R - Comhaltas Archive

Celtic Chreadsexploring the Wisdom of Our HeritagePadraigin Clancy(Veritas, Dublin 1999)~reland in the late twentiethcentury sees a new turningtowards matters 'Celtic'. It isbeing liberally applied to describeeverything, from the mundanity of'Celtic Laundries' to the sublimity of theCeltic Soul '. Its ambit extends over oureconomy - the Ce ltic Ti ger, ou r music­Ce ltic Rock, Ce ltic Perfume, Celticheli copters, Celtic Birds, Ce lticChocolates - you name it we have itand it is Ce ltic!Part of what is happening is a markedinterst in 'Celtic Spirituality'. This bookis a co llection of essays on that subject.Edited by Irish folklorist (and Comhaltasmember) Padraigfn Clancy, it fea turescon tributions from well knownscholars and personalities including: afema le politician and MEP, aBenedictine monk, a Methodistminister, a noted femal e voca li st, aJesuit pri est, a feminist theo logian, apsychotherap ist, a philospher-gardener,a Ce ltic priest, a Church of Irelandclergyman, a stress managementcounse ll or, a Redemptorist mi ss ionary,a Brigitine sister, a native Irish spea kerand a returned ex ile. Each author is tothe forefront of the fi eld and draws onthe Ce ltic sp iritual trad ition in theirwork.Describing the pre-Christian andChristian 'Celtic' story, the co llectionmoves through the wonders and thedarknesses of the Celtic trad ition. Itasks: How can Celtic spirituality be ofva lue today? Why is the archetype ofwar pre-dominant in the Irish psyche?What about the quality of mercy? Howcan Ce ltic spirituality contribute to aprocess for peace?Celticldn d h Padraigln ClancyadsContributorsexplore the lives of the ea rl y Irishsa ints; why was the practice of ex ile/pilgrimage of such importance to them?Who is Colm Cille? What about Brigit ­why is there a return to her story? Howcan the legacy of Ce ltic prayer, song,and folk tradition enrich our liturgy andworship? What ca n modern Irishsociety relea rn through the typica llyCeltic values of hospitality and respectfor the divine immanent in creation?What projects are happening nowadaysin places of ancient sa nctity such asGlendalough and Kildare?Entitled 'Celtic Threads' each essay inthi s collection is simply that; a threadin the sp iritual wisdom of our heritage.As we ce lebrate 2,000 yea rs of theChristian story this is an ideal Christmasgift for anyone interested in theChristian heritage in Ireland .A keen set-dancer and tin-whistleplayer, editor Padraigfn Clancy is along-standing member of CraobhChualainn, Comh altas Ceo lt6irfEireann, Monkstown, Dublin. Sheparticipated in this year's Asgard- CCE Atlantic Musical odyssey(cf. Pages 4/5)Celtic Threads retails at £6.99 andis ava ilable in most bookshopscountrywide from VeritasPublications and Booksellers, 7Lower Abbey Street, Dublin 1.Tel: (01) 8788177. (The co llectionincludes an extensive resource li ston Celtic Spirituality in Ireland).11-