Rebuilding Lives in Northern Ireland
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jul 7th, 2014
Tricks played at Irish wakes included putting pepper into the tobacco which was distributed in clay pipes or blown in through the keyhole of the door causing all to sneeze violently. The door would have been locked to prevent anyone from escaping. Another trick was to put an old boot in the pot that was […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jul 6th, 2014
The people of Gartan, Co Donegal to this day always put one sock on and then another following St Colmcille’s advice: “My curse on the man who puts on one sock and shoe first while leaving the other foot bare.” This after he was hurriedly put into a race and didn’t have time to put […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on May 2nd, 2014
Hawthorn Moon- May 13- June 9. Following closely to Beltane, it is a time of fertility, masculine energy and the best time to conceive a child. The ancient Celts called it ‘Huath’ and is a prickly plant with beautiful blossoms.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on May 1st, 2014
May 1st is the festival of Beltane. At this time of year fertility rituals were important especially fires and people jumped over them to insure fertility and cattle were driven through the ashes. The feast day is named after the god Bel who was the god of fire, light and the sun.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Apr 21st, 2014
Ancient Irish history and mythology draw from three sources known as The Mythological Cycle, The Ulster Cycle and the Fenian Cycle.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Apr 18th, 2014
Rule number one with the Irish: Everything is a debate. Rule number two: Rule number one is up for debate.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Apr 15th, 2014
The Celts believed that three was the most sacred and magical number. Celtic tales often refer to groups of three people, animals or events while Celtic art contains groups of three animal forms. The Celts regarded life itself as a three part cycle of birth, growth and death. And they worshipped the Triple Earth Goddess […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Mar 29th, 2014
At the time of the Spring Equinox, the Alder is flourishing on riverbanks, roots in the water, bridging the magical space between heaven and earth. It is time for making spiritual decisions. Alder flowers and twigs are known as charms to be used in Fairy Magic. Whistles were once made of Alder shoots and is […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Mar 18th, 2014
In the old Celtic calendar March 18 was ‘Sheelah’s Day’ and an annual festival was held in honor of this pagan goddess of fertility.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Mar 17th, 2014
Rules for toasting: Always hold the glass in your right hand and raise straight from the shoulder in case you are concealing a dagger or sword. Clink glasses after the toast is said and before drinking. The noise frightens evil spirits.
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