Tomorrow night is Oíche Shamhna, the eve of Samhain, and in houses from Donegal to Boston somebody will be carving a face into a vegetable without quite knowing why. I…
Long before modern contract law, before the Anglo-Norman invasions rewrote Ireland's social fabric, and centuries before the Church imposed its singular vision of marriage across the land, the early Irish had developed one of the most nuanced legal frameworks for human relationships in the ancient world.
There's something quietly remarkable about a small, three-leafed plant becoming the symbol of an entire nation. Most symbols of nationhood are grand things — eagles, lions, towering monuments. Ireland chose…
Permanent Stand in the National Gallery of Ireland Dive into the enchanting realm of Jennifer Rothwell, the acclaimed Irish fashion and textile designer revolutionising the Celtic Revival in the digital…
The story of the Milesians’ arrival in Ireland, their encounter at Uisneach with the three goddesses Ériu, Banba, and Fódla, and the events leading to the Battle of Tailtiu (often…
On March 17, Ireland and its diaspora erupt in a sea of green to honor Saint Patrick, the nation’s patron saint. Yet, the very next day, March 18, once brought…
This article seeks to reconstruct Patrick’s mission within its historical context, assess his strategies for integrating Christian doctrine with Irish culture, consider the legends associated with him, and evaluate his…
In the heart of Irish mythology lies a tale of unmatched sacrifice, strength, and maternal love – the story of Tailtiu, a figure who embodies the essence of agriculture, culture,…
Nestled in the heart of Ireland's ancient landscape, the Hill of Uisneach stands as a testament to the country's rich history and cultural heritage. Often referred to as the navel…
The significance of the number three to the early Irish is evident in the literature, mythology, and laws of early Ireland, which abounds in triplets and triads. There are three triple-goddess personifications of sovereignty and of Ireland; the triple forms of the Morrígan and the motif of the threefold death; as well as the three-leaved shamrock Saint Patrick used to teach the native Irish of the 5th century about the Holy Trinity. This article explores the concept of "three" in Irish history, mythology, and belief.