Historical Gaeldom - A perspective

I just started to read a book entitled "Kenneth" by Nigel Tranter.  I'd seen the name before because he wrote a historical fiction about Somerled.    So when I spotted the book for 25¢ at the local Friends of the Library I had to jump at the chance.  Helps that it is about one of my other many Gaelic Ancestors and none other then Kenneth Mac Alpin the Famous leader of the the Dal Riata and Picts.  At times called a Nation builder since we join the two groups together politically for the first time or so they say.





What I find interesting is the many different cross cutting details provided from this book and the general history of Gaeldom as we know it.   It is said that the Scottish kingdom of Dal Riata was settled by some Irish (possibly in Exile) back who knows how far.   And thus this spread eventually to cover all of what we now call Scotland.  But, the ever mysterious Picts are in the middle of all this. along with the mixed area like Galloway.

Due to poor record keeping or the mists of time the real details are a bit sketchy.    What is clear is that the language spoken in the Highlands of Scotland today is very much similar to the Gaelic of Ireland so there had to be some connection.  When exactly this connection began and to what extent it is hard to tell.  It goes back to an age of legends and Legendary leaders like Cormac Mac Airt, Fergus Mór mac Eirc, St. Columba and St. Patrick.  This connection carried on well into the 16th century with the employment of the Galloglass mercenaries in

Ireland that in many cases came from the clans of the highland.  And then there was the concerted effort to import Scots into northern Ireland during the plantations phase, hoping to supplant the local catholic population.

Diagram of Celtic languages of British Isles
(Michael Newton, 2008) - http://sites.stfx.ca/celtic_studies/hist_gaelic_scotland

One thing I find interesting in the book by Nigel Tranter is the mention of Kilts early on in the book.  It is not very clear when exactly kilts came into being.
 "- It being not difficult to tell which was which, for the Gaels all wore tartans, plaids, jerkins, kilts.  Most men were fighting on foot, hand-to-hand, the preferred method in close combat."
Kenneth - Nigel Tranter Page 26

But by the 16th century they were present in Scotland.  They got banded at one point and by the good fortune of a couple of English men were reintroduced in the 18th century.  But, the kilt came from Ireland in fact and cross the Irish sea at some unknown time.  But, that is the great part of historical fiction.  You can meld together the known facts and fill in the gaps with stuff that makes sense.  it makes sense that a form of dress that would be come so wide spread in the highlands would have been present there for many years, alas decades if not centuries before we have it recorded down by foreigners.  What would have changed so drastically that the populous would have gone from some kind of pants to a start using a kilt?   That is a good question.  In reality the change must have been gradual and based on a need for some type of clothing like the Brat.
Thus the details are shrouded in the mists of time..... so we will never really know for sure.




I'm reminded of a conversation I once had with a client on the phone - good old Sean Mcmannus of the Irish National Caucus (some type of political group for sure) who just had to make sure I knew that good old Finn MacCoul was not real. 
However, he would have had to talk the better part of a day to prove his point and in the end he probably could not conclusively prove it so.   This is one area that most of the known material is sketchy at best, and very much in the realm of legend.  How in reality would believe that if you suck on your thumb down to the bone you can obtain the wisdom necessary to get out of any situation just because you touched a hot, blistering Salmon of knowledge while it was cooking?   But, we know the Fianna did exist.  So that is the part that makes thing complicated. 

So as I dive into the mists of time and try to piece together what I can about those ancient kingdoms of Dál Riata, Alba, Galloway and the such I find more questions then answers.  But, I continue to find fascinating things out at every turn.  And this can help me better appreciate the many good historical fictions written by such authors as Morgan Llywelyn and Nigel Tranter.



So here is to all our brothers - lost in time or not throughout all of Gaeldom - Picti, Caledonnii, Cumbrians, Albannach, Scoti, Hiberni, Dalriadian, Gallovidian, and Lochlannaich of the Hebridean Isles

You have all left us with a rich history.  May we be worthy of this honor.

If you'd like to see if your related to any of these great historical figures check out my post on Are You Related to Someone Famous

Buaidh - NO - Bas

I'm finally back

Boy over a month with no posts.
I believe I wanted to avoid the whole Halloween thing even though there is a great story of Finn MacCool and how he stayed awake to kill some monster on all hallows eve.

Then I guess I got plain busy and all.
The Holidays and all.

So in time I will be reviewing the book I'm getting for Christmas.  Ones on the forts of the Celts and men-at-arms on the same people.  Very fascinating stuff in reality.

I recently was cracking open a book I'd gotten a couple of years back entitled
"The Viking Discovery of America: The Excavation of a Norse settlement in L'Anse Aux Meadows, Newfoundland"
The authors Helge Ingstad and his wife Anne Stine Ingstad both excavated the Norse settlement in Newfoundland.  It is a fascinating read, especially to find out how they tracked it down.  Oddly it involved a lot of talking to local peoples of any ruins etc in their area.  Eventually, they stumbled on the Village/Settlement in Newfoundland.

There is now a full replicated village just like the original one in the location and it makes up part of the Canadian National Parks system.
L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site of Canada

I guess all god Vikingphiles should go there one day and see things first hand.  One day when I'm independently wealth I guess I'll do that.


One really interesting comment made in the books epilogue goes something like this:  Why did the Norse not stay?  Why did they leave behind the great location and resources of L'anse Aux Meadows?  The Norse were on par with the natives in regards to weaponry.  Both used bows and arrows, and spears (no mention of swords or axes).  Also eventually the Norse in Greenland discovered a shorter southern route to the region of Vinland and Markland so there was not necessarily a need to a Semi-permanent base of operations on the North American continent.  After a few run-ins with the natives they basically left realizing they were overwhelmed at least numerically.

Same thing could have happened to the English Pilgrims and the like.  The difference was the increased potential in the weaponry.  The firearms and the cannons.  Coupled with the increased ability (albeit 2-3 months) time it took to communicate with Europe, the fledgling settlements took hold and thrived.  Though we do know that the natives helped in some instances to make survival possible.
Think of the difference encountered by the English in 1600's and the Vikings in 1000's.
The Vikings had to take a long route basically staying close to the shoreline to head to Greenland and then take a long journey to Iceland.  At this point an additional journey was needed to head to places like the British Isles or Norway.  This all could take months and require in some instances to remain for a season in one or more of the locations due to ice and other obstacles to travel.  Open sea travel directly from continent to continent was not a very feasible option.
Boy what a difference a bit of technology can make.

I believe that is a enough ranting and rambling for now.
Look for more in the future on such topics as Trebuchets, and an idea for a musical tour with Josh Groban for Charity.

Buaidh - NO - Bas

Salmon of Knowledge

What more fitting topic to start off this blog then with a bit on the Salmon of Knowledge from none other than Fionn MacCumhail (Finn MacCool).  Both have a prudent connection to the content that will follow here: Ancestors and Wisdom.

UI's Celtic Mythology - Finn MacCool

"Finn MacCool, sometimes called Finn Mac Cumaill or Fionn MacCumal, was the leader of the Fianna, or Fenians, the select band of warriors which guarded the High King of Ireland. His father, Cumal, a previous leader of the Fenians, was killed by Goll, a Fenian warrior. Cumal had eloped with a girl named Hurna and her father urged Goll to avenge this dishonour. Goll slew Cumal, but later Cumal's son Finn was born and brought up secretly. One of his tutors was the druid Finegas, who lived beside the River Boyne and caught the Salmon of Knowledge. He gave the fish to his pupil to cook, but Finn burnt his thumb on the flesh and in sucking it obtained wisdom."
Graphic and text provided by United Irelander



Most if not all the "Tales or Legends" about Finn are considered just that.  Legends and myth.
Why is he considered so "Legendary" while Cuchulainn is not?  A good question for another day.  Stay tuned I may just try to answer that without rambling to much.

So classic is the tale of the salmon of knowledge.  Due to the burnt finger all he has to do is suck or gnaw on his thumb to gain wisdom.  With this insight he is able to get  out of just about all his sticky spots.

However, I have to say for someone to be able to chew their thumb down to the bone and gain wisdom is far fetched.  But is not wisdom what everyone is seeking?  This is what causes so much trouble with the tales of Finn.  You have heroic deeds by someone that live in say 100 A.D. to 400 A.D.  mixed together with far fetched stories alike

Want more on Finn MacCool?  I found a good read in Morgan Llywelyn's book by the same name.

Morgan Llywelyn's Finn MacCool 5 Stars

It's historical fiction just like the rest of the stuff she writes.  Highly recommend this author.  Sometimes I'll get lucky and find a paragraph or page in some book on Irish history, or mythology.  Never nearly as much as Cuchulainn.  At this time I will not recommend any other books.  Look for something in the future when I review some of the stories of Finn.

So long for Now.

Buaidh - NO - Bas