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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

Hawthorn - mug
  • Hawthorn - mug
  • Hawthorn - mug
SKU MGTL01
€12.50

13 May - 9 June

The month of the Hawthorn covers the period from 13th May - June 9th. In ancient Ireland, it was a tree associated with the fairies and a place where they met and danced. Even as recently as the late 1990s, a by-pass in Co. Clare was diverted so a fairy tree would not be disturbed. In so many parts of Ireland today, the lone Hawthorn in a field or Hawthorns ringing a fairy fort remain untouched. The fire in the picture is that of Bealtaine, on the Hill of Uisneach (near Mullingar Co. Westmeath), which was the signal fire for others across the land to welcome the summer. This happened at the beginning of May which in Irish is named after that festival. The Hill of Uisneach with its well-known fairy tree is the centre of Ireland and was a prominent place in ancient times. The large stone behind the tree is called the Catstone and underneath is said to rest the Goddess Éiriú, one of the ancient Goddeses of Ireland and after whom this country (Éire) is named. The Ogham (ancient Irish writing) for Hawthorn is marked by a single horizontal line on the left face of a stone.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna