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Ian Middleton

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Ireland Articles

Trinity Well, in the grounds of Newberry House, near the village of Carbury, County Kildare, Ireland. Trinity Well, known in ancient Irish legend as the Well of Sergais, is the source of the magical River Boyne. The birth of the River Boyne has its roots in an ancient legend known as the Well of Sergais. It’s said that a long time ago when the Gods walked the earth there was a well shaded by magical hazel trees bearing crimson nuts. It was believed that whoever should eat these nuts would be graced with the knowledge of the world. The nuts fell off the trees and into the well, and were eaten by one of the vividly coloured salmon who swam there. For this reason, it became known as the salmon of knowledge. This well was owned by the God Nechtain, who was very possessive of the well. Only he and his three cup bearers were allowed anywhere near it. But one day his wife, referred to as Boann or Boínn (meaning she who has white cows; white cows were considered cows of the otherworld), was overcome with curiosity one day and went to the well without Nechtain’s permission or knowledge. There are various stories as to what she did there, but whatever it was resulted in the well overflowing and gushing forth onto the surrounding countryside and forming the Boyne Valley. Legend says the Boann inhabits the Fairy Mound where Newberry House now stands. It's here that the legendary Irish Giant, Celtic warrior and leader of the Fianna, ate the Salmon of Knowledge and gained the wisdom and power that enabled him to regain his rightful place as leader of teh Fianna and go on to become Ireland's greatest warrior and protector. The well was since christianised and is now known as Trinity Well. Every year the local priest peforms the annual Rosary the first Sunday in June.
The Well of Sergais - The Boyne Valley in Ireland Part 2
The birth of the River Boyne has its roots in an ancient legend known as the Well of Sergais. In this...
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Iron age rath at the Hill of Tara in County Meath, Ireland. Tara was once the ancient capital of Ireland, from where the high king ruled over the country. The upright stone you see on the mound is the Lia Fail (stone of destiny). According to Celtic legend the Lia Fail was used during the coronation of the high king, and was believe to emit a roar when the true high king touched it. (I tried but there was no sound, so I crossed being high king of Ireland off my list of potential destinies).
The Hill of Tara - The Boyne Valley in Ireland Part 1
The Hill of Tara in the heart of County Meath in ireland, is a fascinating place to visit at any time...
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Magic Road in the Comeragh Mountains, County Waterford, Ireland.
A Magic Road in the Comeragh Mountains
If I told you there was a section of road in Ireland where, if you park at the bottom of a small hill...
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Sean Og the leprechaun in O hare pub in Carlingford. County Louth, Ireland.
The Tale of the Wily Leprechaun
In the northeast corner of County Louth in Ireland lies the small and incredibly beautiful Cooley Peninsula....
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Brexit - European Union, which way to turn
Brexit - Maybe the Solution lies in the Problem
The UK has never been as divided as it is today over Brexit, or has it? But maybe, just maybe, the solution...
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vampire
Vampires and Viking Kings in North Dublin
Join me as I check out Castle Dracula, the Bram Stoker museum in Clontarf, and also Howth castle all...
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St Brigids cathedral in Kildare town.
St Brigid's Day - Feb 1st
St Brigid's Day is on Feb 1st. She was one of the three great Saints of Ireland, closely linked with...
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Hill of Allen (1)
The Hill of Allen.
Giants on the Bog - article about the Hill of Allen and the home of Irish giant, Finn McCool on the Bog...
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Halloween - pumpkin lantern
Halloween it's NOT American!
Many people, it seems, think that Halloween is an American celebration. So, here in this article I set...
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The King (1)
All Hail the King of Tory Island
In memory of Patsy Dan Rodgers, the King of Tory. Here is the story of my second time meeting this great...
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