Irelands second largest bird of prey, almost twice the size of the Common Buzzard. In Gaelic, the Eagle was sometimes called Suil-na-Greine or “Eye of the Sun”.

There is much folklore associated with the hare, the moon, and also with the harvest. Hares are one of the few species that can conceive while they are actually pregnant, which may also explain why they have often been linked closely with fertility in folktales.

Over time Ravens have built up an incredible amount of folklore, appeared in myths, legends, art & literature. In many cultures, including ancient Ireland, the common raven has been honored as a spiritual figure and even a god. In Ireland they are particularly linked to the goddess Morrigan.

Two horses names Grey Sea and Black Seagull drew the chariot of the Ulster hero Cu-Chulainn. “The Cattle Raid of Cooley” tells us; “One horse was lithe and swift-leaping, high-arched and powerful, long-bodied and with great hooves. The other flowing-maned and shinning, slight and slender in hoof and heel”.

In Ireland this tiny little bird was known as The Druid Bird, or Dreolín and was considered to be sacred. The St. Stephen’s Day tradition of ‘Hunting the Wren’ is an ancient one, which now takes place on December the 26th. The Wren was hunted and killed in a ritualistic way, believing that the death of the Wren bestowed strength on its killer. It is now more often re-enacted as a symbolic hunt with the Wren representing the past year.

Bulls were much revered in Celtic times, as they were associated with wealth and riches. Possibly due to the fact they were a great source of food and abundance. In the song of Amergin he refers to himself as, “I am a bull of seven battles”. Indicative of the bull’s great strength and prowess to the Celts.

Deer are ruminating mammals that have appeared in Palaeolithic cave paintings onwards. They have been used as a source of meat (venison), by humans throughout history, as well as their soft skins and tough buckskins. From The Song of Amergin “I am a Stag of seven tines”, which refers to how majestic an adult stag appeared.