I read a post on Facebook yesterday which claimed that animal behaviorists now believe that hugging your pet is harmful for them, as it causes their stress levels to rise. Apparently, they prefer tummy rubs, stroking and treats…. Read More
When I first visited the National Museum of Archaeology in Dublin, I was stunned by the sheer amount, and quality, of ancient gold artifacts on display… there is a whole floor of the stuff. My youngest son, who… Read More
No, it’s not what you think… my, you all have such dirty minds! Concentrate. Curadmír comes from the old Irish word curad which means ‘of a hero/ champion/ warrior’, and also from the word mir which means ‘morsel/… Read More
I drove past it three times. Eventually, I stopped in the local village shop for a bottle of water and directions. The young woman behind the counter gave me a friendly smile. “We’re always after getting visitors in… Read More
I learned something devastating last week, and it was not what I wanted to hear. There is no such thing as Irish Mythology. It doesn’t exist. Truth hurts, right? I wanted to crawl into a hole and cry…. Read More
What kind of image does that expression, ‘the fairy folk’ conjure up when you hear it? Something a bit like this… Maybe you see something a little more ‘Tinkerbell’, a sweet pretty little thing with gossamer wings, so… Read More
The fields and hedgerows are awash with the blaze of wildflowers right now. Sadly, I don’t think many people see them, as we are always in such a hurry to get from A to B; we are focused… Read More
This post was inspired by an interesting twittercon with @Huk_fin about the role of the white stallion in ancient kingship rituals. Geraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales, 1146-1223, Archdeacon of Brecon) wrote in his Topographia Hibernica (Topography of Ireland, 1187) of a… Read More
In my last post, The Land of the Ever Young Part One, we talked about Manannán’s Land, a mythical island kingdom of eternal summer and youth, a place of peace and joy and laughter, thought to be found… Read More
According to legend, the Danann poet Cairpre mac Edaine composed the first satire in Ireland. You’re probably thinking, ‘So what?’ Let me tell you, it was actually a big deal. A HUGE deal. It led to a High… Read More
