Stitchers: Lily May (Dublin), Carmel Daly (Cockenzie, Scotland).
The connection between the Scots and the Irish date back to days beyond record.To the ancient peoples of Ireland and Scotland, the Irish Sea was less of a barrier than a highway. For countless centuries there was a free movement of trade and people from one side to the other. The Scotti themselves were originally Irish, and the ties of Gaelic culture, blood, and language between Ireland and western Scotland remain strong today. Nor was it just material goods that crossed the sea. Families extended across both shores, taking their loyalties and rivalries with them, as well as their faith.
IE01 Na Ciad Mhalairtich
Tha an ceangal eadar na h-Albannaich agus na hÈireannaich a’ dol air ais gu làithean nach eil idir clàraichte. Do na seann ghinealaichean ann an Èirinn is Alba, bha Sruth na Maoile na b’ fhasa dhaibh na tha mòr-rathaidean an latha an-diugh. Airson linntean gun àireamh, bha gluasad saor air malairt agus daoine bho aon taobh gu an taobh eile. Bha na h-Albannaich fhèin à Èirinn bho thùs, agus tha ceanglaichean cultarach, fala agus cànain eadar Èirinn agus taobh siar Alba làidir gus an latha an-diugh. Agus cha b’ e a-mhàin bathar stuthach a bha a’ dol tarsainn a’ chuain. Bha teaghlaichean a’ leudachadh a-mach tarsainn cladaichean na dà dhùthcha, a’ toirt an dìlseachdan agus an còmhsrithean leotha, a thuilleadh air an creideamh.