Irish culture – Irish Myths

The Pagan Origins of St. Patrick’s Day

"Patrick casting down cromm cruach and the twelve smaller idols" 1911 (source: Wikimedia COmmons)

Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated on March 17th? Turns out there’s much more to the story than most people realize.

Is The Banshees of Inisherin Based on Irish Mythology?

poster from banshees of inisherin film depicting two men standing in front of the ocean with a dog

Uncover potential hidden references to Irish mythology and folklore in the award-winning 2022 Irish film The Banshees of Inisherin

Book Giveaway: Saint Patrick in Your Pocket

image of book cover, saint patrick in your pocket, on shamrock background

Introducing the latest book in my Celtic Pocket Guides series, Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: 20 Questions With the Apostle of Ireland

5 Imbolc Rituals for Welcoming Spring [Video]

cover image 5 imbolc rituals showing a brigid's cross, bonfire, and spring flowers

Here’s how to celebrate Imbolc like an ancient Celt according to Gaelic history, mythology, and folklore. While many modern pagans celebrate their own iterations of Imbolc, this video is an attempt at getting back to the festival’s roots.

Whom Do Banshees Visit? Visitation Rites of the Banshee [Video]

image of three encircled banshees, visitation rites of the banshee

Whom do banshees visit? Which families do they haunt? Turns out Irish folklore severely limits which households banshees can hover over and howl by.

Physical and Sonic Characteristics of the Banshee [Video]

image of three encircled banshees, one with red hair, text says physical and sonic characteristics of the banshee

What do banshees look like? What do banshees sound like? While pop culture interpretations of the banshee typically paint her as a grotesque, shrieking she-demon, Irish folklore tells a much more nuanced story.

The Definition and Etymology of Banshee [Video]

image of banshee with text saying the definition and etymology of banshee

You are likely already familiar with Ireland’s most infamous shrieking spirit. But what exactly is a banshee? Is it a ghost? A spirit? A wraith? A demon? A fairy? In a word, yes. The banshee is all of those things, and so much more.

The 12 Best Irish Mythology Gifts on eBay

collage of photos of irish mythology books and other gifts

I searched the ancient dungeons of eBay and uncovered 25 Irish mythology treasures. The perfect holiday gift for the mythology nerd in your family awaits.

Who Were Ireland’s First Inhabitants?

"The Coming of the Sons of Miled", illustration by J. C. Leyendecker in T. W. Rolleston's Myths & Legends of the Celtic Race, 1911

Pop culture tells us that Ireland was always teeming with ancient Celts. But archaeology, and even Irish mythology, tell different stories about Ireland’s prehistoric inhabitants.

Where Did Celtic Culture Originate?

In their heyday, the ancient Celts occupied territories across Europe. But where did the Celts come from originally? And in which direction(s) did Celtic culture spread?