Mythology & Folklore

Photograph of Modern Storytelling in Longford Library

Photograph of Modern Storytelling in Longford Library

Photograph of Modern Storytelling in Longford Library

Photograph of Modern Storytelling in Longford Library

Photograph of Modern Storytelling in Longford Library

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Photograph of Saint Guasacht's, Granardkille

Photograph of Saint Guasacht's, Granardkille taken by Jimmy Lennon

Photograph of Saint Guasacht's, Granardkille

Photograph of Saint Guasacht's, Granardkille

Photograph of Saint Guasacht's, Granardkille taken by Jimmy Lennon

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Mythology includes a range of stories relating to the origins of a people, their development, their gods and heroes. Folklore is similar, but broader. It includes the 'oral tradition': historical stories; stories of the supernatural; superstitions and beliefs; and lore concerning objects, animals and nature.
 

A feature of all parts of Ireland is the 'holy well'. Longford has many such as those in the Granard and Abbeylara areas. In many instances, holy wells were pre-Christian sites that were 'converted' when the new religion became established. Others had supernatural qualities attributed to them later. In all cases, the water is said to have the power to cure certain ailments.
 

Some are close to early Christian sites, such as St Patrick's Well, near the reputed location of St Guasacht's church, Granard.
 

Much folklore has been collected by the Irish Folklore Commission and its successor, the Department of Irish Folklore, U.C.D. One of the best-known collectors in the midlands was the late James Delaney, who recorded many people in Longford, including Peter McDermott of Moydow. The resulting archive is extremely valuable as a source for local historians.
 

'The Sleeping Beauty of Lough Gowna' is an example of how an unusual episode entered the folklore of an area.