What do you think?
Rate this book
Irish Superstitions
One of Ireland's leading folklorists gives a lively account of the more widespread superstitions and folk beliefs in the country. Here is a list of good-luck charms, spells, soothsayings and other irrational but charming and creative folk beliefs. Here we have leprechauns and sprites, ghosts, the evil eye and wise women's curses. There are charms and spells to make the crops grow, to keep cattle healthy, to ensure safe childbirth, and many other longed-for desires. Most superstitions are of pagan origin; many were overlaid with popular Christian belief.
128 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 1995
15 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Dáithí Ó hÓgáin
36 books30 followersHe was the son of Davy Hogan, a former jockey, and his wife Mary (née Tyrell); both his parents were from Kilkenny. His great grand-uncle was the celebrated historian of Ossory, Canon William Carrigan.
Irish was spoken in the family home, and at De La Salle national school, Bruff, he got a good grounding in Irish grammar. His grasp of the language was further improved by visits to the Kerry Gaeltacht.
He was awarded a county council scholarship and continued his education at the CBS Limerick. A second scholarship in 1967 brought him to UCD, where he studied Irish, English, philosophy and history. He graduated in 1970 and secured an MA in 1971.
He then joined RTÉ and worked as a journalist for 18 months. From there he moved to the Irish folklore archive at UCD, taking up a position as a researcher under the directorship of Prof Bo Almqvist.
In 1976 he completed his doctorate, and his thesis formed the basis for An File .
A former member of the Sinn Féin ardchomhairle, in the 1970s he was involved in policymaking and was associated with the development of the federal Éire Nua programme.
Later he threw his energy into participating in various initiatives centred on Irish cultural heritage and the organisation of folk schools and summer schools on a regional basis.
A constant collector of folklore in Irish and English, he procured some very valuable traditional Irish manuscripts for the folklore archive.
He was rapporteur-general at the Unesco conference in Paris in 1987, at which that organisation’s policy on the preservation of world folklore heritage was decided.
In 1989 he was a founding member of the European Centre for Traditional Cultures in Budapest, later travelling to conferences across Europe and further afield.
He also was, in the early 1990s, a founder of Craobh na hÉigse, an organisation dedicated to infusing new interest into the writing and reading of Irish language material. And he was a founder of the Irish National Folk Company, which liaised with many youth festivals in Europe.
He wrote seven collections of poetry, six in Irish and one in English. He also wrote three collections of short stories as well as a series of books on Irish surnames.
He was a stalwart of Cumann Merriman. He lived with his wife and family in Bray, Co Wicklow, and contributed to a history of the town published in 1998.
He regularly contributed to radio and television programmes. Most recently he appeared on a TG4 documentary on the origins of the ballad Molly Malone . His research showed that what has become the Dublin GAA supporters’ anthem was written by a Scotsman in the 1880s as a send-up of the Irish taste for lamentation.
He is survived by his wife Caitríona, daughters Aisling, Orla, Niamh and Sadhbh and son Ruán.
Irish was spoken in the family home, and at De La Salle national school, Bruff, he got a good grounding in Irish grammar. His grasp of the language was further improved by visits to the Kerry Gaeltacht.
He was awarded a county council scholarship and continued his education at the CBS Limerick. A second scholarship in 1967 brought him to UCD, where he studied Irish, English, philosophy and history. He graduated in 1970 and secured an MA in 1971.
He then joined RTÉ and worked as a journalist for 18 months. From there he moved to the Irish folklore archive at UCD, taking up a position as a researcher under the directorship of Prof Bo Almqvist.
In 1976 he completed his doctorate, and his thesis formed the basis for An File .
A former member of the Sinn Féin ardchomhairle, in the 1970s he was involved in policymaking and was associated with the development of the federal Éire Nua programme.
Later he threw his energy into participating in various initiatives centred on Irish cultural heritage and the organisation of folk schools and summer schools on a regional basis.
A constant collector of folklore in Irish and English, he procured some very valuable traditional Irish manuscripts for the folklore archive.
He was rapporteur-general at the Unesco conference in Paris in 1987, at which that organisation’s policy on the preservation of world folklore heritage was decided.
In 1989 he was a founding member of the European Centre for Traditional Cultures in Budapest, later travelling to conferences across Europe and further afield.
He also was, in the early 1990s, a founder of Craobh na hÉigse, an organisation dedicated to infusing new interest into the writing and reading of Irish language material. And he was a founder of the Irish National Folk Company, which liaised with many youth festivals in Europe.
He wrote seven collections of poetry, six in Irish and one in English. He also wrote three collections of short stories as well as a series of books on Irish surnames.
He was a stalwart of Cumann Merriman. He lived with his wife and family in Bray, Co Wicklow, and contributed to a history of the town published in 1998.
He regularly contributed to radio and television programmes. Most recently he appeared on a TG4 documentary on the origins of the ballad Molly Malone . His research showed that what has become the Dublin GAA supporters’ anthem was written by a Scotsman in the 1880s as a send-up of the Irish taste for lamentation.
He is survived by his wife Caitríona, daughters Aisling, Orla, Niamh and Sadhbh and son Ruán.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 29, 2021
An absolutely delightful read.
July 1, 2017
This book was recommended to me by my sister. Although she is into information like this she didn't like the book although I don't have the reason behind it. But having a chance to read it I can pinpoint a small part where the book says it is about superstitions but those are barely offered to the reader or any that are offered are bits and not the whole so you aren't getting the superstition part that the book promises with its beautiful cover.
That is the only thing that I really had a problem with since I was hoping for the superstitions part to enjoy. Instead the book took it past a level to present the Irish beliefs of past ages to the modern reader. Each section covered a different aspect of life and/or background while within the chapter each subject was also clearly separated from the other matter.
"Irish Superstitions" is a beautiful way of getting a chance to learn a bit more about a culture that has been implied at. To get within the mind of the Irish people although the author did use the word fanciful a little bit too much.
For the one that is wanting to immerse themselves in Irish culture I would recommend this as a starting point. It is easy to read, easy to understand and keeps your mind reaching for the book. Most definitely if you are interested this will be a book that can be easily read within a sitting or even better yet a book to just absorb at your own natural pace.
That is the only thing that I really had a problem with since I was hoping for the superstitions part to enjoy. Instead the book took it past a level to present the Irish beliefs of past ages to the modern reader. Each section covered a different aspect of life and/or background while within the chapter each subject was also clearly separated from the other matter.
"Irish Superstitions" is a beautiful way of getting a chance to learn a bit more about a culture that has been implied at. To get within the mind of the Irish people although the author did use the word fanciful a little bit too much.
For the one that is wanting to immerse themselves in Irish culture I would recommend this as a starting point. It is easy to read, easy to understand and keeps your mind reaching for the book. Most definitely if you are interested this will be a book that can be easily read within a sitting or even better yet a book to just absorb at your own natural pace.
Read
June 30, 2014Interesting & quirky little read for anyone interested in Irish history or anthropology. Well-written and insightful book on such a bizarre and vast subject.
Read
June 17, 2018Many view folk beliefs/superstitions with a derogatory eye, saying that they are silly, ridiculous things. But as Dáithí says in the foreword, "these beliefs are related to human feeling and to psychological needs, and so—no matter how far-fetched they appear—always have something to tell about our attitudes towards life and towards the world around us."
Folk beliefs matter. Folk beliefs speak of a culture's worldview—it's cultural milieu. They tell us of heritage, sociology, and anthropology.
I found Irish Superstitions to be a fascinating read, both from a historical and sociological standpoint and also from that of a Gaelic Polytheist. Dáithí Ó hÓgáin is an amazing folklorist.
My only complaint is there are no footnotes or references. Sure there's a bibliography, but it's hard to know what fact came from where when it's not mentioned.
Folk beliefs matter. Folk beliefs speak of a culture's worldview—it's cultural milieu. They tell us of heritage, sociology, and anthropology.
I found Irish Superstitions to be a fascinating read, both from a historical and sociological standpoint and also from that of a Gaelic Polytheist. Dáithí Ó hÓgáin is an amazing folklorist.
My only complaint is there are no footnotes or references. Sure there's a bibliography, but it's hard to know what fact came from where when it's not mentioned.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews