Celtic Craft Naas - Tales Of Eire

The harp was the most popular instrument in ancient times with harpists employed to play for chieftains and to create music for nobles. This was until the Flight of the Earls in 1607 when native Irish chieftains fled the land under threat from invaders. With the flight of their patrons to mainland Europe, the harpists were left to travel the country and play where they could. The main traditional instruments are the fiddle, Irish flute, tin whistle, Celtic harp, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán. The harp has been a significant instrument in Irish music history, with its popularity dating back to ancient times. Harpists were highly regarded, and their music was often played for chieftains and nobles. However, the Flight of the Earls in 1607 brought an end to this era, as many native Irish chieftains fled the land under the threat of invaders, leaving the harpists to fend for themselves. Despite this, the harp remains a vital part of Irish music, and it continues to be played by many musician...

Legends recall how the irrepressible warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill was headquartered on the Hill of Allen from where he served as huntsman to King Cormac 300 of his hounds are identified by name in the Ossianic Cycle. A Royal pack of hounds would certainly not have looked out of place when the Celts gathered to race their chariots on the Curragh plains during the annual fair in ancient times. The Annals tell of Connairé Môr attending the fair with four chariots before he was killed in 60 AD. Racing constituted such an integral part of the fair that many chroniclers called it Curragh of the Races. It was perhaps small wonder that St Bridget thus made sure her cloak enveloped the entirety of the Curragh plains when the King of Leinster promised to entrust her with any land that fell within its shadow. The kings of old all rode horses. The saintly king of Munster, broke his neck falling from a horse at the battle of Bellaghmoon near Castledermot in 908 AD. The victor of that clash was Cerb...

Anamchara Soul mate  In the Celtic tradition, there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. One of the fascinating ideas here is the idea of soul-love; the old Gaelic term for this is anamchara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and chara is the word for friend. So anamchara in the Celtic world was the “soul friend” With the anamchara you could share your inner-most self, your mind and your heart. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an anamchara, your friendship cut across all convention, morality, and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the “friend of your soul” The Celtic understanding did not set limitations of space or time on the soul. There is no cage for the soul. The soul is a divine light that flows into you and into your Other. The concept of anamchara soul mate in Celtic tradition is a beautiful and fascinating idea. Anamchara refers to a soul-love or a soul friend. The term anam means soul and chara...

Rory Gallagher, known as the People’s Guitarist, was an Irish blues star who was modest, passionate, and all about the music and his Fender Strat. It’s little wonder the Ballyshannon musician is still celebrated today. Gallagher told Rolling Stone in 1972: “It seems a waste to me to work and work for years and just turn into some sort of personality." Although he was only 23 when he said this, he certainly stuck to his guns and became known for his non-stop touring and his talent. Born in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and brought up in Co Cork, Gallagher, whose albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide, has a dedicated fanbase around the world, including notably U2's The Edge and Slash. During the 1970s, Gallagher was invited to play on Chess Records’ “London Sessions” with Jerry Lee Lewis and Muddy Waters. He also recorded with The Rolling Stones and was once in the running to replace Mick Taylor but chose to return to his own band. He toured alongside Bo...