SOS Tours

02/01/2025

18/11/2024

The Normans were a fascinating fusion of Viking adventurers and medieval knights. Descended from Vikings who had settled in Normandy, France, they inherited the bold, seafaring spirit of their ancestors. But these former raiders didn’t just stick to their roots—they adapted and thrived, blending their Viking heritage with the feudal customs of medieval Europe.

The Normans became masters of structured warfare, adopting the feudal system where land was exchanged for military service. They embraced the chivalric code, embodying the values of loyalty, bravery, and honor. This unique blend of Viking grit and knightly discipline made them a formidable force, leaving an indelible mark on history.

Their legacy includes the Norman conquest of England in 1066, which transformed the island’s culture, language, and governance. The Normans didn’t just conquer—they assimilated and innovated, standing as one of the Middle Ages’ most influential groups.

29/04/2024

Mystical Moon 🌙

The ever-changing moon was an object of mystery and superstition in ancient Ireland. The old Celtic druids placed great emphasis on the moon and arranged their calendar by it. It was believed that any work or business undertaken when the moon was growing (waxing) would be successful. Work begun when the moon was waning was considered less likely to succeed. A child born when there was a new moon was thought to have good prospects for health and wealth.

Contemplating the connection between the sea and the moon, Irish folklore developed some dramatic ideas. One such was that all water reacts in the same way as the sea, that rivers swelled with the full moon, or that water placed in a dish will rise and overflow as the full moon is seen to rise. At the same time, the blood becomes invigorated and a person feels his strength increase.

The energy caused by the full moon in all its strength could, it was believed, be overpowering to the human spirit and there was a belief in Ireland and elsewhere that a person might become over elated by it and lose his wit for a while. Such a person was said to have gone ‘le gealaí’ (with the moon). In English we have the word ‘lunatic’ from the Latin for moon, ‘luna’. The word ‘moonstruck’ has the same connotation.

In Irish, the moon is ‘an ghealach’ or, alternatively, ‘an ré’. ‘Gealach na gcoinnlíní’ is the Harvest Moon, ‘coinnlíní’ being the Irish for a stubble field with stalks left after reaping. ‘Fear Láir na gealaí’ is ‘the man in the moon’. ‘Seán na Gealaí’ is Jack of the Lantern. ‘Corrán gealaí’ is a crescent moon; ‘Ré nua’, the new moon; ‘ré lán’, full moon. ‘Tá an ré ina sui’ – the moon is up. ‘Rabharta lán na re’ – the full moon-flood tide. ‘Ré’ is an alternative word for the moon.

23/04/2024

Celtic Mythology ☘

The Celtic god of the sea is often referred to as Manannán mac Lir (pronounced Man-uh-nawn mak Leer). He is a prominent figure in Irish mythology and is associated with the sea, as well as other aspects of nature and the Otherworld.

Manannán mac Lir is depicted as a powerful and enigmatic figure, often appearing as a skilled magician or shape-shifter. He is sometimes described as a guardian or gatekeeper to the Otherworld, the realm of the supernatural in Celtic mythology.

In addition to his role as a sea deity, Manannán is also associated with weather, particularly storms, and he is said to possess a magical cloak that can control the weather. He is often depicted riding across the waves in a chariot drawn by horses or sea creatures.

In Irish mythology, Manannán mac Lir is considered one of the Tuatha Dé Danann, a race of supernatural beings who were believed to inhabit Ireland before the arrival of the Gaels. He is also sometimes described as the foster father of the hero Lugh, another important figure in Celtic mythology.

Overall, Manannán mac Lir holds a significant place in Celtic mythology as a god of the sea, a guardian of the Otherworld, and a powerful figure associated with magic and nature.

13/04/2024

The Dagda, an important god in Irish mythology, is a father-figure, king, and druid. He is associated with fertility, agriculture, manliness and strength, as well as magic, druidry and wisdom. The Dagda can control life and death, the weather and crops, as well as time and the seasons.

As a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann, he is revered for his power and influence. He embodies the qualities of a true leader - confident, wise, and just. His association with fertility and agriculture highlights his importance in sustaining life. His ability to control the weather and crops ensures that the people have enough food to survive.

The Dagda's strength and manliness are also celebrated. He is a symbol of power and virility, inspiring awe and admiration in those who worship him. His magic and druidry further enhance his status as a god of great importance.

But perhaps what sets the Dagda apart from other gods is his ability to control time and the seasons. This power highlights his role as a protector of nature and all living things. It also underscores his wisdom and foresight, he understands the importance of balance in the natural world.

The Dagda is a complex figure in Irish mythology. He embodies many different qualities - father-figure, king, druid, magician - but all of them serve to highlight his importance in sustaining life and protecting nature. As a god of great power and influence, he inspires awe and admiration in those who worship him.

13/04/2024

Wonderful Heritage.

The Celtic Cross is a symbol that originated in the early Middle Ages in the British Isles, particularly in Ireland. Its exact origins and meaning are somewhat debated, but it is generally agreed to be a Christian symbol with roots in earlier Celtic pagan traditions.

One legend suggests that Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, combined the Christian cross with the pagan symbol of the sun to create the Celtic Cross. According to this legend, Saint Patrick encountered a group of pagans worshiping the sun, and in an effort to convert them to Christianity, he drew a circle around a traditional Christian cross, incorporating the pagan symbol into the Christian faith.

Another theory proposes that the Celtic Cross evolved from the standing stone crosses that were prevalent in the pre-Christian Celtic culture of Ireland and other parts of the British Isles. These standing stone crosses were often used as markers or memorials, and when Christianity spread to the region, Christian symbols and imagery were incorporated into them.

Regardless of its exact origins, the Celtic Cross became a distinctive symbol of Celtic Christianity and Irish identity. It typically features a cross with a circle, or ring, surrounding the intersection of the vertical and horizontal arms. The circle is believed to represent eternity or the infinite love of God, while the cross symbolizes the Christian faith.

Over time, the Celtic Cross became a popular motif in Celtic art and architecture, appearing on stone carvings, manuscripts, jewelry, and gravestones throughout Ireland and other Celtic regions. Today, the Celtic Cross remains a powerful symbol of Celtic heritage and Christian faith, revered for its intricate design and rich symbolism.

11/04/2024

Wonderful Heritage ☘

05/04/2024

Mystic Eiŕe☘

Tír na nÓg - The Land of the Young. According to Irish mythology, it was an enchanted island off the west coast of Ireland where everyone was young and beautiful, and there was no illness or unhappiness.

This magical land was home to the Tuatha de Dannan, the last band of gods and goddesses to rule Ireland. They were skilled in magic and had an unbreakable bond with nature.

The Tuatha de Dannan were said to have arrived in Ireland on a cloud of mist. In the Mythological Cycle of early Irish literature, the four treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann are four magical items which the mythological Tuatha Dé Danann are supposed to have brought with them from the four island cities Murias, Falias, Gorias, and Findias when they arrived in Ireland

Legend has it that Tír na nÓg could only be reached by crossing the sea or by being invited by one of its inhabitants. Once you arrived on the island, time stood still, and you would never age. The people of Tír na nÓg were skilled in magic and had many treasures, including a magical cauldron that could bring the dead back to life.

But as with all good things, there was a catch. Anyone who left Tír na nÓg could never return. And so, those who entered this magical land were said to be trapped there forever.

Tír na nÓg has inspired many stories throughout Irish folklore. It's a symbol of eternal youth and a reminder that sometimes, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.