Some people believe it… while others don’t. In Ireland, superstitions are still very much alive in popular tradition! On the same principle as not stepping under a ladder, the Irish have their own set of beliefs… And there are plenty of them! Here’s a selection of 100% Irish superstitions that will make you smile… or take them seriously!
Touching iron would ward off bad luck. The Irish do it on the same principle as “touching wood” to chase away negative thoughts and the prospect of bad news.
If you scratch the inside of your hand, you’re about to win a large sum of money.
In Ireland, a broken mirror is said to bring 7 years of misfortune. This superstition, linked to the idea that mirrors reflect a part of the soul, is taken very seriously, even in modern households. To ward off misfortune, some people recommend burying pieces of glass under the moon.
Un cheval du Connemara – janmennens – cc
If you nail a horseshoe to the front door, it will bring good luck to the house.
Meeting a white horse is also seen as a very positive omen.
According to Irish superstition, meeting a white horse on the road can herald a happy event or a beneficial change in life.
This belief is particularly strong in rural areas.
Salt is said to be a valuable ally in warding off evil! As in many cultures, salt is perceived in Ireland as a protector against bad luck and the evil eye. It is customary to throw a pinch of salt over one’s left shoulder after an accidental spill, to ward off evil spirits. This superstition is often taken with a sense of humor, but remains deeply rooted in everyday gestures.
If you find a 4-leaf clover, you’re in luck… as long as you keep it secretly in your pocket, out of sight! It’s said that each leaf represents a different quality: hope, faith, love and, of course, luck. For the Irish, this would be the perfect opportunity to go and play at the races!
Birds, especially ravens, play an important role in Irish superstitions. A single raven sighting is considered a bad omen, while two ravens seen together symbolize good luck.
Another popular superstition says that if a magpie crosses your path, you should politely greet the bird to avoid misfortune.
Finally, if you open your door and come across a magpie, death will strike the house within the year.
Un arbre à fée en Irlande – © Bo
It’s also customary never to cut down a fairy tree.
Many Irish people believe that these trees shelter the spirits of fairies, and the Irish carefully avoid felling them, even when roads or buildings are to be constructed.
Legend has it that those who defy this ban are cursed.
Don’t open an umbrella indoors in Ireland! This symbolizes an invitation to bad news or bad luck. What’s more, simply leaving an umbrella open at home could attract arguments or unfortunate events.
If you’re unlucky enough to stumble and fall to the ground in a cemetery, you’ll soon be dead. You might as well put your feet up and avoid a similar setback!
Among farmers, if the first lamb to be born is black, it heralds the death of a family member within the year.
