What is the deal with Celtic Mysticism in the Irish culture?

Question

I was watching Intermission and went on the IMDB board and seems like there's something about Celtic Mysticism in the Irish community, what is it?

Answer 1

I actually don't know much about this but I thought this was cool.

John Scotus Erigena, the learned Irishman of the ninth century, was certainly mystical in his views. He spoke of God as the essence of all things; of the Divine Dark and Supreme Nothing; of creation being only an eternal self-unfolding of the Divine Nature; of all things resolved or self-drawn to God; of time and space, of modes of conception of the present state, &c.

It seems that the druids had a mystical tradition pre-dating Christianity. The Druids emerged from the ancient Celtic tribes, at a time when the people had to live close to nature to survive. By the light of the storyteller's fire, and with the play of the harp, the Druids dreamed magic for their people. In the deep woods they would gather, bringing together their mysticism and philosophy, their insight and learning. Their spirit emerged from the the tides of the sea, the light of the sun, the wind in the Oak, the cry of the deer. In this way, they created an institution that inspired, frightened, and uplifted their world.

Answer 2

It refers to the music of enya and clanad, that is the name for that type of music.

Answer 3

Blame the druids, banshees and leprachuns.

Answer 4

Its made up nonsense and is a perfect example of what happens when something gets into the wrong persons hands.

I think it was invented to make women part with their money.

its false but some people buy it.

Answer 5

Okay, these answers are all true, but they kind of miss the point, in terms of the movie...

Celtic Mysticism is a made up term for a contemporary Irish new-wave-esque revival of music and art... for example, yes, the music of Enya and Clannad, but also those cheesy paintings of redheaded, buxom women in traditional Celtic gowns riding dragons, and things like that.  It tried to be a return to Ireland's past, but often falls short in laughable ways.

In InterMission, however, the movie is making fun of Colm Meany's character (the cop).  It's showing what a jerk he is when he talks about how he's so "deep" because he's really into "celtic mysticism," because it's actually a pretty lame, pseudo-intellectual idea.  Also, at the end when the station director (who you're supposed to hate at that point) says, "Sounds like this guy knows his music," it just makes it even more clear that the whole "celtic mysticism" thing is supposed to be a joke, at least as far as that movie goes.

I'd say that while some people might take "celtic mysticism" seriously, many of them just like the sound of the music, and most smart people think the idea is kind of silly, but I'm sure it depends on who you talk to -- it's taste, like anything else.