📖 Ancient Restoration

In the medieval Irish story 'Tales of the Elders' the ancient hero Caoilte recounts the deeds of the Fianna to St Patrick, and explains that it was once their duty to rid the land of serpents and dragons.

In ancient Europe, dragons were linked to areas like bogs and marshlands. These places were filled with serpentine creatures - worms, maggots, eels - hence seen as the source of a dragon's wealth due to their powers of regeneration & decay.

In ancient Europe, dragons were linked to areas like bogs and marshlands. These places were filled with serpentine creatures - worms, maggots, eels - hence seen as the source of a dragon's wealth due to their powers of regeneration & decay.

The 'Cattle Raid of Fraích' is an Irish tale which influenced the legendary epic Beowulf. In it, a warrior named Fraoch defeats a fearsome serpent who guards a magical rowan tree - he is mortally wounded, but survives thanks to the supernatural healing of…

The 'Cattle Raid of Fraích' is an Irish tale which influenced the legendary epic Beowulf. In it, a warrior named Fraoch defeats a fearsome serpent who guards a magical rowan tree - he is mortally wounded, but survives thanks to the supernatural healing of the faerie.

The Muirdris, a terrifying sea-dragon that once inhabited the waters about Ireland. It was killed by Fergus mac Léti, a mythical king of Ulster, but not before his face was disfigured by the beast's horrific gaze. ('diuderc' - a death-gaze)

The Muirdris, a terrifying sea-dragon that once inhabited the waters about Ireland. It was killed by Fergus mac Léti, a mythical king of Ulster, but not before his face was disfigured by the beast's horrific gaze. ('diuderc' - a death-gaze)

In Irish mythology the dragon is a hybrid creature of many forms. Sea-serpents, devouring worms, & leery-eyed beasts are common. However the real criteria for the dragon is functional - they serve as malevolent forces, reality distorters, & penultimate tests…

In Irish mythology the dragon is a hybrid creature of many forms. Sea-serpents, devouring worms, & leery-eyed beasts are common. However the real criteria for the dragon is functional - they serve as malevolent forces, reality distorters, & penultimate tests of sovereignty.

'My race has survived the wiles of the foreigner here. It has refused to yield even to defeat, and emerges strong today.' - Thomas MacDonagh

Robert Emmet led an armed insurrection against British rule #OnThisDay in 1803 to establish Ireland as an independent Republic.

Robert Emmet led an armed insurrection against British rule #OnThisDay in 1803 to establish Ireland as an independent Republic.