Irish Culture & Heritage Blog

Eolas is the Irish word for Knowledge, but though it can be used for information, it is interesting that this word also covers a practical understanding or familiarity that some might attribute to deeper comprehension.

Bua is the Irish word for Victory, but it can also be applied in a number of other ways, describing a persons talent, merit, some special quality, or even their destiny or lot in life.

Misneach is the Irish word for courage. Unlike many other Irish words there does not appear to be alternative meanings to this term. The concept of courage is something that many would see as a fundamental facet of the human condition, as core to our existence as fear.

Combining this ancient script with the words from the living Irish language our Ogham series hopes to bring new energy and awareness to both.

Buíochus is the Irish word for Gratitude.

The Irish language is often remarked upon for it's poetic turn of phrase and that is no more obvious in the sean fhocail - or 'old words'. Sean fhocail are well known sentences that some might see as cliché, but when each one of them is considered in more than just passing, the deeper wisdom and cultural insights can be glimpsed.

Ar scáth a chéile, a mhaireann na daoine translates as "Under the shelter of each other, people survive."

Tús Maith Leath Na Hoibre translates as "A good Start is Half the work".

Often in our lives we fall afoul of a difficult to perceive influence which we are exposed to all of the time in our modern world. We are constantly shown how "great" a thing is in its completed state and rarely the effort that went into getting it there.

Thank you.

Yes, you. Whether you bought the shirt yourself, as a gift for someone, or even just shared the links to the product, You have helped do an amazing thing.

Ireland has long been a place set between the worlds and here to this very day we have some very firm and rightly observed lore about the folk of the Otherworld. From our early stories we are told the sidhe and the danger that may befall the unwary. One such danger is known as the fairy ring.

In Irish folklore there is much ado made of the powers of a Blacksmith. We see this in the high regard Goibhniu holds within the Tuatha Dé Danann to the deference that King Conchobar makes towards Culainn the smith in the Ulster cycle. The knowledge  of fire held by these people, and the skill to use said fire to shape some of the strongest elements has long been held in high regard.

The formation of the Republic of Ireland as an independent country is a long story.
One aspect of the Irish struggle for independence that rarely received enough mention in the history books is the role Irish women played in this struggle, and not just within the home but also in demonstrations, activism, unionization and, when all other avenues failed, radical militant action. The Easter Rising was carried forward on the brave actions of not just Ireland's men, but its women also.

It was Rosie Hackett herself who bragged that "it took four hundred policemen to take four women."

The Republic of Ireland owes a lot to its women heroes for their deeds, their passion and their resilience.