Folk Belief in Changelings and the Death of Bridget Cleary
by Hilary Kiely The 15th of March is the anniversary of a tragic and disturbing episode from Tipperary. A young woman by the name of …
Folklore
Heads or harps: Penny traditions
by Hilary Kiely Pennies are contradictory things. We don’t mind losing them or leaving them behind when we get change from a purchase. But we …
Chalk Sunday and Salt Monday
by Hilary Kiely Traditionally, if you were to get married in Ireland, you would not or even could not do so during Lent. The Christian …
Brigid’s Day/Imbolc
by Hilary Kiely The first of February marks the beginning of Spring. It is known as Imbolc and is what’s called a cross-quarter day, falling …
Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Christmas
by Hilary Kiely The old year may technically end when the clock strikes midnight on the first day of January, the Christmas season does not …
The Serpent in the Churchyard
The Serpent in the Churchyard by Hilary Kiely Exploring some local folklore around Lough Corrib and a corpse-eating eel. Here is an interesting tale, recorded …