Ian Middleton: Travel Writer

irish folklore

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

Ian Middleton

The Hill of Tara At first glance the Hill of Tara may seem like a rather non-de script place. Many tourists visit every year and possibly scratch their heads in […]

Sean Og the leprechaun in O hare pub in Carlingford. County Louth, Ireland.

The Tale of the Wily Leprechaun

Ian Middleton

In the northeast corner of County Louth in Ireland lies the small and incredibly beautiful Cooley Peninsula. But as well its incredible beauty, it is also home to one wily little leprechaun.

Finn McCool's home on the Hill of Allen.

The Bog of Allen.

Ian Middleton

The Bog of Allen, home of the legendary Irish Giant Finn McCool. The Bog of Allen is an immense raised bog covering an area nearly 1000 square kilometres in size. […]

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Halloween it’s NOT American!

Ian Middleton

Halloween, it’s NOT American Many people, it seems, think that Halloween is an American celebration. Over here in Slovenia, where I am currently living, when I ask people if they […]

The stone of the Divisions (AKA the Cat Stone) on the Hill of Uisneach in County Westmeath is is possibly the most significant ancient monument in the whole country. Firstly, legend say that this is the burial place of Queen Eriu, Queen of the Tuatha de Danann (A powerful, magical race that inhabited Ireland before the Celts). She was defeated and mortally wounded in a battle with the Celtic King, Amergen granted her a dying wish. He promised her that the island would bear her name forever – The Gaelic name Eriú was later changed by the Vikings into “Eriú’s Land”, or Ireland. This 30-ton stone looks more like a giant bolder that has been cracked into several pieces. The splits are believed to represent the ancient divisions of Ireland. A book called Beneath the Shadow of Uisneach, says that it was from here that the five ancient provinces of Ireland met, symbolising this as the centre of Ireland. The stone’s Irish name depicts this: Ail na Mireann (“Stone of the Divisions”). The division were first made by the Fir Bolg. It is on this hill that the first fire was lit for the ancient festival of Bealtaine. It was said that a fire lit at the summit here could be seen all over Ireland, and that all fires were lit from this one. This hill was also the gathering place of the kings of Ireland.

The Hill of Uisneach

Ian Middleton

Ail na Mireann (the stone of the Divisions) – Burial place of the Goddess Ériu, from whom Ireland takes its name. On the R390 between Mullingar and Athlone in County […]

Reek Sunday – The Annual Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage

Ian Middleton

Reek Sunday 2018 is almost upon us. Lying on the stunning Wild Atlantic Way, Croagh Patrick is a 765-metre mountain lying to the west of Westport town in County Mayo, […]

Mysterious Ireland – Leinster

Ian Middleton

‘Mysterious Circle Appears in Joe “Boy” Conboy’s Back Garden’ I was sitting in the common room of Kirwan House Tourist Hostel in Wexford, having just completed a radio interview to […]

Mysterious World Ireland

Mysterious World: Ireland – Ian Middleton

Ian Middleton

If you love to travel Ireland, and are fascinated by all its ancient history, legends and folklore, then check out my guidebook: Mysterious World: Ireland represents the next generation of […]