Their Magical Hold on Ireland’s Cultural Fabric
It’s a well-known fact: if you step foot in Ireland, you'd better be on your best behavior with luck on your side—no one wants your hexes! After all, on the Emerald Isle, if something isn’t guaranteed good luck, it’s likely to bring the whole village down with bad luck. Our superstitions run deep, thanks to a long and storied history where every sneeze, itch, and spilt grain of salt has a tale. Let me tell you, we’re downright pros at sniffing out omens, both the four-leaf-clover kind and the “turn back now” type.
Imagine this: between 1937 and 1938, the Irish Folklore Commission sent some 100,000 schoolchildren out to gather every whisper of legend, tale, and custom from neighbors, friends, and family. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’d have signed up twice for that assignment! The result? Over half a million pages of absolute treasure troves of folklore, including a spectacular list of “Lucky and Unlucky Signs." Let’s dive into some of the strangest, funniest, and (to me) most relatable of these ancient omens.
The Lucky & The Not-So-Lucky
The Four-Leaf Clover: Spotting a four-leaf clover is said to bring luck—no surprise there. But try not to boast about it too much; Irish fields aren't exactly crawling with them.
The Ringing Ear: Got a ringing in your right ear? That's the souls in Purgatory calling for your prayers. Left ear? That's someone gossiping about you. Right ear again, and it’s a verbal roasting coming your way!
Spilling Salt: Spilling salt is a surefire sign of a spat on the horizon. (No wonder the Irish are constantly throwing it over their left shoulder!)
Tea-Leaf Predictions: Spot a tea-leaf floating in your cup? You’re about to get a letter. In the days before Amazon parcels, this was probably the highlight of the month!
The Itchy Nose: If your nose starts to itch, someone’s likely bad-mouthing you. Better shake hands with whoever’s near, or else you risk a heated argument. One of my earliest memories involves a friendly “itch-and-shake” defense routine with my siblings—just in case.
May Eve Mischief: Pick a flower on May Eve, and the fairies might swoop in and claim you for their own. I’d say it's a surefire way to make a quick exit from a party you’re tired of.
The Floor Walker: If you step over someone lying on the floor, they'll stop growing. This was enforced with military precision in my house—seven kids only available seats as we watched TV! My brothers seemed particularly fond of stunting my growth.
Itchy Palm: An itchy palm? Money is supposedly coming your way. Given how many times my palm itched without reward, I’d say this one requires more luck than science.
Superstitions Galore: A Guide to Navigating Irish Luck
The White Horse Luck Ritual: Spot a white horse in the morning? Good luck’s on its way! Bonus points if you spit and close your eyes, then rub out the spit for extra good measure. That last part was news to me, but I'm sure it involved an Irish mammy over your right shoulder and a clip on the ear!
A Fork for Company: Drop a fork? Get ready to set an extra plate, because you’re about to get company. No explanation why—it just works, apparently.
Funeral Car Count: Don’t count the cars at a funeral, or you’ll be inviting bad luck. No sneaky glances allowed—respect the rules, or else.
Three Johns in a Row: If your family has three generations of men named John, don’t make it four—it’s believed that the unlucky fourth John will be the recipient of misfortune. Three’s definitely not a charm in this case!
The Fairy Fort Rule: Thinking about wandering around a fairy fort? Don’t. It’s believed that anyone who disturbs the fairies’ territory will soon be hit with terrible luck.
Sparks from the Fire: Sparks from the fire? Money’s supposedly on its way to you! Perhaps this explains my fondness for a roaring fire—nothing like a bit of warmth and luck.
The Wishbone Ritual: If you’ve got a wishbone, make a wish, and whoever gets the right side can hope it comes true. We’d battle over that wishbone every Sunday dinner like it was a ticket to the lottery
Hurt a Leprechaun, Pay the Price: Dare to mess with a leprechaun? The devil himself will tie you up in chains and curse you. Moral of the story: don’t start any trouble with little green men. Should be easy enough, right?!
The Whitethorn Warning: Think twice before picking flowers from a whitethorn bush—taking them home is said to be a one-way ticket to, well, the hereafter. Nothing like a bit of botany to keep you on your toes!
Three Steps for a Funeral: If you meet a funeral on the road, it’s best to walk three steps alongside it. Disrespecting this one supposedly brings bad luck, so step along or face the consequences.
The “New Moon” Blessing: When you see a new moon, don’t just gawk—bless yourself! Otherwise, it’s bad luck for you.
Beware "The Ginger Jinx": If you are going to the fair and the first person you see is a red-haired woman you should turn back else you'll have bad luck for that day.
Christmas Candles: If your Christmas candles don’t burn straight, it’s a sign that the upcoming year will be filled with misfortune. Seems the Irish knew how to bring stress to holiday decorating long before Pinterest. A bit of pressure there for our small business, Gluttony Candles!
Whispers in the Wind: How Irish Superstitions Keep the Magic Alive
It was hard to share only these few superstitions as there are sooooo many more, but alas the time has come. Perhaps another list for another day as I so enjoyed sharing these.
In the end, Irish superstitions are far more than quirks or old wives’ tales—they’re threads in the tapestry of a culture that values mystery, reveres the unseen, and celebrates the thrill of a story well-told. Though some of these traditions may fade or evolve, their spirit lives on, like whispers in the wind across green hills and ancient fairy forts.
A Legacy of Luck: Passing on Ireland's Superstitions and Stories
It's heartwarming, isn’t it, to think that people around the world now nod to these superstitions with a wink and a smile? There's a charm in knowing that the stories we pass on—whether shared by a fireside in Ireland or a backyard in the States—still carry a bit of magic. Perhaps somewhere, a child will remember the thrill of seeing a new moon or the luck in finding a wishbone, and they’ll share these bits of wonder with their own little ones one day. And in that passing of belief, a piece of Ireland will linger on, a reflection of life as beautifully told as it is lived.
If you're lucky enough to be Irish, well then, you're lucky enough! Sláinte.
As the year starts its wraps up, let’s hold onto a bit of that Irish magic, whether you’re on Irish soil or simply channeling the spirit. After all, it never hurts to stay on luck’s good side—mind the door you entered through, give a nod to any red-haired women you pass, and keep a sharp eye out for those sparks in the fire.
We’d love to hear from you! What superstitions do you carry from your family?
Share your tales of luck, charm, and mischief with us, and let’s keep the magic alive together!
You forgot about Magpies