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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

Hazel (Coll) - card
  • Hazel (Coll) - card
  • Hazel (Coll) - card
SKU NT05
€3.00

5 August - 1 September

In Irish Tree Lore mythology, the Hazel tree (crann Coll in Irish) covers the period August 5th – September 1st. In ancient times, this tree was considered to be one of the noblest of trees, filled with wisdom and indeed it was a crime to fell a Hazel. 
In Irish mythology, the Hazel tree is connected to the Well of Wisdom (Tobar Segais), the source of the river Boyne, a well which belonged to Neachtain, husband of the Goddess Boann (after whom the river is named).  Around this well grew nine special hazel trees and within the well lived a salmon which had eaten the nuts which had fallen from those trees. By doing so, it had become endowed with the gift of knowledge and wisdom.
There was a wise man, Finnegas, with whom the young Fionn MacCumhaill was sent to live, to learn from his vast knowledge. However Finnegas was eager to learn more and one day, finally caught the Salmon of Knowledge. He immediately asked Fionn to cook the fish for him but not to take even the smallest bite from it. Fionn promised and did what was asked but as he turned the fish on the fire, he burnt his thumb and sucked it to ease the pain. When asked by Finnegas if he had eaten any of the fish, the young boy said he hadn’t but admitted to sucking his thumb which he had burnt from touching the fish. Finnegas knew his own chance to acquire the gift of unending knowledge was lost and so he told Fionn to eat the remainder of the fish. So it was that Fionn became gifted with knowledge and wisdom and eventually went on to become the leader of the Fianna and a leading figure in our mythology.
The Ogham (ancient Irish writing), is four horizontal marks on the left of a stone.

Illustration from an original by Margaret McKenna