The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

Hag of Beara

Natural Rock Feature

Folklore

Mr Donal O'Fotharta, who printed some West Connacht traditions about the Cailleach, says,-

"There is no place or height you may get to in Ireland, where you will not hear talk of the Cailleach Bheara. It is an old proverb amongst the Connacht people that there are three long ages;- "The age of the yew, the age of the eagle, and the age of the Cailleach Bheara"; and as to the Cailleach's ways, they say thus:-

"She never brought mud from this puddle to the other puddle.
She never ate food but when she became hungry.
She never went to sleep till she grew sleepy.
She never threw out the dirty water till she brought in clean water."
All good advice there recorded in Siamsa an Gheimhridh, D. O'Fotharta (1892), p116-118. (and quoted in the Folklore article mentioned below).
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
22nd May 2007ce
Edited 22nd May 2007ce

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