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If you’re anything like us, you’ll find these myths and legends absolutely amazing. From the ridiculous, to the frightening, to the mystical and the eerie, these stories are the gifts that keep on giving.

This month, we thought we’d share the fascinating story of the ‘Hag of Beara’.

The Hag of Beara is one of Ireland’s oldest mythological characters. You might know this witch-like spirit as the Cailleach, born on the 1st of November the day after all hallows eve! She’s known to be a divine hag that is the keeper of winter. She brings with her the harsh cold, the lack of fruit and a difficult period for our ancient ancestors, so as you can imagine, she was a spirit to be feared!

Legend has it that this crone would fly through the skies in the winter, and the deeper, colder and darker it got, the more she would thrive and rejuvenate. The Hag of Beara is said to get younger, stronger and more beautiful as the winter goes on, reaching her full maiden self on the 1st of May, which is the feast of Bealtaine. Her power then dwindles throughout the summer, as she returns to her old and haggard self again.

Cold winters were the bane of our ancestors' existence, as they struggled to keep warm, harvest food and the nights became dark so early. Tradition had it, that on the first of February, (which is the beginning of the Celtic New Year!), if the weather was poor, this meant the Cailleach was asleep, and winter would soon end. However, if the weather was bright and beautiful, it was said that the hag was out collecting firewood to keep her warm, as the winter would continue. The ancient Irish hoped and prayed for rain on this day, to ward off the Cailleach’s winter!

The remnants of this intriguing myth are still visible throughout Ireland. The Megalithic tombs at Carrowmore are said to have been dropped there when the Hag of Beara flew overhead and they slipped from her apron! As well as this, in Sligo, the passage tombs on the Coolera Peninsula are said to be a resting place for the Cailleach, with a tomb in the Dartry Mountains having been named “Cailleach’s House”. We also see her presence at the Cliffs of Moher, where the southernmost point is named “Hag’s Head”.

As well as this, modern Ireland has seen a surge in Celtic spiritualism in the past ten years. The Hag of Beara has been revered as the Goddess of Winter that is to be respected and learned from. Yogis and Celtic healers across Ireland will tell us to learn from the Cailleach, by using winter as a time to rest, reset and retreat inwards. To reflect on the year and celebrate all seasons.

The long term impact of these mystical stories is truly astounding! We often wonder if our ancient ancestors ever considered that their stories and legends would still live on and be very much alive in the minds and bodies of their descendants. Did they believe that we would still respect and celebrate the wonder of the Cailleach and her winter? Who knows! But what we can say is that the richness, beauty and power that these stories convey, is much to be admired.

What’s your favourite Irish myth? Let us know!