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.

Newgrange also played a significant role in Irish mythology. According to the myths and legends, Newgrange was built by the god Dagda, who was the High King of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of supernatural beings including fairies and Na Daoine Beog, (Na DEE-nee BEE-Og) the little people who would later become known as Leprechauns. Newgrange was believed to be one of the sídhe (fairy-mound), which was the dwelling place of these mythical beings.

Brú na Bóinne is named for the goddess Boann who is the mother of Aengus, the Dagda’s son, and is also believed to have created the River Boyne which resides nearby. The great Irish hero Cúchulainn is claimed to have been born at Newgrange, however, these stories date from the Celtic era, some 2000 years after the construction of Newgrange.

Irish history is abundant with legends and mythical tales intertwined with true historical accounts. In pre-Christian Ireland, the people followed a polytheistic system of faith. They worshiped nature in a way where every element from the sky and earth to the animals and plants had a ruling deity. The leaders of the religious societies were known as Druids.

The Druids presided over the sacred rituals and were healers and fortune tellers. They used nature to decipher omens and to determine the timing of the seasons and their corresponding festivals. The Gaelic Druids observed four significant holidays. Imbolg, celebrated on February 1, observed the initial signs of the approaching spring equinox; Beltaine, celebrated May 1, was a fertility celebration representing the renewal of spring (it would later be interwoven with the Christian celebration of Easter, hence the symbol of the Easter egg.) Lughnasa, celebrated August 1, celebrates the first harvest and the sun god Lugh. Finally, Samhain, celebrated October 31, recognized the conclusion of the harvest season and the diminishing of the veil between the world of the living and the realm of the dead, later becoming Halloween. (1)

1. Alexander Macbain, Celtic Mythology and Religion , Oracle Publishing Ltd., Hertfordshire, England, UK, 1996, pages 104-116.

Aerial View of Newgrange

Before the arrival of the Celts (about 500 BC), Ireland was inhabited by a Neolithic people who were responsible for the construction of many Stone Age monuments and tombs. They were an advanced farming culture and had an evident interest in and knowledge of astronomy. (1)

One of the greatest achievements of this era was the megalithic passage grave at Newgrange. Newgrange is located in Co. Meath, some fifty miles outside of Dublin on the eastern coast of Ireland.

It is believed to pre-date the pyramids in Egypt by 500 years and Stonehenge in England by as many as 10,00 years, making it one of the world’s oldest structures.

Newgrange was constructed between approximately 3300-2900 B.C. covering an entire acre of land. It is part of a complex known as Brú na Bóinne which also includes two other passage tombs, Knowth and Dowth, along with 37 smaller satellite tombs.

The tomb of Newgrange consists of a large mound, 250ft across and 40ft high. This mound houses a long passageway that extends nearly 83ft towards the center of the mound leading to a central chamber. This central burial chamber is formed in the shape of a cross and has a ceiling that expands nearly 20ft above.

One of the most miraculous aspects of this structure is that the roof is in near-perfect condition and completely waterproof despite its age of over 5000 years. (2)

The main function of Newgrange was as a tomb. During the Neolithic age, human remains were cremated. In the early 1960s, during the excavation of the site, the remains of five individuals were found. It is believed that the large stone basins found in the cruciform chamber were used to store the cremated remains.

These stone basins also serve another purpose. An important part of the religious beliefs of the Neolithic people involved the sun. Astronomical events were vital as they served to schedule major events such as harvesting, planting and the gauging of winter supplies all of which determined the survival of the community. The winter solstice marked the midpoint of the season and symbolized the rebirth of the earth in the coming spring. Newgrange is a monument to this celebrated event. Once a year, on December 21st, the sun shines into the mound through a small roof box opening above the main entrance. The sunlight is guided down the long passage into the cruciform chamber where it fills up one of the large basins and illuminates the entire cavity.

These solar alignments are a common feature in passage graves of this period the world over, however, none are as precise as that of Newgrange.

1. Seamus, Mac Annaidh, Irish History – Micropedia, Parragon, Bath, England, UK, pages 16-17.

2. “Newgrange – A Step Back in Time”, Bru na Boinne Tourist Office, Donore, Co. Meath, Ireland, pages 12-15.

They came from a land beyond the sea, And now o’er the western main 

Set sail, in the good ships, gallantly, From the sunny land of Spain.

“Oh, where’s the Isle we’ve seen in dreams, Our destined home or grave?”

Thus sung they as, by the morning’s beams, They swept the Atlantic wave.

– SONG OF INNISFAIL

by Thomas Moore
from The Poetry and Song of Ireland

“The Song of Innisfail,” a poem by Thomas Moore, describes the coming of the mysterious race of the ancient Celts to the shores of Ireland. This invasion would change the culture of the Emerald Isle dramatically and forge the beginning of the distinct imagery and traditions of this inimitable island.

This blog will be dedicated to the exploration of the long and fascinating history of the ancient Celts.  Here you will find articles, comparative studies and general history pertaining to the artwork and culture of the Celtic people.

I welcome you to this forum and hope that you enjoy the narrative as well as join in the discussions that will be occurring in this blog.