Ireland is a country steeped in folklore and mysticism, where tales of fairies, banshees, and enchanted places have been passed down through generations. While many of these superstitions have faded in urban areas, pockets of rural Ireland still hold onto customs and beliefs that harken back to ancient times.

Here, superstitions aren’t just remnants of history, they’re living traditions that shape daily life. From protective charms against malevolent spirits to rituals that ensure good harvests, let’s explore some of Ireland’s most intriguing and enduring superstitions.

1. Protective Charms Against the Banshee and Spirits

The bean sídhe, or banshee, is one of Ireland’s most feared supernatural figures. Known as a harbinger of death, the banshee’s wails are said to foretell the impending death of a family member. In some remote Irish villages, families still place small charms or trinkets outside their homes or bury them near thresholds to ward off the banshee and other wandering spirits. These charms, often in the form of silver coins or blessed medallions, are believed to create a barrier that supernatural beings cannot cross.

Some families even keep traditional herbs like dillisk (a type of seaweed) and St. John’s wort on hand, which folklore suggests can repel spirits. If someone hears an unexplained knock on the door at night or sees a shadowy figure near their home, they’re likely to add an extra charm or symbol for good measure. The belief is simple: better safe than sorry when it comes to an encounter with the banshee.

2. Farming Superstitions: Rituals for Good Harvests

Ireland’s rural communities have long relied on the land, and farming is not just a way of life—it’s a deeply spiritual practice filled with tradition and respect. To ensure a successful harvest, some farmers still follow ancient customs, such as avoiding planting on certain days thought to be cursed or “unlucky.” For example, folklore dictates that potatoes should never be planted on a Friday to avoid a crop blight.

When the harvest season begins, some farmers perform rituals passed down by their ancestors to protect their fields. One such tradition is to leave the “first cut” of the crop, a small portion of the initial harvest, as an offering to the fairies, who are believed to protect the land in exchange for respect and reverence. By honouring the fairies, farmers hope to receive a blessing over their fields, ensuring a bountiful and disease-free harvest.

3. Marriage Customs and the Influence of Fairies

Marriage in Irish folklore is more than a union of two people—it’s a moment fraught with supernatural risk, particularly from the sí, or fairies, who are known to be envious of human happiness. In some rural parts of Ireland, couples still avoid getting married during the month of May or on Saturdays, as these times are traditionally believed to bring bad luck or invite interference from the fairy world.

Many Irish families also uphold a tradition of placing a horseshoe, often wrapped in ribbon, near the entrance of the wedding venue or over the bride’s head to bring good fortune and ward off fairy mischief. Another lesser-known custom is the “belling” of newlyweds—a tradition in which friends and family ring bells around the couple, believed to scare away any fairies trying to intrude on their happiness.

4. Crossroads and the World of the Otherworld

In Irish superstition, crossroads are viewed as liminal spaces—places where the mortal world and the Otherworld overlap. Travelling alone at night across a crossroads, particularly in rural areas, is said to be dangerous, as one might accidentally cross paths with fairies, ghosts, or other spirits who linger there. Superstition dictates that those who must pass a crossroads at night should turn their coat inside out or carry a small iron object, as fairies are believed to avoid iron.

There’s even a tradition of burying broken tools or household items at crossroads to prevent spirits from taking up residence in them, as it was believed that a crossroads would trap the spirit and prevent it from causing trouble back home.

5. Fairy Forts: Sites of Reverence and Fear

Ireland is dotted with ancient ringforts, or “fairy forts,” that date back to early medieval times. Believed to be the homes of the sí, disturbing these sites is considered one of the greatest superstitions in Irish culture. In fact, to this day, even construction projects may be rerouted if they interfere with a fairy fort.

These fairy forts are viewed with a mix of reverence and fear, as folklore tells stories of misfortunes that befall anyone who disrespects the fairies’ sacred ground. From mysterious illnesses to sudden losses in livestock, those who tamper with fairy forts are said to experience inexplicable bad luck—a lesson to all that some things in Ireland are better left undisturbed.

Ireland’s enduring superstitions serve as a fascinating reminder of the rich tapestry of folklore that continues to shape life in the country’s rural areas. For many Irish people, these customs are not merely remnants of an older, superstitious time—they’re a way to stay connected to their roots, embracing the mystical beliefs that make Ireland such a land of enchantment.