‘You know when somewhere is bad – we got a shiver and moved away': Why do we fear fairy forts?
Irish people won't touch them, roads are diverted around them and tales of misfortune abound, but what's behind our belief in the mythical powers of ringforts? A new book attempts to find out
Today at 21:30
Something strange happened when author Jo Kerrigan was just a few months into researching her latest book.
Alongside her husband and photographer Richard Mills, she trekked to an idyllic rural setting north of Cork, near Millstreet, to photograph a place where earthen banks formed a circle to create a rath or fairy fort.
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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Exhibition explores 100 years of the Irish passport
A new exhibition has opened at the Irish Emigration Museum to mark the centenary of the Irish passport. The exhibition, called 'On the Move', tells the stories of the country's "most travelled document". EPIC historian Dr Catherine Healy said the establishment of the passport was an important moment for Irish sovereignty, "showing a commitment to engage with the world as an independent nation". Dr Healy said that the museum wanted to ask questions such as "what does the passport tell us about Ireland's relationship with the wider world," and it also wanted to explore its role in the lives of people who have used it. EPIC asked the public for any stories they had about their family's passports and many of those stories are on display in the exhibition. "We know what the passport means to Irish people at home and abroad," Dr Healy said. "We wanted to feature tales of migration, the diasporic connection and also capture some of the human stories too," she added. Liz Cassidy responded to the request and explained that her grandparents used their Free State passports to go on their honeymoon in Algiers in the 1920s. Her grandfather, Thomas Healy, born in 1895 and died in 1957, was issued with a document which identifies it as a passport from Saorstát Éireann. "It was a proud day when he received it because he had fought for freedom from British rule, with the Irish volunteers during the War of Independence," Ms Cassidy said. "My grandfather was one of Michael Collins' trusted intelligence officers in west Cork," she said. Thomas Healy retired from the army in early 1923 and returned to his family law practice in Skibereen. "His passport tells the story that has filled the gaps in our family history," Ms Cassidy said. He renewed his passport in 1926, and under the "observations" section, a note indicates his intentions for "travelling to Algiers". He and his new wife, her grandmother Helen Grennan, born in 1897 and died in 1973, were planning their "exotic honeymoon in north Africa". Also featured in the exhibition is former Leitrim hurler Zak Moradi. He received his first Irish passport at the age of 30. His family came to Ireland as political programme refugees in 2002. "I am from Kurdistan and was born in a refugee camp in Iraq," Mr Moradi said. "I got into hurling in 6th class, and though hurling is a kind of difficult game to play, I liked the challenge," he said. Mr Moradi went on to describe the process of obtaining an Irish passport and said "it took a bit of time to apply to become an Irish citizen, because I didn't have a birth cert". It is not an easy process, he added, but "when you get it, it's worth it". Mr Moradi said that the passport gives him "an identity and tells where I belong". "I'm still learning that I can travel and learn all these new things because of it," he said. "I never thought when I was in the refugee camp that this would happen for me, but within 20 years, your life can change completely," Mr Moradi added. The exhibition runs for the summer at EPIC.
Dublin Live
13 hours ago
- Dublin Live
Spain severe weather warning with high temperatures and thunderstorms for Irish holidaymakers
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Spain's meteorological agency has issued a weather warning for high temperatures and potential thunderstorms, which could impact Irish tourists travelling to the popular holiday destination this week as the summer season kicks in. An orange warning, denoting 'important risk', has been issued by Agencia Estatal de Meteorología for Tuesday as temperatures soar throughout Spain. This is likely to be accompanied by heavy showers and thunderstorms in several areas of the country. The northeast of Spain could see temperatures reach highs of 40C, while many areas will be in the mid-30Cs. The orange weather warnings are in place for the regions of Aragon, Castilla y Lyon, Cataluna, Pais Vasco and La Rioja. A spokesperson for AEMET said: "Severe storms will occur across large areas of the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, with heavy showers also likely in western Galicia, the Cantabrian region, the upper Ebro, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Pyrenees. Significantly high temperatures will occur in low-lying areas in the northeast and inland areas of the southern Iberian Peninsula." Many holiday destinations in Spain will be scorching this week, with conditions that would be considered heatwave in Ireland expected. Malaga and surrounding areas will range between the high 20Cs and high 30Cs, while Cordoba and Zaragoza could see the mercury hit 40C. The capital Madrid will also be sizzling, while other areas will get away with cooler conditions with 25-30C forecast for Barcelona and Seville. Valencia, located on Spain's east coast, will see temperatures fluctuate between 30C and 35C. Spain continues to be the most popular holiday destination for Irish tourists, with more than 2.5 million visits made each year to the hotspot. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I work for just 2 weeks for 2 MONTHS' pay in job not everyone's able for – food is free & extra perks save me thousands
MEET the savvy 26-year-old who traded in working in the film biz for a lucrative job that some people would hate - but lets her save "huge chunks" of cash while she doesn't spend a cent. Caithilín Hughes is putting away thousands of euro for her future with her "life-changing" gig. 4 Caithilin does two-week stints on the mines, and comes out with two months' worth of earnings 4 Caithilín Hughes decided to train as a machine operator 4 She said the role has been 'life-changing' and has allowed her to save thousands She has a degree in film production and worked as a videographer before deciding to make the move to Western Australia last year. And after a stint as a traffic controller, she bagged a job as a FIFO miner in the Kimberley region just two months in. FIFO roles work on a two weeks on, two weeks off basis and, as the acronym suggests, employees can fly in from the surrounding area to complete their residency. The roles are available in areas with big mining operations and there's a number of job opportunities on sites from technical roles to hospitality and support staff. Accommodation and meals are provided while on the job - in addition to the pay. And depending on qualifications, the programme offers salaries of up to €94,000 (AU$150,000) to attract workers. Caithílin, from "I spent days and weeks applying online but it can be hard to get a job in an industry with no previous experience. "It seems to be that if you know someone, from home, that works in the FIFO world it is a lot easier to get a job. "I just so happened to get talking to an Irishman driving to a traffic control job I was working at. I make thousands a month working on mines in Australia and there's so many perks "As the Irish do, we got chatting and he gave me a contact for a job. That was how I got in." EARLY STARTS Caithilín, who earns two months' wages in two weeks, told how she works long shifts in 40C heat with very early starts. She added: "Our day starts at 3.30am. With breakfast opening up for everyone about 4, it's then on the bus and straight to work for 5am. "We have a quick prestart and then out to our machines. "We in them for about 10 hours each day, either side of our breaks, operating the machines in whatever needs moved or completed for the day. "We then come back to camp about 6pm. It's just enough time for dinner, the gym and then straight to sleep to do it all over again. "The pay rates range from role to role. Most machine operators make somewhere between $45-$70 aud an hour depending on machine skills and experience." 'SAVING ASPECT' And she revealed it's a great job for saving as there's no need to spend money. Caithilín said: "The only reason why I and so many Irish people are doing these jobs are for the saving aspect. "For the two weeks I am up there I do not spend any money at all. "My food is free, accommodation is free, gym is free, flights are provided for. "Of course everyone will have basic bills and necessities that have to come out. "But the saving factor is why so many are doing it, the salaries are good - and yes you can get these kinds of salaries in other sectors in roles. "But living and working in the same place, without any expenses is the drawing factor. " 'PRETTY MALE DOMINATED' Caithilín said there are not a lot of women doing the job and those interested should think "long and hard" before applying. She continued: "It is pretty male dominated. I am the only girl on my team at work but there is lots of other girls within our company, and on site. "My advice to Irish girls coming to Australia to work in the mines would be if it's something you want to do think about it long and hard, it can be both difficult and expensive to get into. "It might also be good to apply for jobs and roles alongside a friend. "Starting a new job in a new country, in a largely male dominated industry can be tricky. "However, if you have a goal in mind to reach. I think to give it a year of your life, the saving elements to the roles can be life changing. "A good salary can come with any job but it's the saving of money, free everything basically, that is having so many Irish people return home to Caithilín said there are a number of initial expenses in order to get set up that people need to be aware of. She said: "The first thing you will need to do when you get to Australia is you'll need to get a white card that will cost you about $100. "It's standard for anybody who does any sort of construction job. "It's just like a health and safety card. Then I did my Moxie ticket which was about $500. "The next thing I went on and did was my traffic control ticket just purely to get a job straight away and that was $600. "It's pretty standard everywhere because it's about a three day course. "I then went and got my HR lorry licence which is what you need to drive any of the machines you want to drive out on the road. "Sometimes you might be driving them between sites. Some places are about $1,100 to $1,500. This is the most expensive thing but it's like the golden ticket basically everywhere in Western Australia. "I then went on and did my Water Cart for $550 and my Roller Ticket which cost $550. "In total that is about $3,600. So be aware that you might be spending that much when you first come out here to level yourself up straight away." Former Miss Universe Gráinne Gallanagh swapped her glamorous dresses and tiara for a boiler suit and hard hat for a year. The 30- year-old , who won Ireland in 2018, spent her days escorting trucks and fuelling up machines. Gráinne also revealed how she was one of the only women on the construction site and was initially worried that she might feel uncomfortable. She previously told "We have the craic on site. I've only been there since August but already I've been awarded employee of the month and employee of the year." 4 She has shared her advice for women interested in the job
