📖 Ancient Restoration

A family takes a break by the roadside. Co Donegal, 1892.

At the foot of Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain, County Mayo.

In ancient times, the fertility-goddess known as Sheela-na-gig was honored in Ireland. With the advent of Christianity, 18th March became known as "St Sheelah’s Day", a woman who was identified as the wife or mother of St Patrick.

In ancient times, the fertility-goddess known as Sheela-na-gig was honored in Ireland. With the advent of Christianity, 18th March became known as "St Sheelah’s Day", a woman who was identified as the wife or mother of St Patrick.

The Céide Fields in County Mayo, Ireland - the most extensive Stone Age Monument in Europe. The site contains the oldest known field systems in the world dating back almost 6,000 years and preserved under a blanket of bog.

How the shamrock became a symbol of Ireland: 'Scoth-shemrach', Irish for 'flowering clover': a phrase used for good, fertile land. 'Scotti-shemrach' a pun of the former, meaning 'the clovered Irish', i.e. a good and fertile people!🇮🇪

How the shamrock became a symbol of Ireland: 'Scoth-shemrach', Irish for 'flowering clover': a phrase used for good, fertile land. 'Scotti-shemrach' a pun of the former, meaning 'the clovered Irish', i.e. a good and fertile people!🇮🇪

Early Irish stories about the shamrock mention of how a good king will literally cause the land to blossom in 'flowered clover' (scoth-shemrach). The goddess Tailtiú, in another tale, clears rough land until it's 'filled with green clover' of abundance.

Early Irish stories about the shamrock mention of how a good king will literally cause the land to blossom in 'flowered clover' (scoth-shemrach). The goddess Tailtiú, in another tale, clears rough land until it's 'filled with green clover' of abundance.

The shamrock as a strange three-leaved plant in Gerald of Wales' "Topographia Hibernica" (1188 AD): These images are the first depiction of the shamrock as a national symbol of Ireland, drawn by the Normans.

St Patrick baptises king Óengus in Cashel but stabs his crozier through his foot! [St Patrick's Church, Columbus, Ohio]