Similar to the Indians and the Hebrews, Ireland originally expressed the cardinal directions with regard to the rising sun. That is, the main point of reference for all the directions would have been East, such that: East = Forward South = Right North = Left West = Behind Even though we no longer orient our maps to reflect this convention, the language still bears it out in some ways.*…
Read moreAuthor: Brian
Ireland’s Odd Seasons
In Ireland, the practice amongst the general populace is to classify the seasons in the following way: Winter – November, December, January Spring – February, March, April Summer – May, June, July Autumn – August, September, October This is different to most other countries in the northern hemisphere, which generally classify each season as beginning a month and a half later than shown above. In fact, the only other country…
Read moreCeasair: the First Taking of Ireland
In the time before the flood, Noah is sent a message by a man called Bioth, to know whether he and his daughter Ceasair could have a place in the ark to save them from the flood. Noah responds that they should not get that. Ceasair’s husband, Fionntán, asks the same, and is similarly denied. Bioth, Fionntán and Ceasair decide to consult and make plans. Ceasair advises them to forsake…
Read moreReading Irish Mythology I: Classifications
Even though Cycles are how we primarily categorise the stories of Irish Mythology, there exists no specific reference to the different cycles in the early Irish manuscripts. Instead, the manuscripts categorise stories under classifications, and these are as follows:
Read moreHiberno-Latin
Hiberno-Latin was a literary and monastic tradition in Ireland which saw its peak between the 500s and 1000s. It concerned not only Ireland and the Irish language, but also ended up having a profound impact on continental Europe.
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