Irish Superstitions


The Banshee

The most famous of all other-world beings in Ireland is the banshee. She is a distinctively Gaelic personage, and probably evolved from old ideas of the land-goddess as patroness of kings and chieftains. In folk belief, her wailing cry is heard near to the dwelling-house when a member of the family is about to die.

This belief is still very strong in Ireland, and dwellers in towns and cities claim to hear the banshee before a death, just as people in rural areas do. She even seems to keep abreast of the fortunes of the Irish all over the world, for many claim to have heard her lamentation, without any apparent cause, only to learn soon afterwards that a relative had died abroad.

The banshee is hardly ever seen, and those people who claim to have caught a fleeting glimpse of her are not in agreement as to her appearance. Some say that she is haggard- looking little woman, while others claim that she is a fine, fair-haired lady with a long cloak.

That the banshee is a survival of ancient tradition is further indicated by the name she is given in the folklore of south Leinster: badhbh (pronounced “bow”). Badhbh was the name of a goddess in early Ireland who appeared in the form of a crow and screamed over battlefields.


The Birth of a Child

A child born at night was said to have the power of seeing ghost and fairies, and if fortunate enough to be born at the stroke of midnight, would be very intelligent, perhaps even a poet of excellence.


Numbers

Three was the most important in Ireland. This is a very old belief, for the early literature refers to several Celtic deities who were triplicate. Major events in folk stories often occur three times, and triads figure prominently in Irish proverbs. This number has connotations of roundness and totality and many ritual acts such as walking around a bonfire on St. John’s Night or doing rounds at a holy well were performed thrice. If one dreamed of the same thing on three nights running, this was taken as proof that the dream was true.


Time good and bad

The unluckiest date, according to Irish superstition, was December 28th, when the slaughter of the Holy Innocents was commemorated. This was known as “the forbidden day of the year” and no new enterprise was undertaken upon it. Conversely, New Year’s Day was a good date for starting a task, as it was felt to cast its influence on all of the year that followed it.


A new beginning

In former times, it was customary for the family to have a big meal on New Year’s Eve, and to throw a cake against the kitchen door so as to banish hunger.


Blondes held in high regards

An ancient tendency among the Celtic peoples was to consider fair hair especially beautiful, deriving from the notion that brightness was a divine trait.


Cow Lick

The “cow lick” or tuft of hair standing up over the forehead was taken as a sign of health and intelligence in a child.


St. Brigid

The first day of February was anciently called limelg (which meant lactation), and introduced the season of birth of animals. It has long been know in Ireland as the Feast of St. Brigid, who is the special patroness of cattle. Crosses were woven from rushes in her honor at this time, and placed in the cattle-byre as a protection for the animals. Also, a piece of cloth would be left outside the house on the eve of the feast, as it was believed that the saint and her cow passed by during the night and would bless it. The cloth would then be used throughout the year for healing of the head and neck area.


Magpies

To see three magpies on the left hand when on a journey is unlucky; but two on the right hand is a good omen.


Infant’s Nails

Never cut an infant’s nails till it is a twelve-months old, or it will be light-fingered and addicted to stealing.


Newly-Weds

A new-married couple should retire to rest at the same time, for if the bride were left alone, the fairies would come and steal her away for the sake of her fine clothes.


Fairies

The fairies are passionately fond of music, it therefore dangerous for a young girl to sing when she is all alone by the lake, for the spirits will draw her down to sing to them in the fairy palace under the waves, and her people will see her no more.

Sources: Irish Cures, Mystic Charms & Superstitions by Lady Wilde
Irish Superstitions by Daithi O hOgain


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