Shows
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsWelcome to the Celtic CalendarSpeaker: archive producer, John Ward
Full details on the project can be found at Racontour
Welcome to the Celtic Calendar, a comprehensive audio archive on the four seasons and their cross-quarter days in Ireland. As old as time itself, the seasons were the constant path by which our ancestors survived through passed-down knowledge, customs and rituals.
GUIDE FEATURES: This playlist is laid out in the way the old Celtic Calendar was set with the new year starting at Samhain. Another feature to note is that the new day commenced at dusk, not dawn and thus w...2022-07-2602 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsLughnasa miscellanySpeaker: John Ward
Lughnasa - the time of the harvest runs from the end of July well into August. Just as a good Rosary has its trimmings, so too does Lughnasa have a number of ancillary events that need to be referenced. The first major event after Garland Sunday was the Assumption, being the 15th of August. This was the day that the Virgin Mary assumed or rose into Heaven. It was also known as Big Lady Day, Marymass or grandest of all, Great Lady in the Harvest!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of t...2022-07-2104 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsThe hungry month of JulySpeaker: John Ward
For our Irish ancestors, Garland Sunday could not come soon enough. The bitter six weeks leading up to Lughnasa were when food was at its scarcest. Other names beyond Hungry July were 'The Hungry Month', 'The Blue Month' and 'Staggering July.' Regionally, it was known as the yellow month in Kilkenny as Buímhís' The yellow month being the colour of the faces of the poor. The stifling heat alone had locals in Charles McGlinchey's time call it Mí Mharbh “ or The Dead Month.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the...2022-07-2103 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsGarland SundaySpeaker: John Ward
These days it forms the location for one of the great Lughnasa set pieces being Reek Sunday held on the last Sunday in July. It is all in honour of St. Patrick overcoming the swarms of winged demons that plagued him for 40 days and nights on that very mountain. Few may be surprised to hear that the mountain had been host to pagan gatherings long before Patrick's arrival. These were to morph into the Christian festival we see today under St. Patrick's watchful eye. Led by the clergy, some 30,000 or so pilgrims make the hazardous...2022-07-2104 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsPuck FairSpeaker: John Ward
The royal charter from King James I in 1603 means little to the fair dwellers for they have their king, a wild mountain goat whose untamed and hardy nature reflect that of the fair itself. The festooned goat or 'poc' is crowned King Puck by the young fair queen on the main fair day before being hoisted 20 feet high above in his regal cage to survey the scene. As J.M. Synge noted 'He is kept in position, with a few cabbages to feed on, for three days, so that he may preside over the pig-fair, t...2022-07-2103 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsThe pagan dance of LughnasaSpeaker: John Ward
Sounds: Drummers and MF himself!
"When I was sixteen, I remember slipping out one Sunday - it was this time of year, the beginning of August - and Bernie and I met at the gate of the workhouse and the pair of us went off to a dance in Ardstraw..." Maggie prior to the big dance to The Mason's Apron in Act One of Dancing at Lughnasa.
Lughnasa is the culmination of what the Celtic calendar has been all about. The patience of seeing out Winter, the thrill of the lambs and...2022-07-2105 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsThe original Tailteann GamesSpeaker: John Ward
Lugh gave his name to the cross quarter day of harvest time, but according to the Book of Invasions, the inspiration for it is usually given as a mourning ceremony for his deceased foster-mother Tailtiu, to whom the festival was named the Fair of Tailteann. The fair was held on the banks of the River Blackwater in what is now Teltown in County Meath over the last two weeks of July and culminating on the first day of August being of course, Lughnasa.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic C...2022-07-2104 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsWho was Lugh?Speaker: John Ward
An audio overview about the sun God Lugh who gave his name to the most vibrant of cross quarter days, Lughnasa in August.
Lugh played a major role in the battle of Moytura where the Tuatha de Denann defeated the Fomorians led by Balor of the Evil Eye, being his grandfather no less. That defeat at the Poisoned Glen in Donegal is a cracking tale as of course is the one involving his son*, Cúchulainn in The Táin. Lugh offered the boy his only respite from days of slaughter as he fi...2022-07-2102 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards20. BF Lean summer daysSpeakers: Seoirse Ō Dochartaigh and John Ward
Patrick Campbell writes that 'scarcity would still be felt in and around the small mountain farms until midsummer or even the end of July. Indeed July was called ‘the hungry month’, ‘the lean month’ (the old Irish speakers named it Iul an ghorta’) ‘the shaking of the bags ‘ which when emptied were left ready and waiting for August and the golden harvest. Then the saying was ’we’ll soon be on the pig’s back’ for Lunasa Eve is at hand.
Seoirse Ō Dochartaigh tells us about the old diets as remembered in Charles Mc...2022-04-2904 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards18. BF Hirings FairsLocation: The Diamond, Donegal Town
Narrators: John Ward/Mairead McNulty
Patents for these days go back as far as the early 1600s when Sir Basil Brooke had taken over the castle from the O'Donnells. The fair day was held on the second Friday of each month while the market occurred every Saturday.
Signs and symbols were used to show availability for work: men carried sticks, straws, tools or a bundle under their arm whilst women wore aprons and string bags. All those hired went through the ritual of being examined and questioned about their ability to...2022-04-2903 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards19. BF BooleyingSpeaker: John Ward
Lest we think that only the young lads had it tough after the 1st of May with the Hiring Fairs, there is a summertime activity reserved for the young girls that certainly was no picnic. Transhumance may sound like a phenomenon from a sci-fi film, but it's the more prosaic activity of humans bringing the cattle to mountain pastures.
Known in Ireland as 'booleying', it was largely the preserve of young women. Coming from the Irish word 'buaile', it referred to any kind of cattle enclosure and can be traced back to the fourth c...2022-04-2902 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards17. BF Midsummer's EveSpeaker: John Ward
Midsummer's Eve was celebrated on the 23rd of June. At the heart of the celebrations was the bonfire which had been so for centuries in saluting the sun at its height before it declined south once again. All ages were involved in the gathering of any material to complete the bonfire, including bones which were believed to allow the fire to burn longer. It is from bone that we get the original word bone fire later becoming bonfire. This ancient Irish tradition of bone burning was in imitation of ancient sacrifices with the extra crackling...2022-04-2903 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards16. BF Whit SundayNarrator: John Ward
From the Celtic Calendar archive saluting all of the folklore associated with the calendar year in Ireland.
Lady Jane Wilde doesn't mince here words in her evaluation of it:
Whitsuntide is a very fatal and unlucky time. Especially beware of water then, for there is an evil spirit in it, and no one should venture to bathe, nor to sail a boat for fear of being drowned; nor to go on a journey where water has to be crossed. And everything in the house must be sprinkled with holy water at Whitsuntide to keep a...2022-04-2904 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards15. BF Gretta's BealtaineWexford storyteller Gretta Browne gives us her take on the customs associated with Bealtaine - everything from May Bushes to pisoegs to sayings to even a poem at the end.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - n...2022-04-2907 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards12. There's something about BrigidSpeaker: John Ward
With some wry Patrick bashing, John talks about Brigid has a proper aura about that Patrick simply cannot compete with!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of a...2022-02-0104 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards14. Imbolc reviewSpeakers: Dessie McCallion in conversation with John Ward
Dessie dwells on the pagan elements of the festival and the portents that people expect at that time of year.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - n...2022-02-0105 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards13. Beliefs around BrigidSpeakers: Dessie McCallion in conversation with John Ward
Brigid served an important role in helping Christianity gain traction. In this piece, Dessie elaborates just how she went about it despite John teasing him on whether she actually existed!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards10. Getting her duesSpeaker: Dessie McCallion
Dessie speculates on whether Brigid - along with Patrick and Colmcille is actually buried in Downpatrick. He also salutes her in ensuring she got her dues in the ensuring her position in the pantheon of irish saints.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards11. DivinationSpeaker: Mary Murphy
Divination being the practice of foretelling one's future husband was a well established custom in ireland at both Samhain and Imbolc. Here, Mary tells us more about this curious tradition.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards9. Imbolc ritualsSpeaker: John Ward
Pagans or indeed non pagans out there will enjoy the list of activities that can be done in anticipation of Imbolc.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of...2022-02-0106 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards8. One powerful womanSpeaker: Dessie McCallion
Brigid was a woman with serious clout who managed to get things done. Here Dessie explains how much of a force of nature she actually was.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist...2022-02-0106 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards7. Holy wellsSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
Sean discusses that most pagan of shrines that was appropriated by Christianity. There are some 3000 or so in Ireland with accompanying customs and pattern days. Many are believed to have cures for particular conditions.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards6. Brigid's CrossSpeaker: John Ward
There is a lot of lore to explore with the ancient custom that still exists. Here, John tells us about them in a comprehensive review.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no...2022-02-0108 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards5. Desecration by Diarmaid mac MurchadhaSpeaker: Dessie McCallion
Never shy of a theory, Dessie tells us that the real reason for the invasion of Ireland by the Normans has more to do with the sacking of Brigid's Kildare monastery by Diarmaid than it does with his Breffni shenanigans!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards4. Gretta's Brigid overviewSpeaker: Gretta Browne
Wexford native Gretta Browne gives an excellent overview of Brigid and the customs that are associated with her.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of all four f...2022-02-0108 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards3. Brigid - a starting pointSpeakers: Dessie McCallion and John Ward
Dessie tells John about the harbinger of better days herself and of the miracle that was the survival of Catholicism in ireland no less!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar p...2022-02-0106 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards2. Saluting BrigidSpeaker: John Ward
In 2022, there's a great new lease of life for Brigid's memory around the capital city. Audio based on an Irish Times article about Brigid or Brigit as they have it.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards1. Imbolc overviewSpeaker: Mary Murphy
Imbolc is strongly associated with Saint Brigid (Old Irish: Brigit, modern Irish: Bríd, modern Scottish Gaelic: Brìghde or Brìd, anglicised Bridget). Saint Brigid is thought to have been based on Brigid, a Gaelic goddess. The festival, which celebrates the onset of spring, is thought to be linked with Brigid in her role as a fertility goddess.
On Imbolc Eve, Brigid was said to visit virtuous households and bless the inhabitants. As Brigid represented the light half of the year, and the power that will bring people from the dark season of win...2022-02-0100 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsBSW4 - 2. The Harvest FairSpeaker: Dan Gallagher
From the Bluestack Way - Part 4 playlist.
See Bluestack Way page for full details.
Photo: the Lawrence collection.
In our audio piece, Dan Gallagher tells us about how Glenties would have been thronged with sheep during the annual Harvest Fair in early September. It is a wonderful insight into the chaos and mayhem on a day when there was selling and drinking to be done.
Following the walk approx. 3km from Glenties, the roadway is flanked by gorse or whin bushes with their bright yellow flowers. In May and June...2021-11-0502 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsBSW3 11. CarnaweenSpeaker: John McGroary
From the Bluestack Way Part 3 playlist.
See Bluestack Way page for full details.
The first Sunday of June, found the youth of Patrick Campbell’s day making their way after Mass to Carnameen mountain top, a tradition that is still practiced to this day. Campbell observes ‘many a joyful Sunday evening I passed on this famous summit, and we were always welcomed for further refreshments on our way home by the kindly people in Dysart (sic) at the foot of this beautiful mountain. From Carn’s top, the eye could behold the far off mo...2021-11-0403 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsBSW3 3. Approaching a sacred siteSpeaker: Helen Meehan
From the Bluestack Way Part 3 playlist.
See Bluestack Way page for full details.
In our audio piece, historian Helen Meehan gives us an overview of Carnaween and Disert which you are approaching. You will be hearing more about both places, both Helen as always has another angle on these phenomena that are worth hearing.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
S...2021-11-0402 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsKeenSpeaker: Mary Murphy
The curious custom of keening or crying by semi-professional keeners at Irish wakes died out (as it were!) at the start of the 20th century. It had become a source of ridicule with attendees even openly laughing at the keeners. In its heyday, it was regarded as an essential part of properly mourning the dead at any decent Irish wake.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions p...2021-10-2901 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsIrish funeral customsSpeakers: Mary Murphy and Sean McMahon RIP
The greatest possible respect - with perhaps a fair bit of fear was in place by the Irish for their dead. They had many customs that predate Christianity. Mary and Sean vividly bring these customs to life in this audio clip.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsThe Irish and deathSpeaker: John Ward
In this piece, Samhain is stripped back to what it started as - a salute to the dead. We look at how death is regarded in Ireland, both the good parts and the emergence of trash documentaries on it. We also look at how this time of year is seen in other parts with a nod to the dead and to the greatest Irish saluter of the departed, James Joyce.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but w...2021-10-2907 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsDeath lore in IrelandSpeaker: John Ward introducing main witness, Dessie McCallion
An extract from The Twilight Court recorded on 13th November 2009 in Carndonagh Courthouse, Co. Donegal. Listen to the full show and if enjoyed, follow the link to get the script ot perform it locally at either Halloween or a Friday 13th!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsSamhain fireSpeaker: Dessie McCallion
Inishowen tour guide and oracle, Dessie McCallion tells us about the ancient custom of the Samhain fire that goes right back to the druids.
Part of both the Samhain Folklore Archive and the larger Halloween Archive.
Enjoy on our Spotify Playlist complete with accompanying Samhain tunes.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsDMcC - Samhain's cult of the deadLeading up to Halloween, we have Inishowen tour guide extraordinaire, Dessie McCallion, bringing us back to the old times of Samhain. Here he explains about how there is a cult of the dead in Ireland.
Part of both the Samhain Folklore Archive and the larger Halloween Archive.
Enjoy on our Spotify Playlist complete with accompanying Samhain tunes.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsSamhain overviewSpeaker: Dessie McCallion
Leading up to Halloween, we have Inishowen tour guide extraordinaire, Dessie McCallion, bringing us back to the old times of Samhain.
Part of both the Samhain Folklore Archive and the larger Halloween Archive.
Enjoy on our Spotify Playlist complete with accompanying Samhain tunes.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwardsEMT - fairies and the OtherworldSpeaker: Merrily Harper
GPS coordinates: 53.730372, -8.094585
As the rain beat down with unusual ferocity on a corrugated roof, hear the great Merrily Harper tell us her lore. Recorded in Luke Gibbons pub back in May 2012 by Sliabh Bawn mountain in County Roscommon.
As you turn right and begin your climb to the mountain, we tell you of the Otherworld. The Otherworld (orbis alia) in Celtic mythology is postulated (but not known) to be the realm of the dead, the home of the deities, or the stronghold of other spirits and beings such as the SÃdh...2021-10-2200 minRacontour Archive - 2020 onwardsEMT - hearing the BansheeSpeaker: Merrily Harper
GPS coordinates: 53.71327, -8.070381
Upon taking a left, we tell you about one of the more famous residents of the area, the dreaded banshee. Poet and author Merrily Harper telling us about the dreaded banshee under a stormy roof in Luke Gibbons pub in Roscommon back in May 2012.
From our Samhain lore playlist: https://audioboom.com/playlists/4634161-samhain-lore
#Samhain #Halloween #Otherworld #Supernatural #Banshee
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit o...2021-10-2201 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards18. DHS - St. Eigne's holy wellShrine Eighteen: All's well that ends well.
Location: 55.2338, -7.49924
Speaker: Sean McMahon (RIP) and John Hegarty.
Theme: gathering to collect sacred water.
At the top of Mamore, you should stop off to view St. Eigne's Holy Well, renowned for its healing qualities and situated beside shrines to the Virgin Mother and St. Padre Pio. There's a small tin jug by the well and you are encouraged to fill a bottle of holy water to bring home and cure ailments from the eyes to the limbs. By the grottos, you will notice relics of deceased, often...2021-08-0409 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards6. BBG - witches PGThe late great Bertie Bryce from Inch Island in Inishowen, Co. Donegal telling us about witches way back in 2008 in his kitchen.
From our Samhain lore playlist: https://audioboom.com/playlists/4634161-samhain-lore
#Samhain #Halloween #Otherworld #Supernatural #Witches
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. B...2021-07-2601 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards25. TNW Thank youThanks for listening! If you enjoyed the tour, please let your friends know about it and follow us on either Twitter or Facebook.
Twitter: @racontouring
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Want to get a tour for your area, let's make it happen!
Contact info@racontour.com
www.racontour.com
(c) 2017-2021 Racontour Productions. All rights reserved.2021-05-0603 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards17. TNW Ballyhealy CastleBallyhealy Castle is believed to have been a fire tower that helped the Anglo-Normans navigate across the treacherous coast known locally as the Graveyard of 1000 ships. A brazier light, similar to the one used in nearby Hook Lighthouse, was used to help the sailors gain safe passage.
Brian Matthews who lives nearby tells us about its unlikely owners today and Caimin O’Brien tells us about a spicy concoction the Anglo-Normans drank to warm the cockles of their heart which no doubt was needed when keeping watch at the top of this castle on a Winter's night!
...2021-05-0601 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards13. TNW Countryside featuresWe thought it might be helpful to explain some of the sights you will see as you cycle through the countryside on your way to Kilmore Quay. Take note of how a lot of the trees have been shaped by the prevailing south-west wind. It is no wonder the area had so many windmills in days past! Another tree feature that is possibly the most tangible remainder of the Normans is explained at our later point of interest entitled 'Kilmore wooden crosses'.
We should warn you that some pranksters do enjoy changing the direction of signs in rural par...2021-05-0602 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards3. TNW Yellow BelliesAs you cycle along, we thought you’d like to hear more about Wexford itself, its nicknames and their origins including the famous sobriquet, ‘the Yellow Bellies’. Wexford and its denizens have many names that need some explanation to the inquisitive visitor. On the signs, it is referred to in Irish as Loch Garman and in English as Wexford, a name that has Norse provenance being 'Waesfjord' meaning 'inlet (fjord) of the mud-flats' in the Old Norse language. In pre-Norman times the are was part of the Kingdom of Uí Cheinnselaig, with its capital at Ferns. The County was formed in Norm...2021-05-0601 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards1. TNW IntroductionThe Norman Way is a heritage trail that runs along the south coast of County Wexford. Along this Wexford Trail, you will discover authentic medieval sites which will help you to understand the Norman way of life. These hidden gems of the Norman Way are waiting to be explored by you down quiet country lanes, in beautiful seaside villages and alongside stunning beaches. We have listed a host of points of interest on our tour, both official points of interest along the route with interpretive panels beside them and some we feel will add to your enjoyment and understanding of...2021-05-0601 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards15. TNW St. Anne's Holy WellWillie Murphy tell us about some of the sites to look out for when paying a must-see trip to St. Anne’s Holy Well and grotto in the village of Tomhaggard.
We have also provide a video link of both the well and a surprise at the top of the steps: https://youtu.be/S1BRy5nFMrs
Narrators: Willie Murphy and John
Video: Racontour Productions
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour.com/the-norman-way/ for more content on south Wexford
Email info@racontour.com
2021-05-0601 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards12. TNW IshartmonMany people hope to make it through the Pearly Gates to Paradise in the next life, but just by passing through the graveyard gates of Ishartmon, a person has technically made it there in this one, for you are standing in the heart of the townland of Paradise no less!
It served as the parish church of Ishartmon, a name that is thought to have been derived from Disert Munna - St Munna's Church. The Ishartmon parish may have been defunct before 1615 as it does not appear on Bishop Rams visitations for that year. Munna was a somewhat conservative an...2021-05-0602 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards9. TNW St. Catherine's churchSt. Catherine was one of the Anglo-Norman’s favoured saints. It’s a well-kept verdant setting of tranquillity and has some notable architectural features. Yvonne Doyle tells us more about the site in our audio piece. She also appears in a video of the place on this link: https://youtu.be/InY4v-ymXjo
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour.com/the-norman-way/ for more content on south Wexford
Email info@racontour.com
2021-05-0602 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards14. BF Wrap upA few thanks were needed at the end to a most enjoyable evening's entertainment. The photo was a still of Dessie McCallion where he is in his prime, out and about in Inishowen - if a Rambler's Cup were to be awarded to someone on the show for both educating and entertaining us, Dessie might just steal it by a whisker - thank you Dessie!
A big thanks to you for listening and if you enjoyed it, please spread the word on this free heritage service by following and sharing Twitter @ramblinghouseie or Facebook https://www.facebook.com...2021-05-0401 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards13. BF Retelling traditionAs a nice tangent from the Bealtaine lore, Dessie and Seoirse discuss the ability of the Irish to enjoy hearing a story again and again.
Photo by John Ward features Seoirse O'Dochartaigh in blue talking to the late Sean McMahon before the legendary Border Tales second instalment from the radio series in 2009.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards12. BF The lore of the hareThere's a fair bit of folklore about the hare around the 1st of May and Dessie McCallion tells it better than most.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of all four festivals.2021-05-0407 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards11. BF Piseogs lore - PGSpeaker: John Ward
Bealtaine was the most potent time of the calendar year to perform charms known in Ireland as piseogs. John Ward tells us a bit more about some of this rural witchcraft.
Photo: evidence of a piseog having taken place.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards10. BF May flowers and May altarSpeaker: John Ward
May Day has long been associated as a time for gathering flowers both to ward off sinister presences, but also to celebrate the month of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Photo: Irish Archaelogy
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below are t...2021-05-0403 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards9. BF The Italian MageriniItalians celebrate May Day with music and customs as well where celebrants are referred to as magerini. We were fortunate to have Marie, Fabio and Matteo to play a May Day song and tell us some lore about the day.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below a...2021-05-0413 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards8. BF BlackthornPrunus spinosa - Blackthorn - Draighean
Distinct from the hawthorn, the blackthorn has some notable lore on Bealtaine as Dessie McCallion tells Seoirse O'Dochartaigh in a conversation that developed.
Photo: Maxpixel
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards7. BF Hawthorn, fire and fairiesInishowen tour guide, Dessie McCallion, gives a masterclass in these three Bealtaine topics.
Fairy Dance painting by Howard Weingarden 1942-2011
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of all four festivals.2021-05-0409 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards6. BF BoundariesSpeakers: Dessie McCallion in conversation with John Ward
The boundaries of a property had to be protected on May Day. Here, we talk about some of the customs and rituals that occured to do so.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below are the Spotify o...2021-05-0402 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards4. BF Beltany Stone CircleSpeaker: Mary Harte
Shrine 22: saluting the Sun.
Location: 54.851216, -7.604685
Raphoe is the smallest cathedral city in Europe, but it a site of worship over a mile south of the 'city' that there stands one of the best preserved stone circles in Ireland. Reputedly older than Stonehenge, it consists of 64 standing stones out of an original 80. Beltony is a corruption of Baal tine, the fire of Baal; this suggests that the inhabitants of this area worshipped Baal, the sun god, and ruler of nature.
Tradition tells us that the principal ceremonies were performed at the su...2021-05-0409 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards3. BF Bealtaine overviewHost John Ward tells us a bit more about the lore of Bealtaine. Recorded via Facebook Live on the 1st May 2021.
Photo from 1964 in Co. Westmeath, Ireland. Thanks to Coimisiún Béaloideasa Éireann (CBÉ) / Irish Folklore Commission in UCD.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease...2021-05-0402 min
Racontour Archive - 2020 onwards2. BF IntroductionShow host, John Ward, started by wishing a very happy Bealtaine 2021 to everyone watching on Facebook live – and a happy Cantor Maggio to our Italian friends.
The show coincided with the relaunch of the https://ramblinghouse.ie/ website. It opened with the original intro music from the 2009 radio series of Rambling House on ICR followed by Sean Beattie reading the traditional invitation poem made famous by the late Eamon Kelly in his RTÉ radio programme, The Rambling House: -
”The ricket is thatched, the fields are bare,
Long nights are here again,
The year was fine, but now ‘...2021-05-0401 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201920. TNW Kilmore's wooden crossesAn ancient funeral ritual said to date right back to the Anglo-Normans is still to be found in existence today in the village of Kilmore. If you didn't know about its location, it would be easy to pass by without heed, but once you see it, it is hard to ignore.
On the outskirts of Kilmore, just before the graveyard is what the locals call 'the flat egg roundabout'. Across from the roundabout is a detached cottage and twenty metres down from it is a hazel tree festooned with wooden crosses. In our audio piece Rose Hurley tells u...2017-03-2701 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201924. TNW St. Mary's churchA Church Within a Church' Large medieval churches, such as St. Mary's, were generally constructed in the shape of a cross with the shorter part, or ‘chancel', pointed toward the east. The short crossing arms pointing north and south are known as ‘transepts'. The longer base part of the cross is known as the ‘nave' and is where the congregation sat for six centuries of church services.
Today, although the medieval church is largely intact and well preserved, it is almost completely unroofed. This later church was constructed in the 19th century and is still in active use by the...2017-03-2600 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201923. TNW The legend of Isabelle's heartHear about the legend that Isabelle Marshall's heart is in fact buried in St. Mary's Church, New Ross.
Narrator of this audio clip: Catherine McLoughlin, 2017
Find out more: www.staffordmcloughlinarchaeology.ie
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour.com/the-norman-way/ for more content on south Wexford
Email info@racontour.com
2017-03-2601 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201916. TNW The extinct dialect of south WexfordThe Earl of Musgrave, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland was a man used to hearing speeches wherever he went. However, the speech he heard in Ballytrent, Co. Wexford in 1836 was unlike anything he had ever heard before.
There he received ‘The humble address of the inhabitants of the Barony of Forth, Wexford' or, as they put it, ‘Ye soumissive Spakeen o'ouz Dwelleres o' Baronie Forthe, Weisforthe.' The address, read by Edmund Hore, was neither Modern English nor Irish; the Lord Lieutenant was listening to one of the last speakers of an almost forgotten dialect – Yola. Its origins lie wi...2017-03-2603 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20196. TNW St. IberiusAn ancient crucifix was found in the Lady's Island lake in the vicinity of the church of St. Iberius (also known as St Ibar's) in the summer of 1887. When first discovered, a small portion of the left arm was missing. Acting on the instructions of the Parish Priest, the late Venerable Archdeacon Roche, the finder - a boy named Cogley - renewed the search and, strange to relate, succeeded in finding the missing part which was subsequently joined to the figure.
One further point of note is an historic relic of the area. The wording from the Our...2017-03-2601 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201921. TNW Kilmore QuayThis seaside village is bustling with modern boats while the image above shows the kind of vessel the Normans would have used to cross the seas all those centuries ago.
The Graveyard of a Thousand Ships Norman ships weren't that different from Viking longships. They were fast moving and agile but the dangerous waters off the South Wexford coast proved a challenge even for them. In fact, the treacherous waters off Kilmore Quay and around the Saltee Islands are known locally as the ‘graveyard of a thousand ships'.
Guiding Lights Ballyteige Castle, just outside Kilmore Quay Vi...2017-03-2601 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20194. TNW Lady's Island lagoonStop here to read the signs informing the visitor of the wide variety of flora and fauna to look out in Lady's Lake lagoon. Long before the Anglo-Normans set foot in Wexford in 1169, invader of a winged variety had been arriving at these shores. It is home to the largest tern colony in the country with some 2000 nesting birds per year. See the sign for more information and listen to Jim Hurley, a member of the Wexford Naturalists Field Club tell us what to look out for here.
Audio: Jim Hurley, 2017
Find out more: https://www.southwexfordcoast...2017-03-2601 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20198. TNW Tacumshane lakeLocal wildlife expert Jim Hurley tells us a bit more about a renowned hotspot for wildlife along The Norman Way, Tacumshane lake.
Audio: Jim Hurley, 2017
Find out more at: https://www.southwexfordcoast.com/about/
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour.com/the-norman-way/ for more content on south Wexford
Email info@racontour.com
2017-03-2600 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201919. TNW Wexford's proud drama traditionIf at all possible, try and catch some of the stellar amateur dramatics that is rife in south county Wexford, another tradition that the area is steeped in and with stellar result. Pictured is the Bridge Drama Group from Castlebridge outside Wexford Town accepting the All Ireland Best Drama award in 2016 - the lady in the blue and gold dress is Heather Hadrill who won the Best Actress award and is our voiceover artist on the tour.
Audio: Breda Hayes, 2017
Text: John Ward, 2017
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour...2017-03-2601 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201910. TNW Sigginstown castleOnce the Anglo-Normans had consolidated their military occupation, they started to build their stone castles with some 365 being built between the 13th and 16th centuries. While many lie derelict shadowing many farmyards, Sigginstown was renovated by its new American owners in 2017. In our audio clip, stonemason Patrick Hickey tells us with ghoulish glee about the dreaded machicolations that helped fend off invaders from such castles.
The content below appears on the Norman Way interpretive panel at Sigginstown Castle: -
This tower house is a wonderful example of the sheer building height that was made possible after t...2017-03-2600 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201911. TNW A finer stoneMaster stone mason Pat Hickey explains how the richer families that settled in Forth and Bargy were able to choose a more discerning stonework for their castles.
Audio: Pat Hickey, 2017
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour.com/the-norman-way/ for more content on south Wexford
Email info@racontour.com
2017-03-2600 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20192. TNW A fossilised landscapeIn the late 12th century, the kingdom of Uí Chennselaig, what is now modern county Wexford, was the first part of Ireland to be invaded and subinfeudated by the Anglo-Normans. This feudal hierarchy came to replace an island shaped by Gaelic culture over the centuries. While the rest of Gaelic Ireland fought against this imposition, the baronies of Forth and Bargy that you'll be cycling through to Kilmore Quay quickly assimilated into this new order. Forth and Bargy is a 50 square mile area stretching from Wellingbridge in the west to Wexford Town in the east with the N733 being a r...2017-03-2602 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201918. TNW The Whitty monumentIn the ruin of the ancient parish church in Grange cemetery, Kilmore lies a site of special historical significance - the marble Whitty memorial, erected in 1647. It is the only surviving memorial to an Anglo-Norman family in the country. Its Latin inscription translates follows:
'Here lies Walter Whitty, of Ballyteigue, Esquire, who died 9th November in the year of Lord 1630, and Helen, his wife, daughter of Hammon Stafford, of Ballyconnor Gentleman, who died 27th April, in the year of the Lord 1646, and Catherine, first wife of Richard Whitty, Esquire, daughter of Philip Devereux of Ballymagyr, Esquire, who died 18...2017-03-2602 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 201914. TNW Tomhaggard's famous chaliceLocal historian Willie Murphy tells us the story of the martyred priest Fr. Meyler killed in 1653. As you’ll hear, his memory is preserved in a custom every Christmas with a relic that dates back to those penal law days.
Narrators: Heather Hadrill and Willie Murphy, 2017
The Norman Way, Wexford, Forth and Bargy
See https://www.racontour.com/the-norman-way/ for more content on south Wexford
Email info@racontour.com
2017-03-2602 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20197. TNW The famous son of TacumshaneThis area was known as ‘Little Flander’s on account of its many windmills introduced by the Anglo-Normans. Gerry Meyler is happy to allow patrons gain access to the well-preserved windmill at the side of Meyler’s pub. Just ask him for the key. In our audio piece, Gerry and local expert James Maloney tell us about the area’s most famous son, Commodore John Barry, father of the US navy
Our audio piece tells us about the origins of the curious name, Tacumshane, in Irish 'teach cun Sean' or 'house of John'. The YouTube video on the Racontour...2017-03-2601 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20195. TNW Lady's Island's nameIt's a subtle difference, but this point of interest is known formally as Lady's Island, but by pilgrims as Our Lady's Island in devotion to the Virgin Mary and the annual pilgrimage that has existed here for well over a millennium. So far back are its roots in fact that Ptolemy refers to the place in his first century map. In a list of Irish place-names published in Iris-Leabhar na Gaeilge in 1903, the Irish name for Our Lady's Island is given as Cluain-na-mBan - 'the meadow of the women'. Considering that this locality was once the centre of druidical worship...2017-03-2600 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Fox's Lane museumUnfortunately the museum's curator retired in 2015 so the museum no longer exists, but enjoy a sample of what they offered in this audio clip.
Rather than simply discard such a fine piece, I'm hoping it will find a new audience as I add it to the 'Best of Racontour' collection. With thanks to Pat Lynch, a true gent and a great ambassador of another age, here's the original piece:
Pat and Ann Lynch's museum is the ultimate hidden gem of Youghal. Come and see how your great-grandparents coped with day-to-day living before the invention of indoor p...2015-03-0402 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Devil DoubtSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
Every Christmas, the Mummers would show up at houses with a plethora of mischievous characters in tow including Buck Sweep, Prince George, Beelzebub, Johnny Funny, Big Head, Master Man and Oliver Cromwell no less. One of them was Wee Devil Doubt who used to chant the following lines: - "Here comes I, wee Devil Doubt, The biggest wee devil ever came out Money I want and money I crave, If I don't get money I'll sweep you all to your grave. And if you do not believe what I say, Enter in, Buck Sweep...2014-07-2000 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019CailleachSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
The old hag of Beara, believed to be the harbinger of Winter. This is where we leave things on this audio archive of the seasons, but let's not forget, if Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? Thanks for listening.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on yo...2014-07-2000 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Drown the shamrockSpeaker: Mary Murphy
Mary tells us a bit more about a phrase that is synonymous with celebrating St Patrick's feast day in the 17th March. Slainté!
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
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Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, ju...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Winning the turfSpeakers: Mary Murphy/Patsy McNulty
An Ulster idiom for completing the tricky task of saving the turf or indeed the hay. Mary introduces the piece and Patsy gives an eye witness account of the long summer struggle to win that precious turf!
Photo by John Ward: Turf stacks under Carnaween
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of both the Bluestack Way and the Celtic Calendar audio archives from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has a...2014-07-1901 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Hy BrasilSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
Brasil, also known as Hy-Brasil or several other variants, is a phantom island which was said to lie in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland. In Irish myths it was said to be cloaked in mist, except for one day every seven years, when it became visible but still could not be reached. It probably has similar roots to other mythical islands said to exist in the Atlantic, such as Atlantis, Saint Brendan's Island, and the Isle of Mam. Source: Wikipedia.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar a...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Salt MondayMary Murphy tells us about a forgotten about custom in the West of Ireland that takes place on the first Monday of Lent.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below are the Spotify options: -
Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of all four f...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Puss SundaySpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
Puss is surely one of the better examples of onomatopoeia used by the Irish. Sean McMahon tells us of the various uses including the little heard Puss Sunday, the last Sunday before Lent.
#customs #Ireland
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone w...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019OtherworldMary Murphy gives us an excellent overview of the Otherworld. In Gaelic and Brittonic mythology it is usually described as a supernatural realm of everlasting youth, beauty, health, abundance and joy The Otherworld is similar to the parallel universe, usually elusive, but various mythical heroes visit it either through chance or after being invited by one of its residents. They often reach it by entering ancient burial mounds or caves, or by going under water or across the western sea.
Source of wording: Wikipedia
From our Samhain lore playlist: https://audioboom.com/playlists/4634161-samhain-lore
#Samhain...2014-07-1901 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019LughnasaSpeaker: Mary Murphy
Mary gives a simple overview of the harvest festival of Lughnasa to start us off on our final cross-quarter day.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below are the Spotify options: -
Celtic Calendar playlist - no music, just audio of al...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Hungry grassSpeaker: Mary Murphy
Mary tells us of the once widely-held belief that certain parcels of Irish land could strike a walker down with death from hunger simply by walking over it. Here she explains the reason for such a superstition.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with e...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Fraughan SundaySpeaker: Mary Murphy
Bilberry Sunday is a charming old feast day that deserves to be brought back to life. Celebrated on the last Sunday in July, it was a day when people went to hillsides and peat lands in groups to collect bilberries, and sometimes find a spouse. These tiny, intensely dark blue berries, are related to the blueberry though they’re only about half as large. They thrive in acidic soils, have a sweet/sour flavour, and when you squash them up, the insides are yellow.
Pencil in the last Sunday of July and if the...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019DivinationAs we approach Hallowe'en, hear Mary Murphy tell us about the ancient practice of divination, when Irish women used unorthodox methods to help them find a suitor.
From our Samhain Lore playlist.
Find plenty more lore on Halloween at our Halloween Archive.
#Samhain #Halloween #Otherworld #Supernatural #Divination
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in e...2014-07-1901 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019FetchSpeaker: Mary Murphy
Mary tells us about the preternatural phenomenon that was a fetch or phantasm that was seen by a close relative of the would-be deceased.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. Feel free to share if enjoyed, but with a credit or a social media tag to Racontour Productions please.
SPOTIFY: This platform has allowed us to be creative in ensuring you can access it on your smart phone with ease. Below are the Spotify options: -
Celtic Calendar playlist - no m...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019BansheeSpeaker: Mary Murphy
The banshee (or banchee) (/ˈbænʃiː/ ban-shee), from Irish: bean sí bʲæn ˈʃiː is a female spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the underworld.
In legend, a banshee is a fairy woman who begins to wail if someone is about to die. In Scottish Gaelic mythology, she is known as the bean sìth or bean nighe and is seen washing the bloodstained clothes or armour of those who are about to die. Alleged sightings of banshees have been reported as recently as 1948. Si...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 20191. BF BealtaineSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
Bealtaine is the Gaelic May Day festival. Most commonly it is held on the 1st May, or about halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and while technically that means 05.36 on Wed morn in 2021 when the Bealtaine section was recorded, we stuck with the 1st of May for that show!
Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, one of the four Gaelic cross quarter days—along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasa. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were pe...2014-07-1902 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019All Souls DaySpeaker: Mary Murphy
All Souls' Day is a day of prayer for the dead, particularly but not exclusively one's relatives. In Western Christianity the annual celebration is now held on 2 November and is associated with All Saints' Day (1 November) and its vigil, Halloween (31 October). In the liturgical books of the western Catholic Church (the Latin Church) it is called The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, and is celebrated annually on 2 November, even if this date falls on a Sunday. In Anglicanism it is called Commemoration of All Faithful Departed and is an optional celebration. In the Eastern...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019The MorríganSpeaker: Mary Murphy
The Morrígan ("phantom queen") or Mórrígan ("great queen"), also written as Morrígu or in the plural as Morrígna, and spelt Morríghan or Mór-ríoghain in Modern Irish, is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have been considered a goddess, although she is not explicitly referred to as such in the texts.
The Morrígan is a goddess of battle, strife, and sovereignty. She sometimes appears in the form of a crow, flying above the warriors, and in the Ulster cycle she also takes the forms of...2014-07-1900 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Shrove TuesdaySpeaker: Mary Murphy
The word shrove is the past participle of the English verb to shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. During the week before Lent, sometimes called Shrovetide in English, Christians were expected to go to confession in preparation for the penitential season of turning to God. Shrove Tuesday was the last day before the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday, and noted in histories dating back to 1000 AD.
© 2021-2022 Racontour Productions. This clip forms part of the Celtic Calendar audio archive from Racontour Productions. F...2014-03-0400 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Christian Ireland's Gates of Hell - PGSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
St. Patrick’s Purgatory is still used by thirty thousand pilgrims between June and August each year. The cave that started it all has been closed since the 25th October, 1632 and covered over by the Basilica. No longer is the ostensible mission to frighten the ignorant into submission, but rather to allow the converted to submit themselves to God through penance, suffering and reflection via all night fasting and prayer. The philosopher Alain de Botton observed that ‘the church has wisely insisted that we are inherently flawed, incapable of lasting happiness, beset by troubling sexu...2013-11-0201 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Samhain and the Gates of Hell - PGSpeaker: John Ward
In Dante’s Inferno, our hero passes through the Gates of Hell, which bear an inscription, the final line of which is the famous phrase "Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate", or "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." No such ominous eloquence greets the visitor to pagan Ireland’s Gates of Hell.
The pagan festival of Samhain, now replaced by the Christian feast of Hallowe’en is the time at which one of these gates are said to open and evil has a free reign to lurk and snatch its victims as it sees f...2013-10-2706 min
Racontour Archive 2008 - 2019Dulse and YellowmanSpeaker: Sean McMahon RIP
The Auld Lammas Fair has been held in Ballycastle since the 17th Century. It takes place on the last Monday and Tuesday of August and traditionally marks the end of the summer and beginning of the harvest. Its exact origin is uncertain, but one theory is that it began as a result of the occupation of the area around Ballycastle by the MacDonnell's of the Isles in the early part of the 16th century.
Dulse or dillisk or dilsk (from Irish/Scottish Gaelic duileasc/duileasg) red dulse, sea lettuce flakes or creathnach...2013-08-2600 min