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The Horned Women

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 "The Horned Women" is a classic Irish fairy tale that tells the story of a woman who faces and outwits a group of supernatural beings known as the Horned Women. In the tale, a wealthy but humble woman is awake alone in her house late at night. She is preparing wool while her family sleeps when there is a knock at her door. Upon opening the door, she is met by a woman with a single horn growing from her forehead. The horned woman forces her way into the house and begins working at the spinning wheel. More horned women follow, each with an increasing number of horns (two horns, three horns, and so on) until twelve of them are gathered in the woman’s home. The horned women reveal themselves as witches, intent on overpowering and taking control of the household. They enchant the woman and command her to perform various tasks, hoping to break her will. However, she remains resolute and clever. At the direction of a mysterious voice from a well (often interpreted as a protective s...
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200+ Irish Proverbs (Seanfhocail)

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Here's a list of Irish Seanfhocail that I've been collecting. I'll add to it over time and curate it, there may be some duplication in the below. English translations are often literal, there may be better equivalent phrases. Gaeilge (Irish) Bearla (English) Is binn béal ina thost Silence is golden Aithníonn ciaróg ciaróg eile. A beetle recognises another beetle Marbh le tae agus marbh gan é. Dead with the tea and dead without it Tús maith leath na hoibre. A good start is half the work Bíonn siúlach scéalach Those who travel have tales to tell Ní thagann ciall roimh aois. Wisdom doesn't come before age Pós bean ón sliabh agus pósfaidh tú an sliabh ar fad. Marry a woman from the mountain and you will marry the entire mountain Is minic a bhris béal duine a shrón. It's often a person's mouth broke his nose Aithnítear cara i gcruatan. A friend is known in hardship An rud is annamh is iontach. What's seldom is wonderful Bailíonn brobh beart. A little gathers to a...
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Irish Proverbs and Sayings - Seanfhocail

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Seanfhocail or "old words" were a favourite of my Grandfather's. He was a Gaeilgeoir and an Irish teacher in his lifetime. He used to do Irish lessons with me when I was very small. He is the inspiration behind this blog and the associated YouTube channel. At some point he lost his voice permanently and could only whisper, unless he got really mad which wasn't very often. In that case he'd shout "Jakers Christ!" which was the loudest thing that came from his mouth apart from a good old sneeze, both of which would frighten me silly. I still remember his whispering voice telling old folk tales as bedtime stories. The Legend of Knockgrafton , a tale of Irish folklore, and the Babes in the Wood (an English fairy tale) were two he would tell often.  I'm not sure he ever told me the name of the Legend of Knockgrafton, it was only recently I found out that was the name of the story.  Another story he told, which may have been rooted half in reality, half in...
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Echoes of Ireland: A Journey into the Emerald Isle’s Myths and Legends

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Ireland has a long and rich tradition of folk tales and storytelling. Myths and Legends dating back to pre-Christian times are still told orally and sold in books for both children and grownups here. Most children will grow up hearing of Celtic heroes such as Cú Chulainn , the harrowing tale of the Children of Lir or the mighty  Táin Bó Cúailnge (The Táin or the Cattle Raid of Cooley). The oral tradition holds a special place in Irish culture with origins dating back to ancient times. Stories, myths and legends played a central role in both culture and community life. Prior to the introduction of written word storytelling was the primary means of sharing knowledge, history, and entertainment. In ancient times, Ogham carvings on stone monoliths may have been the only writing across the Island. This seems quite ironic given the reputation of Ireland as the land of Saints and Scholars. Later, when the Penal Laws were enacted in Ireland, particularly the Education Act of 1...
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