The pre-Christian Irish ritual year was, in ancient times, divided into two major seasons, and th... more The pre-Christian Irish ritual year was, in ancient times, divided into two major seasons, and the juncture points of these divisions, called Samhain and Bealtaine, were considered to be especially potent times for enacting protective magic. The historical development of St. Martin’s Day in Ireland, and its relationship with the more ancient festival of Samhain is examined, revealing circumstances that saw much of the ritual nature of Samhain being adopted within a Christian context in the medieval period. Consideration is also given to the festival of Bealtaine, at the other end of the year, revealing commonalities in terms of ritual, magic and prophylaxis.
This paper seeks to explore the contemporary state of the cult of St. Martin in a rural community... more This paper seeks to explore the contemporary state of the cult of St. Martin in a rural community in western Ireland. It is based on the results of a series of fieldwork interviews, and discusses folk religion, legends and the associated beliefs of visitors to St. Martin's Holy Well, collected on the feast-day of the saint.
Article in Irish about local and migratory legends related to St. Martin's Day in the Corca Dhuib... more Article in Irish about local and migratory legends related to St. Martin's Day in the Corca Dhuibhne region of west Co. Kerry, Ireland
This article explores the tentative theories of Seán Ó Súilleabháin regarding the origin of certa... more This article explores the tentative theories of Seán Ó Súilleabháin regarding the origin of certain legends connected to the Feast of St. Martin in Ireland. Ó Súilleabháin's theory proposed links with near-eastern mythology, and narratives concerning Tammuz/Dumuzi, the Muslim figure of El-Khadir, and St. George, and these links are critically examined by the author. The article also examines links between the figures of Ss. George and Martin, and their role in the agricultural year.
The pre-Christian Irish ritual year was, in ancient times, divided into two major seasons, and th... more The pre-Christian Irish ritual year was, in ancient times, divided into two major seasons, and the juncture points of these divisions, called Samhain and Bealtaine, were considered to be especially potent times for enacting protective magic. The historical development of St. Martin’s Day in Ireland, and its relationship with the more ancient festival of Samhain is examined, revealing circumstances that saw much of the ritual nature of Samhain being adopted within a Christian context in the medieval period. Consideration is also given to the festival of Bealtaine, at the other end of the year, revealing commonalities in terms of ritual, magic and prophylaxis.
This paper seeks to explore the contemporary state of the cult of St. Martin in a rural community... more This paper seeks to explore the contemporary state of the cult of St. Martin in a rural community in western Ireland. It is based on the results of a series of fieldwork interviews, and discusses folk religion, legends and the associated beliefs of visitors to St. Martin's Holy Well, collected on the feast-day of the saint.
Article in Irish about local and migratory legends related to St. Martin's Day in the Corca Dhuib... more Article in Irish about local and migratory legends related to St. Martin's Day in the Corca Dhuibhne region of west Co. Kerry, Ireland
This article explores the tentative theories of Seán Ó Súilleabháin regarding the origin of certa... more This article explores the tentative theories of Seán Ó Súilleabháin regarding the origin of certain legends connected to the Feast of St. Martin in Ireland. Ó Súilleabháin's theory proposed links with near-eastern mythology, and narratives concerning Tammuz/Dumuzi, the Muslim figure of El-Khadir, and St. George, and these links are critically examined by the author. The article also examines links between the figures of Ss. George and Martin, and their role in the agricultural year.
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Papers by Billy Mag Fhloinn