Ireland, whether viewed from an antiquarian or an ethnological point of view, is one of the most interesting countries in the world. It is curious that its literary treasures have been so long neglected. The author of this book sheds light on Irish Paganism and Druidry. Throughout this book he discusses many of the concepts which later would be utilized by the Wiccan movement to construct Celtic Neo-Paganism. Contents: Irish Druids Who Were The Druids? Welsh Or British Druidism Irish Druidism St. Patrick and the Druids Opinions On Irish Druids Irish Bards Isle Of Man Druidism French Druidism German Druidism Druidical Magic Neo-Druidism Druidical Belief Druidical Mysticism Early Religions Of The Irish Irish Superstitions Irish Magic, and Tuatha De Danaans Irish Gods Idol-Worship Serpent Faith Sun-Worship Fire-Worship Stone-Worship Animal Worship The Shamrock, and Other Sacred Plants Well-Worship Holy Bells Irish Crosses The Sacred Tara Hill Round Tower Creed Ossian the Bard The Culdees of Druidical Days The Future Life, or Land of the West Ancient Irish Literature The Lia Fail, or the Stone of Destiny

Celtic mythology is a rich and intricate diverse world, a captivating realm where deities and humans interact amidst mystical environments and celestial conflicts. Rooted predominantly in the ancient cultures of Ireland and Wales, this mythology serves as a compendium of stories, a cultural and spiritual mirror reflecting the Celtic people's values, traditions, and laws. By delving into the extensive range of Celtic myths, particularly the mythological, Ulster, and Fenian cycles in Ireland and the Mabinogion in Wales, we can uncover the profound influence these myths have had on European literary and cultural development. The primary method of transmitting these stories was oral, posing a significant challenge to studying Celtic myths. The religious perspectives of the scribes, particularly Christian monks, have left a significant imprint on these texts, but they remain crucial for our understanding. Irish literature draws from significant sources such as 'The Book of Invasions' and 'The Book of Leinster,' while Welsh literature relies on an important source known as 'Mabinogion.' Roman historians provide additional external narratives that contribute to understanding the Celts in a wider context of ancient European history. Unravelling these sources requires a nuanced approach to differentiate the authentic pagan elements from the Christian additions. The Celtic pantheon features diverse deities who govern various aspects of existence and the natural realm. In Irish mythology, the Dagda embodies paternal dominion and jurisdiction over the cycles of life and death, whereas Morrigan signifies the supremacy and inevitability of warfare. According to Welsh mythology, Arawn is the sovereign of the Otherworld, and Bran the Blessed is a colossal king with deep ties to the land and its well-being. The Celts' gods frequently engage with humans, often directly intervening in their destinies, highlighting the Celts' perception of the cosmos as a profoundly interconnected domain. The Mythological Cycle in Ireland narrates the tales of ancient deities and their conflicts, including the Tuatha Dé Danann, celestial beings who eventually assimilate into Irish civilisation as the forefathers of the contemporary Irish people after being conquered by the Milesians. The purpose of this cycle is twofold: to document Ireland's legendary history and to assert a divine entitlement to the land and its governance.

The artist Francis Bacon (1909-1992) and the writer Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) both convey in their work a sense of foreboding and confinement in bleak, ritualistic spaces. This book identifies many similarities between the spaces and activities they evoke and the initiatory practices of fraternal orders and secret societies that were an integral part of the social landscape of the Ireland experienced by both men during childhood. Many of these Irish societies modelled their ritual structures and symbolism on the Masonic Order. Freemasons use the term 'spurious Freemasonry' to designate those rituals not sanctioned by the Grand Lodge. The Masonic author Albert Mackey argues that the spurious forms were those derived from the various cult practices of the classical world and describes these initiatory practices as 'a course of severe and arduous trials'. This reading of Bacon's and Beckett's work draws on theories of trauma to suggest that there may be a disturbing link between Bacon's stark imagery, Beckett's obscure performances and the unofficial use of Masonic rites.

Sensational tales of true-life crime, the devastation of the Irish potato famine, the upheaval of the Civil War, and the turbulent emergence of the American labor movement are connected in a captivating exploration of the roots of the Molly Maguires. A secret society of peasant assassins in Ireland that re-emerged in Pennsylvania’s hard-coal region, the Mollies organized strikes, murdered mine bosses, and fought the Civil War draft. Their shadowy twelve-year duel with all powerful coal companies marked the beginning of class warfare in America. But little has been written about the origins of this struggle and the folk culture that informed everything about the Mollies. A rare book about the birth of the secret society, The Sons of Molly Maguire delves into the lost world of peasant Ireland to uncover the astonishing links between the folk justice of the Mollies and the folk drama of the Mummers, who performed a holiday play that always ended in a mock killing. The link not only explains much about Ireland’s Molly Maguires—where the name came from, why the killers wore women’s clothing, why they struck around holidays—but also sheds new light on the Mollies’ re-emergence in Pennsylvania. The book follows the Irish to the anthracite region, which was transformed into another Ulster by ethnic, religious, political, and economic conflicts. It charts the rise there of an Irish secret society and a particularly political form of Mummery just before the Civil War, shows why Molly violence was resurrected amid wartime strikes and conscription, and explores how the cradle of the American Mollies became a bastion of later labor activism. Combining sweeping history with an intensely local focus, The Sons of Molly Maguire is the captivating story of when, where, how, and why the first of America’s labor wars began.

Until recently, Irish religion has been seen as defined by Catholic power in the South and sectarianism in the North. In recent years, however, both have been shaken by widespread changes in religious practice and belief, the rise of new religious movements, the revival of magical-devotionalism, the arrival of migrant religion and the spread of New Age and alternative spirituality. This book is the first to bring together researchers exploring all these areas in a wide-ranging overview of new religion in Ireland. Chapters explore the role of feminism, Ireland as global ‘Celtic’ homeland, the growth of Islam, understanding the New Age, evangelicals in the Republic, alternative healing, Irish interest in Buddhism, channelled teachings and religious visions. This book will be an indispensable handbook for professionals in many fields seeking to understand Ireland’s increasingly diverse and multicultural religious landscape, as well as for students of religion, sociology, psychology, anthropology and Irish Studies. Giving an overview of the shape of new religion in Ireland today and models of the best work in the field, it is likely to remain a standard text for many years to come.

"The History of Ireland" has been designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Table of Contents: Volume 1: The First Inhabitants The First Ages Christianity Preached at Tara Reign of Hugh II Kings of the Seventh Century Kings of the Eighth Century The Danish Invasion Kings of the Ninth Century Kings of the Tenth Century The Contest between the North and South State of Religion and Learning among the Irish previous to the Anglo-Norman Invasion The First Expedition of the Normans into Ireland The First Campaign of Earl Richard Siege of Dublin Henry II in Ireland Events of the Thirteenth Century The Rise of "the Red Earl" Relations of Ireland and Scotland Civil War in England Change of Dynasty in England State of Religion and Learning during the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries Irish Policy of Henry the Eighth during the Lifetime of Cardinal Wolsey First Attempts to Introduce the Protestant Reformation Parliament of 1541 The Crowns United... Volume 2: Parliament of 1569 The Second "Geraldine League" Parliament of 1585 The Ulster Confederacy Essex's Campaign of 1599 The Conquest of Munster State of Religion and Learning during the Reign of Elizabeth James I The Insurrection of 1641 The Catholic Confederation The Confederate War The Cessation and its Consequences Cromwell's Campaign (1649-1650) Ireland under the Protectorate Reign of Charles II The State of Religion and Learning in Ireland during the Seventeenth Century Accession of James II Irish Parliament of 1689 The Revolutionary War Capitulation of Limerick Reign of King William Reign of Queen Anne Reign of George II Accession of George III Flood's Leadership Grattan's Leadership The Era of Independence The United Irishmen The Insurrection of 1798 Last Session of the Irish Parliament The Legislative Union of Great Britain and Ireland O'Connell's Leadership The Catholic Association Emancipation of the Catholics...

A guide to the history and practices of the Druids and the Celtic faith • Reconstructs the Druidic faith from surviving remnants, parallels with other Indo-European traditions, and dedicated study of scholarly sources • Details magical rites and ceremonies, methods for consecrating an outdoor temple, and customs for celebrating important festivals such as Beltaine and Samhain • Discusses rules for firecraft, making offerings to deities and spirits, and the ancient Coligny calendar, including the names of the months in old Gaulish Druids and their magic, lore, and rituals have fascinated all those who encounter them, from the ancient Greeks and Romans onward. Even today, the mere mention of their name evokes pictures of standing stones, mistletoe, golden sickles, white-robed priests, and powerful sorcerers. But were they really as we picture them? Drawing on comparative mythology and linguistics, archaeological evidence, and etymology, Teresa Cross offers readers a comprehensive course in the history and development of the Celtic spiritual tradition and its lore, reconstructing the Druidic faith from the remnants that have survived and dedicated study of scholarly sources. She also reveals parallels with other Indo-European traditions, such as the similarities between Celtic and Vedic Hindu beliefs and practices. She chronicles the ethics and spiritual teachings of Druidism and the Celtic faith and examines what happened to these beliefs during centuries of Christianization. Moving from history to practice, Cross details magical rites and ceremonies as practiced by modern-day followers of Druidactos. She explores the structure of the Touta, which roughly corresponds to “tribe,” methods for consecrating a nemeton, the outdoor temple that offers the optimum sacred space for the meeting of heaven and earth, and the rites and customs associated with important festivals such as Beltaine and Samhain. She also explores the rules of firecraft, the sacred art of giving to the cosmos, making offerings to deities and spirits, sacred food and beverages, and the ancient Coligny calendar, including the names of the months in old Gaulish. Offering an authentic handbook for starting your own Celtic group led by Druids, Cross reveals the meanings and metaphysics behind the Celtic and Druidic customs and traditions, reuniting the fragmentary remains of long-lost Druid culture with the still-living practices of the Celtic faith.