Irish legends are characterized by a mystical and symbolic content typical of Celtic culture Its main characters are usually magical, divine or mythological beings with supernatural powers, who coexist with humans in different ways. Legends take place in forests and lakes, but also in worlds that are beyond human experience.
We will see in this text 10 of the most popular Irish legends, as well as their contents linked to the mythology of this island.
Legends and myths are a fundamental part of Irish culture. They allow us to discover the magic of their forests and castles, as well as the fantastic beings that have inspired cinema and literature. Besides, They are important narratives to understand the past and present of this attractive country The following list brings together 10 typical legends of Ireland.
1. Osín of Tirnanoge
In Irish mythology, Tir na nÓg or Tirnanoge is an island where time seems to stop at times. Its name means “Land of Youth” and is the place where the tribe of the gods (the Tuatha Dé Danann) lived after leaving Ireland. They say that it is an almost inaccessible island it is only possible to arrive after a long journey, or under the invitation of a fairy.
It has been described as a beautiful place where disease does not exist and where monks and heroes from different eras have arrived. One of them was Osi, son of the mythical warrior Fionn Mac Cumhaill, who was invited by Niamh Chinn Óir. They say that Osín spent three years in Tir na nög and, when he returned to Ireland on a horse, he found that his hair and his skin were suddenly old: three hundred years had passed since his departure. He was found by Saint Patrick, to whom he told of his adventures in the Land of youth.
They say that some bandits wanted to play a prank on Saint Patrick. One of them, named Macaldus, pretends to be dead and the others ask the saint to resurrect him, without success. When they try to revive Macaldus, the bandits realize that he was really dead. At that moment they run after Saint Patrick to ask him, seriously this time, to resurrect him.
The saint decides to help them, but also imposes a punishment: He wraps Macaldus in padlocked chains, throws the key into the sea, and sends him on a lonely boat Eventually, the boat reaches the port of Man, where the villagers rescue Macaldus. While on the island, the bandit receives training to be a priest, and on the day of ordination one of the cooks arrives, bringing with him a key that he had just found inside a fish. Gladly, Macaldus recognizes that this is the key that would finally free him from his chains.
3. Hag’s Head
Near the Burren region of Ireland, there are the Cliffs of Moher, a place famous for its castles, caves and mythology. On these cliffs there is a set of rocks arranged in a peculiar way. Is about a rock formation that appears to be the face of a person looking towards the sea
They say it is the head of the old witch Mal, who fell in love with Cu Chulainn (Irish hero). After chasing him through Irish forests and castles, one day Cú Chulainn jumped off the cliff. Mal does the same, but is unsuccessful: she crashed into the cliff and her head was forever portrayed in the rocks.
4. The fire festivals
They say that in County Westmeath, in the town of Uisneach, you will find the gateway to the other world. It is the place where kings and queens are buried. Surrounded by a lake, on the top of a hill, this town is home to festivals known as the “fire festivals.” They say that the life of Lugh, the sun god, ended in this place. However, it continued to exist in the form of comments that appear every May in the same area. For the same, During the fire festivals, dances, music and fire are dedicated to it as a sign of offering
Near Dublin there is a castle called Malahide. Legend has it that the spirit of a man named Anthony wanders in this area. In life, he was the man in charge of protecting the daughter of Richard Talbot, an Irish count of the 15th century. One night, the count’s daughter suffered a seizure, for which the court unfairly blamed Anthony. Despite not having been at the scene of the attack, the man was sentenced to hanging. They say that from that day on, Anthony appears in the castle and its surroundings seeking forgiveness and justice for his case.
6. The Hill of Tara
The Hill of Tara is the prehistoric enclosure of the tribe of Irish gods (Tuatha Dé Danaan). These gods were able to control the light of the sun and were direct descendants of the creator gods. Over time, historians and archaeologists have studied what lies beneath this temple.
Among other things, an oval monument more than 100 meters wide has been discovered within the Hill of Tara. Surrounding this structure, and as if it were a crown, are 300 holes each 2 meters wide. This suggests that 300 columns once existed around the hill and not only that, but underground there must be treasures to discover.
7. Oweynagat, the cat cave
County Roscommon is famous for the rocky ranges that surround it. Historically, this location is recognized as part of the capital of the kingdom of Connacht, a location that was home to Ulster Cycle characters such as Queen Maeve and Ailiill of Connacht. They say that one of the caves, called Oweynagat or cat cave, It was used as a connecting door between the world of humans and that of the gods They also say that some destructive creatures have entered the earth through this door.
8. The leprechauns
Leprechauns are tiny, mythological beings with green suits and red beards. In fact, The word “leprechaun” has its origins in Irish terminology to refer to a “small body.” More than a legend, he is one of the most representative characters of Irish culture. They say that they have a bad character and that in times past they were inhabitants of Ireland (it is believed that they were the first to arrive). They also say that they appear in the forests and valleys, sometimes carrying a pot with gold coins. The ambitious usually follow them and try to steal them, which can make them angry very easily.
Just like leprechauns, banshees are mythological beings. These are women or female spirits similar to fairies. In fact, the word Banshee means Woman (Ban), Fairy (Shee). Its presence does not usually indicate anything good (they say it is observed when someone is about to die).
It usually takes the form of a woman wrapped in a cloak that covers her completely Other versions say that banshees appear as a beautiful young woman, or as a matron. Furthermore, she makes herself present through a lament that can begin as a whisper and progress to a loud scream, which is the final omen of the tragedy.
10. The hero Cuchulainn
Legend has it that one day, the warrior Crunn arrived at the capital of the kingdom of Conchobor to watch a horse race presided over by the king. During the race, Crunn claimed that his wife was faster than some of the competitors, even when she was pregnant. The king of Conchobor asked his wife to demonstrate this and, to everyone’s surprise, he did so. She subsequently gave birth to two sons, one of them was named Cuchulainn.
Despite having grown up with the expectation of always being in the shadow of others; very young, Cuchulainn managed to kill an animal that no one could defeat He was since then known as a hero who emerges victorious from every battle and is the bearer of the best weapons. In fact, around the legend of the hero Cuchulainn, many other stories have developed.
