The Wild Gees

A Thread for Oíche Shamhna

Some scary Wild Gees stories coming up for the day that’s in it. Expect graveyards, witches, megalithic tombs and the gateway to the otherworld. Even scarier: centuries of misogyny.

Wikipedia: rescuing women’s stories from the forest of history

Become a Wikipedia editor and you can help ensure women’s histories will be discovered by future archaeologists

Well 2020, you’ve been some year and not in a good way. We’re not going to recap what a shitshow it’s been. We are blessed that we haven’t lost loved ones, but people we love have. Writing a round up of the year amid such global loss

Downplaying the women of 1916

Were the women of 1916 forgotten because a misogynistic state failed to recognise their role or because they did too good a job of making sure the men were remembered?

Day One: 77 Women and a fake Sheela Na Gig

Our first Wild Gees journey begins wih a fake Sheela na Gig and the women of the 1916 Rising

Day One: Rathcroghan and Queen Meadhbh

A visit to Rathcroghan, a place of history and magic. And a limestone vagina.

Day Two: The Secret Glen

A prehistoric valley, and a still Atlantic beach

Day Two: Carrowmore Megalithic Site

Layers of prehistory at this megalithic site and home to the witch of winter

Day Two: Constellations Coalesce at Sligo Arts Festival

A literary encounter with Sinead Gleeson chimes with our trip’s theme

Day Three: Creevykeel, Dolphins, and Ben

A soaking on Ben Bulben results in some driveby tourism punctuated by dolphins, rag trees and the Morrigan (possibly). A gee-lite and not very wild day.