Celtic

The early Celts had a truly awesome civilization: oral, individualistic, heroic, astonishingly artistic. At present, this site offers Michel Boucher's essay on Irish Literature (in two parts) and his essay "Celtic Mythology", Michael McKenny's reviews, some quite substantial, of seventeen Celtic books, a look at the game fidchell or hnefetafl and links to the Daltai and Summerlands Irish learning pages. Other Celtic related material, including on ogham divination, may be found under pagan and under poetry can be read a three part tribute to Irish poets. In addition the poem there "Patricia and the Bear" is written in traditional Irish form. Solarguard Celtic was last updated on April 10, 2008 C.E. with rearrangement and categorization of files.

I Celtic Archaeology and Anthropology:

1. Art of the Celts review of Lloyd and Jennifer Lang's good look at this fascinating topic.

2. Burebista and His Time Synopsis of this English translation of a Romanian work on the great Daco-Getic king and his environment, including Celtic influences in the Balkans.

3. Celtic Heritage review of Alwyn and Brinley Rees's very good look at Celtic traditions.

4. The Druids review of Stuart Piggott's very good traditional treatment.

5. Pagan Celtic Britain Anne Ross's less than clear tome through Michael McKenny's eyes.

6. Pagan Celtic Ireland review of Barry Raftery's fine survey of Irish archaeology.

7. The World of the Celts review of Simon James's book

8. World of the Druids review of Miranda Green's interesting book.

II Celtic History:

1. Celts and the Classical World review of David Rankin's key text on this topic.

III Celtic Law (Brehon Law):

1. A Guide to Early Irish Law review of Fergus Kelly's excellent treatment of the topic.

IV Celtic Literature:

1. Ancient Irish Tales review of Cross and Slover's translation of many key texts.

2. Irish Literature Part One First Part of Michel Boucher's Essay on Irish Literature, gratefully placed here with his permission.

3. Irish Literature Part Two Second Part of Michel Boucher's Essay on Irish Literature, gratefully placed here with his permission.

4. The Irish Tradition review of Robin Flowers's very sensitively written account of Irish literature.

5. Medieval Irish Lyrics review of James Carney's selection

6. The Tain review of Thomas Kinsella's translation of this key traditional Irish work

V Celtic Spirituality and Mythology:

1. Celtic Spirituality Outline of a key collection of early medieval Celtic texts.

2. Celtic Mythology review of Proinsas MacCana's treatment of the theme.

3. Michel Boucher's essay "Celtic Mythology" gratefully added with his permission.

4. Celtic Wonder Tales Review of Ella Young's charming retelling of the Irish myths.

Solarguard Ogham Solarguard section on this method of Celtic divination.

Celtic Recreation:

1. Fidchell or hnefetafl a preliminary introduction to the game, as it is played in this household.

Daltai Irish Page

Summlands Irish Learning Site

Solarguard Homepage