Celtic, Irish, & Druid Gifts
The term ‘Celtic’ spans at least 8 countries. Although no one can assuredly pinpoint where the Celts actually came from, there are many historical findings and artifacts to prove where they eventually ended up. The first distinctly Celtic culture is believed to have been born around 800 B.C.E. By the sixth century, they had expanded into what are now the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, as well as Belgium, the Netherlands and all of northeastern France from Normandy to the Alps. Three centuries later, they occupied the rest of France, crossed the English Channel to Britain and Ireland, and occupied the western half of the Iberian Peninsula. In 387 B.C.E. the Celts invaded Rome and held it for 7 months, leaving only after being debilitated by an epidemic, although not so much that they didn't demand a huge payment from the Romans for the privilege of seeing them go! Almost a century later, the Celts invaded Greece and sacked Delphi, removing a large hoard of gold. Even Alexander the Great found it prudent to form an alliance with the people whom the Greeks called the "Keltoi" or "Galatai.” As with all conquering societies, even when they withdrew from a region, part of their heritage and personality was invariably left behind.
