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occurs in mid-summer because this is when theberries ripen. Like other Irish festivals, however, the custom may be
related to other Christian and pre-Christian celebrations at the same
time of year. A major Celtic festival that was celebrated on August 1st
is “Lugnasa,” devoted to the deity Lugh. On Lugnasa, devotees would
make expeditions to mountain peaks and hilltops and, in some cases,
light fires there. Lugnasa has survived in a “Christianized” version as
the popular practice of climbing Croagh Patrick, in County Mayo. The
climb of Croagh Patrick, done by some 25,000 pilgrims (some barefoot)
takes place on the last Sunday in July.>
Regina Sexton is a food historian and writer living in County Cork.
https://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/bilberry-sunday.html
Great Irish Toasts and Blessings
If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes.
May you get the reward in Heaven that's been denied you for your goodness here on earth.
Health and long life to you.
That the ten toes of your feet might always steer you clear of misfortune.
May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
May you be an hour in Heaven before the Devil knows your dead.
That the doctor might never earn a pound out of you.
May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
May the smile of the lord light you to glory.
That the sons of your sons may smile up in your face.
May the Lord keep you in His hand and never close His fist too tight.
May good fortune be yours, may your joys never end.
May your bed be made in Heaven.
That the frost might never afflict your spuds.
May the light of heaven shine on your grave.
God be on your road every way you go.
Bless your little Irish heart and every other Irish part.
God's fresh blessings be about you.
That the dust of your carriage wheels may blind the eyes of your foes.
https://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/irish-blessings.html
Ireland Fun Facts Full Length Articles
https://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/storyarchive.html
Celtic knots are an Irish symbol you’ll find everywhere fromdesigner jewellery to tattoos worn by rock n’ rollers to, of course,
the original Book of Kells back in old Dublin. It’s not clear that
Celtic knot drawings were ever meant to symbolize anything, but lots of
modern people think they contain spiritual concepts. The knots are
incredibly popular with followers of new age religions, magic societies
and all sorts of other groups who want to draw an association with the
oldest traditions of Ireland. They also look pretty cool in T shirts.
Whether these Irish Celtic symbols were originally meant to
represent anything or were just created to be pretty pictures isn’t
clear. The Celts, who dominated the culture of pre-Christian Ireland,
simply didn’t place much importance on creating records to help future
generations understand their symbols. Some historians thing the Celts
drew them because they were prohibited from drawing any other pictures.
One of the more widely accept theories to explain Celtic knot meanings
says that Celtic religion, like Islam, may have prohibited realistic
depictions of living creatures. This rule, which gave rise to
extraordinary Arabic calligraphy may have given birth to the complex
Irish knots.
https://www.ireland-fun-facts.com/celticknotmeanings.html