I have a strong bond with Celtic-British-Scottish culture, traditions, and music which I grew up with. My father’s family came to Virginia/ West Virginia in the 1600s from Northern British-Scottish Border country to escape oppression, find freedom, and gain prosperity. They later settled in Michigan. The Woods fought the British in the American Revolution and fought for the Union to stop slavery in the U.S. Civil War. My mother’s father came from a small fishing village on the northern tip of Scotland after fighting in World War One.
There are many popular movies about the glorious deeds, myths, battles, heroes, and romances of the Celtic peoples – British, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton. English speaking peoples in the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have a strong kinship with their Celtic roots. They all have common myths, music, stories, and history. With such an international cultural following, Celtic music and movies are very popular. These movies include Celtic music soundtracks, some with traditional folk music and others mixed with new age/ world music.
Blockbuster movies and TV shows with Celtic themes and music have been “Braveheart”, the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Hobbit” trilogy, “Titanic”, “Far and Away”, the “Highlander” film and TV series, “Outlander” TV show, “King Arthur”, “Excaliber”, “Camelot”, “Merlin” TV series., “Rob Roy”, “:The Chronicles of Nardia”, “Game of Thrones”, “House of the Dragon”, and others.
The Celtic Peoples
Celtic peoples emerged in the Bronze and Iron Ages and migrated to Gaul (France), Brittany (France), Britain, Wales, Cornwall, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, and Portugal. They were engaged in Atlantic maritime trade from Spain and Portugal up to Norway and Denmark. Celts were governed by Druid priests which practiced a pagan Nature spirits religion. The Roman Empire controlled Britania from 47 BC to 410 AD. The King Arthur legends arose in the post-Roman British Isles where Britons fought the Angels and Saxons, and later Norway and Denmark. Later the Normans, descendants of Celts, in 1066 took over Anglo-Saxon England.
Britons are the original British peoples based in the southern and central land of Old England and the Arthur legends. The UK current population is 69.3 million, with English population in U.S. 46.6 mil, Australia 8.3 mil, Canada 5.3 mil, and New Zealand 3.3 mil. Britons were Celtic speaking people that diverged into Britons, Welsh, Cornish, and Bretons in France. British peoples emigrated to the American colonies from 1620 to 1775.
Wales is the far western Britain country of the Welsh people who have their own language. Welsh mythology is the origins of the Arthur and Merlin legends. Wales current population is 2 million, with Welsh population in U.S. 2 mil, England 610K, Canada 475K, and Australia 126K. Wales emerged in the 5th Century after Roman rule and was conquered by British King Edward I in 1283.
Scotland is in the far north Lowlands and Highlands with the Scottish Gaelic speaking people descended from the Picts. Scotland was never conquered by the Romans, Angles, Saxons, or Normans. Scotland current population is 4.2 million, with Scot populations in U.S. 9.2 mil, Canada 4.7 mil, England 795K, Australia 2.1 mil, and New Zealand 2 mil. Scotland was a sovereign state in the 9th Century. The British invaded Scotland in 1296 and Robert Bruce won independence in 1306 and became the Scottish King. The House of Stuart united Scotland and England under one King in the 17th Century. Scotland became part of Great Britain in 1707.
Ireland is the western isle with 5.7 million Irish people, both south and north Ireland, who have their own Irish language. Ireland population is 5.1 million and North Ireland is 627K, with Irish population in the U.S. 36 mil, England 1.4 mil, Australia 7 mil, Canada 4.6 mil, and New Zealand 600K. Ireland was Christianized in the 5th Century. The British Tudor kings conquered Ireland in the 16th Century and Oliver Cromwell reconquered Ireland in the 1640s. Ireland was ruled by the British until Irish Independence in 1921.
Cornwall is in southeast England and is made up of Cornish people with their own language. Cornwall also added to the Arthurian mythology. The Cornwall population is 532,300.
Breton people are in northwest France with their own language who emigrated from southwest Britain (Cornwall, Devon) to escape Angle-Saxon invasions, mostly between 450 to 600 AD. Population in France is 7 million, including Brittany with 3.3 million.
Canada concentration of Celtic – New Foundland, Cape Breton, and Prince Edward Island.
United States -British colonial America was originally settled by English, Scottish, and protestant Scottish-Irish from Ulster in all the British colonies. Settlers came to prosper freely and to escape religious or economic oppression. Scottish emigration to America was accelerated by: 1) the failed 1745 Jacobite rising to reestablish the House of Stuart on the British throne; 2) the Highland Clearance evicting tenant farmers from the land in 1750 to 1860; and 3) the Highland Potato Famine of 1846 to 1851.
Irish emigration to the United States was accelerated by the 1845 to 1855 Irish Potato Famine which killed 1 million and 3 million emigrated out of Ireland to England, Wales, Canada, U.S., and Australia. By 1850 Irish made up a quarter of the population of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Appalachia has a high concentration of Scots and Scottish-Irish from Ulster that emigrated from 1715 to 1775. As land in the colonies was already owned, immigrants had to keep moving further west to Appalachia. The Appalachian people have kept Celtic culture and music alive up to the present. Colonies with the highest concentration of Scots and Scottish-Irish during the American Revolution were Appalachian colonies North Carolina, Virginia (West Virginia), South Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
Celtic Music
Traditional Celtic folk music is divided into three regions: 1) Gaelic: Irish, Scottish, Manx; 2) Brythonic: Welsh, Cornish, Brittany, France; 3) Galacia -Spain and Portugal. Scottish and Irish traditional folk music have been popular in Canadian Atlantic provinces Newfoundland, Cape Breton, and Prince Edward Island. In the U.S., predominantly in New England, Appalachia, and the South.
There was a revival of Irish folk music in the 1950s and ‘60s with The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, The Chieftains, and The Irish Rovers. Scotland had a revival in the 1960s with The Corries, Jackie Levan, The Boys of Lough, and Ewan MacColl.
Celtic music has been popular in the U.S. since 18th Century colonization. It is a mix of mostly Irish and Scottish traditional folk music and dance. American Celtic music evolved into contemporary Americana music, Old Time music, folk music, bluegrass, country, and western. It mixed with African-American blues and gospel. In recent times it mixed with new age, smooth jazz, rock, and world music.
Appalachian bluegrass music has been around since the 1700s. Bluegrass was popularized in the 1940s by Bill Munroe, the duo of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and the Stanley Brothers. It has a more complex structure of harmonies and melodies than country-western music. Similar to jazz, members each perform solo parts with sophisticated improvisation.
Braveheart Theme
“Braveheart” is a very popular movie directed by Mel Gibson who is also the lead actor. The movie is based on the true story set in Scotland in the 13th Century. It is about the Scottish uprising against the tyranny of English King Edward I. Scot warrior hero Henry Wallace organized a revolt after an English soldier raped and killed his fiancée. He rallied the Scottish nation against England which ended in 1314 when Robert the Bruce defeated England in aa battle and became the King of Scotland.
Details: :Braveheart”, 1995, director Mel Gibson, cast: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan.
‘For Love of a Princess’ theme song from the “Braveheart “movie. Composed by James Honer, a highly acclaimed composer of many movie soundtracks. Played by the London Symphony Orchestra.
I Will Find You
“The Last of the Mohicans” epic romantic adventure film based on the 1826 classic novel by James Fenimore Cooper. The story is set in 1757 in upstate New York during the French and Indian War between Great Britain and France. Frontier trappers Hawkeye and two Mohicans agree to protect the two daughters, Cora and Alice, of a British Colonel when they save them from a French-Huron attack. Over time Hawkeye and Cora fall in love. In the ensuing chaos of war the two daughters are recaptured by the Huron warriors. Hawkeye and his two Mohican friends track down the Huron party to save Cora and Alice.
Details: “The Last of the Mohicans,” 1992, directed by Michael Mann, cast: Daniel Day Lewis, Madeleine Stowe, Russell Means.
‘I Will Find You’ song from “The Last of the Mohicans” movie. Sung by Clannad, an Irish Celtic band with many awards for movie and TV soundtracks.
The Fighting Donellys
In1892 Ireland, a young couple leave to America to obtain land and prosper freely. In Boston they are robbed and left in poverty. Shannon is forced to be a dancer and Joseph a boxer. Broke Joseph leaves to get work on the railways and Shannon goes back to her parents. Later they meet by chance in a race to get free land in Oklahoma, which they do and claim together.
Details: “Far and Away,” 1992, director Ron Howard, cast: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman.
‘The Fighting Donellys’ song from the “Far and Away” movie. Played by The Chieftains, a traditional Irish music group that has played in several movies.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
![The Wind That Shakes the Barley – [FILMGRAB]](https://aoidemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/the-wind-that-shakes-the-barley-filmgrab.jpeg)
Set during the Irish War of Independence and Civil War (1919-1923), two brothers join the IRA to fight the British. After the war, the IRA splits over Northern Ireland in a civil war with people jailed and killed. The two brothers are caught up in the intrigue and chaos.
Details: “The Wind That Shakea the Barley”, 2006, director Ken Loach, cast: Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham.
‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ title song is a 19th Century Irish ballad composed by Robert Joyce. Sung by Loreena McKennitt.
Wild Mountain Thyme
“Wild Mountain Thyme”, 2020, a romantic comedy with Emily Blunt and Jamie Dorman. A pair of star-crossed lovers in Ireland get caught up in their family’s land dispute.
‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, traditional Irish-Scottish folk song from the movie of the same name. Sung by Joan Baez, a renowned folk singer.
Irish Party in Third Class
In 1996, treasure hunters find the sunken Titanic to obtain a valuable necklace. The movie then flashes back in time to when the Titanic sank. The story involves star-crossed lovers Jack who is poor and Rose who is wealthy engaged to a man she doesn’t love. When the Titanic sinks Jack dies and Rose survives taking the valuable necklace with her.
Details: “Titanic”, 1997, director James Cameron, cast: Leonardo D’Caprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane.
Titanic Irish Dance, from the “Titanic” movie. Played by Gaelic Storm, a Irish-Scottish-Celtic band.
Sung of Durin
“The Hobbit” is an epic fantasy adventure movie trilogy based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s 1937 novel “The Hobbit”. Hobbit Bilbo and wizard Gandalf go on a perilous journey to help a band of dwarves regain their hereditary gold mines. They face many battles and obstacles on their quest.
Details: “The Hobbit”, three films 2012-2014, directed by Peter Jackson, cast: Martin Freeman, Ian MacKellen. Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Hugh Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly.
‘Song of Durin’ from “The Hobbit” movie series, Durin is the first Dwarf king. Sung by Eurielle, English singer-songwriter and soundtrack soloist in many films and TV shows. Lyrics by J.R.R. Tolkien
Bonny Portmore
“The Highlander” fantasy film and TV franchise is about immortal beings who fight each other to the death by cutting off their heads. There can be only one immortal to eventually win the prize of ruling the world. Some are good and some are bad.
Details: “Highlander III: The Sorcerer”, 1994, Christopher Lambert, Mario Van Peeples.
“Highlander Endgame”, 2000, Adrian Paul, Christopher Lambert.
“Highlander” TV series, 1992-1997, Adrian Paul.
‘Bonny Portmare’ from the “Highlander” movie series and TV series. Sung by Loreena McKennitt, a Canadian Celtic folk singer-songwriter who has sung for several movies and TV shows.
Ashokan Farewell
Ashokan Farewell is a beautiful and haunting Scottish folk song composed by Jay Unger as the theme song of the “Ken Burns The Civil War” 1990 TV mini-series about the history of the American Civil War.
Played by Jay Unger and the Moll Mason Family Band.
Ailen Duinn
“Rob Roy” is an action film based on the 1817 Sir Walter Scott novel. Set in 1713, Scotland, Rob Roy MacGreger is wronged by a nobleman and his nephew. He becomes an outlaw in search of revenge while fleeing British troops. He agrees to a sword duel to settle the matter.
Details: “Rob Roy”, 1995, director Michael Ceton-Jones, cast: Liam Neeson, Jessica Lange, John Hurt, Tom Roth.
‘Ailen Duinn’, a traditional Scottish Gaelic song, the theme song of the “Rob Roy” movie. Sung by Karen Matheson, a Scottish-Gaelic folk singer.
The Lord of the Rings
The epic fantasy adventure movie “Lords of the Ring: The Fellowship of the Ring” first film in the trilogy based on the 1954 novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The Dark Lord Sauron seeks the One Ring to regain power. The ring finds its way to Hobbit Frodo. He joins an alliance of Elvses, Dwarves, humans, and Hobbits to begin a perilous journey to Mordor to destroy the Ring.
Details: LOTR, 2001, directed by Peter Jackson, cast: Elijah Wood, Virgo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Ian McKleelan, Sean Astin, Orlando Bloom. John Rhys-Davies, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchatt, Chritopher Lee.
‘May It Be’ from LOTR. Sung by Enya an Irish singer who is one of the best-selling music artists in the world.
The Gael
The Gael from “The Last of the Mohicans” movie. By Dougie Maclean, a Scottish singer-songwriter.
The Skye Boat Song
In the “Outlander “ TV series, Claire is a former nurse in Scotland during World War Two. She is mysteriously transported back in time to 1743 Scotland. She gets embroiled into the Scottish Jacobite Rebellion trying to restore the House of Stuart to the British thrown. She meets and falls in love with a dashing Highland warrior Jamie Fraser. She is suspected of being a spy but is unharmed by being a healer. Claire and Jamie marry which protects her as being a member of the Fraser Clan.
Details: “Outlander” TV Series, 2014 to present. Cast: Caitriona Balf plays Claire Fraser, Sam Heugham plays Jamie Fraser.
‘The Skye Boat Song’ from the “Outlander” TV series. Sung by Raya Yarbrough.
Casadh an Tsugain 
The movie “Brooklyn” is a romantic drama set in Ireland and Brooklyn, NY in 1950. Ellis lives with her mother and sister but cannot find a full time job and is not interested in the local single men. She immigrates to New York to find a better life and studies to be an accountant. She meets a man named Tony, they fall in love, and plan to build a house. When her sister dies Ellis needs to return to Ireland to take care of her mother. Gossip about her life while in America and confronted again with her dead-end life, she decides to return to America and live with Tony.
Details: “Brooklyn”, 2015, director John Crowley, cast: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnell Gleeson.
‘Casadh an Tsugain’ from the “Brooklyn” movie. Sung by Larla O’Lionaird
Return to Roan Inish
“The Secret of Roan Inish” is a wonderful Irish fantasy tale set in 1946 on the remote islands of Ireland. A young girl Fiona is sent to live with her grandparents in an Irish fishing village after her mother dies and her father is ill. Roan Inish is said to be the home of selkies – seals that can shed their skin to become human. The family secret is that Fiona’s baby brother Jamie was taken away by seals. Fiona explores the island and finds Jamie being cared for by seals. She convinces the adults to rescue him. When they arrive the seals bring Jamie back to the safety of his family.
Details: “The Secret of Roan Inish”, director John Sayles, cast: Jeni Courtney, Eileen Colgan, Mick Lally.
“Return to Roan Inish 1” by Mason Daring, a composer of many movie soundtracks.
Concerning Hobbits
From the “Fellowship of the Rings” movie.
‘Concerning Hobbits’ by Howard Shore.
You Will Be My Ain True Love
The “Cold Mountain” movie is an epic American Civil War story from the standpoint of North Carolina mountain people struggling to survive amid social-economic collapse and the horrors of war.
Details: “Cold Mountain, 2003, director Anthony Minghelia, cast: Jude Law, Nicole, Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Jack White.
‘Ain True Love’ song by Alison Krauss and Sting.
You Win or You Lose
“Game of Thrones” is an epic Medieval based fantasy drama on HBO-TV for eight seasons (2011-2019). The story has varied locations and characters caught up in the intrigues and battle between seven kingdoms. The show includes dragons and mythical creatures and beings.
The show has an ensemble cast whose main actors include Peter Dinklage, Lena Headley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Emilia Clarke, Sophie Turner, Kit Harington, Maisie Williams, Iian Glenn, and many others.
‘You Win or You Die’ song by Karlien & Celtic Borders.
