Odd & Unusual

You can’t travel far in Ireland without coming across statues by the side of the road in Ireland. Some are single, but many are tableaux and are set in elaborate and well maintained surroundings.

The largest number are statues of Mary, most of which were originally erected during the Marian Year in 1938.

More »

Ogham is an ancient form of writing, which takes the form of linear cuts made in stone. It is found in Ireland on stones dating back 1500 to 2500 years.

It was probably also carved on wooden objects and even in manuscripts, but the only surviving examples are the ones on stones.

More »

Though believed by many Irish Catholics to be associated with saints these wells are actually remnants of pre-Christian Ireland where they are part of the many myths surrounding Celtic Goddesses.

One of the greatest myths is that drinking the water from a Holy Well can cure illness – in fact it’s frequently contaminated and is more likely to cause it.

More »

The custom of hanging rags from the branches of trees is an ancient one in Ireland, its origin lost in the mists of time.

The trees are usually hawthorns situated close to holy wells, and the custom remains strongest among Ireland’s travelling people.

More »

The ubiquitous stone walls or fences seen in Ireland are the object of much curiosity from visitors, particularly those built without mortar in the west and south.

They are however a practical and useful way to divide land, especially when money is scarce and land is poor. They are also historically interesting and geographically diverse, in fact a lot of Ireland’s history is in those stones.

More »

Whether they are illusions or not, find one of these roads and prepare to be amazed as you turn off the engine and your car rolls uphill. Impossible? Try it yourself and judge.

There are directions to two magic roads here, one in the Comeragh Mountains, the other near Dundalk.

More »

These somewhat strange carvings of women are widely found in Ireland and while in times past people found them horrifying, even disgusting, there is now much interest in them.

Although often found in churches it is generally agreed that they are pre-Christian in origin, but exactly what they signify is not known.

More »