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 …
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 …
Mainie Jellett, Champion of Modern Art
by Hilary Kiely Mainie Jellet (Mary Harriett) was born on the 29th of April, 1897 in Dublin (d. 16 February 1944) She would be at …
The Moycullen Cooperative
by Hilary Kiely The first time I came to Ireland, we drove through Moycullen village in County Galway on the way up from Shannon Airport …
Doolough Tragedy
by Hilary Kiely 30th March, 1849, in the depth of An Gorta Mór (The Great Hunger) two officials of the Westport Poor Law Union arrived …
Women of the Irish Arts and Crafts Movement
by Hilary Kiely In the lead up to the Easter Rising of 1916, Ireland had been riding a growing wave of cultural nationalism, demonstrated by …
Saint Enda of Aran
by Hilary Kiely The 21st of March is the Feast Day of Saint Enda of Aran. Tradition calls him the father of Irish monasticism. While …
Lorica of St Patrick or The Deer’s Cry
by Hilary Kiely St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated around the world wherever the Irish have travelled (which seems to be just about everywhere, with a diaspora …
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 …
Call the archaeologist!
by Hilary Kiely Disclaimer: It is unlawful to use a metal detector in Ireland in proximity to any site with any known archaeological significance, unlicensed …