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A Bit On Wales
 This amazing country is a part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It's a land of magic, myth and dragons. A place where fantasy and history combine, giving the world the best of small towns, big cities, breathtaking views, amazing stories and unique languages. The country is also home to 641 castles, more than any other country in Europe. Two hours from London by train or car is the capital city, Cardiff, an amazing metropolitan which includes four universities and the wonderful Cardiff Castle. Wales also has three national parks, mountains, long coastlines, coves and trails. All of this in a country the size of Massachusetts! |
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 Why A Dragon?
History of the Welsh Dragon
This guy pictured on right is known in Welsh as Y Ddraig Goch ("the red dragon"). So how did he become the most important object in Wales? According to writer Evelien Bracke, "In a country divided by its languages, football allegiance, politics, and geography, few symbols seem able to unite the nation - among these, the dragon spans the crown."
The Middle Ages saw countless tales and myths arrive which included fantastical beings of all kinds. This included dragons, which were commonly used in Wales as decorations and symbols. The Welsh flag first appeared in 1485 at the battle of Bosworth Field, when Henry Tudor defeated Richard III. It combined the popular dragon with the green and white of Welsh military. It would take a few hundred more years for the British to recognize this as the official flag and dragon of Wales (in 1959). A popular children's story is about a red dragon defeating a white dragon...which symbolizes Wales defeating England.
The dragon emblem has been embraced completely by the Welsh, and you can now find the red dragon on everything from stamps to souvenirs, toys to clothing. Not too bad for a mythical creature!
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Who's Who: Welsh Celebrities
They're not British; they're Welsh!
 | | Author Roald Dahl |
Plenty of Welsh have become well-known within the worlds of politics, sports, the arts and countless other careers. Plenty of famous people are assumed to be from Britain when in fact they are Welshmen. Here's just a few of the wonderful Welsh: poet Dylan Thomas, author
Roald Dahl, Nobel Prize Winner Bertrand Rusell, explorer George Everest, musicians Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Duffy, Charlotte Church, and John Cale (Velvet Underground), actors Luke Evans, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ioan Gruffudd, Anthony Hopkins, Michael Sheen, Rhys Ifans, Timothy Dalton, Richard Burton and Christian Bale.
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Ale Trail Reaches 12 Locations!
 The Niagara Celtic Ale Trail welcomes our 12th member: Doc Magilligan's Restaurant & Irish Pub, located in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Why not plan a day trip out to this great new Irish Pub...and don't forget to visit one or more of the wonderful locations on the Ale Trail, located all over Western New York and the surrounding areas. Each stop along the trail has a unique and wonderful perspective to share with patrons.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE. |
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Red Hot Chilli Pipers Coming to Buffalo IN ONE MONTH!
 Join Us At Kleinhans Music Hall on Feb. 8th
Bagpipes with attitude. Drums with a Scottish accent. A blazing rock band and show so hot, it carries its own health warning! It's The Red Hot Chilli Pipers -- pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers -- who have been taking their signature sound to the masses for a decade with their unique fusion of rocked up Bagpipes and clever covers of great rock anthems by Queen, AC/DC, Snow Patrol, Coldplay, Robbie Williams and Journey. See why the Chilli's have been playing to packed houses and standing ovations night after night...from New York to Beijing, from Germany to Melbourne and everywhere in between with musicianship of the highest order and a passion for pipes that will leave you breathless.
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#4: The Isle of Man
This small island, located between Ireland and England, has always maintained a unique identity and culture from the rest of the British Isles.
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| Upcoming Performance | |
Jan. 16th-Feb. 9th, 2014
Irish Classical Theatre
625 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
Box Office 716-853-1380
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Upcoming Event
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January 24-26, 2014
A complete immersion into the history, art, culture and cuisine of Scotland, with bagpipes, kilts, dancers, drums, a Single Malt Whisky tasting, haggis, and so much more!
Mohonk Mountain House
1000 Mountain Rest Road
New Paltz, NY 12561
(888) 974-9198
www.mohonk.com |
| Upcoming Event |
An outstanding event...piping in of the haggis, address to the haggis, selkirk grace, toast to the lads & lassies, Robert Burns poetry, Scottish country dancing with Scotland's own Stephen Hay, Men In Kilts contest, door prizes and music by Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross and The Bagpiper of Wilson.
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| Featured Event |
February 8th at 8pm
3 Symphony Circle
Buffalo, NY 14201
It's Bagpipes. It's Rock. It's Bagrock. AC/DC meets the poet Robert Burns. Where rock anthems sit comfortably alongside the great tunes from the glens and the mountains of Scotland.
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Upcoming Event
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The Great Guinness Toast
Feb. 21st
7pm-Midnight
Buffalo Irish Center
245 Abbott Rd
Buffalo, NY 14220
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| Celtic Ale Trail | |
Follow the growing Niagara Celtic Ale Trail and you'll find wonderful pubs, bars, restaurants and breweries! Enjoy entertainment, drinks and food whose heritage comes from the Celtic Nations.
January Feature:
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