Mythic Ireland

by Michael Dames

Michael Dames surveys Ireland from a fifth province, "Mide" or "center", where the entire island is seen to be held in a web of prehistoric sites aligned with solar-lunar events.

Genres: History, Mythology, Ireland, Nonfiction, Irish Literature, Travel

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1992

Reviews

[P.K. Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book moved me intellectually and spiritually. Through stirring prose, Michael Dames opens a door into a world so extraordinary as to change your connection to the Earth. He visits each of the five provinces of Ireland as physical and metaphysical locations, wherein we learn of epoch civilizations through remnants of their architecture and their myth, tied always to gods and goddesses of the earth and sky. Michael Dames transcends his topic, moving us beyond "information" to a place where we embody the majesty and mystery of Mythic Ireland. I will read this book over and over again to absorb its secrets, to expand my awareness of the world, and to expand my soul.

[Mahmoud Awad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Examination of Neolithic Irish mythology in five parts. Astrotheological correspondence dominates. The "wheel of the year" principle, cyclical nature and rebirth from Samhain to Lammas, and so on. You will likely find a remarkably similarity among aboriginal Gaels, Australians, North Americans and Siberians, for their particular animist tendencies, abundance of stone mound-making, and coded phallic/yonic symbols familiar to Eliade, Jung readers. Matriarchal godheads are featured in a way reminiscent of Graves' The White Goddess. Fifth star withheld only for limited focus. Highly worthy of examination besides.

[Bbearbeez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intellectual work, so quite a dense book to read, but super interesting! I'm not very familiar with Irish mythology at all, so while this book didn't really get into different stories and timelines, it gave me a great insight into some of the underlying principles and beliefs. I REALLY enjoyed the spatial analysis in relation to a lot of the stories and sacred places that the author explored. I genuinely wasn't expecting such a heavy read, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I learnt.

[Cicely · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite part was was the chapter about Patrick and the Hag. As a student of Celtic Mythology, even this author wrote about things I had never heard about.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Not for the casual reader.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only read some of the book for a research paper I was writing. It helped me to an extent.

[Tiffany Browning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disregard, for my notes only - own hard cover

[Lisa]

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[Dreamersemporium]

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