Page 2
THE CELTIC CONNECTION • APRIL 1992
Letter from the 'PuBCisHer
The Beautiful Gift of Springtime
f% SI WAS DRIVING in to the /X office this morning, across the Second Narrows Bridge from North Vancouver, I was thinking about this Publisher's Letter and what I would write about this month. Looking towards Coal Harbour, I could see the sun sparkling on the water and small ships below moving slowly through the harbour, and it all looked so still and lovely. Even though, on the bridge we were all flying and vying for positions and the fastest lane through traffic, I remembered for a moment to slow down.
That is the miracle of nature and the wonder of springtime. In our collective existence, we are all moving so fast, with world events shaping and changing every day, sweeping us all up in the turbulence. Everything doubling, tripling and quadrupling at the speed of light. And every year, we dig ourselves in deeper to the quagmire. It's easy to only hear the noise and forget to appreciate the silence.
In the face of social injustice, global recession, warfare and all the other grim realities of this existence we nave created for ourselves, there is still such beauty. It surrounds us, and for me, springtime is a time of hope.
To see the buds blooming and hear the water running is a reminder of the constant renewal and rebirth of this planet. To watch lovers walking hand-in-hand and to see young people awakening to their own potential, agift which the GreatMother gives every moment and every second. She knows no boundaries, only the divine laws of balance which are: What you put out, is what you get back.
This month, in our centre pages, the story of Lugh is recounted by his mother, Eitune, who remembers his conception, his struggle for survival and his rise to become a hero of Irish mythology. He is the embodiment of the conflict between night and day and the darkness and the light. This powerful article, written by Kathleen Marney for The Celtic Word.
A review by Sharon Greer of The Serpent and The Goddess, written by Mary Condren, speaks of a time when women were honoured, respected and revered, and of how of all that changed, is sadly brought to light.
We have heard from our Cornish cousins, who in this issue, provide an update on their activities in Vancouver. An invitation is extended to all Celts out there to let us know about your presence so that others throughout North America can connect, support and network with you.
The Welsh people love song, and the Welsh Men's Choir in Vancouver brings to life this love wherever they perform. From humble beginnings to international recognition, the choir is now over ten years old and growing stronger every year.
A charming article by Lydia Stewart provides an update on the latest Scottish tradition, "tartan for two." Now taking its rightful place, in the celebration of marriage, tartan is growing in popularity witha whole new generation.
•
We have discovered, in the course of this wonderful journey called The Celtic Connection that there are many Celts out there, both young and old who yearn to connect with others of their own kind. So, in our next issue, we will feature a new column called "The Celtic Connector" which will be a pen pals column to allow people to connect with people. So, if you are looking for somebody special, write to "The Celtic Connector" and find someone who will correspond with you!
Wishing you, our valued readers, a happy Easter and may the Big Bunny be with you and bring you wonderful surprises in his basket of goodies! Until next month,
fceLtic coooectiiorii
Volume 2, Number 3
Suite 1129 510 West Hastings Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1L8 Tel: (604) 681-5562 Fax: (604) 681-2988
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dramatic History of the Wallace Clan
Dear Editor:
Please allow me to introduce ourselves, we are The Wallace Clan Trust for Scotland. An actual clan dedicated to the promotion of the history and culture of the indigenous people of Scotland, taking up where popular history left off in 1746 with
[>roscription and the subsequent oss of the cultural roots and identity of the people of Scotland.
With this in mind, The Wallace Clan Trust for Scotland is a charity whose purpose is the educational advancement of the public of Scotland, in relation to the history of the Wallace Clan in particular and Scottish Clan history in general.
The Trust was set up in 1983 by Seoras Wallace ana has many departments and areas of interest. These include, a training base for 30 historical research students, Highlander Film and TV Productions, which deals with the image of the Clan and has been involved in several major motion pictures, including: "Highlander", and Lorna Doone, as well as numerous pop videos, dramas, advertisements and documentaries. We are quite famous in our own wee way!
We also have an authentic arts and crafts department which makes authentic metalworkand leatherwork period items, as well as period clothing for film and TV work. Within this department, we have a large weaponry which produces all forms of claymores, broadswords, dirks, daggers, and targes. All these departments are run through the Clan administrative
Maura McCay
Publisher Jack Wallace
Editor/Designer Tanla Conley
Proofing Screened Prints: Artistat Printing: Trans Continental West
Published monthly. Subscription Rate $26.75 Cdn or U.S. 10 issues per year. Unsolicited manuscripts, photos and graphics must be accompanied by a stamped envelope and Canadian stamp. Events calendar listings are based on available space. Contents copyright 1992 The Celtic Connection.
QUALITY REPORTING
Dear Editor:
I'm impressed with the calibre of your paper. It gives one something to think about, and keeps us all up-to-date on the happenings of things Celtic in our 'new' home. God bless your work and congratulations on quality reporting.
Brid O'Loughlin, Vancouver (Formerly of Co. Clare)
office which is based in Goven, Glasgow.
A copy of The Celtic Connection was sent to us by a clan representative who was in Canada last year talking with the Native Indian Nation and we feel that the time is right for us to make contact with our friends across the water.
Gillian Black, Assistant Director Goven, Glasgow, Scotland
A VITAL VOICE
Dear Editor:
My hearty congratulations to your staff for a great beginning with your Celtic Connection. Every Irish voice is an important one, and I believe you will fill a vital role in the Irish-Canadian community.
The Echo takes particular pleasure in welcoming your newspaper to the publishing fraternity.
Claire Grimes, Publisher The Irish Echo Newspaper, New York City
ART IN SCOTLAND
Dear Editor:
I was most interested to read in "The Scottish World" of your newspaper for Celtic activities. It is embarrassing that Scotland ignores Celtic art. George Bain, probably the finest 20th Century exponent was basically ignored in Scotland. He was an art teacher in Kircaldy High School, about five miles from here and designed a book plate for me in the early 1960's.
However, at least his book is still in print, also his son's book. I have been involved in Celtic art for over 30 years and a professional craftsman for 23 years. It is probably one of the few artforms able to be worked on almost any material.
I presume you know that the Chief of Clan MacMillan started a Celtic Art Centre - the first in Scotland, at his residence in the West.
Our castle is open to visitors every day of the year and one of the very few in Scotland where visitors can see where the Laird lives.
Raymond Morris of Balgonie of Eddergoll 30th Laird of Balgonie
IRISH HERITAGE
Dear Editor:
I have just finished reading and making a personal connection with your wonderful articles. I look forward to the upcoming issues with great joy and to experiencing and tuning in to my Irish heritage through your stories and articles. Much support to you in this endeavour!
Gloria Diggins, Vancouver
NEWS ROUNDUP
Going into Business?
Readers wanting to get into business for themselves should not miss the "Home-Based Business and Opportunity Show" to be held at the Tradex Exhibition facility at Abbotsford Airport, southeast of Vancouver, on April 30 to May 4.
There are over 150 exhibitors with new sources and resources to interest potential entrepreneurs. Help-
fully, the organizers have included 75 workshops where entrepreneurs can cover specific areas or interest with business experts in the fields of finance, marketing and other more detailed aspects of business life. SeamusMcMahon
Congratulations to Lou Stanton, Manager of O'Shea's Market Ireland in Edmonton and Bernie Smyth of Fort McMurray, Alberta. They will be married in Ireland in June.
DUBLIN — The sixth Irish Times/Harvard University colloquium on international affairs took place in Trinity College. The theme was "Business Ethics: A New World Order". The discussion was chaired by Dr. Tony O'Reilly. Among the speakers was Richard E. Cavanagh, executive dean of the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. L.F.
Ni labharfadh focal da mb'obair an oiche/is thadharfadh cothrom do stollaire briomharjgo brdch arsiul ndr dhiultaigh riamh e/ar chnamh a cuil's a suite iata.
She wouldn't whine after a night's hard labour/But still be on fire for the wildest of games,/ And never decline to lie unclothed / On the flat of her spine with her eyelids closed.
—Brian Merriman 1749-1803
CLASSIC
QUOTES
If I saw Mr. Haughey buried at midnight at a cross-roads, with a stake driven through his heart — politically speaking — I would still continue to wear a clove of garlic round my neck, just in case.
—Conor Cruise O'Brien Observer, October 10, 1982
March 5, 1950 — Tea with Madam Gonne MacBride...Her heroic and now cavernous beauty, made sombre by the customary black draperies she wears, is also illuminated by an increasing gentleness and humour; she has now what seemed a faint, far-away amusement at life.
—Michael machiammoir