Grooved Ware…..Roscommon Halloween?.....Orkney.com…..
by Bernie Bell - 08:33 on 02 November 2023
Grooved Ware…
https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/grooved-ware-book/
What can I say, except….this would make a groovy Christmas present for a Grooved-ware enthusiast!
Remember this?.....
It’s big
And it’s Grooved
It was merry hell to move
The big pot
The big pot.
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Roscommon Halloween?.....
I ‘lifted’ this from Matthew Manning’s Facebook page – couldn’t manage the images – but they are there, on his page…
https://www.facebook.com/matthewmanningukhealer/?locale=en_GB
“HALLOWEEN: DID IT ORIGINATE FROM A ROSCOMMON CAVE?
Nestled away in a field full of sheep in County Roscommon is what some people believe is the origin of Halloween - a cave known as Ireland’s Gate to Hell.
Also known as Oweynagat(Cave of the Cats), it is believed this is the birth place of the Irish pre-Christian festival of Samhain, known today as Halloween. It is located near Rathcrogan, the ancient capital of Connacht and a major archaeological area, home to 240 sites dating back 5,500 years.
The damp and murky cave, stretching 121 feet (37 meters) below ground, is where ancient Celts believed there was a doorway to the other world.
“At least as long as 2,000 years ago locals believed that the gate between the worlds opened on 31 October,” says archaeologist and historian, Daniel Curley. “Monsters and manifestations would emerge, led by the goddess Morrighan, to create a world ready for winter, including birds with foul breath that would strip leaves from trees.”
“Locals would stay indoors in fear of being dragged into the other world when the ghouls had finished ravaging the land. If you had to go outside you wore a costume and mask to look hideous. That way you would be left alone and not dragged into the otherworld.”
The types of costumes and masks may have changed but the tradition lives on.
In the 17th century, historian Geoffrey Keating wrote of the feast of Samhain and the fierce fire on a hill in Meath. In 2014, archaeologists digging at Tlachtga - the Hill of Ward - found evidence of intense burning at the site dating back to 500 AD.
The Celtic feast of Samhain began at sunset on 31 October and ran until sunset on 1 November.
Tradition has it that on Samhain Eve all fires were extinguished across Ireland. A huge bonfire was lit on Tlachtga - the name of an ancient druidess - and all the people had to come and light their fires from this central fire.”
The plot thickens on where Halloween began but the stories are worth telling.
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Edited Highlights From Orkney.com Newsletter…
"Spotting Orkney's seal pups
The autumn months bring one of Orkney’s most special wildlife experiences, as the coastline around the islands becomes home to hundreds of new-born grey seal pups. Orkney is one of the most important habitats for grey seals in the world, with early November usually bringing the most activity. The best way to see this incredible sight for yourself is to join Megan Taylor from Wild Orkney Walks for a guided walk to a local pupping site. We spoke to Megan about why seal pupping-season is so special.
Exploring Orkney's larder - Orkney whisky
With two award-winning whisky distilleries, Orkney is very much a dream destination for folk who like to sample a dram or two. Both Highland Park and Scapa offer tours and tastings and there are also special edition bottles available in their shops that you can’t always purchase online. Our Orkney food blogger, Rosemary Moon, has been taste-testing some of the latest special releases from our two fabulous whisky distilleries.
Join Orkney wildlife photographer Raymond Besant as he gets out and about to try and spot some special visitors to the islands this autumn.
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Re. Orkney’s seal population – please read the section entitled ’The Fate of Faray?’…
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16075
The fate of Faray still hangs in the balance.
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Here’s one I made earlier…. https://theorkneynews.scot/2022/06/25/symbols-of-scotland/
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