The Curse of Tara and the Mystical Fairy Forts of Ireland

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There are places in the world where beasties roam free, hidden from human sight, unless you happen to trample their homeland, as in the Curse of Tara and the Fairy Forts.

Ireland is still something of a magical, mystical place, and while that’s why it attracts so many tourists each year, it’s also why those tourists should be careful lest they attract some unwanted attention from Ireland’s fairy folk.

Even during the 1950s, it was common practice to offer the peskiest fairies—the pooka—a glass of liquor in hopes they would take their bad luck elsewhere. It was also normal to give a warning whenever you were dumping water out, just in case a fairy happened to be nearby. Even today, there are certain things that just aren’t done for fear of angering Ireland’s supernatural residents. They’re a touchy sort, and according to all the ancient lore, messing about with their homes will bring their wrath down on your shoulders.

There are thousands of ring forts throughout the Irish countryside, and it’s said they’re the remains of fairy forts. As such, they’re sacred ground, and disturbing them means that you’re courting some dire consequences. Throughout history, the beings that protected fairy forts were said to abduct children, cause crops to fail, and make animals become barren. They also cursed humans and livestock alike with bad luck, especially if they were called.

Today, fairy forts are mostly associated with illness, bad luck, and even death. These threats are still taken pretty seriously. In 1999, plans for a bypass were changed because the original route would’ve required the removal of a hawthorn bush that allegedly served as a pre-war rallying point for Munster fairies.

In 2007, Ireland’s new M3 motorway destroyed a 4,000-year-old astronomical and religious site. It wasn’t long after that personal tragedy and economic downfall began to occur. Even buildings started collapsing, all thanks to the Curse of Tara. Believe it or not, it’s next to impossible to visit Ireland without crossing sacred ground . . . and there’s no harm in being respectful.

Neither Tara nor the Irish Fairies hold a monopoly on curses. Be sure to check out The Dark and Deadly Mysteries of Clapham Woods.

About Post Author

Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.

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