Celtic Moment

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For most of the past 300 years or so Ireland has had the dubious distinction of being a country more known for the hardships suffered by its inhabitants than for its beautiful countryside. While people in other parts of the United Kingdom and in Europe enjoyed a relatively high standard of living Ireland lagged far behind. Up until the early 1970’s the average income in Ireland was approximately one half of that of the rest of the UK. Over the next 35 years that status would change dramatically.

Today Ireland is rated one of the best countries in the world in which to live. Ireland boasts the fourth highest gross domestic product per person and very low unemployment. University tuition is free and there are a high percentage of skilled positions available.

How did Ireland accomplish such a dramatic turnaround?

New Economic Policies

Economists who have analyzed the emergence of the “Celtic Tiger” (a popular nickname for this period of unprecedented economic growth) have identified economic policies that encouraged growth. Beginning in the 50’s and 60”s Ireland began to shift away from protectionism and started to plan long-term for expansion and to increase international trade. Corporate tax rates were lowered and tax incentives were offered to foreign investors. Initiatives to expand exports were adopted.

In the 70’s the currency was strengthened and stabilized with Ireland’s entry into the EU. EU membership also provided Ireland access to substantial subsidies from France and Germany which was invested into public works projects to improve and expand infrastructure and education. Ireland now had greatly expanded access to European markets and began to increase exports. As its economy began to respond, Ireland focused on lowering its public debt and eventually achieved a 35% debt ratio, lower than most of other countries in the EU. As her financial position improved Ireland initiated several new programs that were aimed specifically at attracting high tech businesses and other growth industries. Ireland now offered an unbeatable combination of stability, favorable tax and trade policies, and a well educated English speaking labor force available at relatively low wages. This brought in employers from all over the world to do business in Ireland. By the end of the 90’s unemployment had fallen from 18% to 4%.

Ireland is not the only country to follow this basic formula for economic expansion (think of China, Brazil, Russia, India, and Mexico). Yet Ireland seemed to reap much higher dividends than most of the other counties adopting a similar approach. Looking at other changes in Irish society that occurred in concert with the changes in economic policy reveals that other factors may have played a critical role in the phenomenal success of the Celtic Tiger expansion.

Long-Term Planning and Investment in Basic Infrastructure

It is important to note that Ireland committed to a long-term plan for growth nearly 20 years before the Celtic Tiger expansion really took off. Ireland was willing to commit to new economic policies and maintain fiscal discipline for many years before substantial results were forthcoming, although there were clear signs of growth after the first five year plan was implemented. Ireland also invested for the long-term by initiating many public works projects designed to strengthen her infrastructure and education system. This increased Ireland’s production capacity and the quality of its workforce while creating jobs – which in turn increased income per capita and with it, consumer spending. By investing in the long-term Ireland was perfectly poised to take full advantage of favorable economic conditions when they occurred years later.

Energy Independence

Some of the public works projects that Ireland committed to prior to the expansion included investing in her capacity to generate energy. Ireland invested in hydroelectric plants. The island’s numerous peat bogs were utilized to create a fuel for heating from dried peat products, and local off-shore gas fields were tapped. Prior to and during Celtic Tiger Ireland could operate without the financial burden of dependence on foreign oil. It is worth noting that as Ireland’s demand for energy began to surpass the capacity of her local energy sources her economic growth slowed in concert with her increasing dependence on foreign oil. Apparently these lessons on energy production were not wasted on the Irish. Today, Ireland is creating new capacity by developing wind based power generation facilities.

Political and Social Reforms

Prior to this renaissance Ireland had suffered from rampant corruption in high political offices. Society was divided politically and in the conflict between Catholics and Protestants there seemed to be no end in sight. Civil liberties were restrictive compared to other modern countries. These factors coupled with high unemployment and low wages caused Ireland to suffer from a kind of social and economic pessimism.

By the 80’s Ireland had cleared up much of its political corruption and began to develop a more cooperative political climate. Government, employers and trade unions forged landmark compromises to work together to bring in trade and investment. Universal education made it possible to maintain a highly educated workforce. More women pursued advanced education and entered the workforce. Birth rates per capita dropped as more women pursued careers. This reduced the ratio of dependents to wage earners and helped to lift the gross domestic product per capita.

During the most robust phase of the expansion Ireland benefited from the leadership of President Mary Robinson who garnered a 93% approval rating during her term. President Robinson was a true diplomat bringing together parties within Ireland and forming cooperative relationships with other nations. Robinson was also instrumental in expanding civil liberties. Shortly after Robinson left office to become the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, the Belfast Agreement was signed bringing together political and religious foes to work to end the violence in Northern Ireland. All of these changes lifted the spirits of the Irish people and helped them feel better about their future.

The Power of Optimism

One could characterize the Celtic Tiger expansion as a journey from pessimism to optimism. An optimistic social climate is a powerful economic stimulus. When consumers feel good about the future they spend more money. When business leaders feel optimistic they are much more likely to invest in research and innovation and expand their operations and increase their workforce. What made the Celtic Tiger different is that the economic policies were supported by a cooperative political and social climate, a willingness to invest for the long-term and social policies and leaders who fostered optimism.

This is a rather vague question. I read multiple novels at one point, all covering different aspects of this time period–I just want everything to make sense. I understand Henry VIII and his wives, how the boy king Edward ruled for a few shaky years, how bloody Mary took the throne and tried to reestablish Catholicism, and how Elizabeth eventually gained the throne and brought stability and prosperity to England for years.

Then I hit a gray area. I know something about King James and then something happened to him to unseat him from the throne, and how his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, tried to regain twice, circa 1718 and 1745 with the help of Highland clans and French support that never actually showed.

If someone could help clarify the details of what was going on in Britain and France and Rome during this time period, I would appreciate it. I’m going to award a best answer if someone explains it well enough.

Image taken on 1890-01-01 00:00:00.

Product Description
This book is a celebration of the best of Scottish cuisine, and its fresh, seasonal and flavoursome ingredients. The book begins with a comprehensive introduction to the ingredients and culinary specialities that are typically enjoyed throughout Scotland.The main section of the book contains seventy step-by-step recipes which capture the real flavours of Scottish food. Chapters include Soups and Appetisers; Fish and Shellfish; Meat, Venison, Poultry and Game; Side D… More >>

Essential Scottish Cookery: Classic Recipes from the Scottish Kitchen

There can be little doubt that a Celtic tattoo is very popular at the moment, especially amongst the glitterati such as movie stars, sports stars and rock/pop stars. If you are planning to get one inked, you need to know the difference between a real ‘Celtic’ tattoo and a ‘tribal’ tattoo. There is a difference and, hopefully, this article will put you on the right track!

Knot Work

It is essential to look for excellent knot work in the design of your Celtic tattoo; an authentic Celtic knot has no beginning or end. Why? Well, this ‘never-ending’ knot design is a symbol of infinity in areas such as faith, love and life. These kind of knots have been used by meditators for centuries because they are ideal for fixing one’s attention (essential when attempting to reach a state of intense relaxation and concentration). In particular, the ‘Trinity Knot’ has proved to be popular with many people and is a fine example of a Celtic knot that is ‘unending.’

Symbols of Territory

The Celts were a mysterious people and often used different kinds of symbols as a way of demonstrating where they came from:

1. Harps and Shamrocks: Irish Celts.
2. Red Dragon and Thistle: Scottish Celts.
3. Daffodil and Leek: Welsh Celts.

It makes sense, if you have roots in these areas of the world, to add these symbols into the design of your Celtic tattoo. This will give you a more personalized design and be a talking point amongst friends and family!

More Celtic Symbols

This is just the beginning of the story because the Celts had many more designs and symbols in their art:

1. Numbers were very important to the Celts. ‘Nine’ was a special number with much power, as was twenty seven (9 X 3 = 27). ‘Three’ was also an essential number with lots of symbolical meaning (the relationship between the sky, earth and sea; the human soul also had a three-part nature). Other popular numbers, include thirty three (honor and royalty); five (family unit symbol in Ireland); seventeen (the passing of the moon and also the limits of generational ancestral memory in a clan).

2. The Celtic Cross/the Tree of Life. These symbols represent the amalgamation of Celtic Mysticism and Christianity by Druids around the seventh century. Again, these symbols are weaved into the fabric of endless knots.

3. The Claddagh. This symbol consists of a heart and a crown, both linking. For those about to get married this is a lucky symbol as it represents love and friendship.

4. The Pentagram. Over the years, this symbol has come to represent many things, sometimes evoking images of devil-worship and the supernatural. This is unfortunate, for the pentagram, to the Celts, represents the five stages of life: birth, youth, adulthood, old age, death. It can also represent the five elements: fire, water, air, spirit and earth.

So, this is how you recognize a Celtic tattoo. You now know that you need a mixture of these symbols in your design and a tattoo artist with some skill!

Product Description
You can keep your headless horsemen, your blood-dripping vampires, your things that go bump in the night. This collection of grim Celtic characters is sure to have you checking under the bed–twice. Among them, lurching out of the dark shadows of Celtic folklore, you’ll meet the Black Sisters, who brought death wherever they went…the wolf of Badenoch, a blasphemous sorcerer who plundered church and countryside…and canny Alexander Colville, who did a deal with th… More >>

The Dark Spirit: Sinister Portraits from Celtic History

Description
Journey with The Chieftains to the special places and people of the home counties that formed the band’s musical soul. Derek Bell, Kevin Conneff, Martin Fay, Sean Keane, Matt Molloy and Paddy Moloney tell the tales of their earliest memories of Irish music. Their thoughtful and often amusing stories capture the emotion behind the scenes of every performance. Tracklisting 1. Bean An Fhir Rua 2. The Kilfenora Set 3. The May Morning Dew 4. The Galician Set 5. Dusty Mill… More >>

The Chieftains: Live Over Ireland – Water from the Well

Imbued in English culture is a love of animals of all kinds. I have a website of funny animals on art prints. British Dog Breeds have been bred over the centuries and shown at dog shows up and down the British Isles. Below is the history of British Dogs and when they first appeared.

63-21 BC Strabo mentions the export of Hunting dogs from Britain
c50 AD The sons of Uisnech flee from Ulster to Scotland taking 150 hounds with them
c80-120 AD Occupation of Corbridge Roman Station in Northumberland by a garrison whose dogs have been identified as ‘bassets’ and ‘small greyhounds’
161-180 AD Oppian describes a British dog called the agassaeus – probably a terrier
727 or 730 AD The death of St Hubert, Bishop of Liege ………credited with the development of the hounds bearing his name , the Black St Hubert ( possible ancestor of the Bloodhound) and the White St Hubert ( supposed ancestor of the Southern Hound).
c800 AD Pictess huntress with hounds portrayed coursing deer on the Hilton of Cadboll Slab, Scotland
c1016 First Forest Laws imposed by Canute ………keeping of greyhounds forbidden to anyone under the status of freeman.
c1070 Bayern Tapestry depicts only two breeds of dogs one which may be a mastiff
1301 Archbishop Winchesley allows the Abbot of Gloucester to keep twelve hunting dogs.
1335 Edward III imports Irish hounds.
1340-1400 Geoffrey Chaucer makes first reference to apaniels in The Wife of Bath’s Prologue.
1371 Traditional date for combat between Aubrey de Montdidier’s Irish hound and its master’s murderer , Macaire.
1486 Dame Julian Berners describes the ideal greyhound as follows in her Book of St Albans; ‘Headed like a snake, necked like a drake, footed like a cat, tailed life a rat, sided like a bream, chined like a beam’
1570 Dr John Caius publishes a book about British dogs.
1576 Abraham Fleming describes the use of terriers for hunting fox and badger.
1621 Gervase Markham gives a description of the setting spaniel in The Art of Fowling. He also describes the water dog.
1653 Dorothy Osborne writes to Sir William Temple to ask for an Irish hound.
1730 Sir Robert Walpole tries unsuccessfully to establish the post of Master of the Royal Foxhounds.
1732 The Newfoundland dog under the name of ‘the Bear Dog’ is described as being in use in England as a guard-dog and for turning water wheels.
c1770 Oliver Goldsmith , Irish author of Animated Nature , says that Irish hounds are rare and the largest he has seen is ‘about four feet high’.
1780 Ashdown Park Coursing Society begun.
1782 Huo Meynell forms his pack at Quorndon from Arundel hounds…….
1787 Foxhounds pedigrees begin.
1790 One of the eight remaining Irish hounds is measured by A.R.Lambert who records it to be 36inches from hind toes to hind shoulders and 28!/2 inches from two to foreshoulder.
1796 Dog population estimated at 1 million.
1800 Edwards depicts the rough and smooth coated collie.
1800-1877 Edwarde Laverack , the developer of the English Setters called Laveracks.
1803 Willam Taplin declares the Irish Hound probably extinct.
1815 Guy Mannering is published by Sir Walter Scott , in which Danie Dinmont Terriers are described
1815 The Reverend John ( ‘Jack’) Russell begins breeding terriers.
1820 The Bedlington terrier supposedly introduced from Holland bu a weaver of Longhorsley.
1827 Death of the Duke of Gordon , originator of the Gordon Setter.
1836 The Waterloo Cup Meet begins at Sefton Altcar, near Liverpool. Silver collars are awrded to the winners till 1830 when a cup is instituted.
1843 Skye Terrier first mentioned
1847 A description of the ‘English terrier’ suggests that it is a Manchester terrier.
1850-1891 Captain John Edwarde develops the Sealyham on his estate at Sealyham in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.
1858 National Coursing Club formed.
1859 First dog show , at Newcastle.
c1860 The Hin. Dudley Marjoribanks ( later Lord Tweedmouth) starts golden retrievers from a yellow retriever, one yellow pup in a litter of black wavy-coated pups that he has bought from a Brighton cobbler.
1862 Captain G.A.Graham attempts to revive the great Irish hound, using deerhound blood.
1870 A Mr W.C of Halifax, Nova Scotia mentions the report that the Beothuk Indians had ‘ a dog , but that it was a small breed…..The Labrador dog is my opinion a distinct breed ………..formerly they were only to be met with on that part of the coast of Labrador which to us is known as the South Shore of the mainland in the Straits of Belle Isle.
1873 Kennel Club set up.
1877 Foxhound Show at Peterborough founded.
1882 Greyhound Stid Book.
1886 First Crufts Show . Terriers only.

As so many Famous events happened in England and the rest of the British Isles over the centuries, I thought it would be a good idea to tell the various stories in my various articles of the many English and British Icons from the Anglo Saxon times to the present day’s current history.

 

Please visit my Funny Animal Art Prints Collection @ http://www.fabprints.com

 

My other website is called Directory of British Icons: http://fabprints.webs.com

To visit the list and links to my other Blogg articles: http://bloggs.resourcez.com

The Chinese call Britain The Island of Hero’s which I think sums up what we British are all about.

Copyright © 2010 Paul Hussey. All Rights Reserved.