Yesterday (15th May 2012) a new French President was inaugurated in Paris, but whether this means a new French approach towards Brittany remains to be seen.

President Hollande has promised Bretons that he is prepared to consider the ratification of the European Charter for Regional and/or Minority Languages and increased powers for the Breton Regional Council, but as yet has made no commitment on whether he would support the reunification of Brittany.

These are some of the promises that have been made by other French politicians of the left before about Brittany, but is there any sign that President Hollande is different?

On the face of it Hollande comes from the same mould as other French politicians from the Jacobin tradition. He is a member of a mainstream political party and a career politician from a middle class Catholic family background. He is a graduate from the famous École Nationale d’Administration, which has given birth to many high flying civil servants and politicians, he is pro-European and of the left wing of the party. Like President Mitterand before him Hollande had some right wing influences in his early days, with his father standing in local elections on the extreme right, but he has in his mature years has developed into a nominal reformer advocate of French institutions.

Again like Mitterrand when he first became President, Hollande similarly knows that he has some way to go to make the Socialist Party popular with French voters and to help ‘unify’ a disaffected and in many ways disjointed French state. With a record number of voters in France voting for the French right wing – including in Brittany – in the first round of the presidential elections, Hollande is under no illusion that his first few months in office will be a difficult time. With legislative elections due in June 2012, Hollande must quickly win back popular acclaim for his party and the confidence of voters in order for the Socialists to stand any hope of making gains in the parliamentary elections. Without a majority in Parliament the new President is unlikely to be able to achieve the popularity for his party that was at one time enjoyed by President Mitterrand. Hollande may have won the Presidency, but it was only by a small margin. As the European media has discussed in recent days, the burden of responsibility has fallen squarely and fully on Hollande shoulders.

It can be expected that Hollande will have more pressing issues on his mind than the Breton language and regional government. With the Euro currency in free fall and the challenge of trying to persuade a stubborn Angela Merkel to back track on austerity measures put in place with the support of President Sarkozy, it seems unlikely that the President’s attention will turn to Brittany any time soon.

Again Breton’s are in the limbo position that they have been in before – waiting to see if French politicians will deliver on promises made before their election to office. How long the Bretons will have to wait to see if President Hollande will deliver on his promises is anyone’s guess, but if he is going to move in favour of Breton linguistic and democratic rights, it is not likely to be until after the June elections. It may nevertheless be worth people writing to President Hollande before the June elections, asking for confirmation from him that he will act in favour of the Breton cause.

Related Links:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3819
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3798

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.
ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE

16/05/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.

Members of the Cymru Branch helped to organise a commemoration at Fron-goch recently, to remember those who had been interned at the infamous prison in the north of Wales.

The Cymru Branch Information Officer, Aled Cottle, sent the following report.

“On Easter Sunday a group of people, some local, some from much further afield congregated at the commemoration stone in the village of Fron-goch, near Bala in North Wales to lay Easter Lilies in remembrance of the 1,800 Irish prisoners who were interned in a camp there following the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. Although most evidence of the existence of such a prisoner camp has been erased and swept under the carpet decades ago, a few original buildings still survive today and are now homes to local families.

“Michael Collins was one of the famous Irish men to be imprisoned here, a leading figure in establishing what is today referred to as the ‘University of Revolution’.

“We congregated to remember, but also to learn more about the history of the camp. I would like to thank local historian Elwyn Edwards for his fascinating talk about the prison, and for pointing out the precise locations of the old buildings that were once home to hundreds of Irish Patriots. He also talked about the history of the old Welsh Whisky works that used to stand on the same fields at Fron-goch. We heard from locals that Irish visitors often pass Fron-goch in search of old prison bricks that were buried in the fields during the camp’s demolition.

“We observed a minute’s silence in remembrance of all those who were interned here and those who lost their lives there.
“I would like to also thank Jeff O’Carroll, Secretary of Cairde na hÉireann Liverpool (Friends of Ireland) who read out the Proclamation of the Provisional Irish Government to the people of Ireland, as happened in Dublin back in 1916.

“Thanks also to Andy Pierce for reading an interesting piece about the prisoner’s lives and experiences.

“Finally, thanks to Adam Philips from the Celtic League for organising this event.

“Since this commemoration, I read in the local press that a group of around 50 people travelled over from Ireland to lay a wreath at Fron-goch. The trip was organised by the ‘1916-1921 Club’, which was founded in the 1940s in an attempt to heal the divisions created by the Irish Civil War. The visiting group included family members of those Irish prisoners, and many of them were visiting Fron-goch for the first time.”

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE

14/05/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.

The month of May has been designated as Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic) language month in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia and the area is celebrating by organising various events and activities to promote the language.

On their website Comhairle na Gàidhlig (or the Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia) write that for nearly two hundred years speakers have been discussing how long the Gàidhlig language will continue to survive in the province, but following a steep decline since the mid nineteenth century, the language today is experiencing something of a revival. Nova Scotia’s Gàidhlig speaking regions no longer exist in isolation, but the language is being shared once again within the communities where the language was once predominantly spoken. An Office of Gaelic Affairs has been set up to help to protect and promote the language and the Nova Scotia government even has a Minister of Gaelic Affairs.

In 2010, the Celtic League’s Editor and Convenor visited the province and met with Gàidhlig language campaigners and activists, including the CEO of the Office of Gaelic Affairs, Lewis MacKinnon. Up until the late 1990’s the League had a branch in Cape Breton – one of the traditional Gàidhlig speaking regions in Nova Scotia.

To celebrate the achievements of the language May has been designated ‘Gàidhlig month’ throughout the province, which is the only region outside Scotland where the Gàidhlig language is used. A list of some of the events that have been organised for the rest of this month can be found below.

Date: May 10
Event: Taigh Ceilidh – “The Storytellers”, Sgoil Ghàidhlig an Àrd-Bhaile, Citadel High School Gaelic Classes and An Cliath Clis milling group
Place: Military Family Resource Centre Windsor St –Young St, Halifax

Date: May 7 – 13
Event: Féis – The Gaelic College, http://www.gaeliccollege.edu/
Place: St. Ann’s

Date: May 12 – 13
Event: A weekend of Gaelic classes
Place: Àite nan Gàidheal, New Glasgow

Date: May 17
Event: Gaelic Vignettes in Antigonish County
Place: Antigonish Heritage Museum, Antigonish

Date: May 18
Event: “Experience Gaelic”: A Customized Program for School Children in the Pictou region to expose them to the living Gaelic language and culture
Place: Museum of Industry, Stellarton

Date: May 19
Event: Grand Mira Gaelic Day
Place: Grand Mira

Date: May 24
Event: Department of Education, Gaelic Conference for Teachers – Concert
Place: St. Andrew Junior School, Antigonish

Date: May 25
Event: Department of Education, Gaelic Conference for Teachers
Place: Claymore Inn, Antigonish

Date: May 26
Event: Comhairle na Gàidhlig Provincial Gathering: Workshops and activities, Gaelic Language sessions, Traditional Marag dinner; Guest speaker: Rodney MacDonald, CEO of The Gaelic College; M.C. Joe Murphy
Place: Community Centre, St. Andrew’s Antigonish Co.

Date: May 27
Event: Gaelic Ecumenical Service: Annual event with guest preacher, Father Calum MacLellan from the Isle of Eriskay
Place: Immaculate Conception Church, West Lake Ainslie, CB

Links:

Office of Gaelic Affairs
http://www.gov.ns.ca/oga/

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE

10/05/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.

The Irish Branch of the Celtic League has written to the UK Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Patterson MP, to express the concerns of members on the continued incarceration of Marian Price McGlinchey by the British authorities in the north of Ireland.

After her arrest in May 2011 Ms Price McGlinchey was firstly sent to Maghaberry Prison and then Hydebank Prison, but has not appeared in court or been convicted of any crime. The League is concerned by the legality of her continued detention. The full text of the letter sent can be found below.

“Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

Owen Patterson MP

House of Commons

London

SW1A 0AA

England

22 April, 2012

Dear Mr Patterson,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Celtic League. The Celtic League is an organisation that campaigns through peaceful means for the political, social, economic and cultural independence of the 6 Celtic Nations, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany. We have campaigned for many years on behalf of political prisoners. Unfortunately we had thought that there would be no need to campaign in Ireland any more, but it seems we have to campaign again.

I wish to enquire as to the reason of the imprisonment of Ms Marian Price McGlinchey. On what grounds are you holding her? You claim to have revoked her license, we would like to know for what reason this was revoked and on what evidence. However we would like to point out that when she was released in 1980, it was not on license, but on a Royal Prerogative of Mercy. By what order do you detain Ms Price. If there is a crime, then produce the evidence and let her have her say in court, otherwise we would ask you to release her immediately. Her conditions in Maghaberry and now Hydebank Prison has been dire and has contributed to her ill health. She should be released in any case, but due to her ill health we would ask on compassionate grounds as well.

Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile” I would call on you now to go through the proper channels, i.e. the courts and produce evidence of wrongdoing on Marian Prices behalf or release her immediately. Can you explain to me how the Secretary of State can interfere with the judicial process?

We look forward to your response.

Yours Sincerely,”

Celtic League members and supporters are being encouraged by the Branch to write to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Justice Minister to express their own concerns. Contact details can be found below.

You can send a letter or email to Owen Patterson MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA, England or patersono@parliament.uk or to David Ford MLA, Justice Minister, Room 221, Parliament Buildings, Ballymiscaw, Stormont, Belfast, BT4 3XX, Ireland or david.ford@MLA.niassembly.gov.uk

Related link here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3684

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3830

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE

29/04/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues.

Voting begins today for the local elections in Alba (Scotland) (see note below) and Cymru (Wales) to elect council representatives for all wards in both of these Celtic countries.

Competition for wards has been fierce in both countries and, apart from their electoral value, the results will be eagerly awaited by the two main nationalist parties – Scottish National Party (SNP) and Plaid Cymru – for different reasons. In Alba the SNP will be hoping that the local elections will give some indication as to the strength of support that the Party is currently enjoying, which will be a confidence boost ahead of next years’ planned referendum on independence. In Cymru on the other hand, party members will be looking to see how the electorate respond following the recent election of Leanne Wood as leader of the party in March 2012.

Both parties have key councils that each would like to win in particular. For the SNP one of these councils is Glasgow City Council, which has been traditionally dominated by the Labour (Unionist) Party. For the first time in its history and with a substantially weakened Labour (Unionist) Party in Scotland, it looks feasible that the SNP could gain control of the City for the first time or at least run it as part of a coalition. Both the SNP and Labour have thrown large resources behind the campaign to win Glasgow, knowing that if they do it will be the cherry on the top of what is hoped will be an overall electoral win that will reaffirm the SNP’s position as Scotland’s largest party.

For Plaid Cymru one of the key wards is Rhondda Cynon Taff Council, which is the area where Ms Wood grew up and still lives. RCT is in the south Wales valley area of the country and is a traditional Labour (Unionist) Party stronghold, but the area did briefly slip Plaid Cymru’s way in the 1999 Welsh Assembly elections and returned to Labour in 2003. RCT, Caerffili and parts of Carmarthenshire are Labour’s traditional strongholds in Wales and in the words of Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones, these are the areas where there will be a “national bounce for Labour”.

If Labour loose these councils in Alba and Cymru they will be reeling for years to come and will stand the SNP and Plaid in good stead for the future.

The next local elections in the other Celtic countries will be held according to the list below:

Breizh (Brittany): The next regional elections will be held in March 2016 and are held every six years.

Kernow (Cornwall): Council elections will be held in May 2013 and are held every four years.

Éire (Ireland): Council elections will be held in June 2014 and are held every five years; North of Ireland council elections will be held May 2015 and are held every four years.

Mannin (Isle of Man): The next district elections will be held in April 2016 and are held every four years.

Note:

Local elections in Scotland were due to take place in May 2011, but Scottish Ministers followed the recommendations made in the Gould Report to split the Scottish Parliamentary and Local elections to avoid electoral confusion (as experienced in the 2007 elections). The 2012 local elections will be the first that the SNP have taken part in since they won a majority government in 2011.

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

03/05/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues

Internet site at:
http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league

Members of the Kernow Branch of the Celtic League participated in a protest rally on the weekend against a UK government proposed tax on the Cornish pasty.

Despite torrential rain, the rally was attended by over 700 people and took place in Aberfal/Falmouth on Sunday (29th April). Cornish comedian ‘Kernow King’ organised the rally to draw attention to the proposed tax hike that could see a 20% tax put on pasties. The plans were put forward in the UK Chancellor’s Spring Budget and will affect pasties that are sold ‘ambient’ (hot) rather than cold.

At the rally campaigners drew attention to the ridiculousness of the proposals and how the authorities will be able to monitor whether a pasty has been sold ‘ambient’ or not. Campaigners also pointed out that even though a 50p increase in the cost of a pasty may not sound like much to the millionaire clad Tory/Lib Dem Government it was to the average Cornish person. ‘Kernow King’ (aka Edward Rowe) began an an article in the UK ‘The Guardian’ newspaper yesterday (30th April) by pointing out that “Cornwall is one of the poorest regions in Britain and a pasty tax would hit an industry worth more than £100m to our economy.” The Cornish live on some of the poorest wages in the UK and in an economy where the GDP falls far below the EU average. Assistant General Secretary and member of the Cornish Branch, Tony Leamon, who attended the rally, said:

“So many people have turned out today to show their utter rejection of another government tax on the ordinary man and woman.”

Ironically among the speakers at the rally were Liberal Democrat and Conservative politicians who were supporting the tax in Westminster(!), but other included Mebyon Kernow’s Loveday Jenkin and Independent Bert Biscoe. In addition Deputy Grand Bard of the Cornish Gorsedh, Maureen Fuller, also spoke saying:

“We’re gathered here today to protest against injustice being rained upon us once again by the Westminster Government.”
Maureen Fuller added that the pasty had been a “lifesaver” for Cornish people when times are hard, providing a cheap and nutritious meal for the masses.

“An army marches on its stomach and Cornwall marches on its pasties,” she said.

An online government petition to scrap the tax has now attracted over 4000 signatures.

Related links:

Celtic Press:

http://www.celticleague.net/news/pasty-tax-not-welcome-in-kernow/

Tony Leamon video on Celtic League TV:
http://www.youtube.com/user/celticleaguetv?feature=mhee

Government petition:
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/31807

‘The message from Cornwall: hands off our pasties’:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/30/cornwall-hands-off-our-pasties?newsfeed=true

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot,
General Secretary,
Celtic League
Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666
gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.
ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

01/05/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on socio-economic issues

Internet site at:
http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

Marion Price, who was originally imprisoned in 1973, was released by Royal Pardon in 1980. She was returned to Prison in May 2011 by order of the London appointed NI Secretary Owen Paterson in a move that had dubious legality.

At the time Ms Price’s detention, for which no explanation was given, was likened to internment by a former prison chaplain Monsignor Murray. He said:

“I am just shocked that the secretary of state wouldn’t be aware of how seriously nationalist people look on internment.

We thought it had all ended and here it is coming under a form of revocation, revoking a license.”

Protests have continued against the detention of Ms Price and it is reported that the 58 year old who has suffered poor health due to her earlier mistreatment in British prisons is being held in the hospital wing of Hydebank Wood.

Related link here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/3684

(This report compiled by the Director of Information)

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666

gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

28/04/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

Prisoners who wore the symbol to commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising are reported to have been returned to their cells and denied visits.

Prison policy is markedly hypocritical as remembrance poppies are allowed to be worn in the prison each year in November when they are on sale.

The stance of republican prisoners over the issue was not helped by a somewhat perverse judgement by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Donaldson v the United Kingdom (see link) which found the ban on Easter Lilies was lawful and the decision of the prison service to allow the poppy to be worn did not conflict with this.

An attempt by the prison authorities to ameliorate the situation by allowing the shamrock to be worn (by those who wish) on St Patrick’s Day does not seem to have worked.

If anything the bizarre behaviour of the NI Prison Service over the Easter lily issue indicates the forceful resonance the symbol and the events of 1916 still have for those opposed to Irish unity.

Related link:

http://www.humanrightseurope.org/2011/02/judges-refuse-northern-ireland-prisoner-complaint/

(This report compiled by the Director of Information)

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666

gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

28/04/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

The party was scathing of the deference shown by some members of the public to such events and Mec Vannin Chairman, Mark Kermode suggested most people failed to appreciate that the `royal status’ of such visitors has little constitutional relevance in the Isle of Man.

Although local media dutifully reported `crowds’ turning out to meet the Royal duo it seems that the numbers that did turn up were swelled by school children.

Audio clip from Manx Radio of Mec Vannin Chairman’s comments here:

http://www.manxradio.com/newsread.aspx?id=59233

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666

gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

27/04/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

A letter to the Leagues Director of Information, Bernard Moffatt, from RPII Director of Corporate Development, Barbara Rafferty recording the thanks says:

“The RPII want to listen and respond to the needs and concerns of stakeholders in order to inform its programs and communications. Gathering this data enables us to provide relevant information to our stakeholders.”

The Celtic League have corresponded for many years with the RPII and have found the work that it publishes invaluable in establishing a balanced view in relation to radiation risk in the Irish sea area.

The Celtic League on an annual basis cross reference RPII statistical data with similar information gathered by National jurisdictions around the Irish Sea (e.g. the Manx Government Lab, SEPA and other UK government agencies).

The Celtic League has had an interest in and have monitored Irish sea radiation risk and the UK nuclear industry safety record since the mid 1970s.

For comment or clarification on this news item in the first instance contact:

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, General Secretary, Celtic League:

Tel: 0044 (0)1209 319912
M: 0044 (0)7787318666

gensec@celticleague.net

The General Secretary will determine the appropriate branch or General Council Officer to respond to your query.

ISSUED BY THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE.

27/04/12

The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/