Irish Druids And Old Irish Religions

by James Bonwick

Overview

Explore the rich tapestry of ancient Irish spirituality and the enigmatic Druids in Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions. James Bonwick delves into the beliefs, practices, and mythology of pre-Christian Ireland, offering a comprehensive examination of its pagan traditions. Through careful study of historical texts and folklore, this work illuminates the Druids' role as spiritual leaders and guardians of sacred knowledge while uncovering the rituals and deities that shaped early Irish culture.

By bridging myth and history, Bonwick's analysis sheds light on how these traditions have influenced later interpretations and inspired the reconstruction of Celtic spiritual practices. This compelling exploration invites readers to engage with the profound and enduring legacy of Ireland's ancient religious heritage.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781397666895
Publisher:	Left of Brain Books
Publication date:	01/24/2025
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.77(d)

Read an Excerpt

anb found all over Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, why were Druids without association with these, from Japan to Gibraltar, and confined to the monuments of Britain ? Why, also, in Ossian, are the Stones of Power referred to the Norsemen only ? In the Irish Epic, The Carrying off of the Bull of Cudlnge, the Druid Cathbad is given a certain honourable precedence before the sovereign. That the Druids exercised the healing art is certain. Jubainville refers to a MS. in the Library of St. Gall, dating from the end of the fourteenth century, which has on the back of it some incantations written by Irish seers of the eighth or ninth century. In one of them are these words " I admire the remedy which Dian-Cecht left." Though a mysterious halo hangs about the Irish Druids, though they may have been long after the Serpent-worshippers, and even later than the Round Tower builders, tradition confidently asserts their existence in the Island, but, doubtless, credits them with powers beyond those ever exercised. The love for a romantic Past is not, however, confined to Ireland, and a lively imagination will often close the ear to reason in a cultured and philosophical age. ST. PATRICK AND THE DRUIDS. Let us see what the biographers of St. Patrick have to relate about the Druids. A work published at St. Omer, in 1625, by John Heigham, has this story : "One day as the Saint sayd masse in the sayd church, a sacrilegious magitian, the child of perdition, stood without, and with a rodd put in at the window, cast down the chalice, and shed the holy sacrament, but God without delay severely punished so wicked a sacrilege, forthe earth opening his mouth after a most strange manner, devoured themagitian, who descended alive downe to hell." Again : " A certain magitian that was in ...