Show Notes
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Ireland, drawing from the Schools Folklore Collection from the 1930s. The content includes information about how Irish people traditionally welcomed the new year, various superstitions about what brings good or bad luck, and specific regional traditions. While Ireland was Christianized in the 5th century, many traditions have evolved over the 1,500 years since then. This episode includes both ancient customs and more modern adaptations, with particular attention to activities that are believed to influence luck throughout the coming year.
More from Whisper of the Winds, Irish Mythology and Folklore
Nuada rights the wrongs of Bres, Lugh escapes his grandfather’s assassination attempt and both find themselves on opposing sides of their half Tuatha half Fomorians lineages. Tensions mount and preparations are made for the next battle for Ireland, but who were Bres and Lugh and what brought them to war? Well, let me tell you a story…
Welcome back after an unfortunate sos beag, our host, Amanda, is mostly able to talk and breathe at the same time, just in time for the official start of Summer, Bealtaine festivals and traditions are our topic for today, so grab your bag o’cans and join us by the (Bon) fire for a quick chat.
In this episode we feature Balor of the Evil Eye, king of the Fomorians and the birth of the god Lugh, half Fomorian, raised by the Tuatha de Danann and prophesied to greatness.
Brigid, woman, wife, witch, goddess, abbess, saint… not to mention a smith, a farmer, and a poet. This one stop shop is a stalwart of feminism, protection and care, but how much do we really know about Brigid?
After the first battle of MoyTura, having beaten the FirBolg and colonised the island of Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann faced a bit of a conundrum. Who could be their king, when Nuadha was no longer fit to rule by their own laws? Some difficult, and terrible choices were made, and the poor Tuatha ended up with Bres, a very handsome, very poor leader. This episode covers the suffering, even of the gods, under his disasterous rule. And there’s jokes.