Ireland's Trees & Mythology
@treefolklore.bsky.social
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Bird's-foot trefoil is a favourite among pollinators in Ireland and has more colloquial names than any other flowering plant with a personal favourite being "Granny's Toenails" ✨
Children once brought it to class in their pockets to protect against the malign attentions of overly strict teachers 💛
Children once brought it to class in their pockets to protect against the malign attentions of overly strict teachers 💛
Nettle, known as 'neantóg' in Irish, is a nutritious plant and vital part of our ecosystem that supports over 40 species of insects 🦋
In parts of England, people once believed that grasping a nettle and pulling it from the ground would cure a family member suffering from fever 🌿
In parts of England, people once believed that grasping a nettle and pulling it from the ground would cure a family member suffering from fever 🌿
January 27, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Nettle, known as 'neantóg' in Irish, is a nutritious plant and vital part of our ecosystem that supports over 40 species of insects 🦋
In parts of England, people once believed that grasping a nettle and pulling it from the ground would cure a family member suffering from fever 🌿
In parts of England, people once believed that grasping a nettle and pulling it from the ground would cure a family member suffering from fever 🌿
This little lady lives along the path to one of Ireland's most wonderful stone circles....and she's always watching....
January 27, 2026 at 3:00 PM
This little lady lives along the path to one of Ireland's most wonderful stone circles....and she's always watching....
With it's red berries the Rowan is known for its protective qualities against fire and fairies 🍒
It was common to keep a sprig in the home to ward off fairies that sought to set fire to the building and in Scotland its wood was included in the construction of chimneys to protect the home 🔥
It was common to keep a sprig in the home to ward off fairies that sought to set fire to the building and in Scotland its wood was included in the construction of chimneys to protect the home 🔥
January 27, 2026 at 12:22 PM
With it's red berries the Rowan is known for its protective qualities against fire and fairies 🍒
It was common to keep a sprig in the home to ward off fairies that sought to set fire to the building and in Scotland its wood was included in the construction of chimneys to protect the home 🔥
It was common to keep a sprig in the home to ward off fairies that sought to set fire to the building and in Scotland its wood was included in the construction of chimneys to protect the home 🔥
"The old women are most learned, but will not readily talk, for the fairies are very secretive, and much resent being talked of"
W.B. Yeats
W.B. Yeats
January 27, 2026 at 9:58 AM
"The old women are most learned, but will not readily talk, for the fairies are very secretive, and much resent being talked of"
W.B. Yeats
W.B. Yeats
A tale tells of how a young, colourless snow once begged the flowers to share with it their colours but was refused by all except for the humble Snowdrop who eagerly shared its bright white with the snow ❄️
In return the snow protected the Snowdrop during the cold and promised to never harm it 🩵
In return the snow protected the Snowdrop during the cold and promised to never harm it 🩵
January 27, 2026 at 8:47 AM
A tale tells of how a young, colourless snow once begged the flowers to share with it their colours but was refused by all except for the humble Snowdrop who eagerly shared its bright white with the snow ❄️
In return the snow protected the Snowdrop during the cold and promised to never harm it 🩵
In return the snow protected the Snowdrop during the cold and promised to never harm it 🩵
Má dhá Cheo "The Plain of the Two Mists" an enchanted place in Irish mythology that we can only hope to reach...some people believe that by simply wanting to be there a part of us will be ☁️
January 26, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Má dhá Cheo "The Plain of the Two Mists" an enchanted place in Irish mythology that we can only hope to reach...some people believe that by simply wanting to be there a part of us will be ☁️
Ray Church was founded in the 6th Century a little way from Falcarragh in County Donegal....and just a little more than 1000 years later the congregation were massacred by the troops of Oliver Cromwell.
The folk were buried in a mass grave known as Lag na gCnámh' or 'Resting Place of the Bones'
The folk were buried in a mass grave known as Lag na gCnámh' or 'Resting Place of the Bones'
January 26, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Ray Church was founded in the 6th Century a little way from Falcarragh in County Donegal....and just a little more than 1000 years later the congregation were massacred by the troops of Oliver Cromwell.
The folk were buried in a mass grave known as Lag na gCnámh' or 'Resting Place of the Bones'
The folk were buried in a mass grave known as Lag na gCnámh' or 'Resting Place of the Bones'
In Irish folklore the Elder was feared and its magic often centred on threats to children...
It was once firmly believed that a crib made from Elder wood would invite disaster and that the fairies, whose dwelling had been disturbed, would sicken the baby...and in time steal the child away 🧚🏻♀️🔥
It was once firmly believed that a crib made from Elder wood would invite disaster and that the fairies, whose dwelling had been disturbed, would sicken the baby...and in time steal the child away 🧚🏻♀️🔥
January 26, 2026 at 9:57 AM
In Irish folklore the Elder was feared and its magic often centred on threats to children...
It was once firmly believed that a crib made from Elder wood would invite disaster and that the fairies, whose dwelling had been disturbed, would sicken the baby...and in time steal the child away 🧚🏻♀️🔥
It was once firmly believed that a crib made from Elder wood would invite disaster and that the fairies, whose dwelling had been disturbed, would sicken the baby...and in time steal the child away 🧚🏻♀️🔥
When these three (bad haircuts & all) and their little sister walk through these Donegal mountains in decades to come the view couldn't be more different to what it is now. Reducrd grazing is allowing the scraps of existing rainforest to expand and I just wish I could be there to see it with them 🌳☘️
August 9, 2025 at 8:37 PM
When these three (bad haircuts & all) and their little sister walk through these Donegal mountains in decades to come the view couldn't be more different to what it is now. Reducrd grazing is allowing the scraps of existing rainforest to expand and I just wish I could be there to see it with them 🌳☘️
Barnstokkr was an Oak 🌳 in Norse myth that grew within the Hall of King Vǫlsungr, it's canopy reaching out towards the sky ☀️
During a feast, a bare foot, hooded & one eyed stranger entered & plunged a sword deep into the 🌳
Nobles tried in turn but none except the King's son could pull it free 👁️🗡️
During a feast, a bare foot, hooded & one eyed stranger entered & plunged a sword deep into the 🌳
Nobles tried in turn but none except the King's son could pull it free 👁️🗡️
August 9, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Barnstokkr was an Oak 🌳 in Norse myth that grew within the Hall of King Vǫlsungr, it's canopy reaching out towards the sky ☀️
During a feast, a bare foot, hooded & one eyed stranger entered & plunged a sword deep into the 🌳
Nobles tried in turn but none except the King's son could pull it free 👁️🗡️
During a feast, a bare foot, hooded & one eyed stranger entered & plunged a sword deep into the 🌳
Nobles tried in turn but none except the King's son could pull it free 👁️🗡️
A doorway composed of Hawthorn, Elder and even a Bramble Arch....there is every chance that if you pass through here you will not find yourself standing in the field that you see 🌾✨
August 8, 2025 at 8:00 AM
A doorway composed of Hawthorn, Elder and even a Bramble Arch....there is every chance that if you pass through here you will not find yourself standing in the field that you see 🌾✨
In Ireland, the Bramble is called Dris and now that it is August and Halloween isn't too far away it is time to start looking for your own Bramble arch 🌿🎃
If you crawl through it on Samhain it will give you the power to summon demons who will do your bidding for the night 👹👻
If you crawl through it on Samhain it will give you the power to summon demons who will do your bidding for the night 👹👻
August 7, 2025 at 9:12 AM
In Ireland, the Bramble is called Dris and now that it is August and Halloween isn't too far away it is time to start looking for your own Bramble arch 🌿🎃
If you crawl through it on Samhain it will give you the power to summon demons who will do your bidding for the night 👹👻
If you crawl through it on Samhain it will give you the power to summon demons who will do your bidding for the night 👹👻
Bird's-foot trefoil is a favourite among pollinators in Ireland and has more colloquial names than any other flowering plant with a personal favourite being "Granny's Toenails" ✨
Children once brought it to class in their pockets to protect against the malign attentions of overly strict teachers 💛
Children once brought it to class in their pockets to protect against the malign attentions of overly strict teachers 💛
July 8, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Bird's-foot trefoil is a favourite among pollinators in Ireland and has more colloquial names than any other flowering plant with a personal favourite being "Granny's Toenails" ✨
Children once brought it to class in their pockets to protect against the malign attentions of overly strict teachers 💛
Children once brought it to class in their pockets to protect against the malign attentions of overly strict teachers 💛
Ribwort grows by footpaths, rivers...anywhere really. Good news for the pollinators who adore it 🐝🦋
Chewed up & applied to battle wounds it is believed that this plant has strong curative powers⚔️
But be careful as if the wind changes as a person picks it they will descend into madness 🧚🏻♂️✨
Chewed up & applied to battle wounds it is believed that this plant has strong curative powers⚔️
But be careful as if the wind changes as a person picks it they will descend into madness 🧚🏻♂️✨
July 7, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Ribwort grows by footpaths, rivers...anywhere really. Good news for the pollinators who adore it 🐝🦋
Chewed up & applied to battle wounds it is believed that this plant has strong curative powers⚔️
But be careful as if the wind changes as a person picks it they will descend into madness 🧚🏻♂️✨
Chewed up & applied to battle wounds it is believed that this plant has strong curative powers⚔️
But be careful as if the wind changes as a person picks it they will descend into madness 🧚🏻♂️✨
In Norse folklore, the Foxglove was a gift to the foxes from mischievous fairies🌷🌿
Intended as socks to cushion & silence the feet of the fox allowing them to quietly enter the chicken coop of an unsuspecting human 🦊🩷
Intended as socks to cushion & silence the feet of the fox allowing them to quietly enter the chicken coop of an unsuspecting human 🦊🩷
July 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
In Norse folklore, the Foxglove was a gift to the foxes from mischievous fairies🌷🌿
Intended as socks to cushion & silence the feet of the fox allowing them to quietly enter the chicken coop of an unsuspecting human 🦊🩷
Intended as socks to cushion & silence the feet of the fox allowing them to quietly enter the chicken coop of an unsuspecting human 🦊🩷
Known in as Lasair choille "Forest Flame", this fledgling Goldfinch has yet to develop the incandescent red facial markings that give it it's name 🔥
A group of Goldfinches is known as "a charm" & they are known to gather where fairies live, often being seen around fairy forts and Hawthorn trees 🪨🌳
A group of Goldfinches is known as "a charm" & they are known to gather where fairies live, often being seen around fairy forts and Hawthorn trees 🪨🌳
July 5, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Known in as Lasair choille "Forest Flame", this fledgling Goldfinch has yet to develop the incandescent red facial markings that give it it's name 🔥
A group of Goldfinches is known as "a charm" & they are known to gather where fairies live, often being seen around fairy forts and Hawthorn trees 🪨🌳
A group of Goldfinches is known as "a charm" & they are known to gather where fairies live, often being seen around fairy forts and Hawthorn trees 🪨🌳
The rich red berries make the Rowan a must have when it comes to keeping evil away 🍒💀
Red is considered the most potent colour when it comes to warding off evil whilst the five pointed star that can be found opposite the stalk forms a pentagram which has been used to ward off evil for centuries ❤️🌿
Red is considered the most potent colour when it comes to warding off evil whilst the five pointed star that can be found opposite the stalk forms a pentagram which has been used to ward off evil for centuries ❤️🌿
July 4, 2025 at 10:56 AM
The rich red berries make the Rowan a must have when it comes to keeping evil away 🍒💀
Red is considered the most potent colour when it comes to warding off evil whilst the five pointed star that can be found opposite the stalk forms a pentagram which has been used to ward off evil for centuries ❤️🌿
Red is considered the most potent colour when it comes to warding off evil whilst the five pointed star that can be found opposite the stalk forms a pentagram which has been used to ward off evil for centuries ❤️🌿
Rosebay Willow herb🩷
How can a plant so magnificent be considered an unwanted pest🌷
Whilst picking the leaves of plants such as Nettles will protect you against the elements it is said that picking Rosebay Willow herb will invoke thunderstorms ⛈️🔥
How can a plant so magnificent be considered an unwanted pest🌷
Whilst picking the leaves of plants such as Nettles will protect you against the elements it is said that picking Rosebay Willow herb will invoke thunderstorms ⛈️🔥
July 3, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Rosebay Willow herb🩷
How can a plant so magnificent be considered an unwanted pest🌷
Whilst picking the leaves of plants such as Nettles will protect you against the elements it is said that picking Rosebay Willow herb will invoke thunderstorms ⛈️🔥
How can a plant so magnificent be considered an unwanted pest🌷
Whilst picking the leaves of plants such as Nettles will protect you against the elements it is said that picking Rosebay Willow herb will invoke thunderstorms ⛈️🔥
Knapweed on the banks of the neolithic Giants Ring 💜🌿
A valuable food source for pollinating insects Knapweed helps to keep evil away 🦋
It is used in love divination & if a woman places a Knapweed bud in her pocket & it blooms shortly thereafter then she will surely soon meet her future husband 💜✨
A valuable food source for pollinating insects Knapweed helps to keep evil away 🦋
It is used in love divination & if a woman places a Knapweed bud in her pocket & it blooms shortly thereafter then she will surely soon meet her future husband 💜✨
July 2, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Knapweed on the banks of the neolithic Giants Ring 💜🌿
A valuable food source for pollinating insects Knapweed helps to keep evil away 🦋
It is used in love divination & if a woman places a Knapweed bud in her pocket & it blooms shortly thereafter then she will surely soon meet her future husband 💜✨
A valuable food source for pollinating insects Knapweed helps to keep evil away 🦋
It is used in love divination & if a woman places a Knapweed bud in her pocket & it blooms shortly thereafter then she will surely soon meet her future husband 💜✨
Known in Ireland as "Beathnua", St John's Wort was one of the most important medicinal herbs in Europe🌼💛
it is entirely repugnant to evil spirits and when grown in or around the home it was thought to keep a family content and both the home and any livestock fruitful and full of life 👻✨
it is entirely repugnant to evil spirits and when grown in or around the home it was thought to keep a family content and both the home and any livestock fruitful and full of life 👻✨
July 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Known in Ireland as "Beathnua", St John's Wort was one of the most important medicinal herbs in Europe🌼💛
it is entirely repugnant to evil spirits and when grown in or around the home it was thought to keep a family content and both the home and any livestock fruitful and full of life 👻✨
it is entirely repugnant to evil spirits and when grown in or around the home it was thought to keep a family content and both the home and any livestock fruitful and full of life 👻✨
In Norse mythology, just as in #Celtic myth, the Apple is associated with love, beauty and immortaliy 💕
Iðunn is the Goddess tasked with keeping the apples that grant the Aesir Gods their eternal youth and longevity. Without them, it is said, that they would either and die 🍏
⚰️
Iðunn is the Goddess tasked with keeping the apples that grant the Aesir Gods their eternal youth and longevity. Without them, it is said, that they would either and die 🍏
⚰️
July 1, 2025 at 10:39 AM
In Norse mythology, just as in #Celtic myth, the Apple is associated with love, beauty and immortaliy 💕
Iðunn is the Goddess tasked with keeping the apples that grant the Aesir Gods their eternal youth and longevity. Without them, it is said, that they would either and die 🍏
⚰️
Iðunn is the Goddess tasked with keeping the apples that grant the Aesir Gods their eternal youth and longevity. Without them, it is said, that they would either and die 🍏
⚰️
Marsh Marigold brings a golden yellow glow to Irish swamps 🌼💛
Protecting against the efforts of ill intentioned fairies, it was woven into garlands with other protective flowers to protect both cattle sheds and milk containers from mischievous magical folk seeking to turn the milk✨🐮🥛
Protecting against the efforts of ill intentioned fairies, it was woven into garlands with other protective flowers to protect both cattle sheds and milk containers from mischievous magical folk seeking to turn the milk✨🐮🥛
June 9, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Marsh Marigold brings a golden yellow glow to Irish swamps 🌼💛
Protecting against the efforts of ill intentioned fairies, it was woven into garlands with other protective flowers to protect both cattle sheds and milk containers from mischievous magical folk seeking to turn the milk✨🐮🥛
Protecting against the efforts of ill intentioned fairies, it was woven into garlands with other protective flowers to protect both cattle sheds and milk containers from mischievous magical folk seeking to turn the milk✨🐮🥛
Just lose yourself in the yellow haze 🌼✨
May 22, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Just lose yourself in the yellow haze 🌼✨
Why are we lied to about wildflowers in Ireland and the UK?
As a society we have been taught to think that anything growing wild is a weed & if the grass grows beyond the sole of a shoe it must be cut. As of yesterday these white and red Clover flowers are gone & soon so will the bees🔥💮🌸
As a society we have been taught to think that anything growing wild is a weed & if the grass grows beyond the sole of a shoe it must be cut. As of yesterday these white and red Clover flowers are gone & soon so will the bees🔥💮🌸
May 20, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Why are we lied to about wildflowers in Ireland and the UK?
As a society we have been taught to think that anything growing wild is a weed & if the grass grows beyond the sole of a shoe it must be cut. As of yesterday these white and red Clover flowers are gone & soon so will the bees🔥💮🌸
As a society we have been taught to think that anything growing wild is a weed & if the grass grows beyond the sole of a shoe it must be cut. As of yesterday these white and red Clover flowers are gone & soon so will the bees🔥💮🌸
In Irish folklore the Fox has a long established bond with the Fairies 🦊🧚🏻
Acting as a messenger & guardian of their doorways the little folk gifted each Fox a magical Pearl as a token of their friendship 🧡
Should you find such such a Pearl it will be bestow upon you tremendous good luck 🦪🪄
Acting as a messenger & guardian of their doorways the little folk gifted each Fox a magical Pearl as a token of their friendship 🧡
Should you find such such a Pearl it will be bestow upon you tremendous good luck 🦪🪄
May 19, 2025 at 8:52 AM
In Irish folklore the Fox has a long established bond with the Fairies 🦊🧚🏻
Acting as a messenger & guardian of their doorways the little folk gifted each Fox a magical Pearl as a token of their friendship 🧡
Should you find such such a Pearl it will be bestow upon you tremendous good luck 🦪🪄
Acting as a messenger & guardian of their doorways the little folk gifted each Fox a magical Pearl as a token of their friendship 🧡
Should you find such such a Pearl it will be bestow upon you tremendous good luck 🦪🪄