Rebuilding Lives in Northern Ireland
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Oct 29th, 2012
In Celtic lore, the wasp is associated with the anger of Mother Earth at man’s wrongdoing. It’s unexpected appearance was believed to portend disaster or ill fortune to anyone messing around with fairy forts or fairy rings.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Oct 20th, 2012
Oct 20th is International Uilleann Piping Day. A global celebration of this unique Irish member of the bagpipes family will take place at various locations around the world.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Aug 28th, 2012
Rheumatism and arthritis–Stalks of celery should be cut and soaked overnight. Eat the next morning with a rub of castor oil. Headache-Steep walnut shells overnight, then take 2 teaspoons each morning for 9 days. Or use the root of primrose as snuff- the root is supposed to be a fast acting painkiller. Hiccups or stomach […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jun 30th, 2012
Massage raw onion into the scalp morning and evening until the skin turns red, then smear with honey.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jun 20th, 2012
Summertime in old Ireland for the young people was spent driving the stock to the mountains where the grass was plentiful. The young men built “booley huts” and the girls milked cows, made butter and cheese, spun wool and knitted garments. The butter was packed in tubs and stored in underground houses (butter has been […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on May 17th, 2012
In ancient times, when a person was buried, stones were heaped over the grave, which kept animals from digging up those who were resting in peace. This was called a ‘cairn’ and it also provided a monument for the dead. Sometimes ‘cairns’ were used to mark a spot where a person had lost his/her life, […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Mar 15th, 2012
On March 15, 1895, Brigid Cleary was killed by her husband in Co. Tipperary. He believed she was a ‘changling’ substituted in her place by fairies. He poured lamp oil over her clothes and set them on fire. The word “fairy” comes from pagan methology meaning ‘a deer’s companion’ who were endowed with powers of […]
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jan 6th, 2012
All Christmas decorations are taken down on January 6, Little Christmas. To do this earlier brings bad luck.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Jan 1st, 2012
If you take a bath on New Year’s Day it is unlucky. If you do you will lose a friend.
Posted in Irish Culture and Customs on Dec 31st, 2011
Wassailing or caroling traditionally takes place on New Year’s Eve and was originally held around the oldest tree in the apple orchard. The first cider crop was poured on the roots of the apple tree to thank the tree spirits for the crop of apples and to ensure a good crop the following year.
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