Dunluce Castle is a now-ruined medieval site in Northern Ireland, the seat of Clan McDonnell. This is also a place where an early Irish fort once stood.
The first historical recording of the people called the Celts was in Ancient Greece around 700 BC.
Moving from East and Central Europe, the Celts first arrived in Ireland about 500 BC.
The story of their arrival is intermingled with that of the coming of the Tuatha de Danaan, a mythical tribe of the Goddess Danu.
With the arrival of Christianity in the fifth century AD, written records then observe that the Celtic language was being spoken all over the island of Ireland.
However, the Celtic Ogham script was used in Ireland from the fourth century AD to the eighth century AD.
The script consisted of strokes or notches cut along the edge of a standing stone. 
Therefore, Ogham is seen as being the first written records of life in Ancient Ireland.
The written word was not, however, much required in Celtic life, as the hierarchy placed the storyteller high in importance within the tribe.
Within this is also placed the Druid, whose powers of recall, knowledge and tribal history, as well as poetry and lore, was central to the wellbeing and social standing of the tribe or clan.
In this, the Celts loved storytelling. Before they learned to write, the Celts passed on their stories from one generation to another. Here is my grandfather, Hugh O’Neill of Tyrone, who was both a wonderfully gifted storyteller and musician. My elder brothers, Phelim and Sean are with him by the fireside in Omagh, County Tyrone.
The Celts built large earthen banks or stone walls around their farms to protect themselves and their animals.
These walls were called raths or duns.
Many place names in Ireland include the word rath or dun.
Examples such as Rathcormac and Dunloe come to mind…try looking at a map of Ireland and see how many you can pick out!
Many of the fortified homes were enlarged to become know as Hillforts, offering more protection and domination of the landscape. Oftentimes these sites were used later to build castles and larger settlements.
Ireland is covered with the memories of our ancient tribes and people.<
Collette, I am looking for the family name Cooley. My husband’s grandmother was Anna Belle Cooley. Do you have any idea where her family clan lived?
Sorry…I have no idea. Irish names are to be found all over Ireland. Colette
Thank you, anyway! I was really ignorant to have asked such a thing!
Collette, I just ordered a calendar. Would you please autograph it for me? I love your shared world, your shared voice, your shared vision, your shared magic. Thank you for your shared soul. Beauty in every aspect of your being.
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You’re families from Omagh? So rare I find people from the same area! ^_^ Both my parents are from that area and I lived there myself for about 3 years.
Lovely post! I love seeing more about Ireland! <3
My father was friends with Frank Tracey who lived in Gallows Hill in Omagh.
I’m not familiar with Gallows Hill. I did have a grandfather Frank Tracey though, but I never met him. I have an uncle with the same name too. I wonder if you know the O’Neill’s around six mile cross? Dominic and Patricia?
Hello from Nova Scotia, Canada
I loved this blog and all the pictures. That being said I’ve loved all your blogs 😂😂😂 I just ordered your new 2020 calendar. Could you sign it for me? Thank you. It means a lot. I’m excited about your new book that’s coming and can’t wait to read it!! I have loved your other books. Thank you for all that you do with your videos and blogs. I enjoy them so much.
Have a great fall.
Sandra Larsen 🍁🍂🍁🍂
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you!, Very magical and informative!
Enjoyed reading this so very much. Thank you!
Thank you Colette. Fascinating reading. Hopefully we can turn full circle ❣️
Thank you. Enjoyed as always.
Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal.