The Turning of the Year: Lore and Legends of the Irish Seasons

From the author of the hugely successful book Legendary Ireland, The Turning of the Year explores the Celtic division of the year, from Samhain to Imbolc, to Bealtaine, to Lunasa, back to Samhain. It examines the significance of particular times of the year and features re-tellings of various legends associated with them. The book will look at the close connection of the Irish with the land and with nature, bringing us on an exhilarating journey through the Irish seasons and the customs that welcomed each one in turn.\nAlong the way we encounter saints, scholars, kings and goddesses, whose stories, preserved in myth and folktale, counterpoint the book's exploration both of lost traditions such as keening and how other customs and rituals have been preserved in today’s celebrations and communal events. It brings to the reader a new awareness of how such ritual can still have relevance in our lives, and a deeper appreciation of the power of the natural world.\nTable of Contents\nThe Dagda’s Harp page 9\nIntroduction 13\nSAMHAIN 29\nThe Year Begins 30\nThe Monster’s Story: Fionn Comes to Tara 31\nThe Skaldcrow’s Story: Nera in the Otherworld 47\nThe Messenger’s Story: The Magic Mantle 71\nInterval: Bog Time, Bog Lore 80\nIMBOLG 89\nThe First Day of Spring 90\nThe River’s Story: Boann 92\nThe Fox’s Story: Brighid’s Bargain 106\nThe Saint’s Story: St Kevin and the Blackbird 121\nInterval: Forest Time, Forest Lore 128\nBEALTAINE 144\nSummer Season 145\nThe Cat and Dog’s Story: The Horned Women 147\nThe Publican’s Story: The Púca 165\nThe Fieldmouse’s Story: Seán the Piper 174\nInterval: The Time of Pastures\nand of Fields 194\nLUGHNASA 203\nFairs, Festivals and Harvest 204\nThe King’s Story: How Setanta Was Named 206\nThe Wolfhound’s Story: The Birth of Bran 238\nThe Forest’s Story: Suibhne 249\nAfterword 255\nThe Music of What Happens 261\nBibliography 263\nCredits 270