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Loughcrew Equinox

The Loughcrew cairns, Oldcastle, Co. Meath, Ireland, are approximately 5,400 years old (Older than the pyramids of Egypt). Each Spring and Autumn Equinox the rising sun lights the passage chamber of Cairn T, the rays hitting the highly decorated back stone.

Many stories are connected to this prehistoric site including that of the Cailleach or witch/goddess. According to the Legend, the Loughcrew cairns were formed by the Cailleach throwing rocks from her apron, jumping from hill to hill. It is said that she tripped and died and is buried on Patrickstown, one of the hills. The area, known today as Sliabh na Caillí or Mountain of the Witch, reflects this age-old story.

 

 

 

The Art of Irish Lore

The Speaking horse of Benaughlin - card
  • The Speaking horse of Benaughlin - card
  • The Speaking horse of Benaughlin - card
  • The Speaking horse of Benaughlin - card
SKU GC82
€3.50

The Speaking horse of Benaughlin

Benaughlin mountain in the unique Geopark that stretches between Fermanagh and Cavan is a special area, from a geological, historical and mythological point of view.
This particular mountain, smaller than its neighbouring Cuilcagh has a legend (there are many more) about the capall bán, or the white horse.
In Irish there is another word for horse, Each, (pronounced Aach, soft ch sound), and the true name of this place is Binn Eachlabhra or the Peak of the Speaking horse.
The folklore is that once a year, on Bilberry Sunday, which was the last Sunday of July, a white horse would come down from the mountain top and speak to those who came to pick bilberries, telling them of what lay in the future.
This is my own idea of this white horse with the mountain of Binn Eachlabhra visible in the distance, while in the foreground we see the billberries, heather and gorse or whin bushes.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna