Rebuilding Lives in Northern Ireland
Posted in Irish Folklore on Oct 18th, 2014
Ireland’s earliest witchy wenches or Celtic Wise Women appear in biographies of saints such as the Life of St. Berach. Witchcraft and the ‘evil eye’ were common beliefs and witchcraft trial did take place with the punishment usually being a year’s imprisonment.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Oct 17th, 2014
The Pooka is a fairy well known for his love of devilment and playing tricks. He is to be found in rocky places and old forts and castles. He scares people by hoisting them onto his back and carrying them off and then abandons them in some distant part of the country.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Oct 10th, 2014
Horses are considered lucky animals. To let horses trample a little on newly sown fields would cause the seed to sprout well.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Sep 25th, 2014
To the Celts the salmon symbolized great wisdom. Its annual arduous journey back to its birth place represents its ability to overcome the obstacles through determination and intelligence.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Sep 22nd, 2014
Celtic legends tell of the magic cup or cauldron which can never be emptied and which gives anyone who touches it their heart’s desire.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Sep 13th, 2014
A ‘geis’ in Irish mythology and folklore is a taboo or prohibition similar to being under a spell or vow. To dishonor a ‘geis’ would result in dishonor and even death.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Sep 12th, 2014
Irish legend believes that Finn McCool the greatest of the mythological Celtic heroes built the Giant’s Causeway so he could make his way to Scotland to fight a giant.
Posted in Irish Folklore on May 9th, 2014
Legend says that whoever carries an acorn will be eternally young.
Posted in Irish Folklore on Mar 6th, 2014
St Angus, being very holy, volunteered for menial tasks in the monastery. One day while chopping wood, he cut off his left hand. He was immediately surrounded by birds singing in apin. But Angus believed in the power of God so he picked up the hand and put it back on his arm. It was […]
Posted in Irish Folklore on Mar 4th, 2014
In Celtic lore, the number seven was associated with good fortune.
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