Supernatural

Supernatural experiences abound in Irish Folklore.  The veil is thin between the concrete world and the other dimensions especially in the dark part of the year.  The stories are told by Teresa Flynn from Mountshannon, Paddy Murphy, Joe Jack Sexton and Martin Walsh from Mullagh, John Hastings from Quin, Bridie Mahony from Moughna, Peggy Hogan from Feakle, and Sean Crowe from Broadford.GLOSSARY OF TERMSBanshee or 'Bean sí' a female spirit in Irish and other folklores whose appearance or wailing warns of impending death'Cóiste bodhar' or Death Coach: a harbinger of death.'Habit': Attire for dead person, similar to monk's habit.  Sold in local shops.  A plenary indulgence (Catholic faith) was gained if the hand of the dying person was put through the sleeve of the habit before they died.'Ragairne' / 'going on ragairne': night visiting to neighbours' houses'Piseogs': A form of folk magic, always malevolent. Performed to cause misfortune to someone, such as burying eggs or an animal carcass on someone's land. 'Making a churn': making butter'Scillanes': seed potatoes'Sock of the plough': metal part of a plough'Bittling': a way of washing clothes in the river by slapping them on a wooden block (a bittle). This sound was offered as an explanation for the handclap sometimes heard when the Banshee appeared.Series 2 of The Clare Oral History Podcast is supported by The Ireland FundsFollow Cuimhneamh an Chláir on Instagram, Facebook, X or LinkedIn