Author Archives: shaunalawless

Newgrange is a 5,200 year old passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley, County Meath. This makes Newgrange older than both the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge (predating these structures by 400 years and 1,000 years respectively) and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. The passage tomb in Newgrange was constructed toContinue reading “Ireland in focus: Newgrange”

Picking a King in Ireland was complicated. The method of selecting kings in other European countries was based on the Principle of Primogeniture – which essentially meant the first born son to the current king inherited the throne. There was therefore only one heir to the throne. This rule, though simple, caused all sorts ofContinue reading “How to pick an Irish king?”

Irish hospitality is renowned around the world. You can’t go into someone’s home in Ireland without being offered a cup of tea and something to eat. But why is this? If we look at Irish mythology and old folk stories, Irish hospitality is mentioned frequently. When Bres, of the Tuatha Dé Danann, was High KingContinue reading “IRISH HOSPITALITY”