Gaels Discussion

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The Gaels are a group native to Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man who are associated with the Gaelic language which originated in Ireland. When the Romans arrived to Britain, the Gaels traded with them. During the Middle Ages, Gaelic culture became dominant in parts of Scotland and the Isle of Man with even some Gaelic settlements in Wales. Gaelic Ireland was made up of several kingdoms with a High King claiming lordship over them. Traditional Gaelic society is organised into clans with a king or chief elected through tanistry. Pre-Christian Irish were pagans who worshipped the Tuatha De Danann and believed in an Otherworld. Their four yearly festivals of Samhain, Imoic, Beltane and Lughnasa continue to be celebrated even today. In the 12th century, Anglo-Normans conquered much of Ireland and even Normanized parts of Scotland. However Gaelic culture remained especially strong in the west of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands. Furthermore the rich Irish mythology was preserved and recorded by medieval Irish monasteries.