Eólas ar Senchais is an organization dedicated to the research, study, publication and transmission of Celtic culture and traditional knowledge.
It is envisioned as a partnership between Celtic academics and native Celtic communities, in conjunction with others dedicated to the preservation of Celtic culture, in order to understand, preserve and maintain traditional beliefs, practices, stories, arts and worldview, with a special focus on native elements preserved through the medium of the Celtic languages.
Founder and Director: Sharynne MacLeod NicMhacha is a Celtic scholar, writer and instructor of Scottish, Irish and Welsh ancestry. She has studied Celtic languages and literatures through Harvard University, and has presented work at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, University College Cork, Ireland, the Harvard Celtic Colloquium, Smith College, and the Harvard Study Group on Ancient Magic and Religion. A native of Ontario, and Faculty Member of the Celtic Institute of North America, she is also a professional singer and musician and a published author.
Research Consultants:
To be announced
Supporting Members:
To be announced
The name of the organization derives from the Old Irish word ‘eólas’ which has a wide range of meanings (knowledge, information, especially knowledge gained by experience or practice; knowledge of the way or place, guidance; a way, direction, path, opening; a place known, familiar surroundings; secret knowledge, prescription, spell or charm; description by which a person or thing is known, designation); and the word ‘senchas’ (old tales, tales, ancient history, tradition; genealogy; traditional law).
The first project envisioned by the organization is a thorough and systematic exploration of shamanic elements, beliefs and practices as may be found in early ethnographic accounts, medieval Celtic literature and textual sources, and folklore accounts. The second phase of the project would include travel to native Celtic communities in order to interview tradition-bearers and preserve related and potentially endangered beliefs, customs and lore.
