Conway Mill Trust

To cure a toothache, take a tooth from a skull and touch the tooth to the skull.

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In Celtic tales, the grail was a life vessel, not a metal cup.  It was often imagined as a holy well: round, deep, a life source, not a static, metal object.

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Neighbors helping to save the turf or hay or other work was called a ‘meitheal.’ After the harvest was gathered the farmer usually gave a ‘harvest home’ party for the workers.  In some areas, as part of the celebration, harvest knots were made.  These were small twists or knots of plaited straw and were worn […]

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  ‘Ivy Day’ is celebrated in Ireland on the first Sunday following Oct 7 which was the date of the death of Charles Stewart Parnell, ‘The Uncrowned king of Ireland”.  He was buried on Oct 11, 1891 and a woman from Cork sent a wreath of ivy, ”because it was all she could afford”.  Mourners […]

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September is matchmaking time in Ireland.  It is when the farmers go on vacation, the harvest is over it is time to play and the playground is Lisdoonvarna in Co Clare.  There is golfing in Lahinch, sightseeing at the Burren, Cliffs of Moher and of course singing and dancing in the pubs, and matchmaker is […]

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This is the time to reflect on the growth of the season.  Seeds planted in the earth and seeds planted in our souls.  One way to celebrate: gather medicinal herbs and plants. Celtic  plants associated with Midsummer are: St. John’s Wart, Vervain, Fern and Mugwart.  Oak logs are burned in the bonfires, releasing the oak’s […]

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Good luck will befall anyone who sees a lamb with sunlight on its face in the morning, especially if one is going on a journey.

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If the first lamb to be born in the spring is black it means there will be a death in the family.

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Swallows are symbols of home, love and consistency .  Sailors welcomed a swallow as a sign that home port was near.  They return to the same nesting place year after year.

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Making a May Bush for Beltane on May 1st is a very old celebration to mark the coming of the summer season.  Long ago, children would save the shells from their Easter eggs to add to the decorations of the tree along with ribbons, flowers and candles which were lit at dusk.

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