Many Neo-pagan religions such as

Wicca Wicca () is a modern Pagan religion. Scholars of religion categorise it as both a new religious movement and as part of the occultist stream of Western esotericism. It was developed in England during the first half of the 20th century and w ...

Druidry A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...

and Celtic Polytheism have active followings in

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

, although the number of declared adherents is likely quite small. Prior to 1990, Neo-pagan groups in Ireland tended to be regarded as eccentrics; however since then their profile has risen considerably. This is due to several reasons. The decline in influence of the

Catholic The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide . It is among the world's oldest and largest international institutions, and has played a ...

church has prompted many to explore other belief systems. Discoveries of previously unknown astronomical alignments at stone circles, mountains and burial sites have indicated that the ancient Irish were more technologically advanced than previously thought. Extensive road and motorway development since the mid-1990s has endangered several Celtic heritage sites, and Neo-pagan groups have frequently been involved in protests against these works. The highest-profile protests were against the proposed M3 motorway, which cuts through the Tara-Skryne or

Gabhra ''Cath Gabhra'' (English language, English: ''The Battle of Gabhair'' or ''Gowra'') is a narrative of the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. It tells of the destruction of the fianna and the deaths of most of its warriors in a battle against the for ...

valley in

County Meath County Meath (; gle, Contae na Mí or simply ) is a county in the Eastern and Midland Region of Ireland, within the province of Leinster. It is bordered by Dublin to the southeast, Louth to the northeast, Kildare to the south, Offaly to the ...

and close to the

Hill of Tara The Hill of Tara ( ga, Teamhair or ) is a hill and ancient ceremonial and burial site near Skryne in County Meath, Ireland. Tradition identifies the hill as the inauguration place and seat of the High Kings of Ireland; it also appears in I ...

, the traditional seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Druidic groups in particular have been heavily involved in protesting the motorway's development. In addition, Pagan Federation Ireland achieved a notable victory when their campaigning resulted in Pagan celebrants winning the right to conduct legally-binding Pagan weddings. Pagan celebrants can gain their licence to conduct such weddings in a variety of ways, the two most common being through membership and certification through Pagan Federation Ireland, or membership and certification through an organisation known as Pagan Life Rites.

Wicca in Ireland

A number of Wiccan temples and covens exist in Ireland. Teampall Na Calliaghe based in Kells, Co. Meath is run by

Janet Farrar Janet Farrar (born Janet Owen on 24 June 1950) is a British teacher and author of books on Wicca and Neopaganism. Along with her two husbands, Stewart Farrar and Gavin Bone, she has published "some of the most influential books on modern Witch ...

and Gavin Bone; who have also published a number of books on Wicca. Author Lora O'Brien, who has published works specifically dealing with witchcraft in Ireland is not involved in Wicca anymore, but now runs a monthly moot (a social and networking meeting) in County

Waterford "Waterford remains the untaken city" , mapsize = 220px , pushpin_map = Ireland#Europe , pushpin_map_caption = Location within Ireland##Location within Europe , pushpin_relief = 1 , coordinates ...

Druidry in Ireland

There are a number of well-established Druidic groups in Ireland: * The Irish College of Druids * Ireland's Druid School based in

Castlerea Castlerea (; ) is the third largest town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located in the west of the county and had a population of 1,992 at the 2016 Census. Roughly translated from Irish, Castlerea is generally thought to mean 'brindled ca ...

, County

Roscommon Roscommon (; ) is the county town and the largest town in County Roscommon in Ireland. It is roughly in the centre of Ireland, near the meeting of the N60, N61 and N63 roads. The name Roscommon is derived from Coman mac Faelchon who buil ...

represents "a spiritual path connecting the three realms and the three cauldrons with natural time and may not be seen as a religion" Eimear Burke, who in 2020 took up the role of Chosen chief of OBOD (The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids) resides in Kilkenny, and runs The Kilkenny Druid Grove. The Irish Druid Network website is a useful source for news and maintains a comprehensive list of Druidic schools, groves and other resources, founded by Luke Eastwood and Wil Kinghan.

Neo-Pagan events in Ireland

The Eigse Spiorad Cheilteach (Celtic Spirit Festival) has been held every year for the last 9 years, and features speakers, rituals and a night Court (an open space for sharing poetry, song and other creative works). Founded by Luke Eastwood, it is now under the stewardship of Anna Ní Cút, Paul O'Corcoran and Eimear Burke.

References

{{Neopaganism Religion in the Republic of Ireland

Wicca in Ireland

Druidry in Ireland

Neo-Pagan events in Ireland

See also

References