Encounters with Irish Mythology - Amazing Irish Experiences

Irish mythology is rich with stories that have been passed down through generations, featuring a mix of heroic tales, tragic love stories, and epic battles.

These stories are deeply rooted in Irish culture and have influenced literature, art, and even modern popular culture. They are celebrated for their richness, complexity, and the way they reflect the ancient beliefs and values of Ireland.

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Where to Find Some of Ireland's Most Well-Known Myths and Legends

Queen Medb (Maeve)

Best known as the Queen of Connacht and central in the epic tale “The Táin Bó Cúailnge” (The Cattle Raid of Cooley), in which Medb instigates a war with the province of Ulster to capture the Brown Bull of Cooley (Donn Cúailnge), a prized animal which would make her wealth equal to that of her husband, King Ailill.

Find Medb

Her seat of power was at Rathcroghan (Ráth Cruachan), in present-day County Roscommon.
Her burial tomb is said to be atop Knocknarea in County Sligo. Legend says she was buried standing, with her spear, ready to fight.

Cú Chulainn

Tales of Cú Chulainn are filled with feats of extraordinary strength and bravery. He was endowed with supernatural abilities due to his divine heritage as son of the god Lugh and Deichtine, sister of the king of Ulster. Cú Chulainn was a central character in the The Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Cattle Raid of Cooley) as the sole defender of Ulster.

Find Cú Chulainn

As a prolific warrior many locations in Ireland are associated with Cú Chulainn, these are just a few.

The statue of Cú Chulainn in the General Post Office in Dublin is a symbol of the Irish struggle for independence.
Dundalk in County Louth is considered to be the birthplace of Cú Chulainn.
Various locations on the Cooley Peninsula in Louth are associated with key battles from The Cattle Raid of Cooley.
Carlingford Mountain, County Louth is where Cú Chulainn is said to have tied himself to a standing stone so he could die facing his enemies.

The Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland stretches to Scotland — The Giant's Causeway stretches to Scotland

Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool)

Fionn mac Cumhaill was a leader known for his great wisdom and strength. On of the best known tales about Fionn involves the Salmon of Knowledge, a fish that would grant infinite wisdom to whoever ate it.

Find Fionn mac Cumhaill

Irish folklore tells that Fionn built the Giants Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
You could also enjoy a boat ride on the River Boyne, where the Salmon of Knowledge was caught.
Ben Bulben in County Sligo is said to have been the site of a boar hunt following the pursuit of Diarmuid and Gráinne.

Tír na nÓg

Oisín, whose father was Fionn mac Cumhaill, encountered Niamh one day while hunting. Niamh, a princess from Tír na nÓg (the Land of Eternal Youth), invited Oisín to return with her so they could live happily ever after. After many years Oisín became homesick and wished to return to Ireland. Though he was warned to not touch the ground, his saddle broke and he fell from his horse, breaking the spell of Tír na nÓg and aging him rapidly.

Find Tír na nÓg

Unfortunately Tír na nÓg is not a real location and is often described as an island far west of Ireland, across the sea. However, a few locations have been symbolically linked to this mythical land.

The islands and sea beyond the west of Ireland are often considered a gateway to the otherworld. Consider a visit to the Aran Islands and Connemara.
Ancient burial mounds are also referred to as sídhe mounds or fairy mounds and are often thought to be entrances to the fairy realm. A couple easy to reach spots are Newgrange and Loughcrew in the Boyne Valley.
If you can handle to often rough boat ride to Skellig Michael the mystical qualities and isolation have led some to associate it with Tír na nÓg.

Children of Lir

One of the most famous Irish myths, it tells the story of the four children of King Lir who are transformed into swans by their jealous stepmother and cursed to wander the lakes of Ireland for 900 years.

Find the Children of Lir

Lough Derravaragh in County Westmeath is traditionally considered the first place the children were sent to after being transformed into swans. Their first 300 years were spent here.
The most difficult part of their journey was spent on the Sea of Moyle, located between the northeastern coast of Ireland and the southwestern coast of Scotland.
The final 300 years of their curse were spent on Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland, the largest lake in Ireland.
The story concludes on the island of Inis Glora, a remote island off the coast of County Mayo, where the Children of Lir were finally released from their curse.
If you are staying in Dublin the Garden of Remembrance features a stunning sculpture of the Children of Lir.

The Sídhe (Wee Folk)

The broad world of the Sídhe (shee) includes leprechauns and fairies. These supernatural beings often seen as remnants of ancient deities, nature spirits, or inhabitants of the otherworld.

Find Leprechauns

This solitary fairy is associated with shoemaking and pots of gold hidden at the end of rainbows. They are said to be quite deceptive and cunning, doing anything to protect their treasure.

See the world from a leprechaun's point of view at the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin.

Find Fairies

Fairies come in various forms, from the tiny pixie-like creatures to banshees, pookas (shape-shifting spirits), and Dullahan (headless horsemen). They can be kind and helpful or vengeful and dangerous, depending on how they are treated.

The term “Sídhe” refers both to the fairies themselves and the places they inhabit, such as mounds, hills, and ancient burial sites, which are considered portals to the otherworld.

Throughout Ireland, there are many ancient earthen ring forts, known as fairy forts, and fairy rings (mushroom circles) will appear as if by magic. These places are considered sacred to the fairies and disturbing them is believed to bring bad luck or provoke the wrath of the fairies.

A few of our favorite fairy spots include Lough Gur in County Limerick, Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery in County Sligo, and Fairy Castle in the Dublin Mountains.

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Books of Irish Legend & Mythology

My library is filled with dozens of books about Irish legends and tales. A few of my favorites are

Traveling in Ireland Podcast episode 229

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Jody Halsted

Jody Halsted is the charismatic host behind the popular Traveling in Ireland Podcast and the Ireland Family Vacations website. With a deep passion for Ireland and an infectious enthusiasm for sharing its wonders, Jody has become a trusted voice in the realm of Irish travel.

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