The Luchramán, or Leprechaun

Illustration from 1900 of a Luchramán

The Luchramán, which is anglicised as Leprechaun. They are mentioned in an 8th Century manuscript, which is a old reference even at that point in time. They have been around for a very long time it seems.  They are a diminutive Otherworld race, one of the lesser Sí (the Faeries). 

They and several similar beings migrated to the New World during the 1700s, along with the Ulster Migration. They were well known in the Backsettlements and Uplands where Ulster folk settled in large numbers. There are several races of them, but they are known in the aggregate as Jackros.  

They are most numerous in the Southern Uplands in Appalachia; perhaps best know in the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina. There are small groups of them in the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkansas, and the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas. However, there are sporadic accounts of them throughout the United States and Canada. 

Jackros are similar to the French Lutins. Lutins are another diminutive race of the Otherworld and they also migrated to the New World. They are found in those areas of large French settlements, such as Quebec, Newfoundland, parts of the northern USA, and even in south Louisiana. A Lutin is also called a Nain Rouge, i.e. a Red Dwarf.

a Lutin

The Jackros were well known and often seen from the 1700s well into the early 20th century, but of late, there has been very few sightings of them. On a personal note, I do know a few people that have seen one, on several occasions. I will write about this in more detail in a future post.

Link:  Finding the McCains

© Barry R McCain 2019

     

Lúnasa 2019... Castellano

Lúnasa es uno de los festivales más antiguos que tenemos en las Islas. En la ortografía gaélica moderna, es Lúnasa, la ortografía gaélica más antigua es Lúghnasa, en gaélico escocés, lùnastal y en luanistino gaélico manés. El festival marca el final de la temporada de crecimiento y la llegada del otoño. Lugh está presente para bendecir la cosecha y garantizar su protección.

 

Lugh

El festival se observa en Irlanda, Escocia, la Isla de Man y en toda la diáspora del pueblo gaélico. La etimología de Lúnasa es del antiguo gaélico Lug (el dios) y násad (asamblea). Lúnasa es el comienzo de la temporada de cosecha. Lúnasa se ha celebrado durante más de tres mil años. Tradicionalmente, se celebra el 1 de agosto y los días circundantes. Este es el tiempo entre el solsticio de verano y el equinoccio de otoño. Lúnasa es uno de los cuatro festivales de temporada gaélicos, junto con Samhain, Imbolc y Lá Bealtaine.

Cuervos y cuervos tótem animales de Lugh

Lúnasa se menciona en la literatura gaélica más antigua y era antigua incluso en los primeros tiempos cristianos. El festival lleva el nombre del dios Lugh, quien es uno de los antiguos dioses del Gael. Lúnasa incluye ceremonias religiosas, concursos deportivos, emparejamientos, visitas a pozos sagrados y árboles de hadas, y días especiales de mercado. En la antigüedad, el festival incluía la degustación de los 'primeros frutos' y las elaboradas fiestas, el sacrificio de un toro, las porciones de arándanos y un juego ritual y baile donde Lugh toma y protege la cosecha para la gente de las tribus

Una imagen precristiana de Lugh de Francia

Lúnasa disfrutó de una gran popularidad hasta bien entrado el siglo XX, pero se desvaneció a mediados de siglo, ya que la modernidad y su materialismo asesino de almas pusieron énfasis en estas viejas costumbres ... pero, afortunadamente, Lúnasa ha visto un gran renacimiento en los últimos años. Los festivales, ferias y actividades de Lúnasa están creciendo en popularidad. El festival y los eventos relacionados sobreviven bajo diferentes nombres, como Crom Dubh Sunday, Garland Sunday, Bilberry Sunday, Mountain Sunday. Lúnasa se ha incorporado al ritual cristiano con San Patricio reemplazando a Crom, en la peregrinación a la cima de Croagh Patrick el último domingo de julio. Crom Dubh y Crom Cruach son denominaciones post cristianas, dos de las muchas nominaciones de Dagda. En parte de la tradición, Dagda también está presente en Lúnasa.



En el mito irlandés, Lúnasa comenzó como una fiesta fúnebre y una competencia atlética para conmemorar la muerte de Tailtiu, la madre adoptiva de Lugh. Las leyendas nos dicen que murió de agotamiento después de limpiar los campos de Irlanda para la agricultura. Tailtiu era la esposa del último rey Fir Bolg de Irlanda, antes de la llegada del Tuatha Dé Danann.

Disfrute de su Lúnasa ... Es el momento de comer un plato de carne y algunas de las frutas y verduras de la nueva cosecha, cocinar un pan y verter la cerveza. Este es un buen momento para tener un pequeño incendio en el pozo de fuego esta noche. Recordamos a nuestros antepasados ​​en tales ocasiones. Y vierta el primer sorbo de su libación en el suelo para honrar al viejo Lugh. Siempre es algo bueno que hacer.

Enlace: Encontrando a los McCains

© Barry R McCain 2019

Lúnasa 2019

Advertisement Logo Lúnasa 2019

Here we are again, another year and the return of Lúnasa.  Lúnasa is one of the oldest festivals we have in the Isles.  In modern Gaelic spelling, it is Lúnasa, the older Gaelic spelling is Lúghnasa, in Scots Gaelic, Lùnastal, and in Manx Gaelic Luanistyn. The festival marks the end of the growing season and the coming of Autumn. Lugh is present to bless the harvest and ensure its protection. 

The festival is observed in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and throughout the Diaspora of the Gaelic people. The etymology of Lúnasa is from the old Gaelic Lug (the god) and násad (assembly). Lúnasa is the start of the harvest season. Lúnasa has been celebrated over three thousand years. Traditionally, it is held on 1 August and the surrounding days. This is the time between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. Lúnasa is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lá Bealtaine.      

Ravens and Crows totem animals of Lugh

Lúnasa is mentioned in the earliest Gaelic literature and was ancient even by early Christian times.  The festival is named from the god Lugh, who is one of the ancient gods of the Gael.  Lúnasa includes religious ceremonies, sporting contests, matchmaking, visits to holy wells and Faery trees,  and special market days. In ancient times, the festival included the tasting of the ‘first fruits' and elaborate feasts, the sacrifice of a bull, servings of bilberries, and a ritual play and dance where Lugh takes and protects the harvest for the people of the tribes. 

A pre Christian image of Lugh from France

Lúnasa enjoyed great popularity well into the 20^th century, but waned in mid-century, as modernity and its soul killing materialism, put stress upon these old customs... but, fortunately, Lúnasa has seen a great revival in the last few years.  Lúnasa  festivals, fairs, and activities are growing in popularity.  The festival and related events survive under different names, such as Crom Dubh Sunday, Garland Sunday, Bilberry Sunday, Mountain Sunday.  Lúnasa has been incorporated in Christian ritual with Saint Patrick filling in for Crom, in the pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July. Crom Dubh and Crom Cruach are post Christian appellations, two of the many nomina of the Dagda. In some of the lore, Dagda also is present at Lúnasa.

In Irish myth Lúnasa began as a funeral feast and athletic competition to commemorate the death of Tailtiu,  the foster mother of Lugh.  The legends tell us that she died of exhaustion after clearing the fields of Ireland for agriculture. Tailtiu was the wife of the last Fir Bolg king of Ireland, before the coming of the Tuath Dé Danann.

Enjoy your Lúnasa... It is the time to have a plate of beef and some of the new harvest's fruits and vegetable, to cook a loaf, and pour the beer. This is a good time to have a wee fire out in the fire pit tonight. We remember our ancestors on such occasions. And do pour the first sip of your libation on the ground to honour the old guy Lugh. Always a good thing to do. 

Link:  Finding the McCains

© Barry R McCain 2019