CORNISH LANGUAGE RESOURCES

Words, courses, literature, podcasts

A CORNISH DICTIONARY FOR CONVERSATION

ON-LINE HERE: Gerlyver Kescows, 2nd edition, full text, completely revised, 5000 words and phrases for conversation + grammar words + 'outbursts' + place-names, easily browsed, easily searched

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NEED MORE CORNISH WORDS?

NEED MORE CORNISH WORDS?

ON-LINE HERE: Kescows Nebes Moy, 2nd edition, thousands more words supplementing Gerlyver Kescows, classified by topic, easily browsed, easily searched (work-in-progress)

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Five Hundred Most Useful Words

Five Hundred Most Useful Words

ON-LINE HERE: Minimum working vocabulary for those wishing to learn just a little Cornish, or a first step for those aspiring to greater things

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Conversational Phrases

Conversational Phrases

ON-LINE HERE: Short phrases worth learning for fluent everyday conversation

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What's New? image

CARA KERNOWEK 1
Complete up-to-date coursebook for beginners
Published September 2023
Free on-line access
Click or tap here

THIS WEBSITE NOW CARRIES
MORE THAN 400 PODCAST ARTICLES
BY NICHOLAS WILLIAMS
Each one accompanied by the full written text
Crystal-clear pronunciation
Professor Williams is one of the foremost teachers of the Cornish language
Click or tap here

KESCOWS NEBES MOY
Cornish for Everyday Life
Supplementary to Gerlyver Kescows, Second Edition
Now as far as Section 17 Quantity, calculation
More than 4,000 classified entries
Click or tap here

EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONAL PHRASES
now in more colloquial register
Click or tap here

INTERNATIONAL PHONETIC ALPHABET
Growing bank of Cornish words
in IPA spelling
Click or tap here

THE PROPHET
Kahlil Gibran
First Chapters of the Classics
Click or tap here

TRAVELS WITH A DONKEY IN THE CEVENNES
Robert Louis Stevenson
First Chapters of the Classics
Click or tap here

THE CORAL ISLAND
R.M. Ballantyne
First Chapters of the Classics
Click or tap here

THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
John Bunyan
Christian Sets Out on His Journey
(First Chapters of the Classics)
Click or tap here

MOONFLEET
John Meade Falkner
First Chapters of the Classics
Click or tap here

There are now eighteen FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE CLASSICS to read in Cornish on the Literature page of this website, all with comprehensive glossary supplementing on-line GERLYVER KESCOWS (available on the Vocabulary page)
Click or tap here 

THE PRINCIPLES OF NEWSPEAK
Appendix to NINETEEN EIGHTY-FOUR
Click or tap here

THE SIGNALMAN
Short story by Charles Dickens
First instalment of Cornish translation
Click or tap here

PASSYON AGAN ARLÙTH
In Standard Cornish spelling
But adapted to be as faithful as possible to the poetics of the original
Click or tap here

ORIGO MUNDI
In Standard Cornish spelling
Complete text now re-edited as far as line 100
Click or tap here

PASSIO CHRISTI
In Standard Cornish spelling
First 901 lines
Click or tap here

About Us image
This website is dedicated to supporting those who are learning the Cornish language (Kernowek) in LOVINGLIVINGCORNISH classes and/or using the self-study book DESKY KERNOWEK, or who just want easy access to high-quality Cornish writing, audio, and vocabulary resources.

Both Desky Kernowek and the Cara Kernowek coursebooks used by lovinglivingcornish employ the modern spelling system known as Kernowek Standard (KS). Most Cornish written material on this site is spelled in KS.

It is important to realize there are several other approaches to revived Cornish, drawing on the historical sources to strike different balances in matters of grammar and vocabulary. There are alternative spelling systems too, most publicly the Standard Written Form (SWF) favoured by Cornwall Council. Debating the merits of such differences is outside the scope of this site. Cornish that is written in KS tends to follow the principle of tota Cornicitas, which means it reflects all the evidence found in the historical tradition.

The weekly lovinglivingcornish class in Newlyn (Lulyn) has its own website kernoweklulyn.com carrying further compatible material. There is also moderncornish.net, the website of Cussel an Tavas Kernôwek who specialize in applying the later historical sources. There is a lively magazine Gweles with a majority of its content in Cornish (KS and SWF with traditional graphs). Additional material appears on its website gweles.com where you can subscribe.

Are you a prospective teacher of a class in traditional Cornish? We offer a full Scheme of Work, as well as classroom kit and logistical support. Don't hesitate to get in touch. And whether teacher or student, you can always contact us with questions about traditional Cornish grammar or vocabulary, or with queries about idiom or style.

We are not a commercial website. We are however eager to carry well-written literature in Cornish, original or translated. We also welcome interesting podcasts in Cornish. We accept advertising for publications in KS, and for events suitable for learners where Cornish is spoken. Click on Miscellany for our literary / audio and advertising policies.

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Items are in alphabetical order of Cornish title. Alternatively, for items recently added for reading on-line, you can click or tap ON-LINE HERE: MOST RECENTLY ADDED and follow the links.

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ON-LINE HERE: MOST RECENTLY ADDED

ON-LINE HERE: MOST RECENTLY ADDED

Click or tap and follow the links for open access on-line literature recently added to this website

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FIRST CHAPTERS OF THE CLASSICS

ON-LINE HERE: Catalogue of famous First Chapters available to read in Cornish on this website

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CATALOGUE OF PUBLISHED WRITINGS IN STANDARD CORNISH

Link to a comprehensive list of published material available in Kernowek Standard (KS)

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Adro dhe’n Bÿs in Peswar Ugans Dëdh

Jules Verne's Le tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours (Around the World in Eighty Days), abridged for young readers

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Amêthva an Bestas

ON-LINE: George Orwell's Animal Farm, with Cornish-English glossary (instalments from January 2021)

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Amêthva an Bestas

ON-LINE HERE: Chapter 1 of Animal Farm by George Orwell, with Cornish-English glossary

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An Beybel Sans

The Holy Bible (Old Testament, New Testament)

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An Brynces wàr an Bysen

ON-LINE HERE: Hans Christian Andersen's Prinsessen paa Ærten (The Princess and the Pea), with Cornish-English glossary

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An Canker Neb'rug Gwary gans an Mor

ON-LINE HERE: Rudyard Kipling's The Crab that Played with the Sea (a 'Just So' story), with Cornish-English glossary

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An Corn Tan

ON-LINE HERE: Hans Christian Andersen's Fyrtøjet (The Tinderbox), with Cornish-English glossary

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An Cronyclys a Bow Bara

ON-LINE HERE: Chapter 1 of The Warden by Anthony Trollope, being the first volume of The Chronicles of Barsetshire, with Cornish-English glossary

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LOVING LIVING CORNISH INTERMEDIATE

This class is currently for those progressing to Common European Framework of Reference B1 (Lower Intermediate). Thursdays, 19:30, by Zoom. The coursebook is Cara Kernowek Book Three, with lessons available in pdf format while we road-test it. Our vocabulary resource is Gerlyver Kescows (free access on-line). The course is planned to go as far as CEFR B2 (Upper Intermediate), subject to demand.


  • Date: 28/09/2023 19:30
  • Location Online Event

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KERNOWEK QWYCK

KERNOWEK QWYCK

ON-LINE HERE: Quick Cornish, free taster course

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CARA KERNOWEK 1

CARA KERNOWEK 1

ON-LINE HERE: Cara Kernowek Book One is the first in a series of coursebooks for learners of the traditional Cornish language, specially commissioned by lovinglivingcornish

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CARA KERNOWEK BOOK TWO

CARA KERNOWEK BOOK TWO

ON-LINE HERE: New coursebook (CEFR A2) for those who have already taken a beginners course: consultation draft (consultation complete: now being prepared for publication)

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CARA KERNOWEK BOOK THREE

CARA KERNOWEK BOOK THREE

ON-LINE HERE: Tentative draft of first 11 Lessons of new CEFR B1 coursebook (currently being road-tested)

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CARA KERNOWEK BOOK ONE

CARA KERNOWEK BOOK ONE

ON-LINE HERE: The consultation draft for Cara Kernowek 1 will continue to be available here until the whole of the finalized coursebook has been uploaded

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On-line CEFR A2 / B1 Class 2021/24

ON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material

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On-line Bridging the Gap Class 2022/23

ON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material

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On-line Beginners Class 2022/23

ON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material

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On-line Beginners Class 2021/22

ON-LINE HERE: Worksheets and other material

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Newlyn Class 2019/21 Worksheet Compendium

ON-LINE HERE: Newlyn Class, all the worksheets for the on-line lessons, March - June 2021 (with cumulative vocabulary)

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Newlyn Class 2019/21 Individual Worksheets

ON-LINE HERE: Newlyn Class, individual worksheets for the on-line lessons, March - June 2021

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ALPHABET

ALPHABET

ON-LINE HERE: The Standard Cornish alphabet and how to spell out words

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PRONUNCIATION

PRONUNCIATION

ON-LINE HERE: A simplified guide to pronouncing Cornish

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IPA Spellings

IPA Spellings

ON-LINE HERE: Cornish words spelled in the International Phonetic Alphabet

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Conversation patterns

ON-LINE HERE: Basic verb patterns with bos, gwil, mydnas, gallos, godhvos

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Four Decades of Prose Development

ON-LINE HERE: Famous prose passage written 40 years ago, and how it might look if written today

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Questions

ON-LINE HERE: Ready-reference guide

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Reported speech

ON-LINE HERE: Ready-reference guide

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An gyst wag

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 1

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Dëdh dâ, Wella

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 2

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Man-gows

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 3

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Dëdh dâ, pyw osta?

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 4

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Me a wra marhogeth

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5

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Myttyn dâ

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 6

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In chy Wella ha Tamsyn

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 7

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An fyt pel droos

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 8

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An delgolyow hâv

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 10

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Eus gloos dhis?

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 12

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Dëdh dâ, Morwena

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 14

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Pandra wrussys gwil?

Playlet for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 17

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Skeul an Tavas Radn 1 Crowseryow 1

Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 1 (Lessons 1-6)

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Key to Skeul an Tavas Radn 1 Crowseryow 1

Don't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword

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Skeul an Tavas Radn 1 Crowseryow 2

Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 1 (Lessons 1-6)

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Key to Skeul an Tavas Radn 1 Crowseryow 2

Don't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword

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Skeul an Tavas Radn 1 Crowseryow 3

Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 1 (Lessons 1-6)

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Key to Skeul an Tavas Radn 1 Crowseryow 3

Don't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword

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Skeul an Tavas Radn 2 Crowseryow 1

Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 2 (Lessons 1-12)

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Key to Skeul an Tavas Radn 2 Crowseryow 1

Don't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword

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Skeul an Tavas Radn 2 Crowseryow 2

Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 2 (Lessons 1-12)

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Key to Skeul an Tavas Radn 2 Crowseryow 2

Don't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword

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Skeul an Tavas Radn 2 Crowseryow 3

Simple vocabulary crossword for Skeul an Tavas Part 2 (Lessons 1-12)

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Key to Skeul an Tavas Radn 2 Crowseryow 3

Don't go to the key until you've attempted the crossword

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ALL ON-LINE HERE

For students of Skeul an Tavas Books 1 & 2

Yma Peternel ow cùsca

Story for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5

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Yma Davyth ow cùsca whath

Story for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 7

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Trystan, gwra fystena

Story for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 15

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Peder ha'y whor

Story for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 18

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ALL ON-LINE HERE

For students of Skeul an Tavas Books 1 & 2

Newlyn Class Weekly Sheets

Weekly lesson sheets to accompany on-line meetings of the Newlyn class

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Gender

Worksheet 1 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 1

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Missing letters

Worksheet 2 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 2

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Forms of the verb 'be'

Worksheet 3 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 3

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Present tense

Worksheet 4 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5

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Me a garsa cafos dehen rew

Worksheet 5 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 5

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Ow pewa

Worksheet 6 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 8

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Lowr a Gernowyon

Worksheet 7 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 8

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Telling the time

Worksheet 8 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 9

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Comprehension

Worksheet 9 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 10

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Revising 4th state mutation

Worksheet 10 for use with Skeul an Tavas Lesson 11

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Specification

ON-LINE HERE: lovinglivingcornish examinations in revived traditional Cornish

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Next examinations

The next lovinglivingcornish examinations are expected to be held in June 2024

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CEFR A1 2023 Examination

ON-LINE HERE: Written examination paper, oral examination paper, mark scheme, June 2023

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Bewnans Ke: The Life of St Kea

A critical edition with translation by Graham Thomas and Nicholas Williams (2007)

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Cornwall: A History

Philip Payton's revised and updated history of Cornwall (2017)

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Expressing the Future in Cornish

ON-LINE HERE: Paper by Prof Nicholas Williams (2022)

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Handbook of the Cornish Language

A new edition of Henry Jenner's original monograph from 1904, underpinning all subsequent work to revive the Cornish language (2010)

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Sacrament an Alter

A critical edition with translation by David Frost (2023)

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The Charter Fragment and Pascon agan Arluth

Two important historical texts, re-edited and translated, together with bilingual review (2020)

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The Cornish Language and its Literature

Overview of historical Cornish, and of the early years of revived Cornish, by P. Berresford Ellis (1974)

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Policy of this Website: 'Contact Us'

Please read before sending us any communication.

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Policy of this Website: Literature and Audio

Please read before submitting to us any literary work or audio item.

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Policy of this Website: Advertising

Please read before submitting any advertisement to us.

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An Pader

ON-LINE HERE: The Lord's Prayer in Cornish

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Breton Grammar

A short English-language grammar of Breton

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Canasta

ON-LINE HERE: Cornish rules for playing Canasta

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Carten

ON-LINE HERE: Card advertising the Skeul an Tavas website

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Colloquial Doesn't Mean Corrupt

Observations on contemporary revived Cornish by former Grand Bard Rod Lyon

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Cornish Family Tree

ON-LINE HERE: Diagram showing how Cornish is descended from the ancestor language, Proto-Indo European, spoken in Eastern Europe 5000 years ago

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Cornish Today

The ground-breaking examination of revived Cornish, first written by Nicholas Williams in 1995 (3rd edition 2006), leading eventually to Kernowek Standard (KS)

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Domynôs

ON-LINE HERE: Cornish rules for playing Dominoes

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Golowan

ON-LINE HERE: Verse spoken when lighting the Golowan bonfire at Midsummer (with pronunciation guide)

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  • Click on Miscellany for our 'Contact Us' policy.