BY CLAY LARROY
We lead
such busy lives working, going to school, taking children to different
activities that often we do not stop and talk to our children. We usually do
not have time to sit around the dinner table and ask our children what they did
today. Family vacations are so important, as it gives us a way to connect with
each other in a stress free relaxed environment. Families that take vacations
together build memories that will last a lifetime. Family vacations and travel
can be a most rewarding experience. When you are ready to plan a vacation contact me!
Tracing
your cultural heritage and family genealogy is a fascinating undertaking.
Family origins have an interest that goes beyond mere intellectual curiosity.
We feel bound by our connections to the past, by an archetypal respect for all
that has come before us. The mystery of your family’s origins is waiting to be
uncovered, no matter what your race or country of origin. With a bit of
planning and skillful research, it is possible to reveal the roots of your
family tree and discover the unique ancestry that is yours.
The
art and science of genealogy is far too broad and rich a field to receive
adequate commentary here. However, if you are looking for a brief introduction
into Celtic heritage and the possibilities of researching your Irish genealogy
(as an example of general family tree considerations), please... read on. Our
goal is to provide you with the first few, tentative steps toward better
understanding the Celtic heritage and then to briefly explore the first steps
in seeking out your family tree. At some point in your journey, you will want
to see firsthand the lands and cultures that gave birth to none other than you.
The
Celtic World
What
is a Celt? The Celts are one of the ancient races of the world, tracing their
origins to before written history, somewhere in Eastern Europe. By 500 BC the
Celtic world stretched from Ireland and Scotland in the West to Russia in the
East and down to the Mediterranean. By the fourth century BC, they were
reckoned to be one of the four great barbarian races by the Ancient Greeks.
The
Celts were never really unified as a people, but they shared a common culture.
To this day, a Welsh speaker can make themselves understood to a Breton, or
recognize links to Scots or Irish Gaelic.
The
inexorable spread of the Roman Empire from the south and the strength of the
Germanic tribes to the north forced the Celts westward, to the less hospitable
parts of France, Spain and the British Isles.
Today,
the Celtic strongholds are Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isle of Man and
Cornwall in the British Isles, and Brittany in France, but you can find
evidence of the ancient culture across Britain and parts of Western Europe.
Exploring
through Travel
A
Celtic vacation isn’t like a European vacation, or a Caribbean vacation - it is
less focused than that. Because the Celts are spread across the world, it’s
hard to say "I went to the land of the Celts" - because there are so
many. In the end, it comes down to a question of choice. Visiting
Scotland, Ireland or Wales gives you a direct connection to Celtic history,
people and culture. But it can be satisfying in a different way to visit the
places where the "Celtic-ness" has been absorbed into something else.
For instance, in Cornwall or Brittany, the Celtic culture is less obvious - but
it is still there, none-the-less. Half the fun is looking for it. You might
find an ancient Celtic cross in a remote Breton village. Maybe you’ll hear a
fisherman speaking a language too guttural and musical to be French - he’s
speaking Breton, which sounds a little like Welsh. It’s not that the Celts have
left - they are, most definitely, still here.
So
make your choice. If you haven’t got the time for a voyage of discovery, you
could head straight for one of the Celtic heartlands.
Wales
The
Welsh language is taught in schools, and street signs are bi-lingual, Welsh and
English. Wales now has its own National Assembly, and while it remains part of
the United Kingdom, it has been given a degree of autonomy. Everywhere you
look, you see a nation rediscovering its own Celtic heritage. From a big,
thriving metropolis like Cardiff, to the tiniest mountain village, you’ll see
"Welshness" everywhere you look.
West
Wales is generally thought to have the most Celtic areas, and a trip to
Pembrokeshire, the "Land’s End" of Wales, is rich with history. St
David, the patron saint of Wales - Dewi Sant in Welsh - was a Celtic monk who
became Archbishop of Wales during the sixth century AD. He was of royal blood
and is said to be descended from King Arthur, the ultimate Celtic icon. He
traveled widely through Wales and beyond to the other Celtic strongholds in
Cornwall and Brittany. If you hear a Welsh person say "Gwynech y pethau
bychain" (do the little things) it’s a well-known saying of St. David, and
was one of the last things he told his followers to do before his death.
His
influence lived on after his death, and the Cathedral of St. David’s, in the
city of St David’s, is built on the site of the monastery where he died. St David’s
is a great place to base yourself to discover some of Wales" Celtic
heritage. It’s also an exceptionally beautiful part of the world, and the
Pembrokeshire Coastal Path is breathtaking.
Scotland
"Do
you have the Gaelic?" you might hear one Scot ask another. Their ancient
Celtic language has been less successful in being dragged back from the brink
of oblivion, but inroads are being made. Centuries of conflict with neighboring
England have left a nation fiercely proud of its independence. A visit to a
more remote area will give you a heady dose of Celtic culture that you will
never forget. A trip to the Scottish isles, such as Mull or Skye, will
introduce you to many Scottish traditions, including, of course, whiskey. Try
to take part in a traditional "Ceilidh" (pronounced kaye-lee), a kind
of social evening, musical event and dance all rolled into one, to experience
authentic Celtic entertainment at its best.
A
good place to base yourself would be Oban, on the West Coast, known as the
gateway to the Isles. From here, you can catch ferries or arrange trips to many
of the islands, including Iona. If you"re in search of the Celts, this
site has it all. St. Columba founded a monastery here in the sixth century,
from which he set about converting Scotland and much of Northern Europe to
Christianity. It is thought the Book of Kells, an ornate illuminated manuscript
of the four gospels, was produced here. Iona Abbey feels like the ancient
Celtic monks have just stepped out for a moment. Today, Iona is the home of a
modern Christian community that is a leading force in the Celtic Christianity
revival.
Ireland
When
it comes to emigrating, the Irish did it in style. It’s reckoned that 80
million people around the world consider themselves to be of Irish descent - that’s
14 times the current population of the Irish Republic. While the Irish
government takes no responsibility for these people, it amended its own
constitution, the Bunreacht na hÉireann in 1998 to read "the Irish nation
cherishes its special affinity with people of Irish ancestry living abroad who
share its cultural identity and heritage." In many ways, Ireland"s
tourist industry is built on its Celtic heritage.
Irish
tourism is making the most of international interest in Celtic history and
heritage. Dozens of tours promise a taste of the myths and legends, the
history, the landscape and even the cooking of this Celtic nation. Dublin is a
big city, full of history - but you’ll get more of a feel for the Celtic
heritage if you head for less cosmopolitan places. Visit a destination like
Kells - this is where the Book of Kells mentioned earlier was kept for
generations - and you’ll be plugged straight into the mainstream of Celtic
history. Take a tour and visit the beautiful Lough Derravaragh in County
Westmeath, which plays a central part in the Celtic legend of the Children of
Lir. Climb to the Lia Fail standing stone on the Hill of Tara in County Meath,
and touch it. If the stone cries out, then legend says you are the true High
King of Ireland. (Since this hasn’t happened recently, there appears to be no
mechanism in place for you to claim your throne!). Wherever you end up in
Ireland, you will not have to go far to find a piece of Celtic life.
REFERENCE SITES:
The early Celtic Christians called
the Holy Spirit 'the wild goose.' And the reason why is they knew that you
cannot tame him.
John Eldredge
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