King Arthur And The Cat : King Arthur and the Cat WHILE on the subject of cats, the curious and interesting legend of "King Arthur's Fight with the Great Cat" should not be passed over; for though not exactly Irish, yet it is at least Celtic, and belongs by affinity to our ancient race. It is taken from a prose romance...
An Elixir Of Potency : An Elixir of Potency (From a Manuscript of Date 1770) Two ounces of cochineal, one ounce of gentian root, two drachms of saffron, two drachms of snakeroot, two drachms of salt of wormwood, and the rind of ten oranges, The whole to be steeped in a quart of brandy, and kept for use.
For A Sore Breast : For a Sore Breast To be said in Irish, while a piece of butter is rubbed over the breast-- "O Son, see how swelled is the breast of the woman! O, you that bore a Son, look at it yourself! O Mary! O King of Heaven, let this woman be healed! AMEN."
The Story Of The Breccan : The Story of Breccan The story of Breccan is related in Cormac's Glossary. He was a merchant who traded between Ireland and Scotland with fifty corracles. Now there was a great whirlpool at Rathlin Island caused by the meeting of the seas, and they formed a caldron vast enough to swallow all...
For A Burn : For a Burn There is a pretty secret to cure a burn without a scar: "Take sheep's suet and the rind of the elder-tree, boil both together, and the ointment will cure a burn without leaving a mark."
Captain Webb, The Robber Chief : Captain Webb, The Robber Chief ABOUT a hundred years ago a most notorious robber, called Captain Webb, used to make the County Mayo his headquarters; and dreadful tales are still current amongst the people of his deeds of violence and cruelty. Many beautiful young girls he carried off by force...
Charm For The Fairy Stroke : Charm for the Fairy Stroke THERE is a very ancient and potent charm which may be tried with great effect in case of a suspected fairy-stroke. Place three rows of salt on a table in three lines, three equal measures to each row. The person performing the spell then encloses the rows of salt with...
The Lady Witch : The Lady Witch ABOUT a hundred years ago there lived a woman in Joyce County, of whom all the neighbours were afraid, for she had always plenty of money, though no one knew how she came by it; and the best of eating and drinking went on at her house, chiefly at night--meat and fowls and Spanish...
The Hartpole Doom : The Hartpole Doom There is a tradition concerning the Hartpole family of Shrule Castle in the Queen's County (called the castle on the bloody stream, from the sanguinary deeds of the owner) that every male member of the family is doomed and fated to utter three screeches terrible to hear when...
The Sacred Trout : The Sacred Trout The water of the sacred well must never be used for household purposes--washing, or the like. But after the well was cursed by the priest, and the tents were struck, and no pattern was held there any longer, it lost all its sanctity, and was no longer held sacred by the people...
The Beetle : The Beetle The beetle is not killed by the people for the following reason: they have a tradition that one day the chief priests sent messengers in every direction to look for the Lord Jesus, and they came to a field where a man was reaping, and asked him-- "Did Jesus of Nazareth pass this way?"...
The Mayo Captain And Feenish The Mare : The Mayo Robber and Feenish the Mare ANOTHER desperate character that made an evil reputation in the same county was Captain Macnamara. Though a man of family and good means and of splendid appearance, he led a life of the wildest excess, and stopped at no crime so as he could gratify the passi...
Christian Legends : Christian Legends THE Round Tower of Clonmacnoise was never finished, for the monks objected to the price demanded by the chief mason; and one day that he was at the top of the tower, they said he should never come down till he lowered the price; and they removed the scaffolding. Then he said, "It...
The Legends Of The Western Isles : Legends of the Western Islands IN the islands off the West Coast of Ireland the inhabitants are still very primitive in their habits, and cling to their old superstitions with a fanatical fervour that makes it dangerous for any one to transgress or disregard the old customs, usages, and prejudices...
Preface : Preface THE three great sources of knowledge respecting the shrouded part of humanity are the language, the mythology, and the ancient monuments of a country. From the language one learns the mental and social height to which a nation had reached at any given period in arts, habits...
The Grilled Trout : The Grilled Trout IN Sligo there is a well called "Tober-na-alt, "beautifully shadowed by trees, the branches of which are thickly hung with all sorts of votive offerings from those who have been cured by the water; and miracle-men attended, who professed to heal diseases by charms, prayers...
For The Falling Sickness : For the Falling Sickness Take a hank of grey yarn, a lock of the patient's hair, some parings of his nails, and bury them deep in the earth, repeating, in Irish, as a burial service, "Let the great sickness lie there for ever. By the power of Mary and the soul of Paul, let the great sickness lie...
St. Kevin : St. Kevin IT is related of St. Kevin that after he had been seven years at Glendalough, a weariness of life came over him, and a longing to bear the voice of man once more. Then Satan came to him in the form of an angel, bright and beautiful, and persuaded him that he should quit the valley...
The Horned Women : The Horned Women A RICH woman sat up late one night carding and preparing wool while all the family and servants were asleep. Suddenly a knock was given at the door, and a voice called--" Open! open!" "Who is there?" said the woman of the house. "I am the Witch of the One Horn," was answered...
The Ride With The Fairies : The Ride with the Fairies THE fairies take great delight in horsemanship, and are splendid riders. Many fine young men are enticed to ride with them, when they dash alone with the fairies like the wind, Finvarra himself leading, on his great black horse with the red nostrils, that look like flames...
Lough Neagh : Lough Neagh WONDERFUL tales are related about the formation of Lough Neagh; and the whole country round abounds with traditions. One of them affirms that the great Fionn Ma-Coul, being in a rage one day, took up a handful of earth and flung it into time sea; and the handful was of such a size th...
The Trial : The Trial by Fire THE ordeal by fire is the great test adopted by the peasants to try if a child or any one is fairy-struck. There was a man in Mayo who was bedridden for months and months, and though he ate up all the food they brought him, he never grew a bit stronger, and on Sundays when they...
To Find Stolen Goods : To Find Stolen Goods Place two keys on a sieve, in time form of a cross. Two men hold the sieve, while a third makes the sign of time cross on time forehead of the suspected party, and calls out his name loudly, three times over. If innocent, the keys remain stationary; but if guilty, the keys...
The Changeling : The Changeling A WOMAN was one night lying awake while her husband slept, when the door suddenly opened and a tall dark man entered, of fierce aspect., followed by an old hag with a child in her arms--a little, misshapen, sickly-looking little thing. They both sat down by the fire to warm...
Concerning Cats : Concerning Cats CATS have been familiar to the human household from all antiquity, but they were probably first domesticated in Egypt, where, so far back as two thousand years ago, a temple was dedicated to the goddess of cats--Bubastis Pasht--represented with a cat's head. The Greeks had this...
For A Stye On The Eyelid : For a Stye on the Eyelid Point a gooseberry thorn at it nine times, saying, "Away, away, away!" and the stye will vanish presently and disappear.
For The Mad Fever : For the Mad Fever Three stones must be charmed by the hands of a wise fairy doctor, and cast by his hand, saying as he does so--"The first stone I cast is for the head in the mad fever; the second stone I cast is for the heart in the mad fever; the third stone I cast is for the back in the mad...
Against Enemies : Against Enemies Three things are of the Evil One-- An evil eye; An evil tongue; An evil mind. Three things are of God; and these three are what Mary told to her Son, for she heard them in heaven-- The merciful word; The singing word; And the good word. May the power of these three holy things be...
Sliabh Mish, County Kerry : Sliabh-Mish, County Kerry EVERY one knows that Sliabh-Mish, County Kerry, is haunted. The figure of a man, accompanied by a huge black dog", "is frequently seen standing on a high crag, but as the traveller approaches, the forms disappear, although they rise up again before him on another crag...
For Weak Eyes : For Weak Eyes A decoction of the flowers of daisies boiled down is an excellent wash, to be used constantly.
The Bride's Death Song : The Bride's Death-Song ON a lone island by the West Coast there dwelt an old fisherman and his daughter, and the man had power over the water spirits, and he taught his daughter the charms that bind them to obey. One day a boat was driven on the shore, and in it was a young handsome gentlem...
To Extract A Thorn : To Extract A Thorn "The briar that spreads, the thorn that grows, the sharp spike that pierced the brow of Christ, give you power to draw this thorn from the flesh, or let it perish inside; in the name of the Trinity. AMEN."
Dreams : Dreams Never tell your dreams fasting, and always tell them first to a woman called Mary. To dream of a hearse with white plumes is a wedding; but to dream of a wedding is grief, and death will follow. To dream of a woman kissing you is deceit; but of a man, friendship; and to dream of a horse is...
The King Of The Cats : The King of the Cats A most important personage in feline history is the King of the Cats. He may be in your house a common looking fellow enough, with no distinguishing mark of exalted rank about him, so that it is very difficult to verify his genuine claims to royalty. Therefore the best way is...
To Cause Hatred Between Lovers : To Cause Hatred Between Lovers Take a handful of clay from a new-made grave, and shake it between them, saying-- "Hate ye one another! May ye be as hateful to each other as sin to Christ, as bread eaten without blessing is to God."
The Cremave : Swearing Stones and Relics The Cremave IN the old churchyard of the monastery at Saints' Island, there is an ancient black marble flagstone; and the monks gave it power as "A Revealer of Truth, "and it is called the "Cremave, "or Swearing Stone. Any one suspected of sin or crime is brought here...
A Love Potion : A Love Potion Some of the country people have still a traditional remembrance of very powerful herbal remedies, and love potions are even now frequently in use. They are generally prepared by an old woman; but must be administered by the person who wishes to inspire the tender passion. At the same...
For Water On The Brain : For Water on the Brain Cover the head well with wool, then place oil-skin over, and the water will be drawn up out of the head. When the wool is quite saturated the brain will be free and the child cured.
The Doom : The Doom THERE was a young man of Innismore, named James Lynan, noted through all the island for his beauty and strength. Never a one could beat him at hunting or wrestling, and he was, besides, the best dancer in the whole townland. But he was bold and reckless, and ever foremost in all the wild...
St. Augustine's Well : St. Augustine's Well AT a holy well in the south, dedicated to St. Augustine, the friars' began to build a convent. And during all the hours of work bells' were heard ringing sweetly and voices singing; but one day a woman came and washed her feet in the water of the well, and thereupon all...
A Wolf Story : A Wolf Story TRANSFORMATION into wolves is a favourite subject of Irish legend, and, many a wild tale is told by the peasants round the turf fire in the winter nights of strange adventures with wolves. Stories that had come down to them from their forefathers in the old times long ago; for there...
The Weasel : The Weasel Weasels are spiteful and malignant, and old withered witches sometimes take this form. It is extremely unlucky to meet a weasel the first thing in the morning; still it would be hazardous to kill it, for it might be a witch and take revenge. Indeed one should be very cautious...
St. Patrick And The Princesses : St Patrick and the Princesses One day the two daughters of the King of Meath, named Ethna and Fedalma, went down to the river to bathe, and there they beheld St. Patrick and his band of converts all draped in white robes, for they were celebrating morning prayers. And the princesses seeing strange...
Concerning The Dead : Superstitions of the Islands Concerning the Dead IT is ill luck when going with a funeral to meet a man on a white horse. No matter how high the rank of the rider may be, the people must seize the reins and force him to turn back and join he procession at least for a few yards. The three most...
The Poet's Spell : The Poet's Spell A VERY ancient. story, as old as the tenth century, is narrated, and firmly believed by the people, that once on a time when the reapers were at work, a fine handsome young married woman, who was in the field with them, suddenly fell down dead. This caused a great fear...
St. Patrick : Legends of the Saints St. Patrick MANY saints in old time used to come and take up their abode in the wild desolate Western Islands for the rest and sanctity of solitude, and innumerable evidences of their presence still remain in the ancient ruins of the so-called cells or churches built...
The Banshee : The Banshee THE Banshee means, especially, the woman of the fairy race, from "van, "the Woman--the Beautiful;" the same word from which comes "Venus. "Shiloh-Van was one of the names of Buddha--"the son of the woman;" and some writers aver that in the Irish--"Sullivan "(Sulli-van), may be found...
The Fairy Rath : The Fairy Rath THE ancient rath, or fort, or liss, generally enclosed about half an acre, and had two or more ramparts, formed by the heads of the tribe for defence. But when the race of the chieftains died out, then the Sidhe crowded into the forts, and there held their councils and revels...
The Well Of The Book : The Well of the Book When St. Patrick was one time amongst the Pagan Irish they grew very fierce and seemed eager to kill him. Then his life being in great danger, he kneeled down before them and prayed to God for help and for the conversion of their souls. And the fervour of the prayer was so...
The Blind Poet : The Blind Poet As a proof of the magnetic, lucid vision obtained by the great ollamhs of poetry, it is recorded of the blind poet, Louad Dall, that his attendants having brought him the skull of an animal found upon the strand, they asked him to declare its history. And thereupon placing the end...
Bardic Priviliges. Part 02 : Bardic Privileges Now St. Patrick left the poets all their rights of divination by wisdom, and all their ancient rights over story-telling with the music of the harp, three hundred and fifty stories being allowed to the chief poet. He also secured just judgments for their professional rights: so...
Kil Na Greina : Kil-na-Greina "Tober Kil-na-Greina "(the well of the fountain of the sun) was discovered only about eighty years ago, by a strange chance in the County Cork. The land was a desolate marsh, no one built on it, and nothing grew on it or near it. But a large grey stone lay there, with a natural...
The Farmer's Wife : The Farmer's Wife DOWN in the South there lived another rich farmer and his wife, who were both of them hated by the people for their stingy, hard-hearted ways. Never a word of kindness was on their lips, and never a blessing from the poor was invoked on their heads. One day an old woman came...
The Royal Steed : The Royal Steed Of the great breed of splendid horses, some remained for several centuries, and were at once known by their noble shape and qualities. The last of them belonged to a great lord in Connaught, and when he died, all his effects being sold by auction, the royal steed came to the hammer...
The Strange Guests : The Strange Guests A COMPANY of strangers came one day to Rathlin island and the people distrusted them, but pretended to be friendly, and invited them to a feast, meaning to put an end to them all when they came unarmed to the festival, and the drink flowed freely. So the strangers came, but each...
The Death Sign : The Death Sign A woman was out one day looking after her sheep in the valley, and coming by a little stream she sat down to rest, when suddenly she seemed to hear the sound of low music, and turning round, beheld at some distance a crowd of people dancing and making merry. And she grew afraid...
Relics : Relics If a false oath is taken upon a relic the vengeance of God falls upon the swearer, and the doom that few can bear and live rests upon him and upon all his descendants even to the seventh generation. They are shunned by the people, and looked upon as unlucky and accursed. There are some...
The Priest's Soul : The Priest's Soul AN ethical purpose is not often to be detected in the Irish legends; but the following tale combines an inner meaning with the incidents in a profound and remarkable manner. The idea that underlies the story is very subtle and tragic; Calderon or Goethe might have founded a dram...
Whitsuntide Legend Of The Fairy Horses : Whitsuntide Legend of the Fairy Horses There was a widow woman with one son, who had a nice farm of her own close to a lake, and she took great pains in the cultivation of the land, and her corn was the best in the whole country. But when nearly ripe, and just fit for cutting, she found to her...
Superstitions : Superstitions THE two great festivals of the ancient Irish were "L Baal Tinn, "or May Day (sacred to the Sun), and "L Samnah, "or November Eve (sacred to time Moon). Food should be left out on November Eve for the dead, who are then wandering about. If the food disappears, it is a sign th...
To Cure Warts : To Cure Warts On meeting a funeral, take some of the clay from under the feet of the men who bear the coffin and apply it to the wart, wishing strongly at the same time that it may disappear; and so it will be.
Introduction : Introduction THE ancient legends of all nations of the world, on which from age to age the generations of man have been nurtured, bear so striking a resemblance to each other that we are led to believe there was once a period when the whole human family was of one creed and one language. But with...
The Fairies As Fallen Angels : The Fairies as Fallen Angels THE islanders, like all the Irish, believe that the fairies are the fallen angels who were cast down by the Lord God out of heaven for their sinful pride. And some fell into the sea, and some on the dry land, and some fell deep down into hell, and the devil gives...
St John's Well : St. John's Well AT St. John's well, County Cork, there is a large stone, believed to be the real true head of John the Baptist, grown hard and solid from time and the action of the elements. And the stone has certainly a rude resemblance to a human head. Suspected persons are brought to swear...
The Poison Cup : The Poison Cup St. Patrick went on to Tara, and there he lit the Paschal fire and celebrated the Easter mysteries. But the Druids were wroth, for it was against their ordinances for any fire to be lit until the chief Druid himself had kindled the sacred fire. Therefore they sought to poison St...
The Poet's Malediction : The Poet's Malediction The imprecations of the poets had often also a mysterious and fatal effect. King Breas, the pagan monarch, was a fierce, cruel, and niggardly man, who was therefore very unpopular with the people, who hate the cold heart and the grudging hand. Amongst others who suffered by...
The Fairy Doctor : The Fairy Doctor IF a healthy child suddenly droops and withers, that child is fairy-struck, and a fairy doctor must be at once called in. Young girls also, who fall into rapid decline, are said to be fairy-struck; for they are wanted in Fairy-land as brides for some chief or prince, and so they...
The Poet And The King : The Poet and the King NUADHE, the celebrated poet, is remembered in history by a memorable exercise of his malific power, and the punishment that fell on him in consequence; for Heaven is just, and even a bard cannot escape the penalty due for sin. He was nephew to Caer, the king of Connaught, who...
Next. November Eve : November Eve It is esteemed a very wrong thing amongst the islanders to be about on November Eve, minding any business, for the fairies have their flitting then, and do not like to be seen,or watched; and all the spirits come to meet them and help them. But mortal people should keep at home...
A Cure For Cattle : A Cure for Cattle Take nine leaves of the male crowfoot, plucked on a Sunday night; bruise them on a stone tht never was moved since the world began, and never can be moved. Mix with salt and spittle, and apply the plaster to the ear of the sick beast. Repeat this three times for a man, and twice...
For Hip Disease : For Hip Disease Take three green stones, gathered from a running brook, between midnight and morning, while no word is said. In silence it must be done. Then uncover the limb and rub each stone several times closely downwards from the hip to the toe, saying in Irish-- "Wear away, wear away, There...
Whitsuntide : Whitsuntide Whitsuntide is a very fatal and unlucky time. Especially beware of water then, for there is an evil spirit in it, and no one should venture to bathe, nor to sail in a boat for fear of being drowned; nor to go a journey where water has to be crossed. And everything in the house must be...
Early Irish Art : Early Irish Art EARLY Irish art illustrates in a very remarkable manner those distinctive qualities of Irish nature, which we know from the legendary traditions have characterized our people from the earh est times. The earnest religious faith, the love of gorgeous colouring, the tendency...
Cat Nature : Cat Nature The observation of cats is very remarkable, and also their intense curiosity. They examine everything in a house, and in a short time know all about it as well as the owner. They are never deceived by stuffed birds, or any such weak human delusions. They fathom it all at one glance...
The Fairy Dance : The Fairy Dance THE following story is from the Irish, as told by a native of one of the Western Isles, where the primitive superstitions have still all the freshness of young life. One evening late in November, which is the month when spirits have most power over all things, as the prettiest girl...
The Sidhe Race : The Sidhe Race THE Sidhe dwell in the Sifra, or fairy palace of gold and crystal, in the heart of the hill, and they have been given youth, beauty, joy, and the power over music, yet they are often sad; for they remember that they were once angels in heaven though now cast down to earth...
Candelemas : Festivals Candlemas CANDLEMAS day, the 2nd of February, used to be held in the old pagan times as a kind of saturnalia, with dances and torches and many unholy rites. But these gave occasion to so much ill conduct that in the ninth century the Pope abolished the festival, and substituted for it...
Fairy Nature : Fairy Nature THE "Siodh-Dune, "or the Mount of Peace, is also a favourite resort of the fairies. It is an ancient, sacred place, where the Druids in old time used to retire to pray, when they desired solitude: and the fairies meet there every seven years to perform the act of lamentati...
Death Signs : Death Signs In one Irish family a cuckoo always appears before a death. A. lady who arrived on a visit at a house observed one morning a cuckoo perched. on the window-sill, but she felt. no alarm, for there was no sickness in the family. Next day, however, one of the sons was carried home dead. He...
Relics For Clearing From Guilt : Relics for Clearing from Guilt Another relic held in reverence for swearing on by an accused person is St. Finian's Dish. This was found about one hundred and fifty years ago, buried in the ruins of an old abbey. It is of silver with stones set in it, which, the people say, are the eyes of Christ...
The Evil Stroke : Mysteries of Fairy Power The Evil Stroke SOME persons are possessed naturally with the power of the Evil Stroke, but it is not considered at all so unlucky as the Evil Eye; for the person who has it does not act from intentional malice but from necessity, from a force within him which acts without...
For The Measles : For the Measles "'The child has the measles,' said John the Baptist. "'The time is short till he is well,' said the Son of God. "'When?' said John the Baptist. "'Sunday morning, before sunrise,' said the Son of God." This is to be repeated three times, kneeling at a cross, for three mornings...
The Properties Of Herbs And Their Use In Medicine : The Properties of Herbs and their Use in Medicine THE Irish, according to the saying of a wise man of the race, are the last of the 305 great Celtic nations of antiquity spoken of by Josephus, the Jewish historian; and they alone preserve inviolate the ancient venerable language, minstrelsy...
For Sore Eyes : To Cause Love Golden butter on a new-made dish, such as Mary set before Christ. This to be given in the presence of a mill, of a stream, and the presence of a tree; the lover saying softly-- "O woman, loved by me, mayest thou give me thy heart, thy soul and body. AMEN."
How To Have Money Always : How to have Money Always Kill a black cock, and go to the meeting of three cross-roads where a murderer is buried. Throw the dead bird over your left shoulder then and there, after nightfall, in the name of the devil, holding a piece of money in your hand all the while. And ever after, no matter...
The Antiquities Of Ireland : The Antiquities of Ireland WE commence the study of this early race with the first rude stone implement with which a savage man killed an animal scarcely more savage. Then, simple designs of ornamentation are discernible--the first twilight dawning of soul through matter. The rude stone implement...
The Fairy Child : The Fairy Child AN ancient woman living at Innis-Sark said that in her youth she knew a young woman who had been married for five years, but had no children. And her husband was a rough, rude fellow, and used to taunt her and beat her often, because she was childless. But in the course of the it...
Legends Of Innis Sark A Woman's Curse : Legends of Innis-Sark A Woman's Curse THERE was a woman of the Island of Innis-Sark who was determined to take revenge on a man because he called her by an evil name. So she went to the Saints' Well, and, kneeling down, she took some of the water and poured it on the ground in the name...
Fairy Power : Fairy Power It is on Fridays that the fairies have the most power to work evil; therefore Friday is an unlucky day to begin work, or to go on a journey, or to have a wedding; for the spirits are then present everywhere, and hear and see everything that is going on, and will mar and spoil all they...
The Dance Of The Dead : The Dance of the Dead It is especially dangerous to be out late on the last, night of November, for it is the closing scene of the revels--the last night when the dead have leave to dance on the hill with the fairies, and after that they must all go back to their graves and lie in the chill, cold...
Various Superstitions And Cures : Various Superstitions and Cures THERE is a book, a little book, and the house which has it will never be burned; the ship that holds it will never founder; the woman who keeps it in her hand will be safe in childbirth. But none except a fairy man knows the name of the book, and he will not reveal...
Our Ancient Capital : Our Ancient Capital The history of Dublin, so admirably narrated by Mr. Gilbert in his learned and. instructive volumes, [a] begins the modern period of Irish history when Ireland became indissolubly united with time British Empire--the greatest empire of the world--and legendary lore, like all...
Fairy Wiles : Fairy Wiles WHEN the fairies steal away a beautiful mortal child they leave an ugly, wizened little creature in its place. And these fairy changelings grow up malicious and wicked, and have voracious appetites. The unhappy parents often try the test of fire for the child, in this wise--placing it...
Music : Music Music formed the chief part of education in ancient Ireland as in Greece, where the same word signified a song and a law. Laws, religion, sciences, and history were all taught in music to the Irish people by the "Ollamhs, "or learned men. The Poets chanted the "Ros-Catha, "or song of battle...
For Sore Eyes. Part 02 : For Sore Eyes "Take away the pain, O Mary, mother, and scatter the mist from the eyes. For all power is given to the mother of Christ to give light to the eyes, and to drive the red mist back to the billows whence it came."
Poet Inspiration Eodain The Poetess : Poetic Inspiration Eodain the Poetess THE "Leanan-Sidhe, "or the spirit of life, was supposed to be the inspirer of the poet and singer, as the "Ban-Sidhe "was the spirit of death, the foreteller of doom. The Leanan-Sidhe somethes took the form of a woman, who gave men valour and strength...
The Farmer Punished : The Farmer Punished THE fairies, with their free, joyous temperament and love of beauty and luxury, hold in great contempt the minor virtues of thrift and economy, and, above all things, abhor the close, hard, niggardly nature that spends grudgingly and never gives freely. Indeed, they seem...
For The Mumps : For the Mumps Wrap the child in a blanket, take it to the pigsty, rub the child's head to the back of a pig and the mumps will leave it and pass from the child to the animal. Another. Take nine black stones gathered before sunrise, and bring the patient with a rope round his neck to a holy...
Title Page : ANCIENT LEGENDS, MYSTIC CHARMS, AND SUPERSTITIONS OF IRELAND BY LADY FRANCESCA SPERANZA WILDE To Which Is Appended A Chapter On "The Ancient Race Of Ireland" By The Late Sir William Wilde. London: Ward & Downey [1887] Boston, Ticknor [1888] Scanned And Redacted By Phillip Brown. Additional...
The Stolen Bride : The Stolen Bride ABOUT the year 1670 there was a fine young fellow living at a place called Querin, in the County Clare. He was brave and strong and rich, for he had his own land and his own house, and not one to lord it over him. He was called the Kern of Querin. And many a time he would go out...
The Clearing From Guilt : The Clearing from Guilt To prove innocence of a crime a certain ancient form is gone through, which the people look on with great awe, and call it emphatically--" The Clearing." It is a fearful ordeal, and instances are known of men who have died of fear and trembling from having passed through...
The Doctor And The Fairy Princess : The Doctor and the Fairy Princess LATE one night, so the story goes, a great doctor, who lived near Lough Neagh, was awoke by the sound of a carriage driving up to his door, followed by a loud ring. Hastily throwing on his clothes, the doctor ran down, when he saw a little sprite of a page...
Lough Foyle : Lough Foyle LOUGH FOYLE means the borrowed lake, for in old times there were two weird sisters dwelling beyond the Shannon, who were skilled in necromancy. And the elder sister said to the younger--"Give me the loan of your silver lake, for I have none; and I promise to restore it to you next...
In Time Of Battle : In Time of Battle "O Mary, who had the victory over all women, give me victory now over my enemies, that they may fall to the ground, as wheat when it is mown."
For The Red Rash : For the Red Rash "Who will heal me from the red, thirsty, shivering cold disease that came from the foreigner, and kills people with its poisonous pain? The prayer of Mary to her Son, the prayer of Columbkill to God; these will heal thee. AMEN." Another. Say this oration three times over...
The Well Of Fionn Ma Coul : The Well of Fionn Ma-Coul THE ancient churches and cells of the saints were generally placed in the vicinity of a well, which then became sanctified and endowed with miraculous healing power. Or the well may have been held sacred by the Druids, and the scene of their pagan rites; therefore...
For The Bite Of A Mad Dog : For the Bite of a Mad Dog An oration which Colum-Cille set to a wound full of poison-- "Arise, O Carmac, O Clunane, through Christ be thou healed. By the hand of Christ be thou healed in blood, in marrow, and in bane. AMEN." This oration to be pronounced over a man or a woman, a horse or a cow...
The Wake Orgies : The Wake Orgies FROM ancient times the wakes, or funeral games, in Ireland were held with many strange observances carried down by tradition from the pagan era. Some of the rites, however, were so revolting and monstrous that the priesthood used all their influence to put them down. The old...
The Lake Of Revenge : The Lake of Revenge NEAR the great mountain of Croagh-Patrick there is a lake called "Clonveneagh, "or the Lake of Revenge, to which evil-disposed persons used to resort in order to imprecate maledictions on their enemies. It was the custom also to erect monuments round the well by placing on end...
For A Pain In The Side : For a Pain in the Side "God save you, my three brothers, God save you! And how far have ye to go, my three brothers?" "To the Mount of Olivet, to bring back gold for a cup to hold the tears of Christ." "Go, then. Gather the gold; and may the tears of Christ fall on it, and thou wilt be cured, both...
Fairy Wiles. Part 02 : Fairy Wiles The fairies are very desirous to abduct handsome cows and carry them off to time fairy palace under the earth; and if a farmer happens to find one of his stock ailing or diseased, the belief is that the fairies have carried off the real good animal, and sent an old wizened witch...
An Irish Adept Of The Islands : An Irish Adept of the Islands SOME persons, even at the present day amongst the peasants, have strange gifts and a knowledge of the hidden mysteries, but they can only impart this knowledge when they know that death is on them, and then it must be to a female, to an unmarried man, ...
For A Stitch In The Side : For a Stitch in the Side Rub the part affected with unsalted butter, and make time sign of the cross seven times over the place.
The Leprehaun : The Leprehaun [a] THE Leprehauns are merry, industrious, tricksy little sprites, who do all the shoemaker's work and the tailor's and the cobbler's for the fairy gentry, and are often seen at sunset under the hedge singing and stitching. They know all the secrets of hidden treasure, and if they...
Tober Na Dara : Tober-na-Dara "Tober-na-Dara "(the well of tear's) was so called because it overflowed one time for a mile round, from the tears of the Irish wives and mothers who came there to weep for their fallen kindred, who had been slain in a battle, fighting against Cromwell's troopers of the English army.
The May Festival : The May Festival THERE were four great festivals held in Ireland from the most ancient pagan times, and these four sacred seasons were February, May, Midsummer, and November. May was the most memorable and auspicious of all; then the Druids lit the "Baal-Tinne, "the holy, goodly fire of Baal...
May Day Superstitions : May-Day Superstitions THE marsh marigold is considered of great use in divination, and is called "the shrub of Beltaine." Garlands are made of it for the cattle and the door-posts to keep off the fairy power. Milk also is poured on the threshold, though none would be given away; nor fire, n...
The Hare : The Hare Hares are considered unlucky, as the witches constantly assume their form in order to gain entrance to a field where they can bewitch the cattle. A man once fired at a hare he met in the early morning, and having wounded it, followed the track of the blood till it disappeared with...
The Hurling Match : The Hurling Match THE fairies, with their true artistic love of all the gentle graces of life, greatly dislike coarse and violent gestures, and all athletic sports, such as hurling and wrestling; and they often try to put an end to them by some evil turn. One day a great cloud of dust came along...
For Chin Cough : For Chin-Cough A griddle cake made of meal, to be given, not bought or made; but a cake "qiven "of love or of charity, not for begging; a cake given freely, with a prayer and a blessing; and from the breakfast of a man and his wife who had the same name before marriage; this is the cure. The touch...
The Baal Fires And Dances : Midsummer The Baal Fires and Dances THIS season is still made memorable in Ireland by lighting fires on every hill, according to the ancient pagan usage, when the Baal fires were kindled as part of the ritual of sun-worship, though now they are lit in honour of St. John. The great bonfire...
Bardic Priviliges : The Fairy Rath THE fairies, beside being revengeful, are also very arrogant, and alIow no interference with their old-established rights. There is a rath in the Queen's County, only four yards in diameter, but held so sacred as the fairies' dancing ground that no one dared to remove a handful...
Medical Superstitions And Ancient Charms : Medical Superstitions and Ancient Charms THE healing art in all the early stages of a nation's life, and amongst all primitive tribes, has been associated with religion. For the wonderful effects produced by certain herbs and modes, of treatment were believed by the simple and unlettered people...
For Love : For Love This is a charm I set for love; a woman's charm of love and desire; a charm of God that none can break-- "You for me, and I for thee and for none else; your face to mine, and your head turned away from all others." This is to be repeated three times secretly, over a drink given to the one...
The Well Of Worship : The Well of Worship AT "Tober Mire, "the well of the field of worship, County Cork, there are also many pagan monuments, and it is evident that the vicinity was one of time strongholds of the Druids in ancient times, where they had a temple, a burial-ground, and stones for sacrifice: a much larger...
How To Go Invisible : How to Go Invisible Get a raven's heart, split it open with a black-hafted knife; make three cuts and place a black bean in each cut. Then plant it, and when the beans sprout put one in your mouth and say-- "By virtue of Satan's heart, And by strength of my great art, I desire to be invisible."...
Drimial Agus Thorial : Drimial Agus Thorial (A Wicked Spell) When a girl wishes to gain the love of a man, and to make him marry her, the dreadful spell is used called "Drimial Agus Thorial. "At dead of night, she and an accomplice go to a churchyard, exhume a newly-buried corpse, and take a strip of the sk...
To Win Love : To Win Love "O Christ, by your five wounds, by the nine orders of angels, if this woman is ordained for me, let me hold her hand now, and breathe her breath. O my love, I set a charm to the top of your head; to the sole of your foot; to each side of your breast, that you may not leave me n...
Divination : Divination In ancient Pagan times in Ireland the poets were supposed to possess the gift of prophecy, and by certain means could throw themselves into a state in which they had lucid vision of coming events. This state, called "Imbas for Osna, "was produced by incantations and the offering...
For Toothache : For Toothache Go to a graveyard; kneel upon any grave; say three paters and three ayes for the soul of the dead lying beneath. Then take a handful of grass from the grave, chew it well, casting forth each bite without swallowing any portion. After this process the sufferer, were he to live...
The Fairies Revenge : The Fairies' Revenge THE fairies have a great objection to the fairy raths, where they meet at night, being built upon by mortal man. A farmer called Johnstone, having plenty of money, bought some land, and chose a beautiful green spot to build a house on, the very spot the fairies loved best...
The Demon Cat : The Demon Cat The cat of the foregoing legend had evidently charming manners, and was well intentioned; but there are other cats of evil and wicked ways, that are, in fact, demons or witches, who assume the cat-form, in order to get easy entrance to a house, and spy over everything. There w...
Queen Maeve : Queen Maeve A REMARKABLE account is given in the Bardic-Legends of a form that appeared to Maeve, queen of Connaught, on the eve of battle. Suddenly there stood before the queen's chariot, a tall and beautiful woman. She wore a green robe clasped with a golden bodkin, a golden fillet on her head...
A Sacred Island : A Sacred Island AT Toome Island there is the ruin of an ancient church, where the dead walk on November Eve. It is a solemn and sacred place, and nothing is allowed to be taken from it; neither stone nor branch of the shadowing trees, for fear of angering the spirits. One day three men who were...
The Ancient Mysteries : The Ancient Mysteries IRELAND, from its remote position and immunity from Roman conquest, remained longer in the possession of the Druidic mysteries than any other nation of Europe. Besides, the early missionaries adopted no intolerant measures against the ancient creed; no persecutions are...
The Fairy Spy : The Fairy Spy SOMETIMES the fairies appear like old men and women, and thus gain admission to houses that they may watch and spy, and bewitch the butter, and abduct the children, and carry off the young girls for fairy brides. There was a man in the west who was bedridden for seven years...
The Holy Well And The Murderer : The Holy Well and the Murderer THE Well of St. Brendan, in High Island, has great virtue, but the miraculous power of the water is lost should a thief or a murderer drink of it. Now a cruel murder had been committed on the mainland, and the priest noticed the people that if the murderer tried...
For The Evil Eye : For the Evil Eye This is a charm Mary gave to St. Bridget, and she wrote it down, and hid it in the hair of her head, without deceit-- "If a fairy, or a man, or a woman hath overlooked thee, there are three greater in heaven who will cast all evil from thee into the great and terrible sea. Pray...
For Epilepsy. Part 02 : For Epilepsy Take nine pieces of young elder twig; run a thread of silk of three strands through the pieces, each piece being an inch long. Tie this round the patient's neck next the skin. Should the thread break and the amulet fall, it must be buried deep in the earth and another amulet made like...
Legends Of Animals : Legends of Animals THERE are no traces in Irish legend of animal worship, but many concerning the influence of animals upon human life, and of their interference with human affairs. The peasants believe that the domestic animals know all about us, especially the dog and the cat. They listen...
November Spells : November Spells THE ancient Irish divided the year into summer and winter--"Samrath "and "Gheimrath; "the former beginning in May, the latter in November, called also "Sam-fuim "(summer end). At this season, when the sun dies, the powers of darkness exercise great and evil influence over all...
Irish Nature : Irish Nature THE Irish show their Aryan descent by the same characteristics as the Fairy race, for they also love everything that is artistic--the fascinations of life, beauty of form, music, poetry, song, splendour, and noble pleasures. Their kings in ancient times were elected for their personal...
The Fairy Changeling : The Fairy Changeling ONE evening, a man was coming home late, and he passed a house where two women stood by a window, talking. "I have left the dead child, in the cradle as you bid me," said one woman, "and behold here is the other child, take it and let me go;" and she laid down an infant...
Fairy Music : Fairy Music THE evil influence of the fairy glance does not kill, but it throws the object into a death-like trance, in which the real body is carried off to some fairy mansion, while a log of wood, or some ugly, deformed creature is left in its place, clothed with the shadow of the stolen form...
The Dead Hand : The Dead Hand WITCHCRAFT is sometimes practised by the people to produce butter in the churn, the most efficacious being to stir the milk round with the hand of a dead man, newly taken from the churchyard; but whoever is suspected of this practice is looked upon with great horror and dread by...
The Fairy Doctress : The Fairy Doctress But all this the time fairies were not idle; for it was at this very season of dances and festivals, when the mortals around them were happiest, that Finvarra the king and his chosen band were on the watch to carry off the prettiest girls to the fairy mansions. There they kept...
Kathleen : Kathleen A young girl from Innis-Sark had a lover, a fine young fellow, who met his death by an accident, to her great grief and sorrow. One evening at sunset, as she sat by the roadside. crying her eyes out, a beautiful lady came by all in white, and tapped her on the cheek. "Don't cry, Kathleen...
To Attract Bees : To Attract Bees Gather foxglove, raspberry leaves, wild marjorum, mint, camomile, and valerian; mix them with butter made on May Day, and let the herbs also be gathered on May Day. Boil them all together with honey; then rub the vessel into which the bees should gather, both inside and out, with...
Rathlin Island : Raithlin Island THERE is an old ruin called Bruce's Castle on this island, and the legend runs that Bruce and his chief warriors lie in an enchanted sleep in a cave of this rock on which stands the castle, and that one day they will rise up and unite the island to Scotland. The entrance to this...
St. Bridget : St. Bridget AT one time a certain leper came to St. Bridget to beg a cow from her. "Which would you prefer?" said the holy Bridget, "to be healed of your disease or to have the cow?" "I would be healed," he answered. Then she touched him, and he became whole and went away rejoicing. After this...
St. Seenan's Well : St. Seenan's Well THERE is a place on the shore of Scattery Island, where, according to the most ancient tradition, a sacred well once existed, with miraculous curative powers. But no one could ever discover the place, for at high water the sea covered every point up to the edge of the l...
A Legend Of Ballytowtas Castle : The Legend of Ballytowtas Castle THE next tale I shall select is composed in a lighter and more modern spirit. All the usual elements of a fairy tale are to be found in it, but the story is new to the nursery folk, and, if well illustrated, would make a pheasant and novel addition to the rather...
For The Great Worm : For the Great Worm* "I kill a hound. I kill a small hound. I kill a deceitful hound. I kill a worm, wherein there is terror; I kill all his wicked brood. Seven angels from Paradise will help me, that I may do valiantly, and give no more time to the worm to live than while I recite this prayer...
The Skelligs Of Kerry : The Skelligs of Kerry THE Skellig Rocks are situated about eleven miles from the mainland, and are considered of great sanctity. In the Middle Ages, during the penitential weeks of Lent, the monks. used to leave the adjacent convent and retire to the Skelligs Rocks for silence, prayer...
A Holy Well : A Holy Well ON the north side of Lough Neagh there is still a holy well of great power and sanctity. Three ancient white-thorn trees overshadow it, and about a mile distant is the fragmentary ruin of a wooden cross, erected in the olden time to mark the limit of the sacred ground. It w...
The Holy Wells : The Holy Wells THERE is no superstition stronger in Ireland than a belief in the curative power of the sacred wells that are scattered over the country; fountains of health and healing which some saint had blessed, or by which some saint had dwelt in the far-off ancient times. But well-worship is...
Sheela Na Skean : Sheela-na-Skean THERE is an old ruin of a farmhouse in the County Cork, near Fermoy, that has an evil reputation, and no one would build it up or inhabit it. Years and years ago a rich farmer lived there, who was reputed to have hoards of gold hid away in his sleeping-room. Some said he never...
Fairy Doctors : Fairy Doctors The fairy doctors are generally females. Old women, especially, are considered to have peculiar mystic and supernatural power. They cure chiefly by charms and incantations, transmitted by tradition through many generations; and by herbs, of which they have a surprising knowledge...
Against Sorrow : Against Sorrow A charm set by Mary for her Son, before the fair man and the turbulent woman laid Him in the grave. The charm of Michael with the shield; Of the palm-branch of Christ; Of Bridget with her veil. The charm which God set for Himself when the divinity within Him was darkened. "A. "charm...
The Irish Fakir : The Irish Fakir MANY of the professional prayer-men, or Fakirs, resort to the "Tober-Breda "during the pattern, and manage to obtain gifts and contributions and all sorts of excellent things in exchange for their prayers from the rich farmers and young girls, to whom they promise good luck...
The Bards : The Bards THE Irish kings in ancient times kept up splendid hospitality at their respective courts, and never sat down to an entertainment, it was said, without a hundred nobles at least being present. Next in rank and superb living to the royal race came the learned men, the ollamhs and poets;...
Superstitions Concerning The Dead : Superstitions Concerning the Dead MANY strange spells are effected by the means of a dead man's hand--chiefly to produce butter in the churn. The milk is stirred round nine times with the dead hand, the operator crying aloud all the time, "Gather! gather! gather." While a secret form of words is...
To Tame A Horse : To Tame a Horse Whisper the Creed in his right ear on a Friday, and again in his left ear on a Wednesday. Do this weekly till he is tamed; for so he will be.
The Wren : The Wren The wren is mortally hated by the Irish; for on one occasion, when the Irish troops were approaching to attack a portion of Cromwell's army, the wrens came and perched on the Irish drums, and by their tapping and noise aroused the English soldiers, who fell on the Irish troops and killed...
The Fatal Love Charm : The Fatal Love-Charm A POTENT love-charm used by women is a piece of skin taken from the arm of a corpse and tied on the person while sleeping whose love is sought. The skin is then removed after some time, and carefully put away before the sleeper awakes or has any consciousness...
St. Ciaron : St. Ciaron This eminent saint died at the early age of thirty-three; and it is said that his death was caused by the prayers of the other saints of Ireland, who were jealous of his power and fame for sanctity. St. Ciaron knowing that death was coming upon him, composed a verse which ha-s been...
For The Memory : For the Memory The whitest of frankincense beaten fine, and drunk in white wine, wonderfully assisteth the memory, and is profitable for the stomach also.
The Child's Dream : The Child's Dream THE island of Innis-Sark (Shark Island) was a holy and peaceful place in old times; and so quiet that the pigeons used to come and build in a great cave by the sea, and no one disturbed them. And the holy saints of God had a monastery there, to which many people resorted...
For A Sprain : For A Sprain In the Western Isles the following charm is used for a sprain-- A strand of black wool is wound round and round the ankle, while the operator recites in a low voice-- "The Lord rade and the foal slade, He lighted and He righted; Set joint to joint and bone to bone, And sinew un...
St. Kieran : St. Kieran ST. KIERAN, also, did good service five hundred years after his death; for when a great chief and his band plundered Clonmacnoise and carried off the jewels from the shrine, the spirit of St. Kieran was seen in the doorway, crosier in hand, striking at the plunderers; and when they fled...
The Power Of The Word : The Power of the Word The belief in the malific influence of the Evil Eye pervades all the Greek islands, and the same preventive measures are used as in Ireland. An old woman is employed to spit three times at the person affected, if she is a person learned in the mysteries and accounted wise...
Sacred Trees. Part 02 : Sacred Trees THE large old hawthorns, growing singly in a field or by an ancient well, are considered very sacred; and no one would venture to cut them down, for the fairies dance under the branches at night, and would resent being interfered with. There is a holy Stone in an island of the Shann...
Sacred Trees : Popular Notions Concerning the Sidhe Race FROM the earliest ages the world has believed in the existence of a race midway between the angel and man, gifted with power to exercise a strange mysterious influence over human destiny. The Persians called this mystic race Peris; the Egyptians...
Edain The Queen : Edain the Queen Now it happened that the king of Munster one day saw a beautiful girl bathing, and he loved her and made her his queen. And in all the land was no woman so lovely to look upon as the fair Edain, and the fame of her beauty came to the ears of the great and powerful chief and king...
For The Fairy Dart : For the Fairy Dart Fairy darts are generally aimed at the fingers, causing the joints to swell and grow red and inflamed. An eminent fairy-woman made the cure of fairy darts her specialty, and she was sent for by all the country round, and was generally successful. But she had no power unless...
Shaun Mor : Shaun-Mor A Legend of Innis-Sark THE islanders believe firmly in the existence of fairies who live in the caves by the sea--little men about the height of a sod of turf, who come out of the fissures of the rocks and are bright and merry, wearing green jackets and red caps, and ready enough to help...
The Magpie : The Magpie There is no Irish name for the Magpie. It is generally called "Francagh, "a Frenchman, though no one knows why. Many queer tales are narrated of this bird, arising from its quaint ways, its adroit cunning and habits of petty larceny. Its influence is not considered evil, though to meet...
The Hen's Castle : The Hen's Castle AT the head of Lough Corrib, deep in the water about a gunshot from the land, stands the ancient castle of "Caisleen-na-Cearca, "said to have been built in one night by a cock and a hen, but in reality it was founded by the ill-fated Roderick O'Connor, the last king of Irel...
The Butter Mystery : The Butter Mystery THERE were two brothers who had a small farm and dairy between them, and they were honest and industrious, and worked hard to get along, though they had barely enough, after all their labour, just to keep body and soul together. One day while churning, the handle of the dash...
The Evil Eye : The Evil Eye THERE is nothing more dreaded by the people, nor considered more deadly in its effects, than the Evil Eye. It may strike at any moment unless the greatest precautions are taken, and even then there is no true help possible unless the fairy doctor is at once summoned to pronounce...
For Depression Of Heart : For Depression of Heart When a person becomes low and depressed and careless about everything, as if all vital strength and energy had gone, he is said to have got a fairy blast. And blast-water must be poured over him by the hands of a fairy doctor while saying, "In the name of the saint with...
Marraige Rites : Marriage Rites IN old times in Ireland it was thought right and proper to seem to use force in carrying off the bride to her husband. She was placed on a swift horse before the bridegroom, while all her kindred started in pursuit with shouts and cries. Twelve maidens attended the bride, and each...
St. Martin : St. Martin ST.. MARTIN was a bad man before his conversion, and, above all, was exceedingly close-fisted, as they say, to the poor; giving nothing and grasping all. So he was very rich but hated by every one. One day, when going out, he charged the servant to have a fine batch of loaves ready made...
The Dark Horseman : The Dark Horeseman ONE day a fine, handsome young fellow, called Jeremy Nowlan, set off. to walk to the fair at Slane, whither some cattle of his had been sent off for sale that same morning early. And he was dressed in his best clothes, spruce and neat; and not one in all the county round could...
Seanchan The Bard And The King Of The Cats : Seanchan the Bard and the King of the Cats THERE is an amusing legend preserved in Ossianic tradition of the encounter between Seanciman, the celebrated chief poet of Ireland, amid the King of all the Cats, who dwelt in a cave near Clonmacnoise. In ancient Ireland the men of learning were esteemed...
A Prayer Against The Plague : A Prayer Against the Plague "O Star of Heaven, beloved of the Lord, drive away time foul constellation that has slain the people with the wound of dreadful death. O Star of time Sea, save us from the poison-breath that kills, from the enemy that slays in the night. AMEN."
Alectromania : Alectromantia Should a person be bewitched by an evil neighbour, he must take two black cocks, lay a charm over the head of one and let it loose; but the other must be boiled down, feathers and all, and eaten. Then the malice of the neighbour will have no effect on him or his. Ancient Egypt...
Legends Of The Dead In The Western Islands : Legends of the Dead in the Western Islands WHEN young people die, either men or women, who were remarkable for beauty, it is supposed that they are carried off by the fairies to the fairy mansions tinder the earth, where they live in splendid palaces and are wedded to fairy queens or princes. But...
Concerning Birds : Concerning Birds IN all countries superstitions of good or evil are attached to certain birds. The raven, for instance, has a wide-world reputation as the harbinger of evil and ill-luck. The wild geese portend a severe winter; the robin is held sacred, for no one would think of harming a bird who...
St. Patrick And The Serpent : St Patrick and the Serpent There is a lake in one of the Galtee mountains where there is a great serpent. chained to a rock, and he may be heard constantly crying out, "O Patrick, is the "Luan, "or Monday, long from us?" For when St.. Patrick cast this serpent into the lake he bade him be chained...
To Cause Love : To Cause Love Ten leaves of the hemlock dried and powdered and mixed in food or drink will make the person you like to love you in return. Also keep a sprig of mint in your hand till the herb grows moist and warm, then take hold of the hand of the woman you love, and she will follow you as long...
November Eve : November Eve ALL the spells worked on November Eve are performed in the name of the devil, who is then forced to reveal the future fate of the questioner. The most usual spell is to wash a garment in a running brook, then hang it on a thorn bush, and wait to see the apparition of the lover, who...
The Cricket : Concerning Living Creatures The Cricket THE crickets are believed to be enchanted. People do not like to express an exact opinion about them, so they are spoken of with great mystery and awe, and no one would venture to kill them for the whole world. But they are by no means evil; on the contrary...
For The Night Fire : For the Night-Fire (the Fever) "God save thee, Michael, archangel! God save thee! "What aileth thee, O man?" "A headache and a sickness and a weakness of the heart. O Michael, archangel, canst thou cure me, O angel of the Lord?" "May three things cure thee, O man. May the shadow of Christ fall...
Concerning Cows : Concerning Cows THE most singular legends of Ireland relate to bulls and cows, and there are hundreds of places all commencing with the word "Bo "(one of the most ancient words in the Irish language), which recall some mystic or mythical story of a cow, especially of a white heifer, which animal...
The Wicked Widow : The Wicked Widow THE evil spells over milk and butter are generally practised by women, and arise from some feeling of malice or envy against a prosperous neighbour. But the spell will not work unless some portion of the milk is first given by consent. The people therefore are very reluctant...
For Pains In The Body : For Pains in the Body Rub the part affected with flax and tow, heated in the fire, repeating in Irish-- "In the name of a rough man and a mild woman, and of the Lamb of God, be healed from your pains and your sins. So be it. AMEN." This custom refers to the tradition that one day the Lord Christ...
For St. Anthony's Fire : For St Anthony's Fire "The fire of earth is hot, and the fire of hell is hotter; but the love of Mary is above all. Who will quench the fire? Who will heal the sick? May the fire of God consume the Evil One! AMEN."
Against Drowning : Against Drowning "May Christ and His saints stand between you and harm. Mary and her Son. St. Patrick with his staff. Martin with his mantle. Bridget with her veil. Michael with his shield. And God over all with His strong right hand."
Charms : Charms by Crystals The charms by crystals are of great antiquity in Ireland--a mode of divination, no doubt, brought from the East by the early wandering tribes. Many of these stones have been found throughout the country, and are held in great veneration. They are generally globular, and appear...
That Forebode Evil : Omens that Forebode Evil To stick a pxxxxxx in the mast of a boat when sailing is most unlucky, To meet woman with red hair, or a woman with a red petticoat, the first thing in the morning. To kill the robin redbreast. To pass a churn and not give a helping hand. To meet a funeral and not go back...
The Raven And The Water Wagtail : The Raven and Water Wagtail If ravens come cawing about a house it is a sure sign of death, for the raven is Satan's own bird; so also is the water wagtail, yet beware of killing it, for it has three drops of the devil's blood in its little body, and ill-luck ever goes with it, and follows it.
Scenes At A Holy Well : Scenes at a Holy Well SCENES of holy faith, of tender love, and human pity are, however, happily more frequent amongst the devotees at the holy wells of Ireland than the fierce mutterings of malediction. At these sacred places may be seen the mother praying for her child, the girl for her lover...
Legend Of Neal Mor : Legend of Neal-Mor THERE is a great hole or well near the river Suir, always filled with water, whose depth no man has yet fathomed. Near it is a castle, which in old times belonged to a powerful chief called ".Neal-rnor. "One day while his servants were saving the hay, a violent tempest of wind...
The Bride's Well : The Bride's Well NEAR the last-named well is the Bride's Well, "Tober Breda "(the holy well of St. Bridget). There is a stone oratory here of fabulous antiquity, with a doorway fashioned after the Egyptian model, sloping towards the top; also an ancient white-thorn covered with votive offerings...
Fairy Help The Phouka : Fairy Help The Phouka THE Phouka is a friendly being, and often helps the farmer at his work if he is treated well and kindly. One day a farmer's son was minding cattle in the field when something rushed past him like the wind; but he was not frightened, for he knew it was the Phouka on his way...
Untitled : Title Page Preface Introduction The Horned Women A Legend of Ballytowtas Castle A Wolf Story The Evil Eye The Stolen Bride Fairy Music The Fairy Dance Fairy Justice The Priest's Soul The Fairy Race The Trial by Fire The Lady Witch Ethna the Bride The Fairies Revenge Fairy Help--The Phouk...
The Cuckoo And The Robin Redbreast : The Cuckoo and Robin Redbreast It is very unlucky to kill the cuckoo or break its eggs, for it brings fine weather; but most unlucky of all things is to kill the robin redbreast. The robin is God's own bird, sacred and holy, and held in the greatest veneration because of the beautiful traditi...
Omens And Superstitions : Omens and Superstitions AUGURIES and prophecies of coming fate may also be obtained from the flight of birds, the motion of the winds, from sneezing, dreams, lots, and the signs from a verse of the Psalter or Gospels. The peasantry attach great importance to the first verses of St. John's Gospel...
The Ancient Race : The Ancient Race BUT thousands of years ago, long before kings, bards, and Druids, with all their learning and comparative civilization, flourished in Ireland, and before the traditions of a beautiful fairy race were brought from the far East by a people accustomed to the sight of beauty, grace...
The Midnight Ride : The Midnight Ride A Peasant's Tale ONE evening a man called Shawn Ruadh was out looking for a red cow that had strayed away, when he heard voices round him, and one said "Get me a horse," and another cried "Get me a horse." "And get me a horse, too," said Shawn, "since they seem so plenty, for I'd...
A Charm For Safety : A Charm for Safety Pluck ten blades of yarrow, keep nine, and cast the tenth away for tithe to the spirits. Put the nine in your stocking, under the heel of the right foot", "when going a journey, and the Evil One will have no power over you.
Innis Murry : Innis-Murry At Innis-Murry, Sligo, there is a large table-stone supported on eight perpendicular stones as a pedestal. And on the table are seventy-three stones, from five to twenty inches in circumference, which have been lying there from the most ancient times; for to remove them would be...
For A Wound : For a Wound Close the wound tightly with the two fingers, and repeat these words slowly-- "In the name of the Father, Son, and holy Mary. The wound was red, the cut was deep, and the flesh was sore; but there will be no more blood, and no more pain, till the blessed Virgin Mary bears a child ag...
Ethna The Bride : Ethna the Bride THE fairies, as we know, are greatly attracted by the beauty of mortal women, and Finvarra the king employs his numerous sprites to find out and carry off when possible the prettiest girls and brides in the country. These are spirited away by enchantment to his fairy palace...
The Dead : The Dead There are many strange superstitions concerning the dead. The people seem to believe in their actual presence, though unseen, and to have a great fear amid dread of their fatal and mysterious power. If a person of doubtful character dies, too bad for heaven, too good for hell, they...
A Terrible Revenge : A Terrible Revenge THE fairies often take a terrible revenge if they are ever slighted or offended. A whole family once came under their ban because a fairy woman had been refused admittance into the house. The eldest boy lost his sight for some the, and though he recovered the use of his eyes yet...
Love Dreams : Love Dreams The girl who wishes to see her future husband must go out and gather certain herbs in the light of the full moon of the new year, repeating this charm-- "Moon, moon, tell unto me When my true love I shall see? What fine clothes am I to wear? How many children shall I bear? For if my...
For Pains : For Pains "I kill the evil; I kill the worm in the flesh, the worm in the grass. I put a venomous charm in the murderous pain. The charm that was set by Peter and Paul; the charm that kills the worm in the flesh, in the tooth, in the body." This oration to be said three times, while the patient is...
The Fenian Knights : The Fenian Knights A Legend of the West THERE is a fort near the Killeries in Connemara called "Lis-na-Keeran. "One day the powerful chief that lived there invited the great Fionn Ma-Coul, with his son Oscar and a band of Fenian knights, to a great banquet. But when the guests arrived they found...
The Three Gifts : The Three Gifts A GREAT, noble-looking man called one night at a cottage, and told the woman that she must come away with him then and there on the instant, for his wife wanted a nurse for her baby. And so saying, before she could answer, he swung her up on his great black horse on a pilli...
For Epilepsy : For the Bite of a Mad Dog Six ounces of rue, four ounces of garlic, two ounces of Venice treacle, and two ounces of pewter filings. Boil for two hours in a close vessel, in two quarts of ale, and give a spoonful fasting each morning till the cure is effected. The liquor is to be strained before...
A Very Ancient Charm Against Wounds Or Poisons : A Very Ancient Charm Against Wounds or Poisons "The poison of a serpent, the venom of the dog, the sharpness of the spear, doth not well in man. The blood of one dog, the blood of many dogs, the blood of the hound of Fliethas--these I invoke. It is not a wart to which my spittle is applied. I...
The Farmer's Fate : The Farmer's Fate THE peasants have the greatest dread of the fairy-stroke, and consider it the most dangerous indication of fairy hostility. When a person is struck, he becomes wholly insensible to external things, as if his soul had been taken Out of him and carried away. A farmer once beg...
For Rheumatism : For Rheumatism The operator makes passes, like the mesmerist, over the member affected by the rheumatic pain, never touching the part, but moving his hand slowly over it at some distance, while he mutters a form of words in a low voice.
Cathal The King : Evil Spells Cathal the King IT is said by time wise women and fairy doctors that the roots of the elder tree, and the roots of an apple tree that bears red apples, if boiled together and drunk fasting, will expel any evil living thing or evil spirit that may have taken up its abode in the body...
The White Stones : The White Stones At many of the wells quantities of beautiful white stones are found that glitter in the sun, and these are highly esteemed by the pilgrims to build up their prayer monuments. One day some women were eagerly collecting these stones, after each round of praying, in order to build up...
The Coastguard's Fate : The Coastguard's Fate One day a coastguard man was out in his boat with some of the islanders when a terrible storm arose with thunder and lightning. The poor people fell on their knees and prayed devoutly, but the man laughed at them, called them fools and cowards, and said be also could make...
The Bardic Race : Sketches of the Irish Past The Bardic Race THE magi, the Sephoe, the gymnosophists, and the Irish adepts, held much the same creed and the same dogmas with regard to the conduct of life necessary to heighten the spiritual power. They all abstained from animal food at such times as the rush...
A Blessing : A Blessing "O aged old woman of the grey locks, may eight hundred blessings twelve times over be on thee! Mayest thou be free from desolation, O woman. of the aged frame! And may many tears fall on thy grave."
For Freckles : For Freckles Anoint a freckled face with the blood of a bull, or of a hare, and it will put away the freckles and make the skin fair and clear. Also the distilled water of walnuts is good.
The Dead Soldier : The Dead Soldier THERE is an island in the Shannon, and if a mermaid is seen sitting on the rocks in the sunshine, time people know that a crime has been committed somewhere near; for she never appears but to announce ill-luck, and she has a spite against mortals, and rejoices at their misfortunes...
Concerning Dogs : Concerning Dogs SOME very weird superstitions exist in Ireland concerning the howlings of dogs. It a dog is heard to howl near the house of a sick person, all hope of his recovery is given up, and the patient himself sinks into despair, knowing that his doom is sealed. But the Irish are not alone...
The Tuatha De Danaan : The Cave Fairies The Tuatha-de-Danann IT is believed by many people that the cave fairies are the remnant of the ancient Tuatha-de-Dananns who once ruled Ireland, but were conquered by the Milesians. These Tuatha were great necromancers, skilled in all magic, and excellent in all the arts...
Fairy Justice : Fairy Justice A Legend of Shak Island. THE "Red-haired Man," although he is considered very unlucky in actual life, yet generally acts in the fairy world as the benevolent "Deus ex machina, "that saves and helps and rescues the unhappy mortal, who himself is quite helpless under the fairy spells...
The Fairy Race : The Fairy Race THE "Sidhe, "or spirit race, called also the "Feadh-Ree, "or fairies, are supposed to have been once angels in heaven, who were cast out by Divine command as a punishment for their inordinate pride. Some fell to earth, and dwelt there, long before man was created, as the first gods...