Lora O'Brien – Irish Author & Guide
Your Authentic Connection to Ireland
A lot of folk have asked me about a practice I engage with every December, my Winter Solstice vigil each year here in County Waterford, Ireland. So, I decided to outline what it is, why I do it, and if it’s something you should be doing as part of an Irish Pagan practice. What is…
This is a simple Irish prayer to say to the Mórrígan (the Irish Goddess Morrigan) at sunset each night, wherever you are in the world. Our prayer to the Morrigan is adapted from a traditional Irish prayer found on Duchas.ie in the School’s Collection. The original entry is as follows: The following prayer was generally…
When trying to connect meaningfully and find native sources for Irish Paganism within the reality of our living Irish traditions, things aren’t what they used to be. These days, we are blessed with a burgeoning plethora of native Irish voices raising to speak truth about our own culture and heritage. Which is damn useful if…
Another one from the frequently asked questions file at the Irish Pagan School is how to make offerings to Pagan Gods and Goddesses, so if you’re confused or have questions on this topic – you’re not alone! The following is not specific to Irish or ‘Celtic’ Gods and Goddesses, but does of course apply to…
Well first off, your answer may be – none. You don’t have to work with any god or goddess to be a practicing Pagan, or to follow native Irish spiritual traditions. In fact, you’re probably closer to any Irish ancestral connections that are there by just having a general ‘something bigger than me exists but…
Lora O’Brien answered an Irish Pagan School Student Question about Irish Ancestry and Cultural Appropriation, in relation to Irish or Celtic Pagan Practice. My name is Chelsea, I was born in Canada to an American mother and a Canadian father. I live in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory. I am of mixed English, Scottish and Irish ancestry…
Spoiler Alert! No. You don’t. The Number One reason we hear for folk joining the Irish Pagan School comes down to an Irish heritage connection or Irish ancestry… which is grand, and good for you if you have that and want to explore it! I’m here today to be the killjoy that tells you though…
[This is a section that didn’t make the final edit of my new book, ‘A Practical Guide to Pagan Priesthood’, Llewellyn 2019. So, I thought I’d share it here!] Pagan Priesthood in Ancient Ireland ‘Ancient Ireland’, even if we limit it to Pre-Christian times, could be anywhere in an 11,000 year period, really. So, I…
The Gods and Goddesses of the Irish were/are a little different from others in Celtic Mythology from Britain and Europe, and it is important to differentiate and understand what we mean by Irish Gods, specifically. The term ‘Celtic’ is just a scholarly descriptor, when used correctly, to talk about Indo-European tribes in Europe who were…
Recommended Irish Pagan resources on topics such as Irish Mythology, Irish History, Irish Culture, Irish Spirituality, Irish Storytelling & Irish Travel.