The basalt columns in Northern Ireland are some of the most famous in the world.  These amazing  columns are formed from lava as it pours out and cools slowly over time, creating a geometric pattern of  hexagonal rock.   

They appear so perfectly shaped,  the ancient Irish created the story of Giant's Causeway - that giants built a causeway between Scotland and Ireland so the two could fight and determine who was the greater.  Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool), an Irish legend, learned that the Scottish giant was bigger than him and so tricked the other giant into destroying the causeway to what it looks like today.

The Cliffs of Moher tower 702' above the ocean at its highest point.  The magnificence of the cliffs is not only in their height but how far they stretch:  about five miles long as the crow flies and close to ten if all the nooks and crannies are calculated.  Home to over twenty species of birds, they may hold up to 30,000 birds in peak season.

The cliffs are located on the west side of Ireland in the Burren, County Clare, and have been featured in such movies as The Princess Bride, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince and Leap Year.

Made up of two towering sea crags, Skellig Rocks are located in the far southwest of Ireland, County Kerry,  a little over seven miles out in the Atlantic Ocean. 

The larger of the two islands, Skellig Michael, was once a a monastic site founded sometime around the 7th Century.  This site was chosen to gain  greater union with God, withdrawing from civilization to this remote and inaccessible place.

Today, Skellig  Michael is an important breeding site for seabirds, a visitors delight, and has been featured Star Wars movies. 

Although boglands only make up between 5-7% of Ireland today, in the past it covered much more land.   

At the end of the last ice age much of Ireland was covered with shallow lakes that did not drain well.  Over time, layers of dead plants compressed to create layers of peat which make up the boglands.  It has taken about 10,000 years to create the bogs of today.  Bogs are about 95% water and the rest mostly made up of partially decomposed remains of dead plants.  

There are two types - one found on mountainous slopes, which are fairly shallow (about 5' deep) and raised bogs of about 25' deep.  From these deep bogs peat is harvested as fuel for fires.

Named after the Celtic goddess Sionann, the River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland and divides the east and west sides of the island. 

In mythological times, the River Shannon played host to a river monster named Cata until Senan, the patron saint of County Clare, defeated it.

The river has played a significant role militarily as first the Vikings used it to raid the monasteries deep inland, then later as a crucial line in battles between the Irish and English.

MacGillucuddy's Reeks is a mountain range in County Kerry, in the southwest of Ireland.  Stretching over twelve miles, it boasts the tallest peaks on the island and include the only peaks over 3,300 feet high.  

Named in the 18th century, from the family (or clan) Mac Giolla Mochuda (anglicised to its current form), the chief owned land in the area until the end of the 20th century.  Legend has it, he is a direct descendant of Mogh Nuaghad, King of Munster who ruled around 125 AD. 

The Irish used many types of swords, never staying loyal to any specific kind.  They took advantage of new weaponry whether bought or looted.  The wealthier Irish adorned their sword hilts with gold and gems.  More common was to set the hilts with the teeth of large sea-animals.

A regular sword was called a cloidem (cleeve), with very large swords called a cloidem-more (like the modern-day claymore).  Many warriors practiced with both hands and many slept with their swords.  Short swords and daggers were also very common called scian (skean) which means “knife”.  

The first known Viking raid on the island of Ireland occurred in 795 AD on the north eastern coast.  For the next few decades the Vikings would raid coastal settlements and monasteries and return to Scandinavia.

The winter of 840-841 AD saw the Vikings settle in Ireland at Lough Neagh.  The following year the Vikings settled in what is now known as Dublin, Cork, and Waterford.  For the next two hundred years, the Irish and Vikings would battle with both sides victorious and defeated in turns.  It was in 999 AD that Brian Boru defeated the Vikings in Dublin, ending their rule. 

There is a long history if the Irish using shields in battle.  The most ancient ones were make of wider-work covered in hides.  They were quite large, oval shaped, and covered the entire body.  This first shield was called a sciath (skee-a) and became the name for all types of shields. 

Later shields were round and smaller about 18-20 inches in diameter.  Most were made of wood or hide covered, only a few made of bronze.  Many were decorated uniquely with studs or figures of animals. Hide covered shields were often times whitened with lime or chalk and the dried powder would create a white cloud of dust when hit. 

It was by invitation by a defeated Irish King that the Normans were able to successfully invade Ireland.   The Irish King of Leinster, Diarmait Mac Muchada, was stripped of his kingdom by the High King of Ireland.  Mac Muchada turned to the King of England to help and was given permission to rally troops if he could.  Mac Muchada made an alliance with the 2nd Earl of Pembroke, later known as Strongbow, a Norman, by promising him land and the marriage to his Irish daughter.

In 1170, AD Strongbow arrived in Ireland.  With troops and advanced weaponry from Europe, he began defeating the Irish kings. Even though the English King would arrive to try and create order, the Normans continued to carve out more and more Irish land by conquest.

Irish wore helmets but the exact type in ancient times is hard to know.  It was called a cathbharr (caffār) meaning “battle-top” and many were crested and decorated.  There are many texts referring to them but no trace of ancient helmets has been found.  More modern helmets were made completely from either iron or brass. 

Although the high kings of Ireland had pledged fealty to England with the treaty of Windsor in 1175, Irish Kings continued to rule Ireland and fight the spread of the Normans.  In the next 500 years, only two English kings would set foot in Ireland.  In 1649 all of this would change.

Under the command of Oliver Cromwell, the English brutally invaded Ireland, killing many and confiscating land from the Irish through conquest.  In 1652 the Act for the Settlement of Ireland was passed stripping the lands from the Irish for rebelling against England. It became illegal for Catholics to own land and most all the Irish were Catholic.  The lands were given to the “Adventurers,” financiers to Parliament.  These new owners became known as “Planters.”

St. Patrick was born at the end of the 4th century in either Scotland or Wales.  At sixteen he was captured by Irish pirates and sold as a slave where he remained for the next six years.  Patrick escaped and studied to be a priest and later a bishop.  Based on a vision he had of the Irish calling him back, Patrick returned to Ireland.

Although St. Patrick has been credited with the conversion of Ireland from paganism to Christianity, there were other missionaries both before and after him.  St. Patrick is the patron Saint not only of Ireland but also of Nigeria and is celebrated all over the world on the anniversary of his death, March 17th.

The Celts used a thirteen-month calendar following the moons orbit around the earth as one month rather than a set number of day such as is our calendar today.  In the course of a year, the moon orbits the earth twelve times plus, so a thirteenth month of only a few days was created to complete the cycle.  These thirteen months correspond to the tree calendar and to Celtic Fire Festivals.

The calendar begins at summers end or Samhain.  It is here when the night becomes longer than the day and corresponds with our modern-day Halloween.  Correspondingly, six months later marks the start of summer and is celebrated by Beltaine.

Clonmacnoise is one of many monastic sites in Ireland.  When they were first built, monasteries were places for spiritual reflection.  Soon people from all over Ireland and beyond travelled to these new centers of learning.  When the Vikings invaded, monasteries were prime targets for their stored food and valuables such as chalices and jewelry.  Monasteries became fortresses some with stone walls others with rounds towers for protection of people and goods. 

Between the raids by the Vikings in the 9th century and the destruction of the English in the 17th century, many monasteries have been destroyed, but there are still some that have survived and are in use to this day.

Druid comes from the word “dru” (tree) and “wid” (to know) and in modern Irish/Gaelic the word is “draoi” or “druadh” (magician, sorcerer).

There were three types of druids in Irish pagan times.  The highest class, known as druids, were the philosophers, judges, and teachers.  It took many years, decades even, to achieve this level of knowledge and respect.  The next level were Ovates who were the healers and seers, and lastly the Bards who sang the songs and told the stories of the tribe. 

With the age of Christianity, and literacy, the druids’ status fell.  Most were in direct opposition to the new teachings of the church and druids faded from society: some converting others from persecution.

Book of Kells is one of the finest and most famous illuminated manuscripts.  It is a prize of Ireland having been created by Irish monks.  The Book of Kells includes the four gospels in Latin along with fine artwork and intricate decoration throughout the text pages.

The book is named after the Abby of Kells where it was hidden safely away for centuries, except for a singular theft where its cover was stolen for the gold.  Miraculously, the book made it through Viking raids and English invasions.   In 1654 the Book of Kells was sent to Dublin for safe keeping and in 1661 was presented to Trinity College where it remains to this day.

A Gaelic bard was a professional story teller, verse-maker and music composer many times employed by a lord to commemorate the patron’s ancestors or to memorialize the patron’s actions.   If not paid fairly, the bard might change the lyrics to satire rather than the inspiring deeds the patron wished to be portrayed.

The bard played the important role of communicating the history and traditions of the clan and country and continued in this role until the reconquest of Ireland by the English in the mid 17th century who had no use for them and continuing old Irish ways. 

One of the most ancient of Celtic Deities, Danu is the Great Mother of Ireland.  She is the goddess of fertility, bounty, plenty, prosperity, wind, rivers, water, wells, wisdom and inspiration.

The Tuatha de Danann descended from her.  They were seen as gods, so advanced was their science.  The Tuatha de Danann defeated the native Fir Bolg but a few centuries later were defeated themselves by the Milesians.  They had a choice: leave Ireland altogether or retreat to the underground of Ireland.  They chose to stay and became the faery folk we know of today, retaining their magic from the Goddess Danu.  

Fionn was born in secret and raised by a woman who taught him the arts of war and hunting. In his youth he met a druid near the River Boyne and studied under him.  During this time, he accidently ate of the Salmon of Knowledge and gained all the knowledge in the world. 

 Fionn arrived at the Hill of Tara at Samhain.  A fire breathing man of the Sidhe would lull all the men to sleep then burn down the palace.  Fionn stayed awake by touching his magically hot spear to his forehead then killed the Sidhe with the spear.  The Fianna, a military order in service to the high king, recognized Fionn as his father’s son and Fionn took over the leadership of the Fianna continuing to achieve legendary deeds and create many mythical stories.

Queen Mebd was the powerful and seductive ruler of Connacht.  She had three husbands all of whom became king only because she was queen. One of her most famous stories is the  Cattle Raid of Cooley where she goes to prove she is equal to her husband in wealth. 

Queen Mebd had many enemies, one in particular, her nephew Furbaide, blamed her for killing his mother  He practiced with his sling across the water from where the Queen bathed and, when he was skilled enough, killed her. 

According to legend, Queen Mebd was buried standing up in the 40' high stone cairn on the summit of Knocknara in County Sligo, facing her enemies in Ulster even in death.

Born Setanta, the son of the god Lug, his name is changed to Cu Chulainn after killing Culan's fierce guard dog (thought to be a wolfhound)  when only a child.  He continues to train and becomes a great warrior with many legendary stories in his wake. 

The most famous is of his battle for the Brown Bull of Cooley against Queen Medb's warrior Fergus, also Cu Cullain’s best friend and foster brother.  They fight for three days and in the evenings heal each other’s wounds.  In the end Cu Chulainn is forced to kill his best friend and is victorious over Queen Mebd’s army.

Lord Lir remarried Aoife, after his wife died, a beautiful sorceress and daughter to the king.  At first Aoife loved his four children, but soon became jealous of the love and attention they received from Lord Lir, their father.

The children loved to swim and Aoife took them to a lake where she cast a spell on the children.  Because they were immortal, she could not kill them.  Instead she cursed them into becoming beautiful swans, the curse only lifted by the bell of a new god in Ireland. 

For 900 years the children were swans the bell of a new god, brought by St. Patrick, rang.  The swans became human but aged rapidly.  Quickly they were baptized and then perished. 

Balor was the God of the Sea and the leader of the Fomorians.  He had a third eye that killed all its path.  It was prophesied that Balor’s grandson will kill him, so he locked his daughter up on Tory island.  But the god Cian was able to reach her and she bore three sons.  Balor cast all three boys into the sea but Cian was able to save one: Lugh,  who grows up to be the leader of the Tuatha de Danann at war with the Fomorians. 

Lugh, Balor’s grandson, kills Balor during a battle by shooting a spear into his open eye so hard that it turns the eye to the back of his head killing the Fomorian army instead of the Tuatha de Danann.

One day two young men were digging potatoes in the village of Ardagh, Co Limerick when they came upon a hoard of treasure: four brooches and a stemmed cup inside, what is now known as, the Ardagh Chalice.  The hoard dates back to the 8th century AD, most likely buried during the Viking times and very quickly for there was only a slab of rock on top to protect them.  The owners never came back for the treasure.

 And what a treasure it was!  The skill level in its construction and decoration are uncommon during this time period, including gold, silver, bronze, brass, copper and lead.  There are intricate designs and inscriptions within it. The chalice now has a new home at the national museum in Dublin.

Uillean pipes are the characteristic national bagpipes of Ireland. It is played by pressing the elbow against a set of bellows tried around the waist. The air then passes through the pipes to produce sound. It has a sweeter, softer sound than the Great Scottish bagpipes used on the battlefield. It also has a broader range of notes and can even play chords under a skillful player.

The first bagpipes of Ireland are referred to in the Brehon Laws and were a mouth blown peasant instrument. In the 17th century the more modern bellows-blown pipes were becoming popular among the upper and middle class.  Over the next hundred years the Uillean pipes would grow in complexity and use becoming perhaps the most sophisticated form of bagpipes in the world. 

The Tara Brooch dates back to 700 AD and is one of the most intricate and detailed Celtic brooches known to be in existence.  The brooch has panels on both front and back (although some have been lost) and even the pin has gold filigree.  There are no Christian symbols on the brooch, but it does include more than 20 representations of dragons and serpents, along with knot work.  

Found near the seashore of Bettystown, Co Meath in 1850 by two boys, the mother sold it to a watchmaker who then sold it to Waterhouse Jewelers.   The jeweler named it the Tara Brooch to create more of a stir and so it is still named.

Bodhran photo courtesy of Hedwitschak Drums

Its predecessor dating back the 1600’s, the Bodhran of today evolved in the mid-19th century. The Bodhran is an Irish drum historically made from goatskin stretched and tacked over a circle of bent wood. It is very similar to a tambourine without the jingles. It is played by placing one hand on the underside of the drum and pressings hand in various parts of the skin to change the pitch of the sound. The top of the bodhran is beat with a short, double-headed stick called a bone or a tipper.

 The Bodhran gained popularity in the 1960’s when Irish traditional music made a resurgence and is now internationally known.  

The Lismore Crozier was discovered in a blocked-up doorway at Lismore Castle, in the early 1800’s and crafted between 1090-1113 AD. It was made by Neachtain for the Bishop of Lismore, and highly decorated with copper, bronze, and studs of glass.
 
Most croziers in Ireland were shaped like shepherd’s crooks.  Bishops were given a crozier during ordination and abbots at their blessing, symbolizing the shepherding of the monastic community.

Originally an abbey in 635 and then monastery, Lismore Castle changed from a spiritual center to a private residence by the 16th century.  An attack in 1645 by Cromwellian forces seriously damaged it and then changed hands by marriage to the Dukes of Devonshire, who still own it today. 

Although associated with Brian Boru and named for him, the harp actually only dates back to Medieval times while Brian Boru died in 1014.  So, the legend of Brian’s son giving the harp to the pope must be erroneous.   It is not known for sure the journey Brian Boru’s harp made, but it is thought to have been given to King Henry VIII of England in 1521 by Pope Leo, changed hands a number of times, and eventually presented to Trinity College in 1782 where it resides to this day.

 The Harp, as the official emblem of Ireland, appears on the Presidential seal, every Irish passport, and has appeared on Irish coins since King Henry VIII’s time. The harp is the national symbol of Ireland.

The Warrior has played an important role throughout Ireland’s history.  The various kings of Ireland would war against each other and then against invaders as well.  Early Irish warfare was mostly based on quick raids by light infantry.  These warrior groups were called ceithearn (pron. kern).  Ceithearns might consist of landless young men or landowners and farmers called to war by their lord during campaigning season.

Most warriors would have used little armor but were known to be very skilled with their weapons.  Their ambush style attacks worked great until the English brought heavy cavalry and built their castles.  The Irish tactics did little against stone.

Throughout Irish mythology, there are references to female warriors and their interactions with powerful male heroes.  In reality, the female warrior was inevitably much different than those larger than life depictions.

There is evidence that suggests women did at time pick up arms to defend themselves, to fight protecting those they loved, or even to fight each other.  Women rarely actually went to war.  But there is more than one battlefield, and the female warrior reveals herself in more subtle ways: whether the backbone of support on which the outcome rests, the spirit of determination, or the impetus for change. 

When Christianity came to Ireland so did a more sophisticated type of literacy.  The monks mostly lived in monasteries which were built away from other places where the monks could live a quiet life in spiritual reflection.  Because the monasteries were open to all, many people travelled far to these centers of learning.

Among other duties, the monks copied the “books” of the time in order to preserve them.  Some were quite ornate as in the illuminated manuscripts.  Others were pagan or European literature.  All were  created to preserve for the education of future generations. This proved essential for Europe during  the Dark Ages  and many books in Europe were destroyed.   It is said that, through the monks, the Irish saved Western Civilization.

As in all societies, mothers in Ireland played a pivotal role.  Different than most of Europe, and certainly ahead of its time, pre-Christian women had an equality rivaling modern times.  Women ruled, owned property, could remarry, have learned vocations, and bring legal proceedings against others on their own account.

Change began as Christianity and other influences like the Norman and English invasions altered society.  Women’s roles became more domestic and lost equality with men as new laws went into effect.  But she was still central to society, being the care givers, healers, creators of clothing, taking care of small livestock and the vegetable garden.  Her influence continued to be far-reaching.

Dancing has been a part of Ireland from before the written word and has evolved with the influences that have affected all of Ireland.  It is thought the druids danced honoring the oak tree and the sun.  When the Celts arrived in Ireland they brought with them their dances.

In 1569 Englishman Sir Henry Sydney wrote to Queen Elizabeth I about the Irish, “They are very beautiful, magnificently dressed, and first-class dancers.”  In the 18th Century the dance master became very popular.  He was a travelling teacher who went from village to village and taught dance to the peasants.  Many a Sunday, Irish would meet at the crossroads and have a “ceilis” or dance party.

When humans first settled in Ireland circa 9000 BC,  they survived by hunting, fishing, and gathering nuts and fruits.   It would not be until around 4000 BC that farming began  to take root in Ireland.  It was hard work.  First the land had to be cleared.  Much of Ireland was covered in forest.  The first crops were most likely barley, oats, and wheat.  

Along with crops, the cleared land allowed for the rearing of livestock, mostly cattle, sheep, and pigs.

Although Ireland is famous for growing potatoes, they are originaly from the Incas of Peru.  Potatoes were discovered by the Spanish and brought back to Europe.  Sir Walter Raleigh introduced potatoes to Ireland in 1589.

The Rock of Cashel has a long and colorful history.  In the 4th century the Rock of Cashel was chosen as a base for the Kings of Munster and continued in that capacity for the next 400 years.  In the 10th century Brian Boru took possession of the Rock and ruled a united Ireland for the next twenty years.  

St. Patrick was also connected with the Rock of Cashel.  It was supposedly the place where St. Patrick converted the pagan King of Munster, Aengus MacMutfraich, to Christianity.

In 1101 the Irish King of Munster gave the Rock of Cashel to the church which later became the seat of the archbishop.  The buildings that survive today were mostly built in the 12th and 13th centuries.

The ancient inscriptions of the Irish, Ogham writing consists of straight lines and hashes.  It was mostly used to inscribe names on stones between the 1st to 6th centuries AD.  There are twenty characters, although five additional were added later.

The letters can be translated fairly close to our modern alphabet although the sounds are different as shown in Gaelic spelling of words versus English.   The letters also align with the old Irish name of trees, for example the letter Dair  _II_ also means Oak in old Irish.

At almost 16’ high, Muiredach’s Cross is one the most impressive examples of high crosses in Ireland.  The cross is dated back to the 9th or 10th century and has over 70 intricately carved panels representing bible stories or other symbolism.

High crosses are made of stone and stand alone, as opposed to being cut into a slab.  Most have a circle around the head of the cross and are intricately carved.  They usually have panels on all four sides with designs and carvings within.  These crosses sit on a base and usually have a cap on the very top.  Although carvings vary from cross to cross, the high crosses tend to have stories and symbols carved in panels. 

Circa 2100-700BC, Beltany stone circle has 64 stones remaining (down from its original 80) averaging six feet tall and is about 145 feet in diameter.  It is named after the spring festival of Beltaine a fire festival celebrating the beginning of summer.  

Stone circles are thought be connected with druidic ritual and the counting of the seasons.  Many are set to solstices, aligned to the sun or the moon, and help form complex prehistoric calendars. In order to create the exact settings, the ancient Irish would have had a significant knowledge of astronomy, engineering and geometry.

Spiral circles are found on the stones of many ancient Irish tombs.  The decorated stones at Newgrange in County Meath, include spiral circles, zigzag lines, chevons, triangles, and more and are considered one of the most important examples of megalithic art in Western Europe.  This stone art dates back to 2750-2250 BC.

The motifs found on these ancient stones continue in art form well after St. Patrick and the coming of Christianity in Ireland. They are used as decorative motifs in both metalwork and in illuminated manuscripts, along with Celtic Crosses.  There has been much debate about what the stonework signifies with no one really knowing for sure. 

A dolmen is a portal tomb used by the ancient Irish to bury their esteemed people.  Poulnabrone Dolmen dates back to the Neolithic period somewhere between 4200 BC and 2900 BC.  The capstone is six feet high creating a chamber under of 30 feet.  Excavations found bones from 33 people, both adults and children, although only one adult seems to have lived past 40.

Dolmens are all across Ireland, some 190 of them.   There is generally an entrance, called a portal, usually blocked by a stone.  The most characteristic feature is the massive cap stone which forms the “roof”.  Most were then covered with mounds of stone. Over time, only the large stones of most dolmen remain.

A selkie is a seal by sea and a human by land.  Some selkies stay in human form, marry, and even have children but it is not their desire.  Typically this occurs when a human male steals the seal skin of a dancing selkie while in human form.  Without her skin, the selkie is forced to stay on land and marry the man that stole it.  These relationships do not last as someday the selkie will find her skin, no matter how well the human has hidden it, and will return to the sea from whence she came.  

Sheep play an integral part of both Ireland's past and present: partly as food, partly for their wool, and partly for measuring wealth, as mentioned in the Brehon Laws.

Beyond sheeps' ability to feed, clothe, and be payments, sheep also take care of the land.  Both as mowers and fertilizers, modern day sheep in Ireland are rented to "mow" the grass.  Then the herd is moved to the next location needing their services.

A faery fort is an ancient ring fort that nature has taken over.   It was believed these forts were imbued with magic and woe be the person that alters or destroys them in any way, for the faerys will seek revenge on the person and possibly  their families.

According to legend,  faery fort  inhabitants are the descendants of the Tuatha de Dannan and before that from the Goddess Danu.  When the Milesians defeated the Tuatha de Dannan, the conquered peoples retreated underground becoming the faery people.

Connemara ponies originate from the Connemara region in County Galway in the west of Ireland.  They are a distinct breed known for being sturdy, strong, and having great dispositions.  

The Connemara region, like many parts of Ireland, is a harsh landscape and the ponies that survive and thrive  must by hardy as well.  It is wondered if the native ponies interbred with Viking mounts or, as legend has it,  with shipwrecked Andalusians from Spanish galleons in 1588, strengthening and refining the local ponies.

The Connemara Pony Breeders Society was established in 1923 and since have been an official native breed of Irish pony.

Irish wolfhounds were originally bred from war dogs for the purposes of hunting and guarding.  They are very large in size, reaching up to seven feet tall when standing on their hind legs. 

Although there are no longer any wolves in Ireland, the last having been shot around 1786, they were abundant in earlier centuries.  The Irish Wolfhound was used to hunt  wolves and guard livestock.  

It was rare to have an Irish Wolfhound when the English dominated the island for they were given as gifts to high ranking nobles.  By the end of the 18th century there were very few Irish Wolfhounds in Ireland.  In 1885 the Irish Wolfhound Club was founded to ensure the breed would continue.

When the great flood came that wiped out all the peoples of the world, except Noah and his family safe on the ark, Fintan was saved by God turning him into a salmon.    Fintan swam up the Boyne River, when the water receded, and found a nice quiet pool to regain his strength.

Around the pool were nine hazel trees with one nut each.  All nine combined contained the knowledge of the world.  As the nuts dropped, Fintan ate them.  Whoever could catch and eat Fintan would in turn gain all the knowledge of the world themselves.

Centuries past and the people of Ireland learned of the Salmon of Knowledge but no one was able to catch him, until one day...  (see Fionn Mac cumhail)

In ancient Ireland bulls were a sign of wealth and the Brown Bull of Cooley was significantly magnificent.  So much so that Queen Mebd traveled across a bog-ridden Ireland to try and retrieve him.  She wanted to prove she was equal in worth to her husband who had one more bull that she did. 

Today cattle are big business in Ireland and were just as important in ancient Ireland, although for different reasons.  The more cattle one had the more wealth and power one had as well.  A new king was expected to lead a cattle raid against his neighbor as celebration of his inauguration. 

The blackthorn tree has beautiful white flowers and black bark, along with long thorns along its branches.  It is traditionally used to make shillelaghs, a walking stick/club that was used to “settle a score” but now a symbol of Irish heritage.

In Irish folklore, Blackthorn are protected by unfriendly faerys known as the Lunantisidhe, meaning moon faery.  One must deal with them if trying to cut some of the wood.  The best time to try is during a full moon, the only time the faerys leave the trees to pay homage to the moon goddess.  Otherwise, you may have a curse upon you!

A banshee (Bean-Sidhe) meaning "faerie-woman"  is a female spirit that warns of the imminent death of a family member.  She herself does not kill, only warns so the family has time to prepare.  A banshee usually takes of the form of a woman either young with long silver hair or old with dirty grey hair, wearing rags, and unkempt.  She warns by wailing and often the sound of her wailing can be heard before she is seen.  

Part of the faery family, Púkas are shape-shifters.  Most often they appear as a black horse that runs at night, tearing down fences, scattering live stock.  They may even lure a human and run away with them. 

Sometimes Púkas take the form of a goat, a rabbit, an eagle,  or even a goblin demanding a share of the crop.  Whichever form they take, it is not good to see one for they create mischief and chaos wherever they go.

About 2,000 years ago a nobleman's daughter was born in Ireland known for her rare beauty across the land.  As luck would have it, she fell in love with a peasant but the alliance was not acceptable to her father who forced her into an arranged marriage to a wealthy but cruel and abusive man.  Eventually she killed herself to escape and was buried in County Waterford, near "Strongbow's Tree".  In retribution she rose up out of her grave and killed both her father and husband by sucking their blood. 

Now, every year on the anniversary of her death she rises again seeking out men to kill.  Only by stacking rocks on her grave can Dearg-Dur be kept at bay. 

A changeling is a unwanted faery baby that is switched with a beautiful human baby.  Well, usually... but faeries may also decide an adult human fits their fancy and make a switch.  Maybe their eye falls on a a handsome, strong male or a beautiful woman, or maybe there is retribution afoot for disturbing their faery fort.  Who knows the mind of a faery?  Best just be wary and leave them alone. 

But how can one tell if they are dealing with a changeling  or a human?  Changelings are constantly unhappy and mean.  But it is the sudden change in temperament that will give the best clue that a loved one has been switched.

Caorthannach is the Mother of the Devil.  She has been around since the birth of the world creating havoc and spawning evil. That is, until Saint Patrick came along.  

It is said St. Patrick banished all the snakes in Ireland from atop what is now know as Croagh Patrick.  However,  Caorthannach would not be banished so quickly and so the two of them fought for 2 days and nights.  When she realized she could not defeat him there, Caorthannach slithered to Lough Derg in County Donegal where St. Patrick defeated her.  

Riding a stead with sparks on its feet, carrying its head in one hand and a whip of bones in the other, the Dullahan is... well, death itself.  

It only utters one word for each journey it takes:  the name of the soul it will take.  Its eyes can see through anything, focusing to find the person it seeks.  Nothing can stop the Dullahan from achieving its mission, although there may be hope in delaying it...

Gold.  Gold may delay the death of the person in the Dullahan's sight.  Wearing gold jewelry, or keeping a gold coin in a pocket may buy a soul some time.