I don't think we are in disagreement, Johnny. My point is that living in the Gaeltacht and being a first language speaker doesn't make one a Gael. It simply means that they are Gaeilgori - Irish speakers. I don't think that the true Gael exists today. While I don't wish to disparage how one seeks to understand the natural world, many of those that call themselves Druids are acting out as they would have liked Druids to be, not as they were/are. And in the last stages of the Gaelic culture/community, more were pagan influenced Christians than were Druidic.

Your analogy to the Native American is a bit flawed. Many of the aboriginal peoples of North America adopted or allowed non members to join and learn the culture and become one with the tribe. And what of the grandchildren of Ireland and Scotland whose families have never relinquished their culture? I think that the real problem is with those folks who try to be Irish or Scottish in a very shallow way.

This is a very interesting thread.

Mick