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
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
A short history of mermaids in Irish folklore Mermaids are a feature of several tragic Irish folk tales and have been a source of inspiration for many writers and poets Folklore • 29 Aug 24
A short history of mermaids in Irish folklore Mermaids are a feature of several tragic Irish folk tales and have been a source of inspiration for many writers and poets Folklore • 29 Aug 24
'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 • 22 Aug 24
'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 • 22 Aug 24
Why Irish field names and local placenames need to be recorded These names are real signifiers of our diverse native landscape and are shaped by local knowledge and past generations. Ireland • 26 Jul 24
Why Irish field names and local placenames need to be recorded These names are real signifiers of our diverse native landscape and are shaped by local knowledge and past generations. Ireland • 26 Jul 24
Cinderella but not as we know her: wonder tales & Irish tradition Wonder tales transport the listener from the mundane world of day-to-day life to the marvellous sphere of the supernatural Folklore • 11 Jul 24
Cinderella but not as we know her: wonder tales & Irish tradition Wonder tales transport the listener from the mundane world of day-to-day life to the marvellous sphere of the supernatural Folklore • 11 Jul 24
The shadowy world of online urban legends and digital folklore The creation and sharing of creepypastas like Slender Man and Eyeless Jack are inspired by folklore stories that have existed for centuries Folklore • 10 May 24
The shadowy world of online urban legends and digital folklore The creation and sharing of creepypastas like Slender Man and Eyeless Jack are inspired by folklore stories that have existed for centuries Folklore • 10 May 24
How Irish Traveller stories link us to the natural world The traditional knowledge contained in Irish Traveller stories may help us to reconnect with the natural world Folklore • 02 May 24
How Irish Traveller stories link us to the natural world The traditional knowledge contained in Irish Traveller stories may help us to reconnect with the natural world Folklore • 02 May 24
The weird traditions associated with pregnancy in Irish folklore The many superstitions and customs around pregnancy demonstrated a belief that the process could be influenced by unseen forces Folklore • 24 Apr 24
The weird traditions associated with pregnancy in Irish folklore The many superstitions and customs around pregnancy demonstrated a belief that the process could be influenced by unseen forces Folklore • 24 Apr 24
Meet St Patrick's spin doctor A cleric who lived 200 years after St Patrick's death is the one responsible for many of the stories around the saint's life. st patricks day • 14 Mar 24
Meet St Patrick's spin doctor A cleric who lived 200 years after St Patrick's death is the one responsible for many of the stories around the saint's life. st patricks day • 14 Mar 24
The love lives of our 19th century ancestors Forget Bumble or Tinder or First Dates, our ancestors found love at gatherings like fairs, pattern days and wakes Folklore • 14 Feb 24
The love lives of our 19th century ancestors Forget Bumble or Tinder or First Dates, our ancestors found love at gatherings like fairs, pattern days and wakes Folklore • 14 Feb 24
What do we know about the roots of the Imbolc spring festival? Connections to Brigit, spring, cattle and animal husbandry show why so much of the material around Imbolc has become conflated Imbolc • 31 Jan 24
What do we know about the roots of the Imbolc spring festival? Connections to Brigit, spring, cattle and animal husbandry show why so much of the material around Imbolc has become conflated Imbolc • 31 Jan 24
How St Brigid's Day will be celebrated around the country From traditions to first-time festivals, Brigid's Day will be marked in a variety of ways across the country and in our diaspora communities St Brigid's Day • 30 Jan 24
How St Brigid's Day will be celebrated around the country From traditions to first-time festivals, Brigid's Day will be marked in a variety of ways across the country and in our diaspora communities St Brigid's Day • 30 Jan 24
The Year In Ireland: a vital collection of Irish folk customs Kevin Danaher's book brought a wealth of information about Irish folklore to the attention of the general public Folklore • 19 Jan 24
The Year In Ireland: a vital collection of Irish folk customs Kevin Danaher's book brought a wealth of information about Irish folklore to the attention of the general public Folklore • 19 Jan 24
From Napoleon to Pearse, how the Fianna have sparked imaginations You'll find some suprising names on the list of people who've had a relationship with the tales of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna Folklore • 17 Nov 23
From Napoleon to Pearse, how the Fianna have sparked imaginations You'll find some suprising names on the list of people who've had a relationship with the tales of Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna Folklore • 17 Nov 23
'Great was the darkness': Spooky stories from medieval Ireland These ghost stories remind us we're not so different from our medieval ancestors: we love a good scare Halloween • 24 Oct 23
'Great was the darkness': Spooky stories from medieval Ireland These ghost stories remind us we're not so different from our medieval ancestors: we love a good scare Halloween • 24 Oct 23
What do trees have to do with Irish culture and identity? Trees are fundamental to our sense of place and identity and can become symbols of cultural and political power Nature • 03 Sep 24
What do trees have to do with Irish culture and identity? Trees are fundamental to our sense of place and identity and can become symbols of cultural and political power Nature • 03 Sep 24
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 23
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 • 20 May 24
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 • 20 May 24
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 • 10 May 24
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 • 10 May 24
