About Mythical Ireland
Mythical Ireland was established in March of the year 2000 by journalist, author and researcher Anthony Murphy. The website represents a journey into the ancient past, and attempts to cast new light on a sometimes obscure period of the early history of Ireland. This exploration takes place through many different disciplines, which include, but are not limited to, archaeology, anthropology, astronomy, mythology, spirituality and geodesy.
The great 5,000-year-old megalithic passage-tombs of Brú na Bóinne in the Boyne Valley represent the zenith of a phase of Irish prehistory that began with the introduction of farming around 6,000 years ago. Newgrange, Knowth and
Dowth are huge, enigmatic structures, that are the finest examples of a type of monument that is found scattered throughout Ireland, and of which there may be as many as 1,500 examples. None can compare to these three, though, in terms of size, grandeur, and their illustrious prominence in the ancient myths.
Anthony’s exploration encompasses many different facets of these great monuments. He invites you to step into this ancient world, and through the various media of words, photography and video/film, to enjoy a unique glimpse a past that seems very much alive.
Ancient Ireland
Ancient Sites
Enter the ‘Ancient Sites’ section of this blog for a fascinating and wide-ranging exploration of the megalithic and sacred sites of Ireland. Find out all about the Stone Age and prehistoric ruins and learn more about the possible functions and alignments of these sites. Visit the great temples of Brú na Bóinne, the Hill of Tara, the ancient cairns of Loughcrew among many others.
Myths & Legends
Explore the ancient myths, legends and folklore of Ireland and their meaning. Read the epic Táin Bó Cuailnge, or the place-name myths in the Dindshenchas. Learn about how the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Milesians came to Ireland and how the early texts describe various invasions of prehistoric Éire. Hear about Fionn and the Fianna, and discover how some myths might contain information about astronomy and the stars.
Astronomy & the Sky
There is no doubt that the ancient megalith builders had a substantial knowledge of the movements of the sun, moon, planets and stars through the heavens. Learn more about just how complex and impressive this knowledge was. There is evidence that the people of the Neolithic knew about the 19-year Metonic cycle of the moon, as well as being able to predict eclipses.
A Journey Into Ireland's Ancient Past
Mythical Ireland Blog
Newgrange closed for solstice, but illumination will be livestreamed
No visitors will be allowed into the great monument of Newgrange (Síd in Broga) this year for the famous winter solstice illumination of the chamber. However, many more people around the world will get a chance to view the event via livesteam on the internet.
A sunbeam illuminates The Dagda's Mound
We have a tendency to view Brú na Bóinne and places like Tara and Rathcroghan as archaeological landscapes, which they are, of course. But perhaps when we use such rigid and functional labels we forget that these are also mythological landscapes, places associated with great deities and personages and characters and warriors.
New LiDAR imagery of Uisneach - annotated with currently known archaeological sites
A new LiDAR survey of the ancient Hill of Uisneach in Co. Meath has been undertaken. A press announcement about the survey was released this week, with a single photograph from the new LiDAR imagery.
When Orion carries the moon across the sky – and over the heavenly river
Orion is not considered a constellation of the Zodiac. But there is a curious and noteworthy fact pertaining to the journey of the moon and planets along the ecliptic (that imaginary line or hoop through the zodiac constellations upon which the sun and planets seem to wander). As it crosses from Taurus, the bull, into Gemini, the twins, the moon for a period of just one night (and maybe only part of the night, depending on where you are located) appears to be carried across the sky by the great hunter constellation, Orion.
Scribes and kings: religion, politics and the medieval manuscripts of Ireland
It is a remarkable fact that a great deal of Ireland’s mythological material from past ages available to the student of mythology and fable today was written down in the Middle Ages by Christian scribes based in monasteries in different parts of the island.
What did equinox mean to a Neolithic astronomer?
What did equinox mean to a Neolithic astronomer? We define it as a time of equal day and night, but they could not have calculated this without modern clocks. The equinox is often not halfway between the solstices either. So why are sites from the Stone Age apparently aligned to equinox sunrises?