The Bard, in ancient Celtic times was a man of great importance. She was eventually defeated by the Romans, and rather than be humiliated by them, she poisoned herself. against the Romans, destroying the cities of Colchester, St. Putting his foot upon the earth, he lost Tir na n Og, and so aged and died.īoadicea, or Boudicca, meaning Victorious, was Queen of the Iceni tribe of East Anglia.
On his return to Ireland he found his contemporaries long dead, and Ireland now had St. Timelessness – he stayed 300 years, though never aged. Oisin which means ”little fawn” left his home to journey to Tir na n Og, the Land of Youth, with Niamh Cinn Oir, ”Niamh of the Head of Gold”. The most famous deeds of this hero are found in the saga Táin Bó Cualgne (the cattle raid of Cooley). Cú Chulainn is one of the great Irish heroes. He became Cú Chulainn when he killed the watchdog of the smith Cullan, and so undertook to guard the smiths house in place of the dog. As a child his name was ”setanta” meaning ‘the little’. Patrick who is responsible for Ireland’s conversion to Christianity and the final loss of the old Celtic beliefs.Ĭú Chulainn means the ”hound of Cullan”. He escaped, became a priest and returned to Ireland. The son of a Roman official, Patrick was captured by a raiding party of Celts when a boy, and spent six years in captivity. Her birds are reputed to lull the living to sleep and to awaken the dead. Although immortal she is born a mortal child, one thousand and twelve years after her first birth.Įpona was revered as the Horse Goddess and is portrayed with birds as well as horses, with a bag or cornucopia. It is a story of great love, jealousy, secrets and endurance, in which Etain is banished and transformed into a pool of water, from which she emerges as a butterfly. This is based on the story of the Fairy King Midir and his love for the beautiful princess Etain. The salmon feasted on the rich crimson nuts fallen from the hazel trees, and hence possessed all the truth in the world. In the Grove of the nine wise Hazel trees, from the sacred pool, the River Boyne flowed. Inspired by the legend of the Salmon of Knowledge. Samhain, the greatest Celtic Festival, marked the beginning of their New Year – the 31st October – which is now celebrated as Hallow’een or All Souls night. Opened earth, spirits, incantations that earth may once again be fertile and thus ensure the future of the celts. This piece portrays future Celts passing Aldebaran on their journey to new territories, continuing the migratory pattern which was so predominant in their early history. From the Arabic, Al Dabaran, it means ‘the follower’ as it ”follows” the Pleiades. The Red giant Star, Aldebaran, found in the constellation of Taurus, is the Eye of the bull. They represent histories, mythologies, impressions, hopes and our individual interpretations of them. As this is primarily a soundtrack project, we felt it would be appropriate to include the stories, images and thoughts behind the various themes which embrace this album.