The Hag of Beara
That's Ancient History
•
4m 16s
The Hag of Beara, also known as the Hag of Winter, was a mythical figure that predated Christianity in Ireland. She was regarded by people as the mother protector / creator of the landscape. Like many pagan gods and traditions, she did not escape the intolerant wave of Christianity that swept across Ireland in the 5th century. But the legend of this Celtic goddess of winter lives on in southwest Ireland. Producer and presenter Matt Sullivan explores the local folklore that still survives about the Hag.
Up Next in That's Ancient History
-
Medusa with Natalie Haynes: Episode One
History Hit goes on a remarkable journey with classicist Natalie Haynes to the beautiful Greek island of Corfu to discover the truth behind the myth of Medusa: a woman who both beguiles and terrifies us.
In this first episode, Natalie explores the roots of the extraordinary myth and follows it ...
-
The Trojan Horse: On the Trail of a Myth
The history of the Trojan horse is probably one of the most famous stories ever told.
A gigantic wooden horse is loaded with Greek soldiers and presented to the Trojans as a gift. Unsuspecting, they swallow the bait and pull the horse into the city. Under cover of darkness the Greeks slip out of...
-
Decoding the Roman Dead
Colchester Museums have been working with archaeologists and specialists to ‘decode’ the hidden stories of 40 of Colchester’s earliest inhabitants.
Through new scientific research techniques, they have reconstructed the identity and lives of these people: where they came from in the empire, wha...