Pronounced: “Nollag creel, agus bleana va oor.”
Means: “Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year!” in Gaelic. (Learn more about Gaelic in Nova Scotia here.)
Here is an interview from earlier this year, on this blog, with Dawn and Margie Beaton, young women who play Celtic music. And here is one with Kelly MacArthur, the owner of a dance school who talks about The Celtic Department, a new series of workshops to teach the Celtic arts.
Just a bit of hand lettering by me, because I am really loving hand lettering these days. And because, although I don’t speak Gaelic, I really love that phrase.
Edit: I had to make a change to the original, adding an “h” to “Chridheil.” Thanks to a keen-eyed reader who pointed it out!
Love this Leah. I just hand made all my Christmas cards this year and used this say phrase for all Scottish friends and family. I have been wanting to learn gaelic too. I have a wonderful book that came with a CD called “Everyday Gaelic” by Morag MacNeill. It makes a wonderful Christmas gift. Love your hand lettering too!! Nollaig chridheil agus Bliadhna mhath ur to you! I do not know how to make the accents sorry! Maybe we will meet in the new year!
Glad you are back Leah. Read your blog and am inspired by your logic, humor and true love of “Our Island”. Used Maritime Rideshare recently (which I found here), and it opened my eyes to true community spirit. Met many new and wonderful people recently and just want to say…”keep up the good work”. You have no idea what an impact positivity and curioristy can have.
Nollaif Chridheil agus Bliandhna mhath ur
Just found your blog….you should post recipe for Cape Breton Pork Pies.