Monthly Archives: March 2016

The Academy’s research would also extend beyond language and literature to historical, cultural and philosophical themes such as the life and works of Francis Hutcheson and CS Lewis, and to studies of the history of Ulidia in general, especially Dalriada, … Continue reading →

In the negotiations leading up to the establishment of the Belfast Agreement of 1998, the Ullans issue assumed a central role, as outlined by the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair in his book Tony Blair: A Journey. At a … Continue reading →

Throughout the eighties, Professor Fréchet continued to follow with great interest my involvement specifically in the creation of several community organisations to promote my ideals of mutual respect, common identity, co-operation and self-help. These included the Farset Steps of Columbanus … Continue reading →

In a letter to me dated 5th June, 1975, from what was then the U.E.R. des Pays Anglophones of the Université de Paris III-Sorbonne Nouvelle, Professor René Fréchet thanked me for my book, The Cruthin, which had been published the … Continue reading →

Patrick of Lecale In 398 AD St Ninian is said to have established the first Christian Church in the British kingdom of Rheged, part of what is now known as Scotland, at Candida Casa (now Whithorn) in Galloway. Although little is known about … Continue reading →

To summarise: Ulster Gaelic is the variety of the Gaelic Language spoken in the northern part of Ireland and the southern part of Scotland (ancient Dalriada). It occupies a central position in the Gaelic-speaking world made up of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. … Continue reading →

The people of Rathlin or “Ragheries” interestingly referred to Rathlin as “an tir seo” or “this country” while the mainland was called “Eirinn” or “Ireland”.  They were therefore conscious of an older autonomy.  Of their language itself Holmer has written: … Continue reading →

A similar situation existed for Frisian, the sister language of  Ulster-Scots (Ullans).  In the 19th century teaching aids for Frisian as a subject were non-existent.  In 1907, however, the Provincial Council of Friesland granted subsidies thus enabling the first courses … Continue reading →

The history of the English language starts with the settlement in Britain of Jutes, Saxons and Angles in the 5th and 6th centuries and these population groupings came from respectively Jutland, Schleswig and Halstein, although the Belgae before them may … Continue reading →

At the beginning of the 20th century in that area which now constitutes Northern Ireland there were eight districts in which dialects of Ulster Gaelic survived among 5% or more of the total population.  As well as the Red Bay … Continue reading →