History

Today when someone uses the term Celtic, we usually think of Ireland or Scotland. However, the Celtic peoples once covered a vast area over most of the European continent from Ireland to the Balkans to Asia Minor.

Celtic Peoples lived together in loosely banded tribes. Today, there are six Celtic Nations recognized as areas still showing Celtic heritage, including using the Celtic language. Those tribes are: Alba (Scotland); Cymru (Wales); Kernow (Cornwall; Mannin (Isle of Man); Briezh (Brittany) and Eire (Ireland). At one time, Galacia (Spain) was also included with the Celtic nations.

Eventually, however, the Celts’ great power was driven back by the Roman Empire and the Germanic expansion, until only the remote territories on the British Isles, and some small sections of land along the western coast of Europe were left. These are the ancestors with which most of us are familiar.

Scotland

Ireland

Isle of Man

Wales

Cornwall

Brittany