The very earliest communal gathering and feasting for which we have solid evidence are known as fulachta fia. These were the locations where an animal, probably a deer or boar, was cooked following a hunt. The sharing of food is a social act that creates and maintains bonds and obligations within a group or community, which seems to have been the entire function of these feasts. Continue reading
This poem was published in English as ‘Twin Room” in Tinteán on the 7 May, 2019 (see https://tintean.org.au/2019/05/07/twin-room-by-david-harris/). Here is a version as Gaeilge. Continue reading
Tea drinking may be associated with English culture, but it is still very much part of Irish culture too. Continue reading
We are saddened to hear of the untimely death of Maolíosa Stafford. Tomás de Bhaldraithe has sent us this account of Maelíosa’s many achievements followed by a translation: Continue reading
Writing in Irish can seem like a daunting task, especially for those who did not grow up speaking the language or have not had much exposure to it. However, with some guidance and practice, anyone can learn to write in Irish and enjoy the rich culture and history that comes with the language. Continue reading
Though the shrine was built in the early twelfth century, Saint Manchan died in AD. 644. Contextual evidence allows the authors to point to possible reasons the saint’s life and work might be commemorated years later by such craftsmanship. Continue reading
Crainn Jacaranda,/buamaí gorma áille…
Jacaranda trees,lovely explosions of blue. Continue reading
2-7 January 2023: Lake School in Koroit Join the Lake School of Celtic Music Song and Dance in Koroit VIC January 2-7 2023. You can learn fiddle, whistle, bodhran (irish drum), harp, concertina , guitar, ukulele to mention but a few of over 100 classes, workshops, sessions, dances and concerts. Extensive program for Kids and … Continue reading
. To this day, we have a saying in Irish ‘Bhí togha gacha bí agus rogha gacha dí le fail ann’, The finest of every food and the choice(st) of every drink was to be had there. This is believed to originally date from bards of one to two thousand years ago. As a chieftain or king, one’s reputation had to be maintained, or enhanced and these ‘songs of praise’, so to speak, were pivotal in this regard. Continue reading
. At a charity event, in the Wicklow mountains, Martin Byrne was faced with the task of feeding 1,500 people (no, that’s not a typo) with Colcannon. What did he do? Well, I’ll tell you. Continue reading
Tinteán 