Cape Breton Island: The Celtic Heart of North America blogs

Looking for Your Celtic Roots on Cape Breton Island by Jocelyn Bethune

Jody MacArthur — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 02:52:39 +0000

So you have conducted on-line searches for your Celtic connections in Cape Breton and found lots of interesting things. So why not include some on-site genealogical research while visiting the island. While there is a wealth of information available on the Internet, many treasures and research gems are off-line and can be found in Cape Breton libraries, municipal archives and historic society minutes.

Àm na Samhna / Hallowe'en Time

Angus MacLeod — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:30:58 +0000

Tha Oidhche Shamhna a' tighinn dlùth a nis agus bidh tachartasan ann an iomadh baile 'is coimhearsnachd. Mar eisimpleir bidh Oidhche nam Bòcan aig a' Chlachan Ghàidhealach agus bidh Cuairt le Lòchran aig an Daingneach Louisburg.

Celtic Colours Kicks Off on Friday

Jody MacArthur — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 03:27:07 +0000

It’s that time of year again. The time when Cape Breton shows off its most magnificent Fall colours and welcome visitors from near and far to the annual Celtic Colours International Festival! If you are one of the lucky ones who will be in Cape Breton for the Festival, we are thrilled that you decided to share this annual celebration with us. Whether this is your first time or a return visit, we want to make sure this is your best Celtic Colours experience yet.

Order of Canada for Cape Breton Songwriter

Max MacDonald — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 23:27:40 +0000

The Order of Canada is the centrepiece of Canada’s honours system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.

Cape Breton songwriter, musician and author Allister MacGillivray was recently named to the Order by Governor General David Johnston. Allister was appointed “for his contributions as a musician and composer whose songs are widely known for their depictions of Cape Breton and its people.”

Samhradh ann an Ceap Breatainn / Summer in Cape Breton

Angus MacLeod — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 03:28:34 +0000

Here Comes Rachel Davis

Max MacDonald — Tue, 16 Jul 2013 15:42:51 +0000

Rachel Davis is a gifted, hard working young Cape Breton Fiddler. Rachel first came to my attention in 2009 as the recipient of the Frank “Big Sampy” Sampson Award, which is sponsored by the Celtic Colours Festival Volunteer Drive’ers Association. This organization has a really good track record in choosing young musicians who can benefit from the professional assistance of Lakewind Sound Studios in the production of a debut CD.

Tickets on sale now for Celtic Colours International Festival 2013

Jody MacArthur — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 15:19:18 +0000

Although it feels like Summer’s just begun here on Cape Breton Island, if you’re a fan of Celtic and traditional music, you can’t help thinking a little bit about Autumn and the Celtic Colours International Festival right about now. Tickets for the 17th edition of the award-winning, nine-day festival went on sale this week.

Cia Às a Thig Iad? / Where Do They Come From?

Angus MacLeod — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 22:56:04 +0000

Uisge Whisky

Jocelyn Bethune — Fri, 21 Jun 2013 09:53:25 +0000

I love words.

And I enjoy discovering the origins of the words we use every day to communicate. I have always liked the sound of this place - Uisge Bhan Falls. It is a waterfall located at the end of a provincial walking trail outside Baddeck. Its name is Gaelic for white water.

Uisge – pronounced oosh-ka – means water; ban means white. I like that it describes what happens there. It makes sense. But I also really like the way it sounds when you say ‘uisge’.

Living the Dream in Cape Breton

Jody MacArthur — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:34:30 +0000

A sunny day. Celtic Music. Beautiful scenery. Good food. What could be better?

Last month, I visited the Celtic Music Interpretive Centre in Judique and saw this license plate in the gift shop and knew it would be my theme for this summer.