Blogs

The Greek government is right to seek the return of the Parthenon Marbles, which were illegally removed by agents of Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin over 200 years ago. The Elgin Marbles are the Parthenon Marbles, a collection of Classical Greek marble sculptures that were originally part of the temple of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens. They were removed and shipped to England, in what the poet, peer and politician Lord Byron described as an act of vandalism or looting. 

British Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer has continued to adopt the ideas and policies of discredited ex-British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair is now mostly remembered for the way he deceived the cabinet (the collective decision-making body of  the UK government), parliament and the people, in his enthusiastic pursuit of the war on Iraq. A war that a post-war study estimated to have resulted in the death of about half a million people. This is why many continue to describe him as a war criminal who must answer for his actions.

Irish President Michael D Higgins has criticised Ursula von der Leyen's comments on the Israel-Hamas war. Ursula von der Leyen voiced her pro-Israeli stance when on a recent visit to Israel. President Higgins said the EU Commission president was “not speaking for Ireland and she wasn't speaking for the opinions that they hold”. The Irish President has called for a cessation of violence in Israel and Gaza for “the protection of the lives of innocent civilians”.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s The News at 1, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has condemned the targeting of civilians and the taking of hostages by Hamas, describing its attack on Israel on Saturday as “truly horrific”. She also condemned the ongoing bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli defence forces. Sinn Féin is the main opposition party in the Dáil (principal chamber of the Irish parliament). Taoiseach (Ireland's prime minister) Leo Varadkar and Tánaiste (deputy prime minister) Micheál Martin have also condemned the attack and the response by Israel in Gaza.

Media Release Culture Vannin: 

Let’s celebrate Manx Gaelic! The Cooish Manx language festival will be taking place between

Wednesday 1 st – Sunday 5 th November, and whether you’re brand new to the language, or a

seasoned Manx speaker, there’ll be something for you!

The Cooish is a fun and friendly festival which takes place annually, and is organised by the

community for the community. This year’s festival features 21 events across the island, from a

family-friendly bingo night, through to cocktail making in Manx!

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar has described the UK government's criticism of his comments about a united Ireland as a "double standard". This comes after Irelands Prime Minister said last week that he believed he would see a united Ireland in his lifetime. In response, the British  Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton Harris said the remarks were "unhelpful".

The village of Kilmartin (Scottish Gaelic: Cille Mhàrtainn) is in Argyll and Bute (Earra-Ghàidheal agus Bòd) in the west of Scotland. It is located in Kilmartin Glen, an area noted for having the most important concentration of Neolithic and Bronze Age remains in mainland Scotland. Kilmartin Glen can quite rightly claim to be one of the world’s most significant archaeological landscapes.

Cúla4 (Cúla Ceathair) an Irish language channel for children has been launched in Ireland. Operated by the Irish language channel TG4 (TG Ceathair). The channel, available to all Irish TV providers, went on air on Friday 8th September and is targeted at children up to 12 years. The station's director general, Alan Esslemont, has pointed to the importance of the country's ability to pass the language on to future generations being a key to the proposal to have a dedicated children's channel.

In 2017 artefacts dating back to 1200 and 700BC were discovered by Colin Rivett, a metal-detector, in Abergale, Conway (Welsh: Bwrdeistref Sirol Conwy) in Cymru. The hoard of 13 items, which were declared a treasure last year, include bronze socketed axes, palstaves (an early bronze axe), and sword chapes, which were fitted on the end of a sword or dagger scabbard. Conwy Museums Service has now purchased the artefacts so the collection will return to Wales, to be displayed at Conwy Culture Centre.

Emain Macha (Navan Fort) is a large circular Iron Age earthwork on top of a hill close to the city of Armagh (Irish: Ard Mhacha) in the north of Ireland.  For centuries it was home to the kings and queens of Ulster, which is one of the four historic Irish provinces. Archaeologists, who have been studying the site over recent years,  believe they have now found physical evidence that Emain Macha  could have been in use as early as the 4th Century BC.