opossumsal1
The various Celtic tribes were bound together by common speech, customs, and religion, rather than by any well-defined central governments. The absence of political unity contributed substantially to the extinction of their way of life, making them vulnerable to their enemies. Their economy was pastoral and agricultural, and they had no real urban life. Each tribe was headed by a king and was divided by class into Druids (priests), warrior nobles, and commoners. The nobles fought on foot with swords and spears and were fond of feasting and drinking. Celtic mythology, which included earth gods, various woodland spirits, and sun deities, was particularly rich in elfin demons and tutelaries, beings that still pervade the lore of peoples of Celtic ancestry.
opossumsal1
Ireland, it's the one place on earth
That heaven has kissed
With melody, mirth,
And meadow and mist.
-- Unknown
opossumsal1
The Celts lived in round houses. They were built around a central pole with horizontal poles radiating outwards from it. They rested on vertical poles. Walls were of wattle and daub and roofs were thatched. Around the walls inside the huts were benches, which also doubled up as beds. The Celts also used low tables.
opossumsal1
The Celts spoke a Indo-European language called Irish Gaelic.
Modern Irish descends from Celtic languages and dialects.
After the British colonisation and the institution of english as the official language, Irish Gaelic was almost considered a dead language.
In the last decades however, the Irish have set an intensive program for the recovery of Gaelic linguist tradition. Now Irish Gaelic is the second official language after English, and Irish is a compulsory subject in public schools.
opossumsal1
The Celts probably began to settle in Ireland around 300 BC and named the land "Eire". The Celtic population was originally from Central Europe (France and Germany); they had pale skin, blond-red hair and were taller than their contemporaries.
The Celtic Gaels conquered Ireland and divided it into five kingdoms. They mixed their culture with that of the indigenous people, creating a mythology that survived until Christian colonisation led by St.Patrick in 300 AD.
During the following centuries Celtic influences remained prevalent in Ireland and Gaelic culture made a strong imprint on the landscape of the country.
The Celtic Irish culture has been told through the years in the form of Heroic Tales, such as the Ulster Cycle which tells of the exploits of Cú Chullain, the Hound of Ulster.
Celtic art, music and spirituality are still preserved in the hearts and the lives of the Irish people who are very proud of their strong Celtic heritage.
