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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 Cailleach of the elements - mug
SKU MG44
€10.00

The Cailleach of the elements

The Cailleach is perhaps the oldest deity in the folklore of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. The name Cailleach comes from the word for Veil in old Gaelic, implying veiled or hooded one and is the word used for Witch or Hag. She was a creator Goddess, a maker of landscapes and her name is associated with many places throughout this region. She is also said to be the builder of the ancient cairns of Loughcrew atop Sliabh na Caillí (mountain of the witch) in Co. Meath, Ireland, dropping rocks from her apron as she leapt from hill to hill and forming these mystical sites dating back 5500 years. In this painting I have portrayed her as a Goddess of the elements, her hair flowing into the blanket of clouds, windswept by a northerly breeze. She is rooted to the ground, from stones which form one of the many cairns on Loughcrew. In the background we see her Chair, an altar shaped throne from which it is said she once surveyed her dominion.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna