Stop at Kells

Go to Ireland ... and stop at Kells. Here you will find the ancient Cross of Kells, and the magnificent church with its tall tower and yard full of ancient crosses. The ancient monks illuminated the manuscript of the Book of Kells here, integrating pagan and Christian design in a celebration of spirituality. Stay at the Kells Hostel and leaf through the facsimile of the Book of Kells the landlord keeps on hand! Travel to Tara ... and sense the spirituality there. For at Tara St Patrick lit the Easter flame and the King of Tara, angry, called in his druids.
'His name and his message will outlive ours and yours,' the druids told the King.
The King turned his men loose on Patrick, and some of the Christians were killed. St Patrick stood and faced the King and his warriors, and in a ringing voice proclaimed:

At Tara, in this fateful hour
I call on all Heaven with its power!
And the sun with its brightness
And the snow with its whiteness
And the sea with all the strength it hath
And the wind with its rapid wrath
And the hills with their steepness
And the vales with their deepness
And the earth with its starkness:
All these I place, by God's almighty help and grace
Between myself and the powers of darkness!

Whereupon the castle of Tara fell to the ground. The King, seeing this, fell on his knees, accepted Christ, and gave Patrick all the help he needed in preaching the gospel throughout Ireland. This rune or 'breastplate' is a prayer of caim or protection, common in Celtic prayers, which saw the world of nature expressing the glory and wonder of God, and the supernatural Otherworld. From Tara, visit Newgrange, the ancient stoneage burial chamber, with its amazing alignment with the sun, so that at the winter solstice, the rising sun illuminates the entire inner chamber -- for seven minutes. To witness this event, you must go on December 21 -- but it is booked out for 20 years ahead ... They simulate it for you, however, on every tour.

A tip -- the gift shop here is half the price, for equivalent items, of the one at Newgrange! Or anywhere else. Another tip: good quality Irish dolls can be bought at pound shops for 2 pounds Irish -- up to 16 pounds elsewhere! Watch for the sign that says, 'Pound Shop'.

A good souvenir -- a Celtic cross made of 'torf' (that's how they say 'turf'!). This is peat from the bogs of Ireland, still in use as fuel today.

The oldest Celtic Christian church still standing is to be found in Galloway, south of Glasgow, Scotland. It is well worth a visit. And even more remarkable is the Church of Scotland at Govan, in Glasgow. Take the Underground to Govan, cross the street and call in at the Pierce Centre. Here you will find someone who will let you into the locked church. The current church is only 100 years old -- but what is inside is a positive feast of sarcophagi, one believed to have held the bones of St Constantine, a 5th-century Celtic hermit.
There are thirty-two stones in the church ... all around the walls, including some from the 7-10th centuries showing an unusual Viking influence. Take some change into the church -- postcards are on sale inside, on the honour system. In the grounds of Govan church are more stones and crosses, though none so ancient as those inside. Make sure you have a flash camera. The people at the centre are generous with their time: but please, be courteous. It really isn't their 'job' to show people around!

How many 'Arthurs' are in hiding ready to return? There's Bendigaidfran or 'Bran the Blesses' whose head is interred at the Tower of London ...
There is Owain Glyn Dwr the Welsh rebel Prince ...
There is Arthur himself ...
The Germans have Barbarossa ...
The Danes have Hrolger Danske ...
(Ravens are sacred to all of these!)
Do you know of any more? Do post me and let me know!!!