Celtic Guide September 2013

This issue's theme is "The Muse" which features the artistic side of Celtic culture. We open with an interview by James McQuiston with Natalie MacMaster who has been hailed as the greatest Celtic fiddler alive today. Our recurring column on Scottish Clan and family surname history, Henceforth Tales, returns with the story behind the McIntyres, by Cass and Deborah Wright. Next comes a feature by Carolyn Emerick on Mermaids and Selkies as muses from the sea which includes art and poetry...
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This issue's theme is "The Muse" which features the artistic side of Celtic culture. We open with an interview by James McQuiston with Natalie MacMaster who has been hailed as the greatest Celtic fiddler alive today. Our recurring column on Scottish Clan and family surname history, Henceforth Tales, returns with the story behind the McIntyres, by Cass and Deborah Wright. Next comes a feature by Carolyn Emerick on Mermaids and Selkies as muses from the sea which includes art and poetry on these watery women. Following that we welcome a new writer, Christy Nicholas, who shares her own beautiful original artwork in a piece about motherhood. James McQuiston discusses the Beatles' Irish heritage, and a short feature on the art of whiskey. Polish author Piotr Kronenberger returns to continue the third installment in his ongoing Celtic history lesson titled "The Other Side of the Story." Best selling novelist and regular contributor Victoria Roberts discusses her own muses as an author. Jemmy Farmer returns to our pages from England with some beautiful original poetry inspired by Wales. Alison McRae shares her Scottish heritage and the artwork of her daughter, Rachell Franks, keeping traditions alive in Canada. James McQuiston shares the story of and new film featuring Bernadette Devlin, a social and political activist during the unrest in Northern Ireland in the 60s and 70s. Larry Andrews returns with more of his vivid artwork inspired by the Scottish Highlands, and an article on what motivates his art. James McQuiston reviews Loretto Leary's book on bog bodies, titled "Mona, The Body in the Bog." New contributor Rowen Willow Mulberry shares her Druid inspired poetry. We are lucky to feature an excerpt from Cindy Vallar's novel "The Scottish Thistle." Englishman Martin Pallot shares his poem "The Harper." And last, but not least, we thank Albert A. Thomson for his article on heraldry.