#irish catholic

[khaperai]

IRA posters

[seraphimfall]

i find the trend of getting offended at goth people for wearing rosaries so funny because it’s like,,,,, how do you know they’re not ex-catholic? how do you know they’re not irish? or polish? or mexican? or italian?

you gonna tell them they can’t interact with imagery from their own culture? pls lmao.

[ceo-draiochta]

A review of:

The Origins of Ireland's Holy Wells by Celeste Ray

Celeste Ray, a professor of anthropology for the University of the South, USA wrote this book after extensive research, both desk and foot into Irelands Holy Wells. I would honestly recommend anyone with any interest in Irish religious practices, culture, paganism, or mythology to pick it up. An amazing book. I'll be giving my thoughts and what I liked and didn't like about it here.

What I liked:

A very well researched book that shows the authors dedication not just to anthropology but to the living practices she is documenting

The passion of the author is clear and they Mince no words when discussing other researchers and their work, pointing out the flaws, misconceptions and biases (some of which were wild I can't believe some of these people are taken as authorities on the subject when their conclusion was that wells are a toilet metaphor?)

Uses a wider pre roman European context for the evidence. As we are so often reminded, to treat Ireland as some how separate from Western Europe is ridiculous and is a disservice to the interconnection of the people of old.

The reframing of this idea, which is normally used as a strong force against nativist views into a supportive one was quite interesting.

Examines roman writings in a very balanced way that acknowledges the inherent propaganda but does not dismiss it outright.

There's a whole section of people including academics who seems desperate for a roman invasion of ireland, despite there being basically no evidence of it. Like people are fully making things up to try and force one, the author gives these people a sound dismissal in their restating of the evidence of raiding and trade over large-scale roman conquest. (Genuine question can someone explain why people are so mad for Romans in ireland?)

I thus learned more about pre roman Western European practices and archeology than I ever really had the desire to. I am now much more educated on the subject.

The framing of sites as important locations adopted and readopted based on shifting circumstances of the time rather than a "secret unbroken line" which is much more realistic.

The explanation of Holy Wells as archaeologically challenging sites was well explained.

Using etymology in the connection of wells to supernatural beings. Love etymology so this was amazing

The use of early irish literature to support existing claims. Which I know claiming that there are pagan elements in the literature basically gets you spat and jeered at but nevertheless is really compelling.

While this blog has been thoroughly against the lumping together of celtic cultures, this book makes a great case as to when it is appropriate to use the term celtic and that the rush to replace this term has very much resulted in the baby being thrown out with the bath water.

Actually engages with living culture and treats folklore and living sources/practices as evidence to be considered rather than "silly little irish peasants" but also does not take every tale as completely accurate literal history.

Plenty of examples and pictures of well in practice today.

Supports a general pre Christian, pre roman use of wells and springs as sacred sites but also acknowledges the influence of both (especially Christian) on the practice.

Acknowledges the diverse origins of holy wells, from one's that have have votive offerings since the bronze age to ones that were made sacred in the modern age.

Does not buy into any sort of "Christians are thieves" narrative.

Honestly this seems like the definitive book on irish holy wells.

What I didn't like:

While I loved the book there was definitely things I took issue with.

The assertive nature of the tone was entertaining, it did sort of feel like the author was this close to calling other researchers "fucking idiots", though humanities papers seem to have a much more aggressive tone than I am used to from my field of study.

The author makes many an interesting and compelling hypothesis in the book, but they are just that. These theories are then presented as the fact of the matter when really they are no more or less substantiated than the other theories.

Could have done without some of the "identity politics" on the celtic question section. Like I get that's a huge part of this authors work but I didn't feel it was all necessary to include.

Some of the mythological comparisons seem like a little bit of a stretch Low-key.

Either way this is a fantastic work and I urge everyone even remotely interested to buy it, it's a little pricey but well worth it. It can be purchased online on Google books(link). Now obviously this is all from my lay perspective, if anyone with actual qualifications wants to correct or argue feel free. This is just my perspective.

[eirgachuair]

I'm bored so...

reblog for sample size if u wanna :D

[angelbubble]

The MacManus Brothers(The Boondock Saints-1999)

[duine-aiteach]

I used to keep the parish newsletters/people’s mass leaflets so I could hand them out after my own mass game. I was the priest and would give out bread (rice cake) and wine (apple juice). I would wear my dressing gown but later got a real priest’s robe (just the plain white undergarment) from a family friend. I briefly entertained the idea of becoming a priest but gave up when I realised they wouldn’t allow me to be a priest and then later realised that I don’t believe in God.

Needless to say, I was raised in rural Ireland where being a moderately religious school meant we prayed 3-4 times a day. My parents aren’t overly religious though my Irish/Catholic grandparents are, as are many of my neighbours. The country was a lot more Catholic twenty years ago and the church was a very central part of the community. It still is, but not to the same degree.

[beansidhebumbling]

Sometimes I think the Irish Catholicism I've been entrenched in since birth didn't really impact me and then I read my writing and it's like girl.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1688 – Goodwife ‘Goody’ Ann Glover is hanged in Boston, Massachusetts, accused of witchcraft.

The last woman to be hanged in Boston as a witch was Goodwife ‘Goody’ Ann Glover, an Irish laundress. This North End resident was wildly accused in 1688 of practicing witchcraft by the infamous Reverend Cotton Mather, pastor of the old North Church. Her Puritan accusers were caught up in a witch mania that was part of the rigid Puritanism of the time, attaching supernatural causes to things they…

[girlactionfigure]

[cooltrash95]

The Second Coming Is A Young Girl

basically my idea for a religious fiction which delves into “What if God had a daughter next time around?” and some musings on what i personally think about God/religion

[borbersk]

Man, speaking as a former Irish Catholic, American protestants are fucked up. Like, at least with us you know the church is fucked up but you still follow them because "Ah, well. Guess I kinda want to go to heaven. I guess we can let the priest away with it if I get eternal life"

But with you guys not only do you get brainwashed into not knowing the shit's fucked, you get brainwashed into thinking it's actually cool somehow. Ye have double blinders on. You've no knowledge of the evil you serve. You're not being held hostage at gunpoint, you're being gaslit into Stockholm syndrome

[seraphimfall]

i am catholic in the sense that i hate the british, nothing more.

[chekhovs-slinky]

guys you don’t get it Steve speaks Irish he does we just haven’t seen it yet because everyone forgot to tell him Irish people aren’t oppressed anymore bro trust me please—

[averysillygoose]

back in my complicated relationship with religion era

[sugarbowlgen]

me sitting with my jesus christ superstar and last days of judas iscariot obsession : it’s the irish catholic in my bones surfacing

[babylawyerruns]

Growing up Irish catholic - like women in ur family will casually mention a terrible trauma that took place 30 years ago casually and just be like... oh wait I thought you knew about that !!!