📖 Ancient RestorationIn the Irish tale 'The Priest's Soul', a man thinks himself so clever he teaches there’s no Heaven, Purgatory, Hell and even that men have no souls. Upon his death a soul leaves his body and that was the first butterfly ever seen in Ireland. 🌷🦋
"The significance of the butterfly in Irish folklore attributes it as the soul and thus it has the ability to cross to the Otherworld. It is also a symbol of transformation and creation." - Butterflies in Irish Folklore (1994) by A. Bonach
The idea of an 'honourable draw' in sport/combat is well attested in ancient Europe. In Greece a referee would share the prize between wrestlers of equal skill; in Irish myth the Tuatha Dé returned Connacht to the heavily defeated Firbolg. Ties turn foes into friends.
📖 Ancient RestorationThe traditional game of Caid is similar to Gaelic football & was esp. popular in County Kerry. 'Caid' refers to the ball, made of animal skin / bladder. Played in the winter months, with tripping, pushing & wrestling employed to bring the ball 'home' to the…
The Sam Maguire Cup, the prize of the All-Ireland Football Championship, was inspired by the 8th century masterpiece the Ardagh Chalice.
📖 Ancient RestorationThe earliest record of football in Ireland is from the Statute of Galway in 1527, which outlawed hurling but allowed the playing of football ('caid') to continue. Modern Gaelic football originates from this medieval game, with standard rules adopted by the…
The traditional game of Caid is similar to Gaelic football & was esp. popular in County Kerry. 'Caid' refers to the ball, made of animal skin / bladder. Played in the winter months, with tripping, pushing & wrestling employed to bring the ball 'home' to the winner's parish.
The earliest record of football in Ireland is from the Statute of Galway in 1527, which outlawed hurling but allowed the playing of football ('caid') to continue. Modern Gaelic football originates from this medieval game, with standard rules adopted by the GAA in 1886.
Was it for this they died? Their children called oppressors, Their graves defaced, Their culture derided.
Was it for this they died? To be lectured that our suffering was less, From the mouths of those who harmed us, Due to our skin.
Was it for this they died? To not rid us of one planter, But to import another, Who see no connection to us.
Was it for this they died? Our success in overcoming taken for supremacy, Our charity smothered by a sea of envy, The fruits they shielded for us taken again by force.
📖 Ancient RestorationIn the Celtic cycles ancient stones can be inhabited by mysterious sentinels. Mastering this entity affirms the hero's truth of purpose.
The Kilnasaggart Pillar Stone in Co Armagh - Ireland's oldest Christian stone monument, dated to c. 700 AD.
📖 Ancient RestorationThe megalithic stone is associated with a 'test of sovereignty'. In it Arthur has to retrieve the sword. The Lia Fáil at Tara is king-namer.
In the Celtic cycles ancient stones can be inhabited by mysterious sentinels. Mastering this entity affirms the hero's truth of purpose.
📖 Ancient RestorationIn Celtic story-telling tradition, men who righted the standing stone were admitted into the warrior ascendancy on completion of the feat.
The megalithic stone is associated with a 'test of sovereignty'. In it Arthur has to retrieve the sword. The Lia Fáil at Tara is king-namer.
📖 Ancient RestorationThe Irish tradition of handfasting is associated with holed standing stones. Couples would make their engagement vows over the stone
The Carnac Stones in Brittany. A pre-Celtic megalithic site of more than 3,000 standing stones; largest of its kind in the world - 4500BC.
📖 Ancient RestorationMenhir, or standing stones, were placed to mark burials, travel routes & tribal boundaries. They may have also served a ritual purpose.
The Irish tradition of handfasting is associated with holed standing stones. Couples would make their engagement vows over the stone
