Conference tallis::celt

John,

I think wou will find that the best source for some of the writing of this is
to be found in an ancient ulster epic called the "TAIN BO CHUAILE" (Tale of
the bull of Cooley). In this our friend Cuchullain defended Ulster against
king Maedhb of Connacht.

There are many Books on this era. Waterstons in the UK is a good starting point

Cuchullain was attached to the Red Branch Knights - a famous group of Ulster 
warriors.

Samuel Ferguson was one of the greats of the Celtic Revival. He was in very 
good company among Anglo Irish Scholars - Yeats, Lady Gregory etc.


"Ogham" was an ancient Celtic(I Think) writing stile. It was usually carved on
Stone. They are to be found all over the Island of Ireland. I understand that
some may also be seen at Iona and other places in Scotland. I mean after all
the Scots are Irish who were expelled From Ireland for sheep stealing -).

I dont know the words of "The Lark" (At least not that one - I have another). 
It is a lovely song though.

That I hope answers some of your questions.

P.S.

KeVin

At your next party do you think you could get a photo of Denise, Kits or Jen
posing as a "Sheele ni gig". That should cause a stir.

MBr

    I have a very scratchy recording of "The Lark in the Clear Air" at
    home, by John McCormack I think.  I will see if I can get the words
    from it.  I agree - it is a beautiful song.
    
    Kathy
    
    

Thanks for the information so far, much appreciated.
Looking forward to hearing more.

    
I had thought that "Ogham" might have referred to a geographic area of Ireland,
but had been unable to find it on any map.

However, last night I looked up the biggest encyclopedia I could find 
and came across this entry ...


	ogham, ogam

	O. Ir		ogum
	Mod. Ir.	ogham

	Supposed to have been invented by a lengendary Ogma


	  1. 	Ancient British and Irish form of writing, having 20 letters,
		which are formed of strokes in groups of 1 to 5, drawn in
		relation to a transverse line, and made above, below or
		passing right through it.

		These characters are also found cut on rectangular stones, the
		edge of which serves as the line.

	  2. 	(attrib) Written in, characteristic of, ogham.


 		|||  //
		||| //
		|||//  ||  ///    
So what does 	-------||-///----//\\--||     mean?!
                       ||///    //  \\ ||
                               //    \\||

John
    
    P.S. I lived among the Scots for many years, and never heard of any
    sheep stealing going on.  Their culture did have some deficiencies,
    in my early days however - for example you just couldn't buy those
    staple foods of any Irishman's diet - Soda Farls and Buttermilk.
    Guess they lost the recipes on the way across the sea!
                                       

    Here are the words to "The Lark in the Clear Air".  They are very
    beautiful.  
    
    Dear thoughts are in my mind
    And my sould soars enchanted,
    As I hear the sweet lark sing
    In the clear air of the day.
    For a tender beaming smile
    To my hope has been granted,
    And tomorrow she shall hear
    All my fond heart would say.
    
    I shall tell her all my love,
    All my soul's adoration;
    And I think she will hear me
    And will not say me nay.
    It is this that fills my soul
    With its joyous elation,
    As I hear the sweek lark sing
    In the clear air of the day.
                

    Re .-1  
    
    Kathy,
    
    Thanks for the words of the song.
    They are indeed very beautiful.
    
    If I bring by tin whistle along to Death Park, will you teach me the
    tune?
    
    [Time we had the muscial fonts available to noters!]
    
    John
    

    John,
    
    Yes of course I'll teach you the tune if you ever come here - at least the
    two bars I can remember accurately.  We could even have a duet!
    
    Samuel Ferguson's poem "The Vengance of the Welshmen of Tirawly" makes
    a good read.  Do you know that one?
    
    Kathy