Samhain and Irish Mythology

Irish mythology was originally a spoken tradition, but much of it was eventually written down in the Middle Ages by Christian monks, who Christianised it to some extent. Nevertheless, these tales may shed some light on what Samhain meant and how it was marked in ancient Ireland. Irish mythology tells us that Samhain was one […]

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#OTD in 1976 – New IR£5 note issued bearing image of mediaeval Irish philosopher, Johannes Scotus Eriugena.

“Beauty is unity in the diversity.” –Johannes Scotus Eriugena The orange five pound note had a portrait of Johannes Scotus Eriugena, the philosopher and theologian, of the ninth century. The letter A from the start of Psalm 17 of the Psalter of Ricemarcus is used against the Book of Durrow. The reverse featured an adaptation […]

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#OTD in 1651 – Surrender of Limerick.

Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army had taken control of the eastern part of Ireland, forcing the Irish Confederates west of the River Shannon to Athlone, Galway, and Limerick. Cromwell left Ireland in May 1650, leaving the army under the command of his son-in-law, Henry Ireton. After a failed attempt to take Limerick in October 1650, […]

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Emery Celtic Cross

Known as the Emery Celtic Cross, named after its creator. Forester Liam Emery, planted this amazing Celtic cross design in the early 2000s near Killea, in Donegal. Emery used two different types of trees to create the effect, which must have taken amazing planning skills. Sadly, Emery died in 2010 after suffering brain damage and […]

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#OTD in 1944 – Birth of entertainer and folk musician, Jim McCann.

As a young man, McCann attended University College Dublin as a student of medicine, but became interested in folk music during a summer holiday in Birmingham in 1964. He began to perform in folk clubs in the area, and, upon his return to Dublin, he joined a group called the Ludlow Trio in 1965. In […]

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#OTD in 1943 – Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, the coordinating body for Irish-language organisations, is formed.

Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge (CNnaG) is the central steering council for the Irish language community. Its mission is to “strengthen and consolidate goodwill and support for the Irish language and its usage as a living language so that it may be used freely and widely in all aspects of Irish life”. An Chomhdháil was established […]

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#OTD in 1920 – Newspaper cutting from the ‘Daily Graphic’. The caption accompanying the photograph reads: ‘Mrs Muriel MacSwiney, widow of the Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence McSwiney, leaving Brixton Prison for the last time before her husband’s death.

Muriel MacSwiney leaves Brixton Prison ‘Daily Graphic’ 26 October 1920 Newspaper cutting 30 cm x 26 cm Newspaper cutting from the ‘Daily Graphic’. The caption accompanying the photograph reads: ‘Mrs Muriel MacSwiney, widow of the Lord Mayor of Cork, Terence MacSwiney, leaving Brixton Prison for the last time before her husband’s death, which occurred yesterday, […]

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