The Irish have a close connection with the land and nature. This book brings us through the Irish seasons and the customs that welcomed each one in turn. From Samhain to Imbolc, to Bealtaine and to Lunasa, it examines the significance of, and legends associated with, this annual cycle.
The Dagda's Harp page 9
Introduction 13
SAMHAIN 29
The Year Begins 30
The Monster's Story: Fionn Comes to Tara 31
The Skaldcrow's Story: Nera in the Otherworld 47
The Messenger's Story: The Magic Mantle 71
Interval: Bog Time, Bog Lore 80
IMBOLG 89
The First Day of Spring 90
The River's Story: Boann 92
The Fox's Story: Brighid's Bargain 106
The Saint's Story: St Kevin and the Blackbird 121
Interval: Forest Time, Forest Lore 128
BEALTAINE 144
Summer Season 145
The Cat and Dog's Story: The Horned Women 147
The Publican's Story: The Púca 165
The Fieldmouse's Story: Seán the Piper 174
Interval: The Time of Pastures
and of Fields 194
LUGHNASA 203
Fairs, Festivals and Harvest 204
The King's Story: How Setanta Was Named 206
The Wolfhound's Story: The Birth of Bran 238
The Forest's Story: Suibhne 249
Afterword 255
The Music of What Happens 261
Bibliography 263
Credits 270