Category Archives: Folklore

May Day flowers

Today is May Day. For many people it’s International Workers’ Day, but it’s also the ancient spring festival of Bealtaine, celebrated during my childhood as the beginning of an entire month dedicated to Mary. And even though I’m living in … Continue reading

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Bonfires and St John’s Eve

Yesterday, 23 June, was St John’s Eve, which was traditionally celebrated in Ireland with large bonfires across the countryside. Hence its other name, Bonfire Night. June in Ireland is the height of summer, and the long twilight would be a … Continue reading

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The view at Loughcrew

I went to Loughcrew a few days ago to see the passage tombs. It’s not too far from my home town of Trim. You can visit Loughcrew any time you like during daylight hours, walk around the outside of the cairns, … Continue reading

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A story for the night that’s in it – take care on Halloween

They say that the fairies are happiest on Midsummer Eve when the bonfires are lit, but that on Halloween they’re at their gloomiest for it’s the start of the winter. This is the night when the veil between our world … Continue reading

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Raggy tree in Riga? Maybe, maybe not

I’ve been in Riga in Latvia for a few days, enjoying the Baltic sun. And on the first evening, in a park near the Freedom Monument, I came across a tree decorated with ribbons. Although I immediately jumped to the … Continue reading

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