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Gregory D Mele's avatar

I think part of it is generational -- your references are primarily 21st century, but late 20th century fiction, particularly fantasy, was so Celtic-centric that I think there was a backlash against it. Having said that, the one Celto-centric SciFi series I can think of Patricia Keneally's KELTIAD novels, which are Science Fantasy:

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/The_Keltiad

And Julian May's "Plieocene Saga" takes a different tact, arguing the tales of the Tuatha de Danaan and Firbolg are memories of ancient aliens:

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Saga_of_Pliocene_Exile

Both series were extremely popular in their day.

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Caitriana NicNeacail's avatar

An interesting read, Ethan. I sometimes slip some Gaelic names or cultural elements into my sci-fi, e.g. in a recent short story I called the dog Dìleas, both for the meaning ("faithful") and because it was a very common name for dogs, especially sheepdogs, when I was growing up in the Hebrides. I don't imagine very many of my readers will pick up on things like that, but I have fun putting them in anyway! I know that's a bit different from the Celticism you're talking about here though.

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