Irish mythology is rife with ruthless and ritual death. So is there a god and/or goddess from the Irish pantheon who is in charge of the recently deceased, à la the Grim Reaper or Charon from Greek mythology? Turns out there’s not just one Irish god of death, there are (at least) three.
Tag Archives: Celtic mythology
Lughnasa Explained: How to Celebrate Lughnasa Like an Ancient Celt
Uncover the origins of Lughnasa (a.k.a. Lughnasadh), a summer harvest festival during which “first fruits” are gathered, mountains are climbed, and races are run, all in honor of the Celtic sun-god Lugh and his foster-mother, Tailtiu.
What Is a Banshee? The Mythic Origins of Ireland’s Most Infamous Shrieking Spirit
A brief biography of Irish folklore’s most frightening fay, the banshee. Learn why this vociferous, vatic vocalist haunts the households of those about to perish.
Was Merlin Inspired by Irish Mythology? The Search for the Original Celtic “Wild Man”
“Man flees to the forest” is a common motif in Celtic storytelling traditions. But which “Wild Man” came first: the Welsh Myrddin Wyllt, the Scottish Lailoken, the Irish Suibhne Geilt, or someone else?
Was Merlin a Druid?
He’s the world’s most famous wizard, but was the Merlin of Arthurian Legend based on a historical Celtic druid?
Was Merlin a Real Person? The Disputed Origins of the World’s Most Famous ‘Wizard’
Separate fact from Arthruian Legend as we explore the historical evidence for Merlin, King Arthur’s personal sorcerer.
What’s the Difference Between a Bard, a Vate, and a Druid?
The ancient Celts divided their intellectual elites into three categories: druids, bards, and vates. Learn about their differences (and similarities) as recorded by Greek and Roman historians.
Introducing the Hardcover Collector’s Edition of Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy
Feast your eyes on the new and improved cover art for Neon Druid. Same great urban Celtic fantasy stories, new hardcover format.
Casting the Celtic Gods in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Part II: Heroes, Monsters, and Druids Who Deserve the Spotlight
In Part I, we cast the core team of Celtic gods from the comics; in Part II, we highlight 11 more mythological Celtic characters who deserve spots in the MCU.
Casting the Celtic Gods in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Part I: The Core Team From the Comics
My picks for which Irish, Scottish, Welsh, English, and French actors and actresses should play the core team of Celtic gods (a.k.a. the “Tuatha de Danaan” on the big screen