Celtic Myth & legend

The Manx nation has a rich cultural heritage and folklore. The Celtic myths, legends, traditional beliefs, customs, and stories of the Isle of Man (Mannin) have been passed from generation to generation, much of it through oral tradition. The importance of folklore to a nation should not be underestimated. It encompasses the traditions common to that culture and shared by its people.

Many entities exist in Manx mythology. Creatures that can rise from the rivers and the sea, emerge from cavernous depths and spring out of rocks. Variations of stories featuring each of these mysterious beings have been told on the Isle of Man for many centuries.

Sophia Morrison (24 May 1859 – 14 January 1917) was a Manx cultural activist, folklore collector and author. She saw the importance of what it meant to be Manx and helped record and identify the different features that make up Manx culture. In Preface to Manx Proverbs and Sayings, 1905, which she co-authored with Carl Roeder, Sophia Morrison wrote:

Aberfoyle (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Phuill) is a village that lies inside the Lomond & Trossachs National Park (Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean). Seen as a gateway to the Trossachs, Aberfoyle is situated on the River Forth (Abhainn Dubh) at the foot of Craigmore. Loch Ard (Loch na h-Àirde) , Loch Chon, Loch Arklet and Loch Lomond (Loch Laomainnare) to the West, Loch Katrine (Loch Ceiteirein), Loch Achray and Loch Venachar (Loch Bheannchair) to the North and the Lake of Menteith (Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig), to the East. The village is an attractive place to visit with a number of connections to historical figures. One of the most famous being the Reverend Robert Kirk, 

Robert Kirk (9 December 1644 – 14 May 1692) was a minister, Gaelic scholar and folklorist. He was the seventh son of the minister of Aberfoyle. He went on to study theology and eventually became minister of Aberfoyle, from 1685 until his death in 1692. He is noted for providing the first translation to Gaelic of the book of Psalms, published at Edinburgh in 1684 as Psalma Dhaibhidh an Meadrachd, &c. He also helped in one of the first publications of the bible into Scottish Gaelic. However, it was for another work, The Secret Commonwealth, and the stories that surround his death that he is now best remembered. Robert Kirk had an interest in the supernatural, fairies, folk beliefs, second sight and traditional stories and beliefs held by the people of the Scottish Highlands. He collected and wrote about these tales in around 1691, although his work was not published in his lifetime. They were released by Scottish author Walter Scott in 1815, then later a second edition was published in 1893, under the title The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies.

Halloween in Scotland has its roots in Celtic pagan tradition. This old Celtic New Year celebration of Samhuinn (Scottish Gaelic) starts on the eve of 31st October when witches, fairies  and the spirits of the dead roam the countryside. The poem below was written by Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759-21 July 1796)

Upon that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downans dance,
Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze,
On sprightly coursers prance;
Or for Colean the route is ta'en,
Beneath the moon's pale beams;
There, up the cove, to stray and rove,
Among the rocks and streams
To sport that night.

Horses hold a special place in Celtic mythology and there are many examples of where they take on religious significance in Celtic legend. There are few, though, that are as magnificent as the horse known as Enbarr; some alternate name spellings are Aenbharr, Aonbharr and Énbarr. Described as Enbarr of the Flowing Mane, this horse is associated with the great Celtic Sea god Manannán mac Lir. He features in Irish, Scottish and Manx mythology and is Cognate with Manawydan fab Llŷr in Wales. Manannán is closely associated with the Isle of Man (Mannin) and it is from him that the Island derives its name. He is referred to as the first ruler of Mannin and ceremonies continue to be held on the Island in his honour. His role as a god of the Tuatha Dé Danann (Tuatha Dé) is recounted in many Celtic stories.

Stories of the Tuatha Dé have been told through medieval Irish literature which were based on much earlier tales handed down through oral traditions of storytelling. Manannán was known to have been a great magician and was in possession of a number of enchanted items with astounding magical powers. However, there is little to match his magnificent horse Enbarr of the Flowing Mane. This beautiful pure white horse could travel like the wind over land and sea.  Manannán lent Enbarr, along with other of his magical possessions to his foster son Lugh, who fought battles for the Tuatha Dé Danann in Ireland. Lugh is an important god of Irish mythology. He was sent to the Isle of Man as a boy to be schooled by Manannán in many skills and to become a great warrior. Manannán had him trained with his own sons in the use of arms, and he learned to hunt and to fish, to run and to swim. He grew tall and strong and brave. However, the time came, with his people the Tuatha Dé engaged in war in Ireland, for him to return home. Important in his quest was his magnificent Enbarr.