what is/are the Pre-Catholic Celtic-Irish Religion(s)? What are they Like? Where can I go to learn about them?

Question

I am talking the very old Irish religion(s) not Wicca (Nothing against Wiccans) I want to know about the old magick (Termed witchcraft) I am curious about my ancient Irish Heritage, so I want to know what the religion was like. Also does anybody in Ireland still follow these traditions? If so about how many? Does anybody practice these beliefs anymore? Is the Irish Religion the same as the Scottish and English and other areas around there? Is it the Druid religion? (I don't know much about Druids, so if it was the Druid religion please etill inform me.)

Answer 1

The book 'Religion of the Ancient Celts' by J. A. MacCulloch is available to read on the net at the site below. It is said to be, one of the best authoritative scholarly treatments of the ancient Celtic religion. It was written in 1911 and brings together classical accounts, hints from Celtic mythology, legend and folklore, as well as archaeological and comparative anthropological evidence of the ancient Celtic religion.
You can read about the Mythological Cycle from the Tuatha Dé Danann to the Druids, their sacrifice, prayers, festivals and magic.

Patricia Monaghan, Ph.D., a widely respected expert and chronicler of Celtic spiritual traditions wrote "“Scratch a bit at the thin topsoil of Irish Catholicism,” an Irish saying goes, “and you soon come to the solid bedrock of Irish paganism.” And indeed, Ireland is still what novelist Edna O’Brien calls a “pagan place.” "

You can read about paganism Ireland today "The number of pagans in Ireland now tops 3,000 – encompassing such diverse trends as Druidism, Shamanism and white magic." at the third site below.

Answer 2

That'd be Celtic Reconstructionism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_Reconstructionism ), so, yes, it's still practiced, despite a break between then and now. I'm not sure how many CRs are in Ireland, but I'd hazard the number is fairly low, we're not the most numerous religion.

The Druids believed the same thing that the normal Celtic peoples did (give or take, they probably had some extra mysteries that they had access to.) Some of the neo-Druid organizations (such as ADF or Keltria) do use CR methodology, whereas others don't. And, from my understanding, it sometimes varies by group within those organizations, so the usual caveats apply.

Irish and Scottish tend to be fairly similar, while English tends to be a bit closer to the Welsh. There's a number of differences between them all, but there's also a number of similarities - either shared practices, or fairly close analogs.

The imbas.org site that was mentioned is a good source of info, and I've been told that they're planning on getting that updated soon (they've had some other issues that they're trying to resolve before they can get to that.)

Answer 3

Sadly, we don't know much about the religious practices of the ancient Celts. Most of what was written on the subject was authored by the Roman invaders, so the accuracy of some of the information is questionable.

The Druids fall into this same category. Not much is known about them. From my understanding some of the most recent research indicates that they weren't necessarily a priesthood, per se. They were more likely a class within the society. So while priests would certainly merit membership in the ranks of the Druids so would physicians, philosophers, warriors, law-makers, etc.

Answer 4

Well I'd have to say Druidism. I'm sure there are others. You should also try researching the general culture and superstitions of the regions because they hold a lot of valuable information.

Also, I know you said no Wicca and that's understandable seeing as the religion itself is less that 60 years old, but there's a certain book called A Witches Bible by Janet and Stewart Farrar, and the first half does delve deeply into the origins of certain sabbat traditions within Wicca, and there's enough information about Irish/British/etc traditions that it's worth a read.

Answer 5

Druids mostly. The closest you'll get today is Celtic Reconstructionalist. The Heathens had pretty thick ties there as well.
Wiccans weren't around then. The Wiccan's came about in the 1960. Good people!
Yes people practice both of them but I'm eclectic Egyptian so I won't do you much good. :)

Answer 6

I have been studing about Druid and Celtic, there are two or three books on them .I have Druid Priestess by Emma Restall Orr, and Celtic Myth and Magick by Erain McCoy.There is another book about druids but i don't have it were i can reach it . i just move and i'm still unpacking my books.These two will start you on the learning trip.i have and do enjoy studing them.

Answer 7

You want Celtic Reconstructionism (not Wicca, regardless of what poster#1 says) try http://imbas.org/

I know they haven't updated in FOREVER, but they used to have good links.

Answer 8

Druidism, Celts, Picts. And, whether you like it or not, Wicca.