A new exhibition entitled 'The Great Book of Gaelic', celebrating contemporary Celtic culture,will be launched at a special opening event on Saturday August 4th at Enniskillen Castle Museums.

This exhibition brings together the work of poets, visual arts and calligraphers from Scotland and Ireland to explore the history of Gaelic culture and the close relationship between Scotland and Ireland.

The exhibition is being opened at Fermanagh County Museum by Fermanagh writer and historial Seamus McAnnaidh.

There will also be a presentation given by prhhistoric music Ireland celebrating the rare medieval instrument, the Lough Erne horn.

The exhibition is part of the Museum's 'Summer of Cultures' programme.

'The Great Book of Gaelic' is the work of more than 200 poets, visual artists and calligraphers

from Scotland and Ireland. The 100 Gaelic poems have been nominated by leading poets and writers such as Seamus Heaney. The selection features work from almost every century from the 6th to the 21st and includes the earliest Gaelic poetry in existence. Comedy, tragedy, love, death, the spiritual and the bawdy are all here.

Speaking about the exhibition, Sarah McHugh, Manager of Museum Services said:

'As well as being a stunning visual feast, this exhibition is part of an ambitious project to celebrate connections between different cultures. The fascinating background information available with the exhibition including translations, computer interactives and recordings mean that it is a huge learning resource to be enjoyed by everyone.'

Fermanagh is represented through a sixteenth century poem about the Maguires, as well as by the seventeenth century poet, Cathal Bui Mac Giolla Ghunna, renowned in folk tradition for his colourful life. Around half of the works in 'The Great Book of Gaelic' are on show at Fermanagh County Museum.

"Ireland and Scotland share a mythology, a rich music tradition, three languages and some significant history. The Gaelic language remains the most profound of many links between both countries. The Leabhar Mòr renews and celebrates that ancient connection through a stunning range of 21st century artworks,"

said Malcolm Maclean, Director of Proiseact nan Ealan and joint-editor of 'The Great Book of Gaelic'.

The project was originated by Scotland's Gaelic arts agency, Proiseact nan Ealan, and sponsored by Iomairt Cholm Cille, which aims to renew the links between Gaelic Scotland and Ireland. When the exhibition has concluded it's extensive tour, the artworks will be bound together into one volume as a permanent exhibit.

Other events taking place during the Summer of Cultures Programme at Enniskillen Castle Museums include:

Bank Holiday Monday 27 August 2007, 2pm – 5pm

Medieval Family Fun Day

An afternoon of FREE family fun to celebrate the Medieval Gaelic history of Enniskillen Castle. Admission FREE.