Celtic religion is part of Ireland’s ancient past. The Irish are a Celtic people and prior to the arrival of Saint Patrick they practiced their Celtic religion.
Today I have the privilege of sharing a piece on Celtic Religion, written by guest contributor, Mary Lanni.
The Irish are a Celtic people and prior to the arrival of St. Patrick who converted them to Christianity, they embraced their own religion centering on a reverence for nature. Thank you to Mary for this most informative post.
Uragh Stone Circle, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Ireland – The Last Remaining Stronghold of Celtic Religion and Society
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Celtic history can be traced back three thousand years, back before the time of Christ and even Julius Caesar. Based out of Central Europe in what is now Germany, Hungary and Austria, the Celts were a people of autonomous clans that each had their own governmental authorities and gods.
The independent travels of these tribes helped to spread the culture to such places as present-day France, Spain and the Balkan Peninsula, as well as integrate the beliefs and practices of other nations into their own.
The Celts who came to Great Britain and Ireland were in flight from Roman rule, and they brought with them revolutionary agricultural and metal casting techniques that transformed the region.
In return, the native art styles and religious beliefs permeated their culture to create a distinctive, unique identity. Invading Romans effortlessly wiped away all Celtic powers from Britain, but determined that the little island to the west was irrelevant and, ultimately, let it be.
This allowed Ireland to become the last, remaining stronghold of Celtic society.
Sculpture Of Celtic Horse Goddess Epona
Celtic Reverance for Nature
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A homogeneous theme of Celtic society was their reverence of nature. They strongly believed that spirits prevailed in all aspects of the nature that they relied upon for sustenance and their very livelihood.
They believed that they walked through a spiritual world and that they had to live in harmony with the earthâs divinity. Water had exceptional religious significance, as Celts believed that lakes were the resting place of the supernatural and that springs had healing powers.
Each cave and cavern was regarded as a passageway between the world of the living and the afterlife, and it was common to place food within the grotto to nourish the dead.
Dozens of gods were closely associated with animals; Artaius was the god of sheep and cattle, the goddess Epona was the protector of horses and Turrean was the goddess of dogs.
The wild boar was the most venerated of the animals, as it was a symbol of the warrior and was believed to be the food of the gods. When the dead were buried, it was common that a carcass of a boar was included so the deceased would be well-fed in the afterlife.
Queen Meave and the Druid from “The Boy’s Cuchulainn” by Eleanor Hull 1904
Though Celtic civilization had gender assignments for their gods, the supernatural powers conceptualized as mystic forces, led the Celts to be originally insulted when introduced to the Greek and Roman practice of reducing Gods to human form, though they would later adapt similar representations and artwork.
Like the Romans, the Celts valued bravery and battle, though they waged for glory and treasure instead of territory. Whatever plunder they obtained was considered as property of the gods and was often sacrificed.
One common practice was to bring home skulls from the battlefield to hang above doorframes or display on pikes to honor the spirits. The head was considered the axis of a personâs essence and so to seize it was to seize the enemyâs strength and power.
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The Druids of Ancient Celtic Society
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There is little documentation about Celtic society or religion as they were, according to their enemy Romans, an illiterate people. They relied upon a class of priests called Druids to keep their culture and religion alive for generations.
This sage, well-educated sect of the population were pivotal parts of the community, as they served as judges, councilors, oral historians and channels between the people and the spirits.
Considered blessed with the ability to foresee the future, the Druids held significant sway over the entire clanâs direction. These men passed stories and mythology along from one generation to the next, keeping the legends alive to be eventually recorded Christian monks in the Sixth Century.
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DĂșn Aonghasa, Aran Islands, Ireland
The Celts and Christianity
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Though their religion fell to the wayside with the islandâs introduction to Christianity, Celtic mythology and beliefs still resonate in Irish culture today.
At some point or another, we have all thrown a coin into a wishing well and hoped for good fortune, a tradition that began when Celts would pay homage to the waterâs spirits by offering treasure.
Additionally, who among us havenât admired the intricacy of the popular and distinct Celtic cross? The origins of many popular Irish baby names find their roots in folklore of heroes and Gods, like the mighty soldier Finn McCool and the goddess of poetry and healing, Brigid.
Thousands from across the globe flock to marvel at the DĂșn Aonghasa, a Celtic fort estimated to be built in 200 BC. This imposing monument lines coastal cliffs that rise over 100 meters, a structure that has been speculated to have had both military and religious purposes.
Without a doubt, the mystical and mysterious Celts of yesteryear continue to invigorate the imagination and shape the Irish identity of the present.
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Interior of Dun Aonghasa Overlooking The Atlantic Ocean
Mary Lanni’s Irish heritage has always played a significant role in her identity. As a child she studied Irish step dance and, as a university student, she had the pleasure of spending a semester abroad in Dublin.
Though she may be thousands of miles away in Ohio, she will always feel at home among the beautiful hills of the picturesque Irish countryside.
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SlĂĄn agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
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Irish American Mom
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spencer
What do you think it is that all of us of Irish decent many of whom have never been there or are now generations from our ancestors who left the old country are so attracted to?
Vince
It not an attraction, it’s an anchor in a spinning universe. And it matters little that some of the ‘stuff’ is twee beyond words (little people). Some of the stuff downright physically painful( Irish dance). Some crazy. But it is mostly genius, loyal and ancient, all with grit and gumption. And part of you.
Irish American Mom
I like that, Vince – “an anchor in a spinning universe.” So poetically phrased. Thank you.
Mairéad
Chris B
After visiting Ireland in 2011, I would have agree with you on it being an anchor, Vince. It’s an anchor that has a constant pull on me and I really want to return. It also haunts everything I do and enjoy!
Irish American Mom
Chris – The more comments I read the more I realize that this needs to be a blog post all of its own. What is it that draws us to Ireland, no matter how many generations separate us from her? Ireland haunting everything you do and enjoy is testament to a universal spiritual connection.
Thanks so much for adding to this conversation.
Mairéad
Aimee
I can only speak for myself, but my Granddad- whose Dad was Irish- was my absolute favorite person in the world. Since he passed away, everything Irish has taken his place in my heart as #1. So basically a love of our relatives, of our families, and a desire to know more about who we are and where we come from is what I think attracts us most. đ
Irish American Mom
Many Americans have told me of their fond memories of their Irish grandparents or great-grandparents. So many have said “My Irish grandmother or grandfather was my favorite.” They attribute their great admiration to a warmth, wit, turn of phrase, or generally pleasant outlook on life, they did not see in their other relatives who hailed from different corners of the globe. So I think Aimee, you might have found one significant reason to answer Spencer’s question.
Irish American Mom
What a great question, Spencer! I think it deserves a whole blog post completely dedicated to answering it. I loved reading the answers submitted by some readers. What amazes me most is that many American’s ancestors who left Ireland, did so because of dire poverty and starvation. Yet despite the difficulties of their lives in Ireland, they brought a great love of their homeland with them to the United States. I think there are few groups of immigrants that kept the nostalgic memories of home so alive, and passed them onto their children and grandchildren. I think it is a spiritual, mystical connection we are born with. I’ll have to think about this question some more and answer it in a post some day soon.
All the best,
Mairéad
Aimee
Oh how I loved this! I love researching out Irish history and imagining how it was when my ancestors were there! This post makes me even more bound and determined to get to Ireland one day!
Irish American Mom
So glad you enjoyed this. A big thanks to Mary Lanni for her contribution to my blog.
Penny Wolf
I believe part of the attraction is an instinictual desire to honor all of God’s creation. After so much time of modern human disrespect and delusions of controlling the Mother Earth and her inhabitants that balance
is longed for. We have ventured so far from what feeds us both physically and spiritually. As Vince put it
“It not an attraction, itâs an anchor in a spinning universe” .
Irish American Mom
Penny – what lovely insights and a wonderful response to Spencer’s question.
Mairéad
Alan
I love how the Celtic people believed that there were spaces of nature that the supernatural existed. This makes me wish I was more of a Celtic rooted person. Although I think my ancestors might be from Scotland, I have never been there myself. Anyhow thank you for your post!
Irish American Mom
Hi Alan – I believe Celtic is a state of mind, and our Celtic ancestors always valued that which could not be seen, heard or felt, but which is perceived on a totally spiritual level. I hope you get to visit Ireland and Scotland someday.
All the best,
Mairéad