Fact & Folklore

Bealtaine gets its name from the Celtic god, Bel, god of Light, Fire and Fulfilment, who may be traced back to the Middle Eastern god Ball. ‘Ball Tine’ (the fire of Ball), is the derivation of the month’s name in Irish. A fire was kindled in his honour, and cattle […]

Skimming low over our fields and lakes in pursuit of insects, the swallow is a familiar and welcome sight. Its confiding nature and its habit of building a nest so close to our homes endears it to everybody. We eagerly await the return of the swallow each spring and its […]

Clíona is a supernatural lady in literary and oral tradition.  Her name probably meant ‘the territorial one’ and represented a function of the patron goddess. She is associated mostly with Glandore Harbour, but also Rosscarbery Bay and with Mallow. According to legend, she was the daughter of Mannanán Mac Lir, […]

A good deal of the countryside of ancient Ireland was once covered with trees and scrub with hazel one of the most important providers of food. The nutritious nut (cnó) of this tree can be kept for up to a year and must therefore have been a valuable winter food. It […]

In Irish folk tradition, St. Brigid’s Day, February 1, is the first day of spring, and thus of the farming year. It is the festival of Ireland’s much-loved Brigid, who is often  called ‘Mary of the Gael’. She built her convent in Kildare (Cill Dara, the Church of the Oak). […]

Christmas joy has always been expressed in music and song, in poetry and art. Not only have the great masters of art depicted Nativity scenes that capture the atmosphere of the most holy of nights, but simple artists and unknown wood carvers have portrayed in the Christmas Crib the great […]