Typhus Fever: Ireland's Forgotten Epidemic

Hey there, history buffs! Let’s dive into one of the darkest chapters in 19th-century Ireland – the deadly typhus outbreak of 1816 to 1819.This epidemic raged across the country, chalking up 1.5 million cases and claiming around 65,000 lives.Imagine this- a disappointing grain yield and relentless wet weather created the perfect storm for typhus to thrive. The disease spread swiftly, especially among the poor, but it wasn't until it hit the higher classes that people truly took notice.Doctors Barker and Cheyne published a detailed report in 1821, highlighting how grave the situation had become.Now, get this – a major factor blamed for the spread? The abundance of wandering beggars and the tradition of holding wakes in cramped, poorly ventilated spaces.Picture a small, tight room filled with mourners and a typhus-ridden corpse – a breeding ground for the fever.The 1821 report starkly noted how these wakes facilitated the rapid spread of the disease. In places like Delgany, Co Wicklow, those who avoided wakes and beggars saw fewer cases, while others suffered severely.Typhus, spread by lice, brought on symptoms like headaches, chills, high fever, and severe pain, along with dark spots on the body.Authorities knew cleanliness was crucial, but they blamed poor ventilation for the spread, not realising the role lice played.Dr Robert John Thornton, in 1817, emphasised the importance of clean air, linking it to the very essence of lifeSo there you have it – the deadly typhus outbreak, a tale of suffering, misguided beliefs, and the struggle to understand a devastating disease.Stay curious, history buffs, and thanks for watching!Stay curious, history buffs

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Butterflies: Messengers of Irish Folklore

According to Irish folklore, butterflies are said to move between worlds and bring messages and warnings. They are said to be souls, waiting to be reborn on earth. This is perhaps why butterflies still play such a prominent role in material culture today, with a wide range of clothes, stationary, and other good coming decorated with butterflies. Butterflies with dark wings were said to warn of bad news such as an attack or failed crop, while white and yellow butterflies were told to bring good news such as a birth or success. In Irish mythology and folklore, butterflies have a special significance. According to Irish tradition, butterflies are believed to move between worlds and bring messages and warnings. They are considered to be souls waiting to be reborn on earth. This belief has contributed to the continued popularity of butterflies in modern-day material culture. Butterflies can be seen on a wide range of clothes, stationery, and other goods. Interestingly, the colour of t...

Ouija Board

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Flidais is a fascinating figure in Irish mythology, renowned for her many roles and abilities as a goddess. As a Mother Earth figure, she is associated with abundance and fertility, particularly through her strong connection to milk and milking. During the Cattle Raid of Cooley, her magical herd of cattle was able to provide milk for an entire army every seven days, a testament to her power. However, Flidais was much more than just an Earth Goddess. She was also a shape-shifter, a goddess of sexuality, and a healing goddess, making her a multifaceted and complex figure in Irish mythology. As part of the Tuatha Dé Danaan, she was believed to have originated from the pre-Christian deities of Ireland. Although the Tuatha Dé were eventually transformed into mortal queens, kings, and heroes in the medieval Ulster Cycles, Flidais remains a powerful and intriguing goddess figure, revered for her many abilities and associations. Overall, she is a testament to the richness and depth of Iri...

Celtic Craft Naas - Tales Of Eire

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