Ireland's Genealogical Gazette May 2007-1.Pub
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
ISSN 1649-7937 Cumann Geinealais na hÉireann Ireland’s Genealogical Gazette (incorporating “The Genie Gazette”) Vol. 2 No. 5 www.familyhistory.ie May : Bealtaine 2007 Television Creates a New and Much Older History for “Britain” Over the past ten years two British history and indeed, genetics, tory—isn’t that correct? Well, no, television channels BBC2 and popularly and generally accessible in fact the popular concept of Channel 4 have produced many as primetime television. Stunning “Britain” is relatively recent and fine “television histories” on a visuals and engaging presenters arguably just a lazy rendition of range of topics and events. Un- captivated audiences throughout the official name of the United doubtedly, these series have im- the United Kingdom. Clearly as Kingdom of Great Britain and GENEALOGY measurably contributed to the popular television productions the Northern Ireland. Indeed, even as popularisation of history and attention to detail could not be “Great Britain” it’s only 300 years HERALDRY things historical in Great Britain expected to match that required of old this month following the Act and for this, their producers are to an in-depth documentary or of an of Union between Scotland and VEXILLOLOGY be warmly congratulated. The academic audiovisual presenta- England in 1707. The problem long-running series “Time Team” tion. This is not their function nor with each of these programmes, SOCIAL HISTORY has created a totally new phe- should it be. But should simplicity with the exception naturally of nomenon “the arm-chair archae- be permitted to create or advance “Time Team”, is that the history Heritage Matters ologist” each carefully shifting a fiction, especially if that fiction of the island of Great Britain is and sifting trowel loads of earth in is politically sensitive? Common only portrayed in an English and Book Reviews search the next Anglo-Saxon to many of these programmes is a London centred context. This is hoard. Other programmes focus- single notion of a place called hardly relevant prior to 1707 or sed on the broader history like the “Britain” and its existence from indeed, the union of the English Open Meetings “Seven Ages of Britain” pre- prehistory right up to the present. and Scottish Crowns in 1603 sented by Bethany Hughes and Irrespective of the period under when King James VI of Scotland News & Queries Simon Schama’s “A History of examination or of the actual geo- became King James 1 of England. Britain” - the latter consisted of graphic location concerned the The total absurdity of the situation fifteen programmes. New and term is liberally employed accom- is compounded when these pro- exciting advances in the study of panied by a London centred his- gramme makers include the island DNA have given rise to the latest torical timeline. This has facili- of Ireland as part of this “Britain”. of such programmes from Chan- tated the creation of a popular This over simplification by the nel 4 ”Faces of Britain” pre- single historical timeline running producers of “television histories” sented by Scottish archaeologist, from the Ancient Britons (Celts) creates a historical, geographic, Neil Oliver. The objective of this through the Roman Invasion, the political and cultural nonsense CONTENTS programme was to produce a arrival of the Anglo-Saxons, the which totally undermines the genetic map of “Britain” under the Norman Conquest and through the serious academic research behind direction of Oxford University Tudors, and on to Empire!! So each production. Sceptics may A Manx View on JGSI 2 geneticist, Sir Walter Bodmer. the entity popularly known as see another agenda, let’s hope not. Each of these programmes was “Britain” is an ancient one with its But is historical and geographic Article produced in a manner that made roots stretching back to prehis- accuracy too much to ask for? Sunday May 27th— 2 Famine Walk National Memorial for 2 New Minister Needs to be Proactive, Irish Army Innovative and Imaginative James Scannell Reports 3 Whatever combination of political ceived much lip-service from its Election of 2002. Five years on parties come to power following respective Minister and arguably and heritage policy languishes in the General Election on May 24th little else. Gone was the very the Dept. of Environment whilst Précis of April Lecture 3 2007, the new Minister with the visible enthusiasm and dynamism Arts plays a poor hardly audible Arts and Heritage portfolios faces that accompanied the establish- third fiddle to Sport and Tourism. many challenges. Not least, is the ment of the Department of Arts, Coherent strategic planning for Queries Received 4 widespread believe that following Culture & the Gaeltacht back in heritage matters by government is the splitting of these portfolios in 1993 and its successor in 1997. no longer in evidence as the Heri- 2002, Arts and Heritage policy Pressures from powerful lobby tage Council is certainly between became marginalized within gov- groups ensured that this honey- a rock and a hard place. Care for Publication—a Gift to 4 ernment departments with signifi- moon for Irish Arts and Heritage our heritage must be prioritized Future Generations cantly different goals. Each re- would not survive the General again under a dynamic Minister. Monthly Newsletter of the Genealogical Society of Ireland ISSN 1649-7937 PAGE 2 IRELAND’S GENEALOGICAL GAZETTE (INCORPORATING “THE GENIE GAZETTE”) VOL. 2 NO. 5 A Manx View of the JGSI Article on the Isle of Man (Skeealyn Vannin—JGSI Vol. 7 No. 2) The following piece was written by Adrian lent and perceptive article by Michael Merrigan up to recently those cultural and linguistic ties Cain, Manx Language Development Officer, may go some way to informing Irish readers of have been very strong. His article reminds us regarding the article “Skeealyn Vannin—Stories what is a significant upturn in fortunes for that we still have much to offer each other. For of Mann—A Miscellany on the History, Culture Gaelg / Manx in the Island. The article intelli- further information about the language try some and Language of the Isle of Man” published in gently outlines the history of Manx and brings of the following. this Society’s Journal (Vol. 7 No. 2, 2006). the language debate in the Island up to date by Adrian provides details on some very informa- outlining the important work of Yn Cheshaght For general information about Manx Gaelic, tive websites for those seeking to find out more Ghailckagh, Mooinjer Veggey and the Manx contact Adrian Cain, Manx Language Officer at about this fascinating and historic island, its Heritage Foundation. As a consequence of the the Manx Heritage Foundation at E-mail:- language and culture. Copies of this issue of work of these organisations the language has a [email protected] the Journal are available for purchase, price €10 genuine future. The Island is struggling to assert plus p+p, on the Society’s website a new identity for itself; one which both em- For information on Bunscoill Ghaelgagh—the www.familyhistory.ie braces the history and culture of the Island but Manx language primary school see its website which is also accessible to the ‘new residents’ www.bunscoill.iofm.net/ Thrown headlong into the world of global capi- of Ellan Vannin which now make up over 50% talism the Isle of Man has seen some dramatic of the population. In this sense the language has For information on Yn Cheshaght Ghailckagh, changes in the last 10 years. It isn’t an Island to be open to people regardless of whether they the Manx Language Society’s website is that the last of the native Manx speakers would were born in Douglas, Durban or Derby. In re- www.ycg.iofm.net/ recognise; however, one thing that would sur- asserting the Gaelic identity of the Island and Mooinjer Veggey, the Manx play-group organi- prise them is the revival in fortunes of a lan- ensuring that that identity is one of which has a sation www.mooinjerveggey.org.im guage long-since consigned to the history role to play in a modern multicultural Island it books. Not only would this surprise the likes of is incumbent on those in the Manx language Finally, for information on the work of the Ned Maddrell and Harry Kelly but it probably community to strengthen the links with lan- Manx Heritage Foundation, including its publi- comes as a shock to our ‘Gaelic cousins’ in guage campaigners in both Ireland and Scot- cations etc., please see its very informative Ireland and Scotland. In this respect the excel- land. As Michael Merrigan’s article illustrates website: www.manxheritage.org Sunday May 27th & The Great Famine Sunday May 27th 2007, as the last Sunday in demonstrate the deep sense of connectivity still commence at 14.00hrs at the Garden of Re- May, is the date for the Famine Victims Memo- felt by the people of Ireland with the terrible membrance at Parnell Square and proceed rial March in Dublin City. The organizers of plight of our ancestors during the period 1845- along O’Connell Street to the “Famine Figures” the event seek to highlight the need for the State 1850. The dignified and solemn nature of this sculpture on Custom House Quay. All wel- to designate the last Sunday in May each year “National Famine Victims Memorial Walk” come to attend and participate. as the “National Famine Victims Memorial each year has been reminiscent of similar Day” to commemorate the millions of lives lost events held around the world for national trage- PIONEER BUS COMPANY during the Great Famine. As reported last dies. Indeed, few would argue that a greater Information is sought on the Pioneer Bus Com- month, An Taoiseach, Mr.