Autumn Equinox: a time of equal night and day The Equinox provided our ancestors with a pause between autumn and winter Folklore • 22 Sep
Why the last Sunday in July was celebrated in Ireland of old Known as Garland Sunday, Bilberry Sunday or Reek Sunday, it was a day to mark the end of Hungry July and anticipate the harvest to … Ireland • 30 Jul
How the 'hungry gap' caused distress in 19th century Ireland A gap in the availability of fresh vegetables and fruits showed the vulnerabilities of a food system which favoured the rich over the poor Food • 25 Jul
Why the Children of Lir are at home in the Garden of Remembrance The statue of the Children of Lir in the Garden of Remembrance is a reminder of the popular mythological tale Folklore • 21 Jul
'A good send-off': why food plays a major role in Irish funerals Irish funerals and wakes since ancient times have always highlighted the importance of food, feasting and hospitality Funerals • 20 Jul
The legend of St Swithin and his July 15th weather forecast Saints, witches and sin all played a part in how our ancestors predicted the weather Weather • 15 Jul
Keep your hair on: the traditions around hair in Irish folklore Some of the hairy rituals included Clipping Thursday, burning hair and avoiding low-flying birds Folklore • 28 Jun
Why bonfires blaze across Ireland on St John's Eve The sight of St John's Eve bonfires on hilltops still provides quite a spectacle and reminds us of a pivotal time in the calendar St John's Eve • 23 Jun
The untold story of Cú Chulainn's lost daughter, Bé Thuinne A 15th century poem preserves for us the tale of the lost daughter of one of our longest surviving heroes Folklore • 30 May
Why Whit Sunday is the unluckiest day of the year Tradition dictated that Irish people shouldn't leave the house to avoid all the dangers associated with Whit Sunday Folklore • 29 May
Death, sex, superstition and fear: the hawthorn tree in Ireland Why was the hawthorn tree regarded in Irish folklore and tradition as one to be avoided? Folklore • 08 May
'Whipping the herring': how Easter was once celebrated in Ireland There were many traditions associated with Easter in Ireland, from a 'black fast' on Good Friday to 'cake dances' on Easter Sunday Easter • 06 Apr
Spring Equinox: More light, less darkness Time to celebrate the start of six months of sunlight and warmth dominating over the darkness of night Nature • 21 Mar
How Northern lights have fascinated Irish people for centuries Historic records of the aurora in Irish skies survive in folklore, newspapers and scientific reports. History • 27 Feb
When Lent in Ireland meant no sex, music, alcohol or merrymaking For our ancestors, Ash Wednesday marked the start of 40 days of fasting, penitence and denial Lent • 22 Feb
The weird historic traditions around Pancake Tuesday in Ireland The day before Lent began may have involved feasting and food, but it certainly wasn't a good day for single people Folklore • 20 Feb
The love lives of our 19th century ancestors Forget Bumble or Tinder or First Dates, our ancestors got the shift at gatherings like fairs, pattern days and wakes Folklore • 13 Feb
How Ireland used to celebrate St Brigid's Day in the past From the Biddy boys and Brat Bríde to holy wells and Brigid's crosses, February 1st was marked with great gusto in old Ireland St Brigid's Day • 01 Feb
How rituals around Irish deaths, wakes and funerals have changed Funeral rituals have changed over the years, but they still reflect the deep respect for death that is innate in Irish society Brainstorm • 18 Jan
The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBan There are many Irish folk rituals associated with January 6, the last day of Christmas and the day known as Nollaig na mBan Brainstorm • 06 Jan
5 things you didn't know about Fionn Mac Cumhaill The man who ate the Salmon of Knowledge was a complex character and not always likeable, but he was certainly thought-provoking Fionn Mac Cumhaill • 05 Jan
What the weather will be like in 2023 - according to folklore When it came to weather forecasts and predictions, Irish folklore could give Met Éireann a run for their money Weather • 04 Jan
How trees were of huge importance in Irish folklore and history As well as their importance for building, firewood and shelter, trees were also of spiritual significance for many of our ancestors Trees • 15 Dec 22
Do you know these 7 great Irish Christmas traditions? From the Christmas box to An Margadh Mór, do you know all of these Irish Christmas traditions? History • 12 Dec 22
The many variations on The Tortoise and the Hare Slow and steady wins the race? That depends on which version of the ancient fable you read Folklore • 05 Dec 22
