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king killers of ancient ireland
Perhaps the most intriguing form of sacrifice is that known as the Triple or Threefold Death: a ritual killing by three methods at once.
Ali Isaac
Apr 4, 20205 min read
Ogham: The Secret Code of our Ancestors
Ogham script flourished in Ireland during the 5th and 6th Centuries AD. But could it have originated from some earlier secret code?
Ali Isaac
Apr 3, 20205 min read
Shee Mor | Mysterious Ancient Royal Burial Site?
Shee Mor and Shee Beag, ancient burial mounds in Co. Leitrim, were immortalised in a composition by 17th century harper, Turlough O'Carolan.
Ali Isaac
Apr 1, 20204 min read
Eating Like the Ancestors | An Experiment in Irish Iron-Age Cuisine
In the name of good research, I tried an Iron-Age cooking experiment on my family. Conclusion: our ancient ancestors ate heartily and well.
Ali Isaac
Mar 30, 202013 min read
POULNABRONE DOLMEN
Poulnabrone is a portal tomb that sits on the karst limestone pavement of the Burren in Co. Clare.
Ali Isaac
Mar 23, 20203 min read
saint patrick and the cult of crom cruach #stpatricksday
Happy St. Patrick's Day! St Patrick has become a powerful symbol of Ireland and Irishness around the world.
Ali Isaac
Mar 16, 20208 min read
Patrick, Saint or Sinner? #stpatricksday
St. Patrick is most famous for being Ireland’s patron saint, and is celebrated around the world on the date of his death. Who was he really?
Ali Isaac
Mar 13, 20209 min read
Inside the ‘Hell-Mouth’ of Ireland (video)
Oweynagat, known as the 'Hell-Mouth' of Ireland, is a cave located on the edge of Rathcroghan, home of legendary Queen Medb of Connacht.
Ali Isaac
Nov 19, 20183 min read
dún dealgan, home of cuchulainn
According to legend, Dún Dealgan was originally the fortress of a Fir Bolg chieftain named Delga, so what is the connection with Cuchulainn?
Ali Isaac
Oct 22, 20182 min read
Of Heroes and Giants
It’s ironic that in the area associated so directly with Cuchulainn, the Proleek Dolmen is connected with Fianna hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Ali Isaac
Oct 1, 20183 min read
air, water, earth and fire
Lough Sillan is a lake in Co. Cavan, upon the shores of which nestles the little town of Shercock, Searcóg in Irish. It has a dark mythology
Ali Isaac
Sep 24, 20183 min read
Abortion and Birth Control in Ancient Ireland
Abortion and birth control is not a new phenomenon: it's been going on 'since Eve'.
Ali Isaac
Aug 6, 20186 min read
macha, warrior-queen or sovereignty goddess?
There are several women by the name of Macha in Irish mythology, all except one, associated with the ancient ceremonial site of Emain Macha.
Ali Isaac
May 28, 20184 min read
Eithne and Fedelma: ‘Unfinished Business’
Ogulla Shrine, where Eithne and Fidelma, sisters and pagan druid-princesses, mysteriously 'ascended to heaven' after meeting St. Pat.
Ali Isaac
Apr 9, 20182 min read
The Mysterious Deaths of Eithne and Fidelma
Why did two royal pagan princesses, druids-in-training, mysteriously die after meeting St. Patrick? Smells like a cover-up story to me.
Ali Isaac
Feb 5, 20185 min read
the legend of saint dympna
Dympna, a pious Christian princess, ran away from incest with her deranged pagan father to Bruges, founding a hospital for the mentally ill.
Ali Isaac
Jan 29, 20187 min read
Planning Your Visit to Ireland? Lay Siege to a Castle!
Although Ireland is well known for its castles, they're not an Irish invention; they were built by the Anglo-Normans in the twelfth century.
Ali Isaac
Dec 18, 20172 min read
Planning Your Visit to Ireland? The Iconic Irish High Cross
Instantly recogniseable, the Irish high cross has become a familiar icon. Find out more about the high crosses of holy site, Clonmacnoise.
Ali Isaac
Nov 27, 20172 min read
More on Fore, Holy Site of the Seven Wonders
Founded by Saint FeÃchin, the monastic site of Fore is known as the Holy Site of the Seven Wonders, Medieval marketing to attract pilgrims.
Ali Isaac
Nov 20, 20174 min read
Planning Your Visit to Ireland? 6 SACRED HOLY WELLS YOU MUST VISIT
Named after Christian saints, it is clear these sacred springs were sites of significance long before Patrick. Here are my Super 6.
Ali Isaac
Nov 13, 20176 min read
Ali Isaac is an author and blogger specialising in Irish mythology. Through word and image, she tries to draw the human story from Ireland's landscape and tumbled stones, with a particular focus on the women history has abandoned, and legend only half remembers.
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