Ireland [antikvár]

i I I' I.'i i.i I' 'ii- ' ' 'I I i' . .'i' ".1:1 vJifj'?-' (^ntzo^uction ^ 0 ONDERFUL, wistful - and sometimes ^ ^L^ weird, the myths and legends of Ireland have a fascination of their own. Many of the early myths were written down by Irish Christian scribes, just as they heard them from the filids - the Irish storytellers. In fact, some of the first Irish converts to Christianity may well have been filids. Two great heroes emerge from Irish mythology, Cii Chulainn and Finn MacCooI. Cii Chulainn (of the north), with his Red Branch Knights, is to Ireland what Arthur is to England and Wales. The epic tale of his stand against impossible odds, in defense of his country, continues to inspire the Irish people today. There is a statue of Cii Chulainn in the General Post Office in Dublin. Finn MacCool belongs to a later date, and most of the stories are set in the softer countryside of the south. Finn's legends are not epic, but born of folklore and fairytale. Fairies themselves — usually known as the Faery People, or the Litde People - are, of course, prolific in Ireland. Their habits do not conform to the habits of other fairies, for rather than choosing to Uve at the bottom of a garden, they will often make their dwelling just outside a back door. They have their Fairy Hills, as other fairies do, and they can be dangerous if upset. Nevertheless, they do not seem adverse to a litde consideration from human householders. Ireland is full of enchantment, and you wiU encounter many strange spells and charms along the way. It is doubtful whether you will meet the extraordinary charm known as the 'BHnk' in any other country. And beware of Fairy Thorns - if you find one, whatever you do, DONT dig it up! There are monsters and beasties aplenty. Be warned, you could find some of them a litde frightening. But one creature you are unlikely to meet is a dragon, unless - like the Dragon of Navan - it has been imported from overseas. This is because St Patrick successfully drove all the serpents out of Ireland, and serpents and dragons are closely related. However, there are giants enough to make up for the missing dragons. Finn MacCool was sometimes portrayed as a giant, and the creation of the Giant's Causeway was attributed to him. In fact, the stone columns of this natural wonder look so perfect, that during World War II they were shelled by a German U-boat commander in mistake for British coastal fortifications! Right A land rich with myths and legends. The mysterious Piper Stones, County Wicklow. — 6 —