Some feel the Isle of Man is named after Manannan, a sea god who protected the island by cloaking it in mist. The name may, however, come from a Celtic word meaning 'mountain island' and the god may have been named after the island rather than the other way around. From Man's highest point, it's said that on a clear day you can see 7 kingdoms - England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland & Man, plus the Kingdom of the Sea & Kingdom of Heaven. #FolkloreSunday #folklore #mythology #history #weird

#FolkloreSunday #Celtic: `In spite of Bres being so beautiful, his reign brought no great good luck to his people; for the Fomor, whose dwelling-place was beyond the sea, or as some say below the sea westward, began putting tribute on them, the way they would get them under their own rule.
It was a long time before that the Fomor came first to Ireland; dreadful they were to look at, and maimed, having but one foot or one hand, and they under the leadership of a giant and his mother. There never came to Ireland an army more horrible or more dreadful than that army of the Fomor. And they were friendly with the Firbolgs and content to leave Ireland to them, but there was jealousy between them and the Men of Dea.
And it was a hard tax they put on them, a third part of their corn they asked, and a third part of their milk, and a third part of their children, so that there was not smoke rising from a roof in Ireland but was under tribute to them. And Bres made no stand against them, but let them get their way.`
Source: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory - Project Gutenberg eBook
Here’s the backstory: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/116234429822346154

Gef was allegedly a talking mongoose who the Irving family claimed inhabited their farmhouse on the Isle of Man. At different times, Gef said he was either an "extra-extra-clever mongoose" or an "Earthbound spirit." The story was extensively covered by the 1930s British tabloids. #FolkloreSunday

#FolkloreSunday #Celtic: `Albeit Nuada won the battle, he lost his own arm in it, that was struck off by Sreng; and by that loss there came troubles and vexation on his people.
For it was a law with the Tuatha de Danaan that no man that was not perfect in shape should be king. And after Nuada had lost the battle he was put out of the kingship on that account.
And the king they chose in his place was Bres, that was the most beautiful of all their young men, so that if a person wanted to praise any beautiful thing, whether it was a plain, or a dun, or ale, or a flame, or a woman, or a man, or a horse, it is what he would say, "It is as beautiful as Bres." And he was the son of a woman of the Tuatha de Danaan, but who his father was no one knew but herself.`
Source: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory - Project Gutenberg eBook
Here’s the backstory: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/116234076297324724

#FolkloreSunday #Celtic: `The Tuatha de Danaan took possession of Teamhair, that was sometimes called Druim Cain, the Beautiful Ridge, and Liathdruim, the Grey Ridge, and Druim na Descan, the Ridge of the Outlook, all those names were given to Teamhair. And from that time it was above all other places, for its king was the High King over all Ireland. The king's rath lay to the north, and the Hill of the Hostages to the north-east of the High Seat, and the Green of Teamhair to the west of the Hill of the Hostages. And to the north-east, in the Hill of the Sidhe, was a well called Nemnach, and out of it there flowed a stream called Nith, and on that stream the first mill was built in Ireland.
And to the north of the Hill of the Hostages was the stone, the Lia Fail, and it used to roar under the feet of every king that would take possession of Ireland. And the Wall of the Three Whispers was near the House of the Women that had seven doors to the east, and seven doors to the west; and it is in that house the feasts of Teamhair used to be held. And there was the Great House of a Thousand Soldiers, and near it, to the south, the little Hill of the Woman Soldiers.`
Source: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory - Project Gutenberg eBook
Here’s the backstory: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/116233678384956179

In Irish folklore, when the warrior Cumhall is killed, his son is raised by his aunt Bodhmall and her companion Liath Luachra. Bodhmall is a mighty druid, and both she and Liath are fierce women warriors. They teach the boy to fight; he becomes the great hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. #FolkloreSunday

#FolkloreSunday #Celtic: `The battle went on for four days, and there were great feats done on each side, and a great many champions came to their death. But for those that were alive at evening, the physicians on each side used to make a bath of healing, with every sort of healing plant or herb in it, the way they would be strong and sound for the next day's fight.
And on the fourth day the Men of Dea got the upper hand, and the Firbolgs were driven back. And a great thirst came on Eochaid, their king, in the battle, and he went off the field looking for a drink, and three fifties of his men protecting him; but three fifties of the Tuatha de Danaan followed after them till they came to the strand that is called Traigh Eothaile, and they had a fierce fight there, and at the last King Eochaid fell, and they buried him there, and they raised a great heap of stones over his grave.`
Source: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory - Project Gutenberg eBook

#FolkloreSunday #Celtic: `The Firbolgs gathered their men together then, and they came with their eleven battalions and took their stand at the eastern end of the plain of Magh Nia.
And Nuada, king of the Men of Dea, sent his poets to make the same offer he made before, to be content with the half of the country if it was given up to him. King Eochaid bade the poets to ask an answer of his chief men that were gathered there; and when they heard the offer they would not consent. So the messengers asked them when would they begin the battle. "We must have a delay," they said; "for we want time to put our spears and our armour in order, and to brighten our helmets and to sharpen our swords, and to have spears made like the ones you have. And as to yourselves," they said, "you will be wanting to have spears like our Craisechs made for you." So they agreed then to make a delay of a quarter of a year for preparation.`
Source: Gods and Fighting Men by Lady Gregory - Project Gutenberg eBook
Here’s the backstory: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/116217902626402855
Here’s what happened next: https://hear-me.social/@NeuKelte/114710006636953947