is.

    What friends??????

    re. 169
    
>    	actually, as ::DROTTER's very own PR person i can tell you that
    
    
    Joe, I think it's time to get yourself another PR person :-)
    
    
    Tony
    

>    re: 167
>    
>    Paul,
>    
>    All my friends know who I am, where I'm coming from, and where I'm going. 
>    
>    
>    All my enemies don't care. ;^>
>
Joe,

Having never met you I can't count myself as a friend.  Enemies I try not 
to have or make. 
You hang out in Merrimack and I in the sunny  Schweiz. There's probably 
little chance we'll meet. An introducion would be nice.

/Paul.

    re -1
    
    Hear, hear.
    
    Stand up and be counted ::DROTTER!!
    
    Therese (also in sunny Switzerland)

    
    I agree........  Come on Joe.....  Tell them about you......  Some may
    be surprised at your intro......  Then again, some may not 8*)........
    
    So let it rip......
    
    paddy
    
    

    
     I just noticed I had yet to put mine in::::
    
    Paddy Culbert
    work in LKG (for now)
    live in New Hampshire
    have been a republican all my life (dad can't understand it)
    did 2 years as a New Hampshire State Representative (89-90)
    one wife, two kids, one dog, one fish tank
    current member of town planning board 
    
     

    Is ::DROTTER really from CORK?
    
    My name is Therese Byrne. I come from Cork city. Spent 4 years in
    Dublin before moving to Bern in 1986.Have been working at DEC since
    Dec. 1991.
    Mostly a "read only".
    
    
    So  Mr. Drotter I'm dying to hear from which part of Cork you come!!

    Folks,
    
    A much more interesting way of viewing these matters is not to look at
    where people come from but whether they hold Irish passports.
    
    Right, keVin :-)
    
    
    
    keVin, I wonder who'll be first in.
    

    Almost anybody can get an Irish passport!

    
    .178 is correct 
    
    
    It's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know that matters ...   :-)
    
    
    keVin
    
    

    
    I am Hannu Hautala and I work in DEC Finland in pc customer support.
    
    I don't have Irish roots, but I am interested in Irish people and
    culture; specially music. Have visited Green Island two times; 
    hopefully more in the future. I am also a member of A Finnish-Irish
    society, that exists in Finland with 800 more-or-less active members.
    
    
    Hannu

    Hey Joe,
    
      I heard keVin almost dropped it (the passport) while trying to finish
    that last pint....  8*)....  rank amateur that he is.... 8*)
    
    paddy

    Joe is from the Manchester, NH. area of Cork city.
    Paddy is from the Pelham side of Belfast.
    kEvIn is from Scotland (very lowlands).
    And I was in NY twice.
    

	who's joe ?

		
	:-)

      
    
    Don't listen to Murphy.......  He still thinks he's Irish and wants to
    live in Kilkee.  And he frequents the Meadows Lounge.....
    
    paddy
    

    Why don't you leave poor Joe alone. He's obviously too shy to put his
    details in.
    
    
    
    
    .....and if he's from Cork I wouldn't blame him !!!!!!!!
    
    
    Tony.

The silence is deafening.

/Paul.

    re: .185
    
    <.....and if he's from Cork I wouldn't blame him !!!!!!!!
    
    Tony, my misguided, deluded *Dub* friend,
    
    As I've said before, there are only two kinds of people in the world,
    Irish, and those that wish they were.
    
    And too, within Ireland, there are only two kinds of Irish:
    
    those that hail from *CORK*, and those that wish they did! ;^>
    
    Eat yer heart out! ;^>

    ::DROTTER if YOU're from Cork then I deny my heritage!!

    
    Thank God you are not from Antrim ::DROTTER. 

    
    	....and here i am thinking that ::DROTTER was a misplaced
    	irish austrian with virgo rising.
    
    	

Can we take away Mr Drotter's soapbox until he introduces himself?

/Paul.

    Just thought I better put in an intro in case I need my soapbox again!!
    I've worked for DEC for 4� years and have been reading/contributing on
    and off to this notesfile for about 4 years.
    
    My mother is from Galway, originally Corcoran.  HEr parents lived up in
    Terryland next to the waterworks.  She was one of 14 children and I now
    have cousins, uncles and aunts scattered all round Galway and Ireland
    from Shantalla to Claddagh to Bantry to Dublin.  One such cousin is
    Tom Corcoran ex employee in Ballybrit who is now running Hogans Bar in
    Bohermore.
    
    I visit Ireland at least once a year and have travelled to many areas
    of the island and have enjoyed every minute of it.  I'm interested in
    Irish music from rock to folk, Irish sport including rugby and
    football. I am also interested in the situation in the North and
    saddened by it.
    
    I live and have been raised just outside Oxford, England and work at
    DECpark in Reading.
    
    		Brian.
    

    .191   You forgot to use 8^)'s.
    
    else someone may take you serious....
    
    paddy

    He probably IS serious........in 191.
    BTW a member of my family now lives in High Wycombe, not far from
    Oxford and I am very much looking forward to frequent visits to
    England, no doubt much to a certain noters disgust.
    Got to go for now...
    

    I'm even closer to HW than Oxford, give me a shout when you are over if
    you fancy a couple of pints.  Another ex DEC Ballybrit, Tom Shaughs,
    lives close as well - he can always be relied on for a few pints and a
    verse or two of Nancy Spain.....
    
    		Brian.

    OK everybody - stop the personal attacks or the whole note goes.

    I missed that one, what was the problem ????
    
    		Brian.

    
    Now we've done it.  I'm going to my room.
    
    big  8*)'s
    
    paddy

    Hi people
    I've only very recently found this conference through "The Irish
    Emigrant", which is sad because I joined DEC in 1987, so I've got a lot
    of catching up to do. I work in Bristol but am originally from Cork
    City where I hope to go back to as soon as the economic climate allows.
    Some of the stuff I've read so far is really interesting, especially
    some of Paddy Culbert's offerings (pity he's gone :-( ). I was
    wondering if anyone out there is from Cork, city or county. It would be
    nice to talk to someone from home.
    
    Mike.
    
    p.s.  going home for Christmas and looking forward to downing a REAL
    pint of Murphys.

    
    RE: -1
    
    Mike is that Bristol, England?  Or is there a Bristol in Ireland?
    
    Pardon my geographical ignorance....just ask anybody.  I'm
    directionally impaired!  :^)
    
    Welcome to ::CELT!
    
    /Jen
    

    Mike is in Bristol, but his heart is in Cork,
    right boy?
    
    -The Castlematyr Kid

    I guess you've never been to Cork Mr. War Head.
    It's really a beautiful part of Ireland.  You
    won't need the bucket there.
    
    Mike, from what part of Cork City do you hail?
               
    /George

    Hi Jen,
    
    Bristol is in the county of Avon, in England.

    Originally from the Northside of the city, but both my parents now live
    on the Southside, Turner's Cross area. 
    I'll be passing through Castlemartyr on my way home at Christmas. Anyone
    you want me to wave at?  8*)

    You mean you're a Norrie !!
    
    Great, so am I!
    
    Farranree (hope you're not from Montinotte (sp?))
    
    Therese

    Not from Montanotte (sp?) but that's not really Northside anyway.
    If I was though, does that mean you wouldn't talk to me any more? 8^(
    
    Mike.
    
    p.s. You're not on ELF, same as me

    I'm on Bern which is in Switzerland!!
    
    I thought you wouldn't talk to me if you were from Montenotte!!
    
    Where are you from?
    
    Therese

    
    Well, looks like a ruffled too many feathers in the IRA topic, shame
    really, I never did get an answer from Mr Drotter.

    
    RE: .205
    
    Yes, Mike.  I *KNOW* where Bristol, England is!  I was just there! :)
    I have a friend going to school at the University of Western England
    (UWE),  I believe they just changed their name from Bristol Polytech or
    some such thing.   Also, my uncle just got a new job which requires
    frequent business trips to Bristol.
    
    Nice...but no Dublin :)...as for Cork...never been so I can't say!
    
    /Jen

    
    Really, I'm about 50% Irish!  My mom's name was Barrett; family history
    says we originally came from Co. Limerick to Canada around 1850 and to
    the US around 1920, where my grandfather settled in the Niagara Falls /
    Buffalo area.  Most of the family is spread around the shores of
    Lake Ontario, on both sides of the border.
    
    I've never been to Ireland, but I hope to go sometime in the next year
    or so.
    

    
    My main concern here is to chit-chat with people from time to time
    about Wales, one of the loves of my life. I'm over half Welsh and my wife 
    is from Southie, so Celts we be, and proud of it. Another love of my life
    is the great county of Surrey in England, where I grew up. It'd be nice
    to hear from people familiar with the area surrounding Aberystwyth and
    Machynlleth (and from fans of George Borrows' 'Wild Wales', one of the
    best travelogues ever written). 
    

    re: 209.
    
    Therese,
    
    I've been to Austria but never Switzerland. I wouldn't mind seeing it 
    though.
    
    I'll talk to anyone, I'm not proud ;-). I still have some friends in 
    Farranree, the Mannings, and my wife used to go to school up there.
    
    I'm from the Blackpool area near the North Cathedral so we were almost
    neighbours.
    
    8^0.

    Hi Mike,
    
    Maybe we should take this somewhere else but did your wife go to North
    Pres? When ? So did I?
    
    My father came from O'Connell St in Blackpool so I guess I'll have to
    tal to you!
    
    Therese

    re:215
    
    Good idea, give me a ring 7-842-3406.
    
    Mike.

    RE. .213
    
    Welcome NOVA::EASTLAND to the notesfile. 
    
    Not many Welsh topics I'm afraid. The predominance is for Irish issues,
    followed by New England social dos, then Scotland.  
    
    It might be symptomatic of us not having an office in Wales. Whereas
    there are large manufacturing sites in Ireland/Scotland and not
    forgetting the large Irish-american community.
    
    BUT, I'm Welsh. I know a bit about the Machynlleth area, but not much.
    I'm from Clwyd. A friend of mine's form there, so I guess I could ask. 
    I did live live in Surrey for a year, if that helps! (Bagshot actually).
    
    Regards, Huw Williams. 

    RE. .217
    
    there is a DEC office in Cardiff but I'm not sure what goes on there.
    
    Mike.

    Yup, you're right. Just looked in the UK addresses book. They don't
    seem to have a DTN though. 
    
    It's probably a Sales office. No room for a Techie like me!
                                
    Huw.

    Hi,
    
    I am Simon French, I live, work and play in Reading.
    
    I love some of the Irish Stouts  Murpheys etc. and really like Irish folk
    music and bands, eg Dubliners, Cheiftains, Fureys etc.
    
    I have only spent 5 days in Eire, in Dublin on Business. Never felt
    such warmth and hospitaility since, but then the Irish are famous for
    their hospitaility.
    
    Simon - wishing all a merry and peacefull Christmas

    I am a latecomer to this file, but have come all the same.  I have been
    a Celtic fanatic for some years now, gathering bits and pieces of
    information from various sources as I have gone.  It is amazing how
    little information there actually is about a culture that once spanned
    most of Northern Europe and which had a part in the demise of decadent
    Rome.  I am of mixed blood, some Welsh, some Cornish, and 1/4
    Lithuanian, I am a bit Irish and a good solid chunk Scottish and the
    Highlands hold my heart strong and true.  From Scotland I trace my
    roots to Clan MacDonald through the septed family Houston, which is a
    place-name that became associated with the family Paduinan, a famous
    family and long supporter of Clan MacDonald and later, of the Royal
    Stewarts.  Our Latin Motto is "Per Mare et Terra" which means "Over
    Sea and Land".  My family is in America now, because we supported
    "Bonny" Prince Charlie's bid for the throne, following the failure of
    the attempt, things got a little hot for highlanders in general and
    MacDonalds in particular.  The larger families could afford to wait it
    out and the smallest families could dissappear into anonymity, it was
    the mid sized group that caught it worst so instead of putting up with
    it, we got out.
    
    I am a fan of traditional Scottish and Irish music, am interested in
    Celtic languages in general and gaelic in particular, and have more
    than a passing interest in Celtic history.  Unlike most Irish folk, I
    tend to believe that the worst thing that happened to Ireland was the
    coming of Patrick, called "saint", who facilitated witch-hunts which
    drove out the keepers of the ancient ways and the memories of a people.
    
    Andrew
    
    

    >I am a fan of traditional Scottish and Irish music, am interested in
    >Celtic languages in general and gaelic in particular, and have more
    >than a passing interest in Celtic history.  Unlike most Irish folk, I
    >tend to believe that the worst thing that happened to Ireland was the
    >coming of Patrick, called "saint", who facilitated witch-hunts which
    >drove out the keepers of the ancient ways and the memories of a people.
    
    Hi Andrew, you bear the name of the patron saint of Scotland!  Anyhow,
    there are still remnants of the pagan culture that existed in Ireland
    before St. Patrick.  Halloween is one that comes to mind.  The promoters
    of Christianity carefully tried to integrate some of the pagan rituals
    into the new religion.  I don't know if this was done out of respect of
    the pagan beliefs, to give new meaning to pagan rituals, or to assuage
    the fears of pagan fundamentalists.   Can anyone think of other pagan
    remants in Celtic culture today?

    Darcy,
    
    the problem is, can we, in truth, know what the pre-christian Celtic
    culture was like in the first place?  Those snakes that Patrick drove
    out were not reptiles, but Draoida (sp.), Ban-draoi, Bardagh and
    Brehons of the ancient world who carried the history of the people in
    their hearts and minds.  the Celts had no written records and so, when
    Patrick suppressed the Druidic, bardic and Brehonic classes, the most
    reliable source of ancient traditions was lost.  That is the great
    tragedy of it.
    
    Andrew
     

    Re .222
    
    Can anyone think of any other pagen ways?
    
    Yeah, Christmas! (the celebration date anyway.)
    
    Scholars belive Christ was born in the summer.  The pagen solstice
    celebration of the return of the "sun" was handily woven into the
    arrival of the "Son" of God.
    
    But we digress....AAAAARRRHHHHH another rat hole.
    
    Citog (a/k/a Kit)
    

    Well, I can't believe it took me this long to find this notesfile but
    here I am. Both my maternal grandparents came over from Ireland 
    (County Fermanagh) as did my paternal grandfather. I have a lot of
    reading to do in here and I've started with 19.*. I've always wondered
    how the Gaelic words I've seen are pronounced and this should get me
    started. So, how would my name be printed/pronounced in Gaelic?
    
    Go raibh maith agat!
    
    Patrick McMahon

    I am new to the CELT notes file.  My name is Mary Margaret Riordan
    and I am 50% Irish and 50% Scot.  My Grandmother (my Father's Mother)
    was a Mack and her parents were originally from Ireland (I do not know
    which part though).  My mothers family is from Scotland.  My
    grandfather was James Black from Edinborough (sp?) and my Grandmother
    was a Degnan from Glasgow.  
    
    I am learning all sorts of things regarding my heritage.  I already
    have a love for all Irish Music (I am a singer myself, soprano) and for
    the poetry of the country.  I am also learning more and more about the
    strif of NI.  
    
    I have LOTS more reading to do in this file so I think I will end my
    hello here!!
    
    Regards,
    
    Mary Riordan
    MPGS::RIORDAN 

    Having just found this conference, I have read a good deal of these
    notes and replies already so I decided to join in. 
    
    I'm Mike Holland located at the CSC in Colorado Springs. My ancestry
    is Scottish/Welsh/Irish/German/Dutch/English with a Breton twist. My 
    interests lie in genealogy and history of the Celt people. One of my 
    direct ancestors was Ralph de Scudemer born ca. 1040 in Brittany, he 
    came to England in 1066, so this is why I mentioned English with a 
    Breton twist.
    
    I truely love traditional Scottish/Irish music and have several albums
    at home. I'm looking forward to participating in this conference.
    
    Regards
    
    Mike

    
    Name: Clive Davies
    
    Nickmame: Taff..(Who said the English had imagination)
    
    Nationality: Welsh (Of course, God's own people)
    
    Parantage: Pure Welsh for at least six generations ( I can't find out
               anything from any further back )
    
    Language: My Welsh is rusty. Smattering of pidgin English
    
    Hobbies:  Rugby Union, Rugby Union, drinking, Rugby Union, Rugby Union
              Singing, Rugby Union.
    
    Favourite Joke: What do you call a Welshman?
                 A: An Irishman who couldn't swim.
    
    Dislikes: Anglo Saxons, Jutes, Angles, Romans, Normans, Vikings.
    
    Ambitions: Devolution for Wales, 
    
    Dreams:  Welsh becomes main language of Wales.
    
    Enough for now? I think so.
    
    Hwyl Iawn
    
    Taff..
    
     
    
    

Hello and Greetings,

I'm Michele (Chele) and have just started on the family tree 'thing'. I and my 
husband both have Welsh grandparents - Hughes & Ince.
Much as I'd love to go to Wales, I'm a long way from the ancestral stomping 
stomping grounds.


Chele    

    Hello there!
    
    I am  not Celtic at all really but possess a celtic name.
    (Oh apart from having relatives in Wales etc...)
    
    Kendra Bingham
    CSC Basingstoke

    
    The suffix -ham normally denotes a Saxon derived name. 
    

    Just happened to stumble onto this conference and possibly in the
    "nick" of time. I am scheduled to arrive in Dublin on the 21st of
    August with my family for my first visit, I'm first generation Irish,
    my mother is from Monaghan (Inniskeen), my father was from Longford
    (Kilnasavogue).
    
    As one might guess I was exposed to a great deal since Day 1, Irish
    music in house (radio, recordings, impromptu sessions), stepdancing
    lessons and competitions at various Feis' across the NY tri-state area
    in my earlier days, vacationing at an Irish house in an Irish resort in
    East Durham, N.Y. (the self proclaimed 33rd County). I learned to play
    bagpipes in early adolescence and played until the late seventies in my
    father's band, the Sarsfield and recently picked up the Tin Whistle
    just for fun and have taken lessons on and off again for about 2 and
    one half years.
    
    I enjoy traditional music immensely (the trip was scheduled to coincide
    with this year's Fleadh) but also enjoy other types of Irish music such
    as Christy Moore, Rory Gallagher/Taste, Thin Lizzy, Horslips, Saw
    Doctors, Goats Don't Shave, Pogues, Black 47 etc, as well as some
    Scottish music like Silly Wizard, Tannahill Weavers, the Cunningham's
    and Ossian (sp?). I especially like things in a Celtic/Rock mode.
    
    Our family hosted a girl from N Ireland (Derry '91 and Belfast '93) 2
    out of the past 3 summers as part of the Project Children program, we'd
    like to see each of them as part of the trip as well as the Fleadh and
    relatives in the 2 counties mentioned above as well as Dublin. I'm not
    sure that our two weeks will allow for much else so we may miss the
    "touristy" places as well as the West and Southwest which most people
    say are Don't miss areas... Maybe on the next trip. My daughters are
    ages 11 and 6 and I do have some questions relative to things they
    might enjoy and car rental agencies, I'll try to find the appropriate
    note and post the queries.  
    
    
    Kevin
     

    Hi all!
    
    I'm Mindy Carey Seifert. My mother's family is from Dublin and ever
    since I can remember I've beem told how blessed I am to have Irish blood
    running through me veins...although my father who is German tends to
    disagree with that.
    
    I enjoy reading all your notes and the information here helps me
    to update my friends from Dublin living in Falmouth, Mass as to
    what is going on over there.   

    Hi; I'm Dave Sullivan. I've just found your conference. Where have you
    been all  my life ? As my surname implies, I'm Irish descended via my
    father (though both he and his parents were born in London - his mother
    was a Kavanagh); my mother is from a Welsh-speaking family from
    Aberdare, Glamorgan. 
    My interest in the Celtic Notes is primarily Welsh, although I see from
    a cursory inspection that it's a) 99.999 percent Irish-orientated, and
    b) extremely vituperative, which this reader, for one, could well live
    without; it's that sort of thing that got Ireland into the state it's
    in !
    

Great, innit?  Just as soon as the CELT conference seems to be becoming
an interesting and civilised place to note, we're suddenly bombarded with
a stream of notes about how dastardly the British are and how they've
relentlessly persecuted the Irish.

Mr Holohan, we all *know* you vehemently and irrationally hate the English,
you've reiterated your point so much that I'm sick of hearing it.  You are
beginning to sound like a bitter, twisted sad old man.  Your notes are so
biased that they contain no credibility, and they exist only to irritate.
Now shut up and go away.

Chris.

 re. .237

  So Chris,
   Was it the United Nations Human Rights committee article that contains
  no credibility?  or was it the British Reuters report about nuclear
  contamination?  Perhaps you were upset with the Sinn Fein delegation
  visiting South Africa?  Maybe it was the words "democratic principles"
  that you really found so sick of hearing.  If you wish to bury your
  head, be my guest.  But it's becoming pretty obvious to me that your
  government hasn't really done anything substantial to bring about peace,
  and it's just a matter of time that the British will force this situation
  back into a state of war.  Perhaps you only listen when the trains don't
  run on time?

                    Mark

The content of your informative notes isn't the issue, it's the motivation
behind your posting of them.  I know that the British government are about
as far from perfect as you can get, but I don't need some patronising idiot
to point that out to me.  You leap on as many bandwagons as possible, not
to benefit anybody but just to fuel your hatred of the English people.

`Hypocrisy' seems to be a favourite word of yours.  Look no further than
yourself for a prime example.  You were born here.  What makes you so much
better than the rest of the people of this country?  And don't give me the
usual toss about caring for human rights, because you clearly don't.  It
pains me to add to the garbage that has poisoned this conference, but the
crap you swamp it with can't go uncontested.

Chris.

    Chris,
          Mark was going uncontested for months recently and this
    notesfiles had become interesting again. In fact I noticed at one stage
    that he was relpying to his own notes!!!
    
    re. "He was born here."
    
    There is nothing worse than a reformed smoker or alcoholic!!
    
    Gareth

>          Mark was going uncontested for months recently and this
>    notesfiles had become interesting again. In fact I noticed at one stage
>    that he was relpying to his own notes!!!
    
true enough, I was just miffed because I opened the conference yesterday
and thought `groovy, half a dozen interesting notes to read', and they
were all just spam.  I should really keep quiet, arguing only seems to
encourage him.
    
>    There is nothing worse than a reformed smoker or alcoholic!!
    
:)

Chris.

  Chris,
    My motivation is pure and simple.  I don't hate the British people, how
  could I, half my family still lives their.  I hate the hypocrisy of the
  British government, and I hate what is being done to the Nationalist 
  community in north east Ireland. It's wrong, plain and simple, and worse
  yet, it's still going on.

  Gareth,
> There is nothing worse than a reformed smoker or alcoholic!!
  
  Have a beer, it's good for the soul! Works for me.  I've already
  got my ticket, straight to heaven :-) 

                            Mark
    

Well, at least we agree on something I suppose.  Particularly the beer!

Chris.

Just realised, after spending the last couple of years in this conference
making banal comments, going on about alcohol and arguing with people, I
haven't had the courtesy to sign in yet.  Please excuse my bad manners!  :)

Name: Chris Hedley (also WELCLU::HEDLEY, WELSWS::HEDLEY, etc)
Location: Based at home in Bishop's Stortford, after Digital installed a
	KiloStream.  Previously at WLO (Welwyn) 'til we got booted out.
Position: scumbag programmer, supporting the Inland Revenue account.
Background: bit of Celtic, courtesy of the Egans who migrated from Ireland
	to the kingdom of Geordieland (Northumbria in other words, where
	I'm from), bit of Nordic (probable source of my name), bit of Saxon,
	most likely the Vandals given my temperament!
Interest in this conference: history and progression of the peoples of
	Britain and Ireland, culture, music etc.
Other interests: Beer, sleeping, food, beer, women, cars, rock music, terrible
	bass guitar playing, beer, eating curries, science fiction, supporting
	Bishop's Stortford FC which obviously entails more beer.
Anything else: er, that's about it really.

Chris.

    
    name:Ian Goldie
    
    living and working in Mass. in the good ole U.S.A!Born in Scotland and
    lived there for 27 years.Married an American lady and have been very
    happy.
    
    generally I'll be a "read only" but every now and again I'll drop in a 
    note.
    
    						ian

I suppose I better introduce myself since I've been around here for a 
little while talking to people who hardly know me :-).

Name: James A. Lundon (The A. being very important - I'll let you know)

Sex: Some would say I'm male.

Age: A very old and weary middle-twenties.

From: Limerick.

History: I've been in Digital for nearly 4 years.  All of it spent in 
Galway doing a bit of software here and a bit of software there.  Before 
that I spent too long going to college in the University of Limerick.  And
before that I spent my formative youth in the heartland of East Limerick.

Interests: Sports (especially Hurling), surfing the Internet, reading...
the usual.

Any other information is on request only :-).

                              James.

Name : Matthew George

Age  : umm..21 next week

Interests : Rugby, beer, making music, getting rejected by women, arguing

General : Born in Swansea, Wales, I'm a 3rd year degree student in Bristol.  
This year has been spent as a full-time employee with Digital in Reading and 
Winnersh.  Patriotic but realistic, thick but intelligent, argumentative but 
calm.  Miserable enough to add another 10 or 20 years onto my current tally 
without anyone noticing.  I'll be gone in September, so my stay is brief.  Will 
be in Ireland as of Tuesday, for a week of good beer, good music and good 
company, to celebrate my 21st with some chums.

    Chris Winpenny, currently a contractor in the SIC- Brussels

    After being a read-only noter of this conference for a short while I
    feel it's an excellent forum for the discussion of the unity of the
    British Empire. I think it important to remember that the British
    Empire is held together by it's figure head and to this end I pay
    tribute to this most remarkable woman.

    God bless Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and long may she reign over
    the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

    Chris

    Unfortunately, your remarkable woman was helping break up
    the Canadian Empire during her interview with Lucien the
    other day...  Someone tell her the right FAX number.
    
    :v) :v) :v)   <- smilies
    
    /George

    From today's Boston Globe 11/3/95
    
    QUEEN APOLOGIZES FOR MAORI SEIZURES
    
    Wellington, New Zealand - Queen Elizabeth II signed an apology
    yesterday expressing "profound regret" for the seizure of Maori land by
    British colonizers 132 years ago. The document also returns to the
    Maoris 39,000 of the 1.25 million acres the British confiscated in the
    Waikato region, and places $42 million in a fund for Maoris to buy back
    privately owned land that was once theirs. Tribal elders broke into a
    traditional chant after the queen signed the deed of settlement, the
    largest reached in New Zealand's history of tensions between the Maoris
    and the descendants of European settlers. (AP)

    Does this mean that, for example, Donegal people can expect
    to get back ownership and fishing rights of their rivers, many
    of whom are still held today by absentee English landlords? 

    Havn't they sold the fishing rights to Jack Charlton, George?
    Not to mention yer man with the new supertrawler operating out of
    Killybegs or the lice plagues from the fish farms which are killing off
    the wild fish stocks. I'm sure if she comes to Donegal, then with one
    wave of her magic wand the rivers and seas will be full of healthy
    fish. Every poor soul who ever poached a salmon from the river Moy will
    get a streach to fish all of his own and every unemployed family man
    from Tory Island to Valentia will get a grant for a little boat and
    will spend idyllic days in the summer sun fixing the nets and counting
    the few shillings. 
    
    Thatched roofs will appear on run down cottages, standing stones, long
    bulldozed away will spring up again, Shergar will run in a maiden hurdle
    in Roscommon, and a crofter will emerge from a cave on St Kitts asking
    if the coast is clear. At the auld lammas fair in Ballycastle noone will
    notice as CHARLEY and Mark Holohan, quite drunk, stagger arm in arm
    down the hill to the sea for a swim.
    
    Gay Byrne will interview Bishop Casey and Prince Charles on the subject
    of family values. Mary Robinson will occupy Mutton Island to stop the
    sewage plant, and a transatlantic Zeppelin service will start from Knock 
    airport.
    
    Ah if only she would come and apologise...   
    
    Kevin

    I'm not sure, actually, if we're comparing like with like here either.
    In the case of the Maori, the British Government of the day signed a
    treaty "giving" land back to the [conquered and over-run] Maori in
    perpetuity. A short while later, the Government renaged on the deal,
    and pushed the Maori off. This apology was for breaking the terms of a
    treaty, signed and agreed by all parties, as was the compensation.
    
    Leaving the rights and wrongs to one side, I don't think there was any
    such treaty for the land in Ireland.
    
    Laurie.

    You are right, Laurie, you are right. I think actually Cromwell wanted
    to negotiate a fair deal at Drogheda, but things got a bit wild and after 
    that he never bothered.
    Kevin

    Drogheda....been there, nice people, sad castle.
    
    Shaun.

re: .253

Perhaps in the minds of British Civil Servants the existence of the
treaty was used to contrive some legitimate reason for the apology. I doubt
that thet meant much to the Maori(?) though.

Besides I think this deal was actually put together by the Govt. of New Zealand
and the Queen was really only there to put a signature on the deal. 
Whether this will be be enough to satisfy Maori nationalism reamains
to be seen. It will probably buy a few years.

M

    >Havn't they sold the fishing rights to Jack Charlton, George?
    >Not to mention yer man with the new supertrawler operating out of
    >Killybegs or the lice plagues from the fish farms which are killing off
    >the wild fish stocks. I'm sure if she comes to Donegal, then with one
    >wave of her magic wand the rivers and seas will be full of healthy
    >fish.
    >...
    >Gay Byrne will interview Bishop Casey and Prince Charles on the subject
    >of family values. Mary Robinson will occupy Mutton Island to stop the
    >sewage plant, and a transatlantic Zeppelin service will start from Knock 
    >airport.
    
    Ah Kevin, you're a better lyricist than Christy!
    I have a great melody to put your words to...
    
    :v) :v) :v)