What is an Irish fairy tree?
Fairy trees in Ireland are known as either Hawthorn trees or Ash trees. The hawthorn tree is thought to be a sacred meeting place for the fairies and cutting down a lone hawthorn tree is avoided at all costs. The Fairy trees are believed to bring luck to its owners and bring prosperity to the land where they lay.
What tree is associated with fairies?
Hawthorn trees
Hawthorn trees are also known as “fairy trees”. It is believed that fairies (or the sidhe) live underground and in certain trees, namely the hawthorn.
What is a faerie tree?
The traditional Celtic folklore in Ireland tells that a lone Hawthorne tree growing in the middle of a field is called a fairy (or faerie) tree. These wee folk are very protective of their portals – and legend has it, will severely punish those who damage or cut down their trees.
How do you know if it’s a fairy tree?
A fairy tree is usually a Hawthorn tree or an Ash tree. They stand alone in fields and are commonly found with large stones circling its base, most likely to protect it.
What is the difference between a faerie and a fairy?
The difference between fairy and faerie is that a fairy is a young, kind and pure spirit whereas a faerie is a mischievous, evil, and horrid creature.
What do fairy forts look like?
The structures usually make up the shape of a raised circle which is indented with bushes and trees. It has been said down through the annals of Irish history that fairy forts are places where all sorts of mysterious happenings take place.
What are the three fairy trees?
Blackthorn, hawthorn and rowan: these three trees hold a special place in British hearts and imaginations. They crop up in unusual places, in towns and cities as well as the countryside.
Where is the fairy tree?
But none of those truly has the magical pull of Ireland’s Fairy Tree in County Clare. Also referred to as a fairy bush, the tree so powerful it stalled a planned motorway for 10 years while the county and thoroughly annoyed engineers devised a way to construct the highway to go around, or maybe beat around the bush.
Is it bad luck to cut down a hawthorn tree?
Hawthorn – the fairy tree The Hawthorn is Known in Ireland as the fairy tree. As it is considered a fairy tree, it is believed to be extremely bad luck to cut one down, remove branches, or even hang things upon it (except at Beltane when this was customary) in case you disturb the little folk.
What happens when you give a fairy your name?
If a faerie asks for your name and you say it, you’re giving them power (and possibly complete control) over you. The best thing to do in this situation is to give the faerie a made-up name or your nickname. However, if you know their name and say it, then they will leave you alone.
How does fairy look like?
Fairies are tiny, often beautiful human-like creatures (sometimes with wings) that appear in legends and folklore around the world. Fairies come in many races and tribes, and are also said to vary in size and shape; though most are small, some change size and become man-size or larger if they choose.
What is a Lios in Ireland?
Fairy forts (also known as lios or raths from the Irish, referring to an earthen mound) are the remains of stone circles, ringforts, hillforts, or other circular prehistoric dwellings in Ireland.
Where to find magical fairy trees in the Irish countryside?
Fairy Trees dot green fields all over the Irish countryside. They are often easy to spot as lone fixtures within a meadow or along a rock wall. Once you find one, you’ll start to see them everywhere! The first fairy tree we found in Ireland was on the Hill of Tara – a magical place to visit in itself! Hill of Tara – Fairy Tree
What exactly is a fairy tree?
A fairy tree is usually a Hawthorn tree or an Ash tree. They stand alone in fields and are commonly found with large stones circling its base, most likely to protect it. What’s mysterious about these large stones is how they came to be at the tree, the landowners wouldn’t dare disrupt the wee folk.
Are there really fairies in Ireland?
Types of Irish Fairies Banshee. Also known as ‘bean-sidhe,’ or ‘woman of the fairy,’ the Banshee is a harbinger of death. Leprechaun. The Leprechaun is arguably the most famous Irish fairy of them all. Pooka. Also spelled Puca, this Irish fairy is one to fear because he appears after nightfall and can transform its shape into all manner of horrific forms. Dullahan. Changelings.
What is the fairy tree in Ireland?
Hawthorn – the fairy tree. The Hawthorn is Known in Ireland as the fairy tree. It is often referred to as the gentle bush, lone bush or thorn, as it is disrespectful to mention the fairies by name. As it is considered a fairy tree, it is believed to be extremely bad luck to cut one down, remove branches, or even hang things upon it…