The opulence of Irish lore goes beyond the religious practices of its pagan traditions. One of the richest elements in early Irish legend is that of dinnseanchas,(1) a Gaelic term meaning “lore of the place.” Stories were invented to explain how certain geographical phenomena came into existence. An example of this is Giant’s Causeway on the coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland. Giant’s Causeway is a formation of volcanic basalt columns that is also present on the coast of Scotland directly across the North Channel.  According to legend, the giant Finn McCool was engaged in an altercation with a Scottish giant. During the fight, the Giants were throwing stones at each other, which piled up on either side of the channel creating the causeways.

Unknown photographer, unknown date, “Giant’s Causeway”, Co. Antrim, Ireland, Micropedia – Irish History, Parragon

There are many examples of dinneseanchas throughout Irish history, and in some instances, even manmade structures took on mystical attributes. Such is the case with the Dolmens of the Irish Bronze Age. Dolmens are ancient tombs that are constructed of three standing stones with one large flat stone balanced on the top, creating a tent-like structure.  It is believed that earth mounds, which have eroded over time, initially surrounded these structures.  The Dolmens were built as tombs, however, in folklore, they were believed to have been the gateway to the underworld, a literal doorway into the mystical realm of the Gods.

 Jon Sullivan, 2005, Pulnabrone Dolmen, Co. Clare, Ireland.

(1) Dinnseanchas –  (Dinn-shawn–cus) Gaelic – short poems which describe how places in Ireland got their name.