Let me take you on a grand tour of the history of Irish fairies, accompanied with my trip to the fairy garden in Mullingar.
These enchanting creatures have been woven into the fabric of Irish folklore for centuries. Back in the day, these mischievous wee folk weren't your typical Disney darlings – they had their own wild ways.
They'd steal, and mess with your stuff just for a laugh. But don't let that fool you, for some were quite helpful, like the leprechauns who were shoemakers on the side.
The Origin of the Fairies
Long ago, in the misty times of ancient Celtic tribes, the Irish believed in a magical realm that coexisted with our own. This Otherworld was home to fairies, also known as "the Good People" or "the Sidhe."
The fairies are descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of supernatural beings who were believed to have inhabited Ireland long before the arrival of humans. These beings were skilled in magic and were said to possess great wisdom and power.
The fairies weren't just cute little pixies – they had an entire society, complete with kings, queens, and courts. The most powerful fairies resided in the sidhe mounds, which were ancient burial mounds believed to be entrances to the Otherworld. These mounds were treated with respect and caution, as disturbing them was thought to anger the fairies.
Throughout history, fairies played a role in explaining the unexplainable. They were blamed for crop failures, cattle illnesses, and sudden changes in weather. To appease them, people would leave offerings of milk, butter, and bread near the fairy mounds.
The history of Irish fairies reminds us of a time when the mystical and the mundane danced hand in hand in the emerald lands of Ireland.
So, next time you feel a little tickle on your ear or your dinners mysteriously go missing, don't be too quick to blame the dog. It might just be a wee fairy playing tricks on you, carrying on the grand tradition of Irish mischief!
Sláinte!
Aidan ☘️🇮🇪
