📖 Ancient Restoration

"The Lia Fáil would cry out under his feet." - On the competing Christian and pagan claims to 'the coming Irish messiah'

St Bearchán, mentor of Colmcille, prophesied of Aodh Eanghach - 'He will drive out the foreigner, restore the kingship, & rebuild Tara.'

Aodh Eanghach, the prophesied 'Gaelic messiah'. Returning to Ireland in saviour aura, he brings great slaughter to Irish & foreigner alike.

Aodh Eanghach, the prophesied 'Gaelic messiah'. Returning to Ireland in saviour aura, he brings great slaughter to Irish & foreigner alike.

#OnThisDay 1920 Eileen Quinn, a 23 year old mother of three (who was 7 months pregnant) from Gort, Galway was shot by passing Black and Tans while holding her 9 month old baby in her lap. Eileen was hit in the groin by a bullet & bled to death later that day.

#OnThisDay 1920 The Black and Tans unleash a fury of reprisals in Kerry for over a week after the capture (&execution) of two policemen. The Siege of Tralee would see them fire on people leaving church,burning down the town hall, killing civilians, curfews etc.

A timely reminder during these times. November 1st marks the tragic murder of a young volunteer. https://t.me/IrishKnowledge/763

Though Samhain, the precursor to Halloween, is considered to be a Celtic festival, the Mound of Hostages at Tara, which aligns with the rising sun at Samhain, is thought to be 5,000 years old, far predating Celtic inhabitation, and hints at more primordial roots.

Traditional phrases for trick-or-treating in Ireland: "Help the Halloween party" in Dublin, or in rural areas "A penny for the púca", which is a fairy. If the nasty spirit was met on the road home, he would take a bribe. A 'trick' meant a performance, like a song or magic act.

A bit late, but nevertheless. The Irish for August is Lúnasa, formerly 'Lugnasad', which is a compound word comprising the name of pagan god 'Lug' & 'násad', a gathering to commemorate something. We see this word today in "Nás na Ríogh" ('Place of Assembly of the Kings'); that is Naas in Kildare.

The most ancient Irish name for the harvest season is Brón Trogain, meaning 'Sorrow of the Earth'. Related to the distinct sadness felt at the end of harvest & celebrations, when the earth turns cold and darkness returns into the world.

The Púca are shape shifting creatures from Irish folklore. Some tales describe them as bloodthirsty beings, often doing harm to unwary travelers. However on 1st November, the "Púca's Day", it behaved courteously, and delivered sage advice to willing listeners.