Mythical Ireland – The Stuff of Legend
We may have mentioned to you once or twice that we like a good story here in Ireland. The fact is that we’ve been storytelling for years (thousands to be precise) and the first stories ever told are as popular today as they were around the camp fire all those years ago.
It was by the banks of the Boyne River in County Meath that Finn McCumhaill tasted the salmon of knowledge
Now, you’d think that all of the places in Ireland’s myths and legends would be, well, mythical. Yes, there are plenty that leave the entire lot to the unbridled realms of your imagination, but there are also plenty of others that you can actually experience first hand. So here’s our pick of a few that conjure up legendary tales from the moment you literally step foot on them…
The Giant’s Causeway
The handiwork of Finn McCumhaill – The Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim
Finn McCumhaill (Mac-cool) has been involved in his fair share of adventures; he was tricked by a witch at Slieve Gullion in Armagh, his wife was turned into a deer, and he gained all the intellect in the world when he tasted the Salmon of Knowledge at the Boyne River in County Meath. Legend also has it that we have Finn to thank for The Giant’s Causeway on the coast of County Antrim. The story (well, one of them, anyway, as there are lots of variations) goes that Finn tore up the cliff face and lobbed chunks of it into the sea so he could walk to Scotland to challenge a giant who had questioned his warrior status. When he reached bonnie Scotland and spotted the ginormous size of his competitor, he raced home to his wife in a panic! His quick-thinking lady Sadhb decided to dress up Finn as a baby, and wrapped him up tight in a makeshift cradle. Old Bernadonner stormed across the water for the big showdown, but was chastised by Sadhb for waking the baby. On taking a peek at the little one, Bernadonner high-tailed it back to Scotland, ripping up the rest of the stones and leaving only the Causeway for us to enjoy. Why? Sure, if that’s the size of the baby, how big is the daddy?
The Killarney Lakes
The Killarney Lakes – Oisin’s last sight of Ireland before leaving for Tír na nÓg
You would assume that any son of Finn McCumhaill would be an impressive chap – and you’d be right. Finn found his son Oisin (Usheen) on top of Ben Bulben mountain in County Sligo where Finn’s wife had been taken by the fairies. Finn took his son home and Oisin grew up to make his dad proud by becoming one of the greatest warriors in Ireland. The last time the two saw each other was during a hunt here, at the Killarney Lakes on the Ring of Kerry before Oisin left Ireland for the most-definitely mythical, Tír na nÓg (The Land of the Young).
The Cooley Mountains in County Louth where the greatest bull in Ireland lived
The Cooley Mountains in County Louth
What do you get for the woman who has everything? In Queen Maebh’s case – the best bull in the country. Ailil, Maebh’s husband, is in possession of one of Ireland’s most incredible bulls and Maebh wants one for herself – naturally! So after some pillowside squabbling, Maebh decides to journey to Cooley in County Louth and, ahem, request that she be given the Brown Bull of Cooley (An Táin Bó Cúailnge). Her demand is kindly rejected resulting in an intense battle between the provinces of Ulster and Connaught, along with the sideshow of warriors and best friends Cúchulainn and Ferdia fighting each other across the River Dee in Ardee. Maebh, as was her nature, eventually steals the bull and takes it back to Connaught. And, those brilliant people in Carlingford have mapped out all the places mentioned in this tale – so if you fancy following suit through the battle points, join The Táin Walking Festival for some mythical reminiscing.
Storytelling is a fine art in Ireland, but there’s nothing like a tall tale told by a friendly local.
I cannot wait to see your beautiful country in September!
I absolutely love the stories/tales from Ireland.. They are so interesting..True or not, it doesn’t matter. They are very enjoyable.. Hope I can make a return visit before they have to hold me up to see things and I can come on my own. haha
u gotta look up http://www.celticcolor for visuals of Myths and Legends…Really loved ur site!!!!
All the best,
Brian
no one can tell a tale like the irish thats for sure;-) love it.
Thanks guys! We certainly have a few people here who can spin some tales at the flick of their tongue!
I love any thing Irish and these are wonderful.Thank You.
I hope someday i’ll be able to see Ireland. My family came from Ireland. I would love to see the green grass, the pubs. Meet the ppl and most of all see where my family grew up.
Just love our legends… have you ever heard the one about the old witch at Hags Head on the Cliffs of Moher? worth a read! http://www.cliffs-of-moher-cruises.com/hag.html
The time has come for us to enjoy our ancient widom texts. The Sligo Myths and Legends Schools do a superb job of narrating and discussing the stories that have made us what we are.
Ah, the magic of Eire! ‘Tis an endless trove of treasures!!! If you’ve ever thought you wanted to visit – DO IT NOW!!! You’ll never regret it.
[...] things about being an island; rugged coastline, lots of cool lighthouses, outlying island gems, mythical tales about heroes challenging giants – well, you get the [...]
My dream to one day go to Ireland – So beautiful and so field with legend and just to see where my ancestors started from!
Susan a chara
Come soon and I will show you the roots of the people of this culture. We have more than enough to discover who we are and where we have come from.
Make contact when you come and a little advance notice would be good too.
Slán beo
I love them! They are really beautiful! I always wanted to go to Ireland!
I stayed in a real thatched cottage, in the foot hills of the Mourne Mountains, my great Aunts house, she passed {R.I.P.} at the age of 97. They took her biycle away when she was 93, she was an amazing woman, god bless her soul. to me Ireland is , a wit bit of heaven right here on earth, truely a beautiful Home.
I live in rural Sligo. My mother lived the final years of her 96 years here. She was my greatest teacher and I have had a few. Ireland is like her: inspiring, strong, wise, awesome. The time is here for us to wake up to what our people and our country has left us. There is a lot to do. Michael Roberts
I live in Dublin but have spent most of my life in Wexford and its absolutely beautiful! I don’t really get out much so I’m dying to get a car just to go see the rest of my Home
I haven’t heard all the stories yet so I’m determined to learn them A.S.A.P!!
Irish mythology is a wonderful subject . There can’t be too many books I haven’t read about it!
I enjoyed reading about Finn McCumhaill, as to me he was an interesting and intriguing mythological character.
A teacher friend and I want to come and visit the most interesting places that came from your wonderful myths..what would you consider the best places to visit? We only have about a week..