Last summer, I revisited my love of ancient Irish folklore. There is a wealth of tales of magic and bravery to inspire all. This piece in particular is about an special agreement that was reached between the ancient supernatural Irish race “The Tuatha de Danann” and the invading “Milesians”.
The Book of Invasions (Lebor Gebála Érénn compiled c.1150) claims in a poem that they came to Ireland riding in “flying ships” surrounded by “dark clouds.” They landed on Sliabh an Iarainn (the Iron Mountain) in Co. Leitrim, where they “brought a darkness over the sun lasting three days.” There is a lovely line which illustrates perfectly the bewilderment felt towards these conquerors;
“The truth is not known, beneath the sky of stars,
Whether they were of heaven or earth.”
After a ferocious battle, where magic was used to create storms on land and sea, it was agreed that the Tuatha de Danann would rule the underworld and the Milesians would rule the overground. The notion of the fairy people was born.
The truth is not known, beneath the sky of stars (unframed)
All paintings sold outside of the UK and Ireland will be sent rolled. On arrival, they will need to taken to a professional to be stretched and framed. This is the safest way to send paintings when transporting overseas. They will be rolled and sent in a strong cardboard tube.