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The Salmon of Knowledge
When Fionn Mac Cumhaill was young, he spent a lot of time with a very wise man called Finnegas.
Finnegas lived near the river Boyne, where he would spend his time trying to catch the Salmon of Knowledge.
The ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ had eaten magical hazelnuts and anyone who would eat the salmon would gain all the knowledge in the world. Finnegas had spent many nights trying to catch the salmon to gain all the knowledge.
One day, Finnegas caught the salmon! He ordered Fionn to cook it, but warned him not to taste any of it. Fionn burnt his thumb while cooking the salmon, so he put his thumb into his mouth to ease the pain.
As soon as Fionn put his thumb into his mouth, he could feel all the knowledge buzzing around his head. He had gained all the knowledge in the world!
An Bradán Feasa
Nuair a bhí Fionn Mac Cumhaill ina bhuachaill óg, chaith sé cuid mhaith dá chuid ama le fear darbh ainm Finnegas. Fear ana-chiallmhar ab ea Finnegas agus bhí cónaí air in aice le hAbhainn na Bóinne.
Istigh san abhainn, bhí cónaí ar an ‘mBradán Feasa’. Bhí an bradán feasa tar éis cnóite draoíchta a ithe, agus pé duine a d’íosfadh an bradán, bheadh eolas an domhain acu.
Lá amháin, bheir Finnegas ar an mbradán feasa! Dúirt sé le Fionn é a chócaráil go tapaigh, ach gan aon phíosa dó a bhlaiseadh. Dhóigh Fionn a órdóg fad is a bhí sé á chócaráil agus mar sin chuir sé a órdóg ina bhéal.
Chomh luath is a chuir Fionn a órdóg ina bhéal, bhraith sé an t-eolas ar fad ag teacht chuige. Bhí sé tar éis eolas an domhain ar fad a thabhairt leis!
The Story of Lir
King Lir was married to Eva and they had four children. After Eva died, Lir married Aoife who had magical powers.
At first Aoife was a loving step mother but soon became very jealous of Lir’s love for his children.
One day she brought the children to swim at Loch Dairbhreach and casted an evil spell on them, turning them into swans. The spell meant that they had to live on the lake for 900 years. They would only be free if they heard the ringing bells of St Patrick arriving to Ireland.
The children used their beautiful singing voices to tell Lir what Aoife had done. Lir became so angry at Aoife and banished her out of his land.
The spell finally lifted after about 900 years when the bells rang out, but sadly the children began to age very quickly until they were too old to live.
Clann Lir
Bhí Rí Lir pósta le hÉabha agus bhí ceathrar leanaí acu. Nuair a cailleadh Éabha, phós Lir bean nua go raibh draoícht aici, darbh ainm Aoife.
Ar dtúis, ba leasmháthair iontah í Aoife, ach d’ éirigh sí ana-éadmhar leis an ngrá a bhí ag Lir dos na leanaí.
Lá amháin, thóg sí na leanaí amach ag snámh go Loch Dairbhreach. Chuir sí faoi dhraíocht na leanaí, agus d’athraíodar isteach ina n-ealaí. Bhí orthu fanacht 900 bliain amuigh ar an loch agus iad ina n-ealaí. Bheadís saor dá gcloisidís cloigíní Naomh Pádraig.
D’úsáid na leanaí a nguthanna aoibhinn binn chun a rá le Lir cad a bhí Aoife tar éis a dhéanamh. D’éirigh Lir chomh crosta le hAoife, gur chaith sé í amach as a ríocht.
Ar deireadh tar éis 900 bliain, chuala na leanaí na cloigíní ag bualadh. Thosnaíodar ag athrú thar nais ina leanaí, ach toisc go rabhadar tar éis 900 bliain a chaitheamh amuigh ar an loch, thosnaíodar ag dul in aois go tapaidh go dtí go gcailleadh iad.
How Setanta became Cú Chulainn
When Setanta was a young boy, he loved to play hurling and all he wanted to do was to join the Red Branch Army. The Army defended Ulster for their king, Conchúr Mac Neasa.
When Setanta was 10, he set off to join the Red Branch Army. When he arrived, a hurling match was on between the other boys. Setanta joined in but the other boys didn’t like it because he was such a good hurler. They started attacking him with the hurls, but Setanta was able to beat all of them.
The king was very impressed with Setanta, so he invited him for a feast. Culann, a blacksmith, let out his Cú (hound) to guard the castle. They had forgotten that Setanta was still to come.
When Setanta arrived, he saw the cú standing in front of him ready to attack. He took out his hurl, and launched the sliotar at it, killing it instantly. Both the king and Culann were very impressed when they saw the cú dead on the ground and Setanta still alive.
Setanta felt bad for killing the cú, so he told Culann that he would guard the castle and become ‘Cú Chulainn’.
Cú Chulainn
Nuair a bhí Setanta ina bhuachaill óg, thaithin iománaíocht go mór leis agus bhí ana-shuim aige a bheith ina bhall de Laochra na Craoibhe Rua. Choimead Laochra na Craoibhe Rua an Rí, Conchúir MacNessa, agus cúige Uladh ar fad sábháilte.
Nuair a bhí Setanta 10 mbliana d’aois, d’imigh sé ar shiúlóid fhada go dtí na Laochra. Nuair a shroich sé an tarm, chonaic sé go raibh cluiche iomána ar siúil idir na buachaillí eile. D’imigh Setanta isteach ag imirt leo, ach chuir sé sin fearg ar na buachaillí eile ar fad mar go raibh Setanta ana-mhaith ag an iomáint. Thosnaíodar a bhualadh leis na camáin ach bhí Setanta ábalta buachaint ar gach uile dhuine acu.
Nuair a chonaic an rí cad a bhí tar éis tárlú, bhí sé ana-thógtha le Setanta. Thug sé cuireadh dó teacht ar fhéasta leis. I rith n féasta, lig Culainn (gabha) dá chú amach chun an caisléan a chosaint. Bhíodar tar éis dearúd a dhéanamh go raibh Setanta fós le teacht!
Nuair a shroich Setanta an caisleán, chonaic sé an cú mór as a chomhair amach ullamh le é a mharú. Thóg sé amach a chamán, agus bhuail sé an sliotar síos scornach an chú. Bhí sé tar éis an cú a mharú! Bhí an rí agus Culainn ana-thógtha air fad nuair a chonaiceadar go raibh Setanta tar éis maireachtaint.
Bhraith Setanta olc go raibh sé tar éis an cú a mharú, agus mar sin dúirt sé go mbeadh sé mar ‘Cú Chulainn’ agus go gcoimeádach sé an caisleán sábhálta!
Oisín i dTír na nÓg
Tír na nÓg- (The Land of the young) was a beautiful land in the western sea.
One day Fionn Mac Cumhaill and his son Oisín, were out hunting with the Fianna on the shores of Lough Leane in Co. Kerry. A beautiful girl riding a white horse approached them. Her name was Niamh, the princess of Tír na nÓg. She had come to marry Óisín, and take him back to Tír Na nÓg.
Oisín lived happily in Tír na nÓg for 3 years. One day he decided he wanted to return and visit Ireland. Niamh agreed but warned him, “never set foot on the soil of Ireland or you won’t be able to return to Tír na nÓg.”
When Oisín reached Ireland, everything had changed. His father and Na Fianna were long gone. 3 years in Tír na nÓg was 300 years in Ireland!
He came across men trying to move a huge stone and tried to help them, but sadly he fell off the horse. One step on the Irish soil, Oisín began to age very quickly until he was too old to live.
Oisín i dtír na nÓg
Tír na nÓg- áit álainn ar fad san fharraige thiar.
Lá ámháin, bhí Fionn Mac Cumhail agus a mhac Oisín amuigh ag fiach leis na Fianna ar bhruacha Loch Léin i gCiarraí. Tháinigh cailín aoibhinn suas chuchu is í ag marcaíocht ar chapall bán. Niamh ab ainm di, agus ba bhanphrionsa Thír na nÓg í. Bhí sí tar éis teacht chun Oisín a phósadh, agus é a thabhairt thar n-ais go Tír na Óg.
Mhair Oisín agus Niamh go sásta le chéile i dTír na nÓg ar feadh 3 bliana. Lá amháin, theastaigh ó Oisín dul thar nais go hÉirinn chun a mhuintir a fheiscint aríst. Ghéill Niamh dá iarratas, ach dúirt sí leis, ‘ná cuir do chois ar thalamh na hÉireann, nó ní bheidh cead agat teacht thar n-ais go Tír na nÓg aríst!’
Nuair a shroich Oisín Eire, bhí gach rud tar éis athrú. Bhí a mhuintir agus na Fianna imithe le fada. B'ionann 3 bliana i dtír na nÓg, agus 300 bliain in Éirinn!
Tháinigh sé trasna ar ghrúpa fear a bhí ag triail cloch mhór a bhogadh. Chabhraigh Oisín leo, ach thit sé anuas dá chapall fad is a bhí sé ag cabhrú leo. Nuair a thit sé ar thalamh Éireannach, thosnaigh sé ag dul in aois go tapaidh, agus ní fada go bhfuair sé bás.
Diarmuid agus Gráinne
Gráinne was the daughter of the High King Cormac Mac Airt, and everyone wanted her hand in marriage because of her beauty.
At this time, Fionn Mac Cumhaill was the leader of na Fianna. He wanted to make Gráinne his second wife, and she agreed to marry him.
Diarmuid was a young warrior, one of Fionn’s best fighters. When Gráinne met him, it was love at first sight. She asked Diarmuid to marry her, but he refused to because his loyalty for Fionn was too strong. Gráinne wasn’t taking no for an answer so she cast a spell on him and he fell in love with her.
They ran off together and spent years hiding away together. One day, Fionn and his men were out hunting, and saw the couple. They chased after them but the couple ran into a giant boar. The boar and Diarmuid fought until both couldn’t fight anymore.
Fionn found Diarmuid dying in poor Gráinne’s arms.
Diarmuid agus Gráinne
Iníon an Ard Rí Cormac Mac Airt ba ea Gráinne agus bhí gach éinne i ngrá léi de bharr a háilleacht.
I rith an ama seo, bhí Fionn Mac Cumhaill ina cheannaire ar na Fianna. Theastaigh uaidh Gráinne a phósadh, agus ghlac sí lena thairscint.
Saighdiúir óg ba ea Diarmuid, ceann dos na saighdiúirí ab fhearr a bhí ag Fionn. Nuair a bhuail Gráinne leis don gcéad uair, thit sí i ngrá leis. Chuir sí ceist air í a phósadh, ach dhiúltaigh sé a ró-dhílseacht do Fhionn. D’éirigh Gráinne ana-chrosta leis faoi seo, agus chuir sí faoi dhraíocht é chun go dtitfeadh sé i ngrá léi.
D’éalaíodar le chéile, agus chaitheadar blianta amuigh i bhfolach le chéile. Lá amháin, bhí Fionn agus na Fianna amuigh ag fiach agus chonaiceadar an bheirt. Ritheadar ina ndiaidh, ach fad is a bhí Diarmuid agus Gráinne ag iarraidh éalú, bhualadar le torc mór groí. Throid Diarmuid agus an torc go dtí nach bhféadfaidís troid a thuilleadh.
Tháinig Fionn ar Dhiarmuid agus é ag fáil bháis i lámha Ghráinne bhocht.
Dullahan
The Dullahan was a headless man who rode a black horse. Before this, he used to be a soldier, but he lost his head while fighting in a war.
He wore a long, black cloak while he rode through villages, terrorising people. If anyone looked at him, they would go blind. People hid behind their curtains, terrified of the Dullahan.
The only way to stop the Dullahan, was to throw a piece of gold onto the road in front of him. His horse would stop just before the gold, then would turn and run in the other direction.
Gan Ceann
Fear gan ceann ba ea An Dúlachán a bhíodh ag marcaíocht ar chapall dubh. Roimhe seo, ba shaighdiúir é ach chaill sé a cheann agus é ag bruíon i gcogadh.
Chaith sé clóca fada dubh agus é ag marcaíocht trí bhailte, ag cur eagla ar dhaoine. Dá bhféachfadh duine air, chaillfaidís radharc na súl. Chuaigh daoine i bhfolach laistír dá gcuirtíní aon uair a gcloisidís An Dúlachán ag teacht.
An t-aon slí chun é a stopadh, ná píosa óir a chaitheamh os a chomhair amach ar an mbóthar. Stopfadh an capall, ansin chasfadh sé agus rithfeadh sé an treo eile.
Fairies
Nowadays countryside people in Ireland still have a fierce respect for the myth of the Irish fairies. It was believed that they were everywhere. Fairies were considered to be small creatures who were neither human nor ghosts. They can bring good luck and fortune but at the same time they can be extremely vengeful.
People are still afraid of interfering with fairies. People in Co. Clare objected to a motorway being built because a hawthorn bush would have to be knocked. The hawthorn bush was believed to be the meeting point of opposing fairy clans and people were afraid they’d be cursed by interfering with the bush.
Fairies also met at prehistoric monuments called “Ring Forts,” many are still visible in Ireland today. Many believe that fairies can be found in underground fairy forts in the Burren in Co. Clare.
Sióga
Sa lá atá inniu tá ardmheas i gcónaí ar mhiotas na sióga ag muintir na tuaithe in Éirinn. Creideadh go rabhadar gach áit inár dtimpeall. Ceapadh gur créatúirí beaga iad nach raibh daonna ná taibhseach. D’fhéadfaidís ádh nó a mhalairt a thabhairt.
Tá scanradh fós ar dhaoine cur isteach ar shióga. Dhiúltaigh daoine i gCo. an Chláir mótarbhealach a thógaint toisc go gcaithfí seach gheal a leagadh. Creideadh gur pointe cruinnithe é an sceach gheal do shióga a bhí in aghaidh a chéile agus bhí eagla ar dhaoine go gcuirfí mallacht orthu de bharr an sceach a leagadh.
Deirtear gur bhuail sióga ag séadchomharthaí réamhstairiúla chomh maith ar a dtugtar liosanna, agus tá scaite fós le feiscint inniu in Éirinn. Creideann a lán daoine gur féidir teacht ar shióga faoi thalamh sa Bhoirinn i gCo. an Chláir.
Sluagh
The Sluagh were evil creatures that would fly around, stealing people’s souls.
They would fly around during the night, and many people would stay inside and close all their windows to keep them out.
They were very dangerous, especially during Halloween! People were forbidden to light a fire during Halloween, as it would attract the Sluagh towards them.
An Sluagh
Ainmhithe scanrúla ab ea An Sluagh agus bheidís ag eitilt timpeall, agus ag goid anamacha daoine. D’eitleodís timpeall i rith na hoíche, agus bhí ar daoine na fuinneoga a dhúnadh chun An Sluagh a choimeád amach uathu.
Bhíodar dainséarach, go háirithe le linn na Samhna! Ní raibh sé ceadaithe tine a lasadh Oíche Shamhna mar go meallfadh sé An Sluagh.
Labhraidh Loingseach
Labhraidh Loingseach was a high king of Ireland. He had horse ears, but kept this a secret by growing his hair long and only cutting it once a year. The barber that would cut it would be put to death.
One day, a widow’s son was chosen to cut Labhraidh’s hair. The widow begged the king not to kill her son. Labhraidh agreed, but on the condition that the barber never tell anyone about his secret.
The barber cut Labhraidh’s hair, but found it incredibly hard to keep the secret. He found it so hard that he became sick. The only way that he would feel better again, was to tell the secret to the first tree he met in the forest. He soon felt well again after telling the tree the secret.
A while later, one of Labhraidh’s musicians broke a harp. He went to the same tree that the barber had told the secret to and cut it down to make a new harp.
The next night, the king held a feast in his castle. The musician started playing the harp, but the only sound that came out was;
“Two horse’s ears on Labhraidh Loingseach!”
“Two horse’s ears on Labhraidh Loingseach!”
The king’s secret was out!
Labhraidh Loingseach
Bhí Labhraidh Loingseach ina Ard-Rí ar Éirinn. Bhí dhá chluais capall air, ach choimeád sé é seo ina rún trí a chuid gruaige a fhás amach. Ghearrfadh sé a ghruaig uair sa bhliain, ach bhí ar an mbearrabóir dul chun báis tar éis é a ghearradh.
Lá amháin, roghnaíodh mac baintrí chun gruaig an rí a ghearradh. D’impigh an bhaintreach ar an rí gan a mac a chuir chun báis. Thug Labhraidh tor ar achainí na baintrí ar an gcoinníoll nach n-inseoidh an bearbóir d’éinne riamh faoina rún.
Ghearr an bearbóir gruaig Labhraidh, ach fuair sé ana-deacair an rún a choimeád. Fuair sé chomh deacair san é, gur éirigh sé breoite. An t-aon slí a bhraithfeadh sé níos fearr arís, ná an rún a insint don chéad chrann a bhuailfeadh sé leis san fhoraois. Go luath ina dhiaidh san, bhraith sé i bhfad níos fearr mar go raibh sé tar éis an rún a insint don chrann.
Tamall ina dhiaidh san, bhris duine de cheoltóirí Labhraidh a chruit. Chuaigh sé go dtí an crann céanna a bhí an bearbóir tar éis an rún a insint dó, agus ghearr sé síos é chun cruit nua a dhéanamh as.
An oíche dar gcionn, bhí féasta ar siúl ag Labhraidh ina chaisleán. Thosnaigh an ceoltóir ag seinm na cruite, ach is é an ceol a tháinig ón gcruit ná;
“Tá dhá chluais capall ar Labhraidh Loingseach”
“Tá dhá chluais capall ar Labhraidh Loingseach”
Bhí rún an Rí scaoilte!
Queen Meadhbh
Meadhbh was the queen of Connacht and was married to Alilil Mac Máta.
One day, Meadhbh and Alilil got into a fight about who owned the most cattle. Alilil owned a very strong bull, and Meadhbh knew she was going to lose the fight if she didn’t own a stronger bull.
There was a man called Dáire Mac Fiachna, who owned the strongest bull in Ireland, called the “Donn Cuailgne”. Queen Meadhbh sent a messenger to Dáire asking to rent the bull for a year. She offered him land in Connacht, and fifty heifers. Dáire agreed, and threw a feast that same night. During the feast, Meadhbh’s messenger became drunk, and said that if Dáire refused to give the bull to Meadhbh, they would’ve robbed it anyway.
When Dáire heard this, he became angry and refused to give the bull to Meadhbh. Meadhbh wanted the bull, so she started a war. She sent an army to Dáire to steal the bull.
Cú Chulainn helped Dáire fight against Meadhbh in the war. He was so strong, that he was able to beat every single soldier Meadhbh sent.
Donn Cuailgne and Aillil’s bull soon started to fight. The two bulls fought day and night until both couldn’t fight anymore. Donn Cuailgne killed Aillil’s bull, but Donn was so exhausted from the fight that he lay on the ground and died.
An Bhanríon Meadhbh
Banríon Chúige Chonnacht ba ea Meadhbh gus bhí sí pósta le Alilil Mac Máta.
Lá amháin, bhí bruíon ag Meadhbh agus Alilil faoi cé acu an raibh an méid is mó beithíoch. Bhí tarbh mór groí láidir ag Alilil, agus bhí fhios ag Meadhbh go mbeadh an bruíon caillte aici muna mbeadh tarbh níos láidre aici.
Bhí fear ann darbh Dáire Mac Fiachna, agus bhí an tarbh is láidie in Éirinn aige darbh ainm “Donn Cuailgne”. Chuir Meadhbh ceist air an bhféadfadh sí an tarbh a thógaint ar iasacht ar feadh bliana agus go dtabharfadh sí talamh agus caoga bó dó. D’aontaigh Dáire glacadh leis an bpá seo, agus chuir sé féasta air siúl. I rith an fhéasta, bhí duine d'uaisle Mheadhbh ar meisce, agus dúirt sé muna mbeadh Dáire tar éis aontú, go mbeidís tar éis an tarbh a ghoid uaidh pé scéal é.
Nuair a chuala Dáire é seo, d’éirigh sé ana- chrosta agus dúirt sé nach raibh sé ag iarraidh an tarbh a thabhairt do Mheadhbh a thuilleadh. Theastaigh ó Mheadhbh an tarbh, bheith aici agus mar sin thosnaigh sí cogadh le Dáire. Chuir sí saighdiúirí ina dhiaidh chun an tarbh a ghoid.
Chabhraigh Cú Chulainn le Dáire troid i gcoinne airm Mheadhbh. Bhí Cú Chulainn chomh láidir san go raibh sé ábalta na saighdiúirí ar fad a mharú.
Thosnaigh Donn Cuailgne agus tarbh Alilil ag bruíon. Bhí an dá tharbh ag bruíon lá agus oíche go dtí nach rabhadar ábalta bruíon a thuilleadh. Mharaigh Donn tarbh Alilil, ach bhí sé chomh tuirseach san tar éis na bruíne ar fad gur luigh sé ar an dtalamh agus cailleadh ar an dtoirt é.
Fionn and the Giant
A giant lived in Tír na Sorcha a long time ago and he would come over to visit Ireland. What brought him back was listening to stories about a man in Ireland named Fionn Mac Cumhaill. The people were saying that Fionn was a great warrior and that no man could ever beat him in a fight. This giant was also a very good fighter and could beat anyone in a fight. The giant sent word to Fionn telling him that he was coming to Ireland, and when Fionn heard the news, he told his wife that he was in deep trouble. She thought of a clever trick. There was a big cradle in the house, and she put Fionn into the cradle to scare the giant off.
When the giant came to Ireland, he asked Fionn's wife where Fionn was. She said he was out hunting and he wouldn't be home until late that night. The giant went up to the cradle where Fionn was, to see the baby, and put his hand out to him. Fionn put the giant's thumb into his mouth and bit it.
The Giant said, "if the men in Ireland are as hostile as the children, they must be very evil!"
He then asked Fionn’s wife to get him some food ready and he would go back home. Fionn’s wife poisoned the bread and then gave it to the Giant. When the Giant ate the bread, he died.
Fionn agus an Fathach
Bhí cónaí ar fhathach i dTír na Sorcha fadó. Thagadh sé ar cuairt go hÉireann go minic. Chuala sé scéalta faoi fear darbh ainm Fionn Mac Cumhaill. Bhí sé ráite go bhfeádfadh Fionn Mac Cumhaill buachaint ar éinne dá mbeadh bruíon acu. Bhí an fathach ana-mhaith ag bruíon chomh maith, agus mar sin chuir sé teachtaireacht go Fionn Mac Cumhail ag rá go raibh sé ag teacht trasna go hÉireann. Chuir sé seo ana-eagla ar Fhionn agus dúirt sé lena bhean chéile go raibh sé i dtrioblóid. Tháinig a bhean chéile suas le cleas cliste. Bí cliabhán acu sa tigh, agus chuir sí Fionn isteach ann chun eagla a chuir ar an bhfathach.
Nuair a tháinig an fathach go Éireann, chuir sé ceist ar bhean chéile Fhionn cá raibh Fionn. Dúirt sí go raibh sé amuigh ag fiach agus ná beadh sé thar nais go dtí tráthnóna. Chuaigh an fathach trasna go dtí an gcliabhán, an áit go raibh Fionn, agus chuir sé a mhéar amach chuige. Bhain FIonn greim as órdóg an fhathaigh.
Dúirt an fathach; “má tá fir na hÉireann chomh crosta is atá an leanbh, tá siad ana-olc!”
Chuir an fathach ceist ar bhean chéile Fhionn an bhféadfadh sí bia a thabhairt dó agus go rachaih sé abhaile. Dhein sí amhlaidh ach chuir sí nimh isteach san arán agus thug sí don bhfathach é. Nuair a d’ith an fathach an t-arán, cailleadh é.
Leprechaun
A Leprechaun is a supernatural fairy who makes shoes. They are small, bearded men who enjoy playing tricks on people. They are only 3 feet tall, but they love to dance. They love dancing so much that they are always in need of new shoes.
It is said that if you catch a leprechaun, they will grant you 3 wishes. It’s very hard to catch a leprechaun, as they can vanish into thin air.
At the end of a rainbow, lies a leprechaun’s pot of gold. The leprechaun guards this pot of gold with his life and it is extremely hard to steal it from them.
Leipreachán
Is sióga draíochta iad na Leipreacháin a dhéanann bróga. Is fir bheaga, féasógacha iad a imríonn cleasanna ar dhaoine. Níl siad ach 3 throigh ar airde, ach is breá leo a bheith ag rince. Is breá leo an rince chomh mór san go mbíonn bróga nua uatha i gcónaí.
Deirtear má bheireann tú ar leipreachán, go dtabharfaidh sé 3 ghuí duit. Ach tá sé ana-dheacair breith ar leipreachán, mar gur féidir leo imeacht as radharc aon am.
Deirtear go mbíonn pota óir an leipreacháin ag deireadh bogha ceatha. Coimeádann an leipreachán an póta óir seo sábhálta i gcónaí agus tá sé nach mór dódhéanta an t-ór a ghoid uatha.
Pooka
The Pooka is a phantom Irish creature that can be seen in the form of a horse, dog, rabbit, goat, goblin or even an old man. In animal form they’re seen as jet black with fiery red eyes. They can be found in any rural location in Ireland, particularly around mountains and hills. Pookas have the ability of human speech. They only appear at night and enjoy creating havoc and mischief. They’re also known to have helped farmers. November is the month of the Pooka.
When the Pooka is in horse form it is believed that he gives a ride to drunken people but throws them off his back in the morning. They’re cast under a spell so they have no recollection of what happened. The only person who managed to successfully ride the Pooka was the High King of Ireland - Brian Boru.
The Pooka also make a few appearances in modern pop culture.The most famous are “Harvey” the six-foot white rabbit and a scene in “Darby O’Gill and the Little People.”
An Púca
Créatúr spridiúil is ea an Púca a chítear i bhfoirm capaill, madra, coinín, gabhar, goblin nó fiú seanfhear. I bhfoirm ainimhí táid cíordhubh le suíle dearga. Is féidir teacht orthu aon áit faoin dtuatha in Éirinn, go háirithe timpell ar na sléibhte agus na cnoic. Tá bua na cainte ag an bPúca. Is t-oíche amháin a thagann siad amach agus is breá leo clampar a chothú. Deirtear chomh maith go gcabhraídís le feirmeoirí. Samhain is ea mí an Phúca.
Nuair a bhíonn an Púca i bhfoirm capaill, creidtear go dtugann sé síob do dhaoine atá ar meisce ach go gcaitheann sé iad anuas dá dhrom ar maidin. Toisc draíocht an Phúca, ní bhíonn aon chuimhne acu ar cad a tharla. An t-aon duine a dhein an bheart ar mharcaíocht ar an bPúca ab ea Ard Rí na hÉireann - Brian Ború.
Déantar tagairt ar an bPúca i bpop cultúr an lae inniu. Na cinn is cáiliúla ab ea i “Harvey” an coinín bán atá sé troigh ar airde agus i radhairc sa scannán“ Darby O’Gill and the Little People.”
Enbarr of Mhanannáin
Enbarr was a beautiful, white horse that could cross land and sea, and was faster than the speed of the wind.
Manannán Mac Lir owned the horse, and rented it to his son Lugh. The horse was very valuable to Lugh and he took great care of it. Whenever someone asked Lugh if they could rent the horse, Lugh would never let them.
Aonbharr Mhanannáin
Ba chapall álainn, bán é an tAonbharr Mhanannáin a bhí ábalta dul trasna talún agus farraige, agus bhí sé níos tapúla ná luas na gaoithe.
Ba le Manannán Mac Lir an capall, agus do thug sé an capall ar cíos dá mhac Lugh. Bhí an capall ana-luachmhar do Lugh agus thug sé ana-aire ar fad dó. Nuair a chuirfeadh duine éigin ceist ar Lugh an bhféadfaidís an capall a fháil ar cíos, ní ligfeadh Lugh dóibh riamh.
Bogeyman
A Bodach is a trickster that loves to scare people. His name means “the old man” or “the poor farmer” and he usually wears old, ragged clothes.
The Bodach loves to play tricks on people, especially on children. He climbs through open windows, poking and irritating people, keeping them awake at night.
An Bodach
Is cleasaí é an Bodach, agus is breá leis eagla a chur ar dhaoine. Sé an bhrí atá lena ainm ná, “an seanfhear” nó “an feirmeoir bocht” agus de ghnáth caitheann sé seánéadaí gioblacha.
Is bréa leis an mBodach cleasanna a imirt ar dhaoine, go háirithe ar leanaí. Léimeann sé isteach trí fhuinneoga oscailte, ag corraí agus ag cur isteach ar dhaoine, ag iarradh iad a choimeád ina ndúiseacht i rith na hoíche.
Mermaid
There are two types of Irish mermaids- The Selkie and The Merrow.
The Selkie is part human, part seal. They appear as seals in water and as humans on land. According to legend they were often seen dancing on beaches at night. It was said that men who found a female selkie skin would spend the rest of their lives with her.
The Merrow looks very similar to a human, with sea green hair, webbed fingers and large, flat flipper-like feet. The male version are described as having a pig-face, with long razor sharp green teeth, and a bright red nose. They had awful temper issues so female selkies would go in search of a human husband. They would use gold from sunken ships to help them find a husband.
An Mhaighdean Mhara
Tá dhá shaghas mhaighdean mhara Éireannacha ann- An Selkie agus An Merrow.
Tá an Selkie páirt daonna agus páirt rón. Rónta is ea iad nuair a táid san uisce agus daoine is ea iad nuair a bhíonn siad ar thalamh. De réir an bhéaloidis, chítí iad ag rince is t-oíche ar an dtráigh. Deirtear nuair a thagadh fear ar chraiceann an Selkie baineann go gcaithfeadh sé an chuid eile dá shaol léi.
Bhí dealramh ag an Merrow leis an nduine daonna. Bhí gruaig ghlas uirthi, méaranta scamallacha agus cosa móra leathan. Deirtí go raibh aghaidh mhuice ag an gceann firinn, le fiacla fada géara agus srón gheal dhearg air. Bhí drochmhianach iontu agus mar sin théadh na selkie baineann ag lorg fear céile daonna. D’úsáidaidís ór os na báid a chuaigh go tóinn poill chun cabhrú leo fear céile a fháil.
Cormac Mac Airt
Cormac Mac Airt was a High King of Ireland. Before he was born, his father Art, son of Conn, was fighting with a man called Lugaid mac Conn who was to be king. They fought at battle to see who would be king. Art was slaughtered. His wife Achtan was pregnant at the time so she ran off to find Lugna, a good friend of Art’s, so that the child could be raised there, safe from Mac Conn. Lugna named him Cormac and raised him with his own sons.
When he was old enough they rode off to Tara for Cormac to retrieve the Throne. The people were astonished by his wisdom and decided that he would be a better king than Lugaid Mac Conn. Tara was rebuilt and Cormac Mac Airt was King. He was by far the greatest king in Irish Mythology for he developed laws that were very advanced for his time.
Cormac Mac Airt
Bhí Cormac Mac Airt mar Ard Rí na hÉireann. Sular rugadh é bhí a athair Art, mac Chonn, ag troid le fear darbh ainm Lugaid Mac Conn a bhí le bheith ina rí. Throideadar i gcogadh agus bheadh an té a bhuadh ina rí. Maraíodh Art. Bhí a bhean Achtan ag súil le leanbh, agus mar sin theith sí chun cara Art, Lugna, a lorg, ionas go dtógfaí an leanbh ann, slán ó Mhac Conn. Bhaist Lugna Cormac mar ainm air agus thug sé suas é lena bheirt mhac féin.
Nuair a bhí sé críonna a dhóthain, d’imigh siad ar chapall go Teamhair ionas go bhféadfadh Cormac an ríchathaoir a aisghabháil. Bhí iontas ar na daoine toisc é a bheith chomh héirimiúil san agus socraíodh go mbeadh Cormac níos fearr mar rí ná Lugaid Mac Conn. Atógadh Teamhair agus bhí Cormac Mac Airt ina rí. Ba é an rí ba mhó i Miotaseolaíocht na hÉireann é toisc gur chuir sé dlíthe i bhfeidhm go raibh an-dul chun cinn iontu.
Banshee
A Banshee is a spirit in the shape of a wailing woman. According to legend she wails outside a family home to warn of an imminent death. She does not cause death, but warns loved ones that it is coming. This gives the family time to prepare. It is said that no one wants to see a banshee face to face because her screeching is so terrible. A banshee’s wail is said to be so loud it can shatter glass!
The word “Banshee” comes from the Irish bean sidhe which means “fairy woman.”
Banshees can appear as:
An old woman dressed in rags.
A young and beautiful woman
An old woman dressed in black, with long grey hair and a veil over her face.
Bean Sí
Sprid i bhfoirm duine ag scréachaigh is ea an Bhean sí. De réir an bhéaloidis, cloister í ag gol agus ag scréachaigh lasmuigh do thigh go bhfuil sí ag teacht ina threo. Ní hí is cúis leis an mbás ach tugann sí rabhadh nach fada uathu an bás. Tugann sé seo am don dteaghlach ullmhú. Deirtí go mbíodh sceimhle ar dhaoine bualadh léi de bharr an scréach ard-ghéar a bhí aici - scréach go raibh sé ráite a d’fhéadfadh gloine a bhriseadh!
Féachann an Bhean sí cosúil le:
Seanbhean gléasta i ngiobail.
Bean óg álainn.
Seanbhean gléasta in éadaí dubha, le gruaig fhada liath uirthi agus brat os cionn a haghaidh.
Dagda
The Dagda was a very important god long ago. He was highly skilled and wise, and passed it down to his many children; Aengus, Brigid and Midir. Dagda lived in Brú na Bóinne, a series of Neolithic mounds on the banks of the River Boyne in County Meath. They were built around 3200 BC, even older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Not only was he the god of life and death, but of the seasons, agriculture, magic and druidry as well. He was one of the greatest gods in Irish mythology.
An Dagda
Ba dhia an-tábhachtach é Dagda, fadó. Bhí sé ardoilte agus ciallmhar, agus roinn sé na tréithe sin lena iliomad leanaí; Aengus, Brigid agus Midir. Chónaigh Dagda i mBrú na Bóinne, sraith dumhaí Neoiliteacha ar bhruach Abhainn na Bóinne i gContae na Mí. Bhíodar tógtha thart ar 3200 RC, fiú níos sine ná Stonehenge agus na Pirimidí. Ní hamháin gurbh é dia an bheatha agus an bháis é, ach ar na séisiúr, talmhaíocht agus ar dhraíocht leis. Bhí sé mar cheann de na déithe is fearr i miteaseolaíocht na hÉireann.
Sea Serpant
The “Ollphéist” is a big sea serpent-like monster that would invade the lakes of Ireland and eat people. Long ago, a lake in West Kerry called Loch Thrá lí was invaded by one of the biggest serpents of all. It ate whoever came near the lake. One day, Saint Cuan came to visit the area. He noticed how the people needed help getting rid of this invader, so he got a big pot and threw it at the serpent. It got stuck on its head and it died from lack of water. The people were safe at last.
Ollphéist
Ainmhí mór ab ea an Ollphéist a dhéanadh ionsaí ar dhaoine istigh i lochanna na hÉireann. Fadó, d'ionsaíodh an ollphéist daoine i loch beag darbh ainm Loch Thrá Lí in iarthar Chiarraí. D’íosfadh sé éinne a raghadh in aice leis. Lá amháin, thug Naomh Cuán cuairt ar an gceantar seo. Thug sé faoi ndeara go raibh an ollphéist ag cur isteach ar na daoine. Ní raibh sé sásta ar chor ar bith. Mar sin, fuair sé pota mór agus chaith sé ar an ollphéist é. Ghreamaigh sé ar cheann na hOllphéiste. Fuair an ollphéist bás de bharr easpa uisce agus bhí na daoine aitiúla slán sábháilte arís.
Morrigan
Morrigan was a Celtic goddess associated with war and death. She was a shapeshifter and appeared in different forms, including a black crow. It was considered bad luck to see her before battle.
The most famous tales of the Morrigan are to be found around the time of Cú Chulainn as he defended Ulster from Queen Maeve’s Connaught army. During these battles the Morrigan was rejected by Cú Chulainn causing her great anger. She transformed herself into various creatures in her search for revenge including an eel, a heifer and an old woman. Eventually Cú Chulainn was defeated and killed.
Cailleach an bháis
Ban dia ab ea Morrigan a bhí bainteach le cogadh agus bás. B’é an tréith is mó a bhí aici ná bheith ábalta a cruth a athrú m.sh go préachán dubh. Measadh gur droch chomhartha é í a fheiscint roimh chath.
Baineann na scéalta is mó faoin Morrigan le ré Chú Chulainn nuair a chosain sé Cúige Uladh ar fhórsaí Chonnachta faoi stiúir na Banríona Maeve. Le linn an chatha, dhiúltaigh Cú Chulainn do Mhorrigan, rud a chur an goimh uirthi. Agus í ar thóir díoltais, d’athraigh sí í féin go cruthanna éagsúla, ina measc eascú, beithíoch agus seanbhean. Ar deireadh buadh ar Chú Chulainn agus maraíodh é.
Deirdre and Naoise
One night at a party at King Conchúir Mac Neasa’s castle a druid told Feidhlimidh and his wife about the daughter they were about to have. “Her name would be Deirdre and she’d be one of the most beautiful women ever. She’d marry a member of the Red Branch knights but because of her alot of people in Ulster would die.”
Soon after Deirdre was born, people were not happy and they wanted to kill her. However Conchúir wouldn't allow them to do so because he wanted to marry her, despite their age difference. He asked Leabharcam, his nurse to raise and protect Deirdre in a small house in the middle of the woods.
One day when Deirdre was grown up she laid eyes on a member of the Red Branch Knights. His name was Naoise and they instantly fell in love. Shortly after they got married. Conchúir was not happy and they fled to Scotland for safety.
After thinking long and hard Conchúir came up with a plan to bribe Deirdre and Naoise back to Ireland. Unfortunately it was all a lie and Conchúir’s soldiers were waiting to kill Naoise once he arrived home. Deirdre refused to marry Conchúir and shortly after she died of heartbreak.
Deirdre agus Naoise
Oíche amháin ag cóisir i gcaisleán an Rí Conchúr Mac Neasa, d’inis draoi le Feidhlimidh agus a bhean chéile mar gheall ar an iníon a bheadh acu.” Deirdre is ainm di agus beidh sí mar cheann dos na mná is áille riamh. Pósfaidh sí duine den gCraobh Rua ach is í a bheidh mar chúis bháis mórán daoine i gCuige Uladh.
Nuair a saolaíodh Deirdre, ní raibh daoine sásta agus theastaigh uathu í a mharú. Ach níor lig Conchúr dóibh mar gur theastaigh uaidh í a phósadh, in ainneoin na difríochta eatartha in aois. D’iarr sé ar Lebharcam, a bhanaltra, aire a thabhairt do Dheirdre. D’fhás sí suas i dtigh beag i lár na coille.
Lá amháin nuair a bhí Deirdre fásta suas leag sí súil ar dhuine den gCraobh Rua. Naoise ab ainm do agus thiteadar i ngrá le chéile láithreach bonn agus phósadar. Ní raibh Conchúr pioc sásta agus theitheadar go dtí Albain chun éalú uaidh.
Chaith Conchúr tamaill fada ag teacht suas le smaoineamh chun Deirdre agus Naoise a mhealladh ar ais go hÉireann. D’imir Conchúr feall orthu agus bhí a shaighdiúirí ag fanacht chun Naoise a mharú nuair a d’fhilleadar. Níor phós Deirdre Conchúr agus go luath ina dhiaidh san, cailleadh í toisc croí briste a bheith uirthi.
The Famine Man
Legend has it, the Fear Gorta was a feeling of great weakness and hunger if you happened to be travelling on foot in a particular place where the spirit of famine was located, where the poor may have died of starvation during the famine.
An Fear Gorta
S’éard a bhí sa bhFear Gorta, de réir an tseanchais, ná laigíocht ocrais agus tuirse dá réir a thiocfadh ort dá dtarlódh sé go rabhais ag taisteal de shiúl na gcos in áit ar leith ina raibh spiorad an ghorta ag lonnú ann, áit b’fhéidir gur bhásaigh daoine bochta ann de bharr an ocrais i rith an ghorta.
Stories: Testimonials
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