Lora O'Brien – Irish Author & Guide

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Category: Irish Mythology

A Crow, symbolising the Morrigan in Irish Mythology

The Morrigan in Irish Mythology

Posted on March 9, 2021March 9, 2021 by Lora O'Brien

The Mórrígan (also Morrigan, Morrígu, Mór-Ríoghain) is a striking figure from Irish mythology: known variously as an Irish Goddess, native Pagan deity in Ireland, or supernatural figure if we’re looking academically at Medieval Irish literature. The Mórrígan is most commonly associated with war and destruction; but she is actually a guardian Goddess of prophecy, magic,…

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Queen Maeve (Medb) as Sovereign Goddess Giving the Mead Cup

The Real Queen Maeve (Medb)

Posted on May 18, 2020May 18, 2020 by Lora O'Brien

The character of Queen Maeve has come to popularity in Amazon’s TV show ‘The Boys’ as a badass superhero with some… issues, not the least of which appears to be the toxic masculinity and sexism she finds herself constantly surrounded by. For once, pop culture isn’t completely off par when dealing with Irish Mythology, because…

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The Three Sisters (Werewolves of Cruachán)

The Three Sisters (Cas Corach and the Werewolves of Cruachán)

Posted on May 17, 2020June 8, 2020 by Lora O'Brien

Faolín sighed and shifted her weight, earning herself kicks from her sisters, still sleeping, for her trouble. How could they sleep on this day? But this was their way, to sleep the day and emerge in darkness, through darkness, to the world beyond. On this night of nights. Full of restless energy, Faolín rose as…

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First Battle of Moytura - By C Michael Hogan, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=13537541

First Battle Of Moytura – Cath Muige Tuired Cunga

Posted on December 15, 2019December 15, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

‘The Battle of Moytura at Cong’, also known as The First Battle of Magh Turedh, Maige Tuired, etc. This text can be difficult to find online, so I thought I’d add a copy here, and maybe do a reading of it at some point over on my YouTube Channel, for accessibility purposes. The source manuscript…

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Rathcroghan Crúachan JG O'Donoghue Illustration - Commissioned by Roscommon County Council

Táin Bó Cúailgne – Cattle Raid of Cooley: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on December 11, 2019December 11, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

Ever wonder what is the Táin Bó Cúailgne? Or how to pronounce Táin Bó Cúailnge?! Here’s your guide, covering: a summary of the main storyline; the manuscript sources and recensions or versions it was recorded in; and even an audio reading so you can follow along! I’ve written a review of the Táin before, here,…

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Medb's Heap - Miosgan Medb at Rathcroghan

Medb’s Heap – Miosgán Medb

Posted on October 9, 2019October 9, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

This post is about the monument known as Medb’s Heap, Medb’s Cairn, Medb’s Tomb, Medb’s Nipple or Medb’s Grave (and sometimes the name Medb is anglicized as Maeve). In Irish it’s called Miosgán Medb, from the old Irish word mescán – mass, lump, heap. Now, you’ll likely have heard tell of the one in County…

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Lughnasadh in Ireland

Lughnasadh in Ireland

Posted on August 1, 2019July 7, 2022 by Lora O'Brien

The 1st of August (sometimes the 2nd) is Lúnasa (Lughnasadh, Lughnasa, Brón Trogain) – the harvest festival in Ireland. In her excellent book, ‘The Festival of Lughnasa’, Máire MacNeill wrote: “Garland Sunday and Domhnach Chrom Dubh are two of the many names of a festival celebrated by Irish country people at the end of July…

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Badb in Da Coca’s Hostel

The Badb in Bruiden Da Choca

Posted on July 17, 2019September 25, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

Bruiden Da Choca, ‘Da Coca’s Hostel’, is known also as Togail Bruidne Da Choca(e) (‘The destruction of Da Coca’s Hostel’), and is one of the many Badb or Mórrígna stories often quoted or referred to, but rarely read or studied. Let’s change that? It is available online, though only in a translation by Whitley Stokes,…

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Aislinge Óenguso Gantz Early Irish Myths and Sagas Aisling

Aislinge Óenguso

Posted on July 16, 2019November 14, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

The Dream of Oengus Irish Source Lore Manuscripts:  London, British Library, MS Egerton 1782 [1516-1518]  f. 70r22–70v10  Dublin, Trinity College, MS 1287 (H 1. 13) [1746]  p. 328 Modern transcript The following is an excerpt from an excellent book, detailed below, which you should absolutely have a copy of in your library! Jeffrey Gantz. Early Irish Sagas. Oengus was asleep…

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Listening to Irish Pagan Podcasts

Irish Pagan Podcasts

Posted on July 13, 2019July 13, 2019 by Lora O'Brien

These are not all Irish Pagan Podcasts specifically, but they will be of interest to those who want to authentically connect to Irish Paganism, and they do raise Irish voices offering quality historical and cultural information. Story Archaeology Podcast Uncovering the layers of Irish Mythology.  On this site, you will find a regular podcast and articles about…

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