Inside the social networks behind Irish myths and legends Maths and network analysis can help to track connections between hundreds of characters in Irish mythology Folklore • 24 Jul
Inside the social networks behind Irish myths and legends Maths and network analysis can help to track connections between hundreds of characters in Irish mythology Folklore • 24 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
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
Why bonfires blaze across Ireland on June 23rd 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
Why bonfires blaze across Ireland on June 23rd 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
5 things you didn't know about the epic Book of Invasions The Lebor Gabála Érenn tells an epic origin story for Ireland and the Irish language through a series of mythical invasions Ireland • 14 May
5 things you didn't know about the epic Book of Invasions The Lebor Gabála Érenn tells an epic origin story for Ireland and the Irish language through a series of mythical invasions Ireland • 14 May
Fire, water, light and luck: Bealtaine traditions in Ireland Our ancestors engaged in a wide range of rites and rituals on May 1st which were believed to bring good luck Brainstorm • 01 May
Fire, water, light and luck: Bealtaine traditions in Ireland Our ancestors engaged in a wide range of rites and rituals on May 1st which were believed to bring good luck Brainstorm • 01 May
What food traditions were associated with May Day in Ireland? While Bealtaine may have had fewer foods associated with it than other festivals, milk, butter and eggs did feature highly Folklore • 01 May
What food traditions were associated with May Day in Ireland? While Bealtaine may have had fewer foods associated with it than other festivals, milk, butter and eggs did feature highly Folklore • 01 May
Are you going around collecting guggies for the clúdog at Easter? The clúdog tradition saw children in Ireland going door-to-door at Easter collecting eggs (or 'guggies') for an outdoor feast Easter • 20 Apr
Are you going around collecting guggies for the clúdog at Easter? The clúdog tradition saw children in Ireland going door-to-door at Easter collecting eggs (or 'guggies') for an outdoor feast Easter • 20 Apr
'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 • 17 Apr
'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 • 17 Apr
The superstitions and mysteries around Ireland's 'fairy forts' In the recent past in rural Ireland, many ringforts were associated with fairy activity and supernatural happenings Folklore • 16 Apr
The superstitions and mysteries around Ireland's 'fairy forts' In the recent past in rural Ireland, many ringforts were associated with fairy activity and supernatural happenings Folklore • 16 Apr
Why Patrick's Day early morning parades rule in Achill & Dingle These pre-dawn parades on St Patrick's Day show how important and integral the bands and traditions are to both communities st patricks day • 16 Mar
Why Patrick's Day early morning parades rule in Achill & Dingle These pre-dawn parades on St Patrick's Day show how important and integral the bands and traditions are to both communities st patricks day • 16 Mar
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 • 05 Mar
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 • 05 Mar
Was St Patrick a feminist? What do the myths and legends have to say about St Patrick's relationship with feminism? st patricks day • 05 Mar
Was St Patrick a feminist? What do the myths and legends have to say about St Patrick's relationship with feminism? st patricks day • 05 Mar
A day off from Lent: St Patrick's Day traditions from the past March 17th was always a day for special rites and rituals throughout the country. st patricks day • 05 Mar
A day off from Lent: St Patrick's Day traditions from the past March 17th was always a day for special rites and rituals throughout the country. st patricks day • 05 Mar
Why Shrove Tuesday used to be a very bad day for single people Single-shaming customs were especially prevalent in Munster with the 'Skellig Lists' mocking, teasing and insulting unmarried people Folklore • 04 Mar
Why Shrove Tuesday used to be a very bad day for single people Single-shaming customs were especially prevalent in Munster with the 'Skellig Lists' mocking, teasing and insulting unmarried people Folklore • 04 Mar
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 • 04 Mar
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 • 04 Mar
Do you believe in the banshee? The common belief was the banshee was a ghostly female messenger of death who would let out a sorrowful wail in an unearthly voice Folklore • 28 Feb
Do you believe in the banshee? The common belief was the banshee was a ghostly female messenger of death who would let out a sorrowful wail in an unearthly voice Folklore • 28 Feb
All you need to know about Cork's medieval beekeeper St Gobnait St Gobnait was an Irish female saint associated with bees in the Middle Ages and is still celebrated by local communities today St Gobnait • 11 Feb
All you need to know about Cork's medieval beekeeper St Gobnait St Gobnait was an Irish female saint associated with bees in the Middle Ages and is still celebrated by local communities today St Gobnait • 11 Feb
How St Brigid made Kildare the hotspot of 7th century Ireland Medieval writer Cogitosus described Kildare as a 'vast and metropolitan city' thanks to the presence of the tomb of St Brigid St Brigid's Day • 01 Feb
How St Brigid made Kildare the hotspot of 7th century Ireland Medieval writer Cogitosus described Kildare as a 'vast and metropolitan city' thanks to the presence of the tomb of St Brigid St Brigid's Day • 01 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 • 30 Jan
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 • 30 Jan
The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBan There are many Irish folk rituals associated with January 6th, the last day of Christmas and the day known as Nollaig na mBan Ireland • 06 Jan
The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBan There are many Irish folk rituals associated with January 6th, the last day of Christmas and the day known as Nollaig na mBan Ireland • 06 Jan
How did the saint who inspired Santa Claus end up in Co Kilkenny? The remains of St Nicholas are said to be in the grounds of a ruined chuch in Co Kilkenny thanks to some medieval adventurers Christmas • 23 Dec 24
How did the saint who inspired Santa Claus end up in Co Kilkenny? The remains of St Nicholas are said to be in the grounds of a ruined chuch in Co Kilkenny thanks to some medieval adventurers Christmas • 23 Dec 24
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 • 16 Dec 24
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 • 16 Dec 24
5 witchcraft myths debunked by an expert Popular understandings of the European witch-hunts are riddled with many errors and misconceptions Folklore • 14 Oct 24
5 witchcraft myths debunked by an expert Popular understandings of the European witch-hunts are riddled with many errors and misconceptions Folklore • 14 Oct 24
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 • 26 Nov
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 • 26 Nov
Autumn Equinox: a time of equal night and day The Cónacht Fómhair provided our ancestors with a pause between autumn and winter Folklore • 22 Sep 24
Autumn Equinox: a time of equal night and day The Cónacht Fómhair provided our ancestors with a pause between autumn and winter Folklore • 22 Sep 24
