Fairy forts are usually the round banks of early medieval ringforts, about 45,000 of which were built across Ireland. Here’s what they really were, why folklore gave them to the aos sí, the taboos recorded in the Schools’ Collection, lone hawthorn fairy trees, the Latoon fairy bush and the Ennis bypass, the DeLorean legend, rag trees, the law, and how to say lios, ráth and sí.
The Salmon of Knowledge is the Irish legend of how young Fionn mac Cumhaill burned his thumb cooking a magic salmon from the River Boyne and won all its wisdom. Here’s the story retold from the medieval Irish text, plus Fionn’s hidden boyhood, the poet Finnegas, the thumb of knowledge, the Fianna, how he became the giant of the Giant’s Causeway, and how to pronounce Fionn mac Cumhaill.
Tír na nÓg, the Land of Youth, is the Irish Otherworld where nobody grows old. Here’s the legend of Oisín and Niamh of the Golden Head, retold from the 18th-century Irish poem: the white horse, 300 years over the sea, the stone in Glenasmole and the meeting with St Patrick, plus the much older Otherworld tales behind it, where the versions differ and how to pronounce Tír na nÓg and Oisín.
Lille, June 2016: Ireland need a win against Italy. In the 85th minute Robbie Brady heads in Wes Hoolahan’s cross. The highlights and the story of the night.
Brown Eyed Girl, recorded in 1967 by Belfast’s Van Morrison, went top ten in America and never left the dance floor. The story behind the song.
The Boys Are Back in Town took Thin Lizzy and Phil Lynott, raised in Crumlin, Dublin, around the world in 1976. The story of the song, the band and the statue.
Whiskey in the Jar is a traditional Irish song about a highwayman. How it went from The Dubliners to Thin Lizzy to a Grammy for Metallica.
In April 2021 Rachael Blackmore, from Co. Tipperary, became the first woman to win the Grand National, on Minella Times. Watch the race and read her story.
Paris, February 2018: Ireland trail France 13-12 with time up. 41 phases later, Johnny Sexton lands a 45-metre drop goal and a Grand Slam begins.
Hurling is Ireland’s ancient field game, recognised by UNESCO in 2018. How it works, where it came from, and a decade of the best goals from the GAA.
Kodaline’s All I Want took a band from Swords, Co. Dublin, from a TV talent show to Grey’s Anatomy and the world. The story behind the song.
The Wexford Carol (Carúl Loch Garman) is Ireland’s best-known Christmas carol. Where it came from, how old it really is, and the versions worth hearing.
In 2020 almost 40 Irish female artists recorded The Cranberries’ Dreams from home for Safe Ireland. It topped the Homegrown chart and raised over €250,000.
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, fronted by Bangor man Gary Lightbody, is the most-played song on UK radio this century. The Grey’s Anatomy moment and the story behind it.
The Script, three lads from Dublin, made Hall of Fame with will.i.am in 2012. How it hit number one, why it is everywhere, and the band since Mark Sheehan.