1996
Sorley MacLean, poet, died
Ireland
Sorley MacLean 26 October 1911 – 24 November 1996) was a Scottish Gaelic poet, described by the Scottish Poetry Library as “one of the major Scottish poets of the modern …
Celtic history archive
Ireland
1996
Stone of Destiny, which Scottish kings had been crowned, returned to Scotland
Ireland
The Stone of Destiny, the ancient coronation stone on which generations of Scottish kings were crowned at Scone, was returned to Scotland after 700 years. Originally taken by King …
1996
George Mackay Brown, poet and novelist, died.
Ireland
George Mackay Brown (17 October 1921 – 13 April 1996) was a Scottish poet, author and dramatist with a distinctly Orcadian character. He is widely regarded as one of the great …
1997
Referendum on Devolution which approved the creation of a new Scottish Parliament by a substantial majority.
Ireland
Referendum on Devolution which approved the creation of a new Scottish Parliament by a substantial majority. This September 11, 1997 entry records a moment in Celtic history …
1998
Ship-wrecked Elizabeth McClean emerges in sand
Ireland
Buried in the sand at Lahinch for almost 100 years, the ship-wrecked Elizabeth McClean emerges to allow a salvage operation to take its valuable cargo. The 58-foot schooner, laden …
1999
Donald Dewar elected as First Minister of the new Scottish Parliament.
Ireland
Donald Dewar elected as First Minister of the new Scottish Parliament. This May 13, 1999 entry records a moment in Celtic history connected with Ireland.
2000
Closing of Samhain - with animal sacrifices to exclude evil sprits (later Christianized as Martinmas)
Ireland
Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”) is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the “darker half” of the year. It is …
2000
Scotlands first First Minister Donald Dewar died suddenly after a fall on the steps of his official residence in Edinburgh.
Ireland
Scotlands first First Minister Donald Dewar died suddenly after a fall on the steps of his official residence in Edinburgh. This October 11, 2000 entry records a moment in Celtic …
2000
Sheelahs Day
Ireland
Sheelah’s Day, also known as Sheelagh’s Day, (Ir. Lá ’le Síle) is an Irish cultural holiday celebrated on 18 March which coincides with St. Patrick’s Day. …
2000
Happy St. Patricks Day !
Ireland
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is one of Christianitys most widely known figures. Apostle of Ireland, born at Kilpatrick, near Dumbarton, in Scotland, in the year 387; …
2000
Feast of goddess Brigit, also known as Imbolc, Candlemasm, Groundhogs Day, Celtic fertility day
Ireland
Imbolc, also known as Candlemas and Groundhogs Day. Imbolc was one of the cornerstones of the Celtic calendar. For them the success of the new farming season was of great …
2000
Samhain - Celtic New Year
Ireland
Samhain marks one of the two great doorways of the Celtic year, for the Celts divided the year into two seasons: the light and the dark, at Beltane on May 1st and Samhain on …