The Irish Conquest of Scotland
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- SpeakerThe speaker explains there is a connection between the Irish and Scottish culture which the Highland Scots did not acknowledge and so it needs to be reinforced. After the Battle of Culloden the Scottish Highlanders had to become more “English" to survive. Later a romanticized view of the Highlanders was perpetuated in order to see themselves as different from the English.
- SpeakerThe speaker reviews the Hallastat and La Tene Celtic cultural phases and the q Celtic and p Celtic languages. The speaker reviews the Celts movement and the p and q (Gaidelic) Celtic languages. The speaker briefly reviews the many changes in the political control of Ireland and Scotland resulting in the Irish Gaelic speakers moving in and taking over the Scottish Highlanders’ culture.
- SpeakerThe speaker notes when the Romans left Scotland the Scots were Britonic speaking Celts. To illustrate the movement between Ireland and Scotland, the speaker reviews Argyll, the Irish Dalriada or Dal Riata moving to Scotland, the physical closeness of the two countries, the Scots moving to Ireland after the Ice Age, the Ulster Plantation’s Scottish Highlanders and the Irish involvement in the Clyde’s shipbuilding.
- SpeakerThe speaker explains that a cultural and linguistic takeover does not require large numbers. He speculates why the Irish moved to Scotland around 500 AD resulting in their eventual takeover of Scotland culturally and linguistically. The speaker reviews how the Scots and Irish shared culture and the p Celtic language and how eventually the Irish Gaels dominated the language in the Argyll area.
- SpeakerThe speaker explains how the Celtic church was a unifying power adding an authority to the Irish Gaels’ language. The speaker notes the Celtic church practice of seeking out isolated locations for their monasteries resulted in the Irish Gael’s presence in Scotland’s west coast. The speaker also reviews the Picts’ takeover by the Irish Gaels.
- SpeakerThe speaker reviews the Irish monk St Columba’s work while in Iona and his contributions to the Irish Gaelic takeover. The speaker quotes “The Day of Columba” and “Columba Herding” from “Carmina Gadelica” reflecting the importance of St Columba to both the Irish and Scottish. The speaker also reviews the Picts’ conversion to christianity and joining the Scots under King Kenneth MacAlpinin in 843.
- SpeakerThe speaker reviews a number of slides significant to the Irish and Scottish connection including the Dunadd Fort of the Irish Gaels, the king’s footprint and the hillfort of the Strathclyde Gaels. The speaker shows other locations, structures, relics and the Book of Kells illustrating the interconnection of Irish and Scottish cultures.
- SpeakerThe speaker uses John Shaw’s book “Tales Until Dawn” to show the Irishness of Highland Scots. The speaker reads from “The Death of Dermot” which John Neil MacNeil learned in the Gaelic oral tradition. The speaker connects the boar in the folktale with Clan Campbell’s crest. The speaker ends with an Irish sounding Highland Scottish prayer commenting that Scots should not hide their Irishness as it forms part of their identity.
- SpeakerEnd of lecture, audience questions and discussion.