The Magic of Pagan Ireland

by Robert Vance

What makes a place magical? Many pagan sites awaken in us something primitive, recalling a mysterious past as ceremonial places or reminding us of long-forgotten gods or goddesses. All over Ireland ancient sites offer these special moments to be cherished. Here are known and unknown sites, an atmospheric tour of pagan Ireland in words and pictures. Find these wonderful places for yourself -- and prepare to be moved.

Genres: Nonfiction

60 pages, Hardcover

First published March 15, 2006

Reviews

[Deirdre]

Quite a short little book this one. It weighs in at 60 pages with fairly large print and lots of illustrations. It details a lot of the remaining significant pagan sites in Ireland, particularly the accessable ones and with a good variety of samples.

However, what's more interesting is the attitude to the sites and pagan ancestry. While Rob comes across as very pro-pagan, it is quite close to the usual attitude you'll find in a lot of Irish people. Maybe not quite so overt but in a country where a road can be diverted for a fairy tree, this is something to expect.

While good, he does talk about burning people in straw effigies, a claim only stated by Caesar in his Gallic Wars and with no other real substance, and with no real archaeological evidence! Still an interesting quick look at attitudes and I would advise writers trying to write about the paranormal in Ireland to read this author to get a flavour of what is not regarded as totally strange in Ireland.