Ireland’s living folklore stretches across farm, hearth, sea, and city lane — a country that still keeps and reimagines roughly 400 recognizable superstitions. Rooted in Gaelic tradition, Christian feast-days, and local craft and seafaring life, these beliefs map how the unseen is courted, appeased, and respected in everyday Irish life.
Home & Hearth
“Knock on Wood”
Touch timber after good news to keep ill luck from “hearing.”
Falling Sod in the Fire
A turf dropping from the hearth foretells a visitor — darker sod for a dark-haired caller, a bright sod for a fair-haired one [1].
Never Give Away Butter or Coals on May Day
“You’d give your luck away” — a classic churn-and-dairy protection rule [2][3].
No Ashes Out on May Morning
Ashes hold the home’s luck; keep them in until after sunrise [3].
Pinch of Salt at the Threshold
Sprinkle or keep a pinch handy to “cut” the evil eye; a pan-Irish household habit.
Rowan, Hawthorn & Elder
Twigs above doors guard against ill luck; lone hawthorn (“fairy tree”) must never be cut.
Holy Water by the Bed
A few drops calm nightmares and “cool” a sickroom.
Candle in the Window
A welcome for travelers and souls, especially at Christmas and on certain vigils.
First Coin over the Door
Hide a coin above the lintel for prosperity in a new house.
Never Sit on a Churn
Bad luck for butter-making; churns are treated almost like sacred tools.
Fairies, Forts & “the Good People”
Fairy Forts (Ringforts)
Never damage or cross a ringfort carelessly; stories warn of illness or loss. Heritage notes identify ringforts as early medieval enclosures, often called “fairy forts” in folk speech [4][5].
Do Not Cut a Lone Hawthorn
Said to anger the Good People; roads were famously re-routed to spare such trees.
Steel as Protection
Needle or knife in the pocket when crossing fairy ground, especially at Hallowe’en/Samhain [6].
Guard the Cradle
A red ribbon or iron key nearby to prevent changeling lore from “taking hold.”
Music on Fairy Paths
Never block a straight line between two ancient sites; let the path “flow.”
Samhain (Hallowe’en) & Winter Rites
Turnip Lanterns
Before pumpkins, carved turnips lit doorways to ward off wandering spirits [6].
Candles for the Dead
Placed in windows to guide returning souls on All Hallows/All Souls [6].
Divination Foods
Barmbrack rings and thimbles foretell marriage or spinsterhood; nuts in the fire “test” couples’ harmony.
Travel with a Black-Handled Knife
Samhain night was risky; steel “cut” mischief [6].
Dumb Supper
A silent meal set for the dead or for foretelling one’s future partner.
Spring & May (Bealtaine)
May Bush / May Bough
Decorate hawthorn or a “summer tree” at the gate to welcome summer and luck [7][2].
Wash in May-Morning Dew
Especially under hawthorn — said to keep a clear complexion through summer [3].
Guard the Butter
No milk, coal, or fire leaves the house on May 1; visitors might “take the butter” (steal the luck) [2][3].
Unlucky Encounters on May Day
Meeting a hare or certain first-footers was avoided by some districts [2].
Not a Spark to Leave the Field
Carrying out fire from the home or field on May Day “carries” luck away [2].
Churning & Dairy Lore
Coal Under the Churn
A live ember beneath the churn “heats” luck and keeps witches from stealing the butter.
Red Thread on the Cow’s Tail
A bright thread guards the herd from the evil eye.
Visitors Stir the Churn
Anyone entering during churning should take a turn to prevent “taking” the luck.
Holy Wells & Blessing Rounds
Rounds “with the Sun”
Walk deiseal (sunwise) around a holy well three times, leaving pins or rags on a tree for healing.
Tie a Rag, Leave the Pain
A cloth (clootie) left near sacred water symbolizes the ailment left behind.
Birds, Beasts & Weather
Magpie Rhyme
“One for sorrow, two for joy…” — salute a lone magpie to avert bad luck [8].
Owl at the Gable
A harbinger of news — meanings vary by county.
Hare on May Morning
An unlucky sighting in some districts (connected to butter-stealing lore) [2].
Fish Dreams
Often read as a sign of pregnancy or plenty.
Saints’ Day Weather Rhymes
Candlemas fair/ foul and similar sayings “forecast” spring.
The Banshee, Púca & Spirits
Banshee Keening
A wail foretelling death for certain families; respect is paramount.
Púca Tricks
A shape-shifter that misleads night travelers, especially at Samhain [6].
Stop the Clock
At a death, clocks may be stopped and mirrors covered, granting the soul peace.
Marriage, Children & Lifecycles
Saint Brigid’s Cross
Woven from rushes on 1 February and hung for protection through the year.
Horseshoe for the Bride
Carried or hung (open end up) to “hold” luck.
Born with a Caul
Sailors prized it as a charm against drowning; child thought lucky.
Seventh Son / Daughter
Gifted healers in folk belief; sometimes curers of “the stroke” or ringworm.
Work, Crafts & Tools
Shears on the Bed
Avoid placing sharp tools on beds — invites accidents.
First Nail “for Luck”
Builders keep the first nail or shaving as a charm for the house.
Blackthorn & Hazel
Walking sticks of certain woods were considered “strong” against mischief.
Travel, Sea & Road
No Whistling on a Boat
Said to “whistle up” a storm.
Taboo Words at Sea
Avoid certain words (varies by port) when putting out.
Iron in the Pocket
A nail or pin protects walkers at dusk on lonely roads.
Days, Numbers & Omens
Monday for Moving
Some counties avoid Friday for starting big jobs; others say Monday starts well.
Three Is a Strong Number
Actions in threes — knocks, rounds, wishes — amplify luck.
11:11 & Repeating Hours
Modern wish-making layered onto older time-lore.
Kitchen & Table
Falling Spoon / Fork
Spoon falls — a woman’s visit; fork — a man’s visit (widespread folk rule).
Spilled Salt
Toss a pinch over the left shoulder to blind ill luck — also recorded in Irish sets.
Turn the Bread
Loaf upside-down offends the household saint — right it quickly.
Holy Days & Yearly Rhythms
Bonfires at Bealtaine & St. John’s Eve
Leap the flames for luck; carry an ember home to “carry” blessing.
Garlands for May Altars
Flowers honor Mary and “sweeten” the month’s fortunes.
First-Footing at New Year
Who comes first over the threshold can set the year’s luck (Scottish-Irish crossover).
Schoolyard, Play & Small Omens
Step on a Crack…
…“break your mother’s back” — Irish kids chant it too.
Heads-Up Penny
Pocket for luck; tails-up — flip it for the next passerby.
Broken Mirror
Seven years’ bad luck — also present in Irish sets.
Market, Money & Work
First Coin in the Till
Keep and never spend — it “anchors” prosperity.
New Year Note in the Wallet
Start the year with cash in hand to invite abundance.
Silver with a New Purse
Give a coin with a purse so it’s never truly empty.
Signs, Dreams & Body-Lore
Itchy Nose
A row or a visitor is near — depends on which side itches.
Ringing Ears
Someone speaks of you; tug the lobe to “cut” gossip.
Teeth Falling Dreams
Often read as an omen of change or loss.
Local Treasures & Museums
Folk Objects Carry Story
From churns to charms, the National Museum’s Folklife Collections preserve how belief lives in tools [9].
Schools’ Collection
Thousands of 1930s schoolchildren recorded local superstitions now digitized at dúchas.ie [10][11].
Extra: 40 More Irish Superstitions (Quick-Glance)
Coin in the Shoe at New Year
Step into wealth.
Lucky Socks for Exams
Don’t wash mid-exams; don’t wash the luck.
Cross on the Loaf
Score soda bread to let the fairies out.
Red Thread for Babies
Pin to blanket to ward off envy.
Never Walk Under a Ladder
Breaks a protective triangle.
Black Cat Luck
Lucky to some Irish households; regional opinions vary.
Wash-Day Taboos
Avoid certain feast-days for heavy laundry.
Pot of Gold
A leprechaun trope that still charms souvenirs.
Rooster Crowing at Night
A sign of unsettling news.
Blue Beads & Eyes
Immigrant charms adopted into Irish homes.
First Sale Never Refused
Opens the day’s luck.
Candlemas Forecast
Bright day means lingering winter.
Inside-Out Garments
Turning a coat or sock can “turn” your luck.
Itchy Palm
Right for receiving, left for paying — many swap the rule.
Cover Mirrors in a Thunderstorm
Avoid attracting lightning or fear.
Safety Pin Charm
Pinned inside clothing to “pin” luck to you.
Foxglove “Fairy Gloves”
Leave them be — flowers tied to fairy lore.
Thread in the Pocket
For weavers and tailors, a charm against envy.
Oil Drop in the Cradle
Blessing gesture before first sleepover at grandparents’.
New Clothes on Friday
Avoid starting them then, say some; others insist it’s lucky.
Keep a Spare Button
Inside a jacket for good interviews.
Three Candles, Three Wishes
Snuff (don’t blow) to keep fate steady.
Four-Leaf Clover
Pocket-size luck; a national motif.
Feather on the Path
Travel or messages ahead.
Ice Melt Omen
How a cube melts “tells” how plans hold.
Door Chime
A bell at the entrance invites kindness.
Don’t Sweep After Sunset
You’d sweep luck out with the dust.
Salt Water under the Bed
A glass “drinks” heavy dreams.
Pin on the Pram
A tiny ward against jealousy.
Soap Slip
Slippery news ahead; be cautious with promises.
Avoid Red Ink Signatures
Said to “bleed” luck away.
Refresh Charms Yearly
Retire old amulets respectfully; renew protections.
Penny at the Windowsill
A traveling charm for emigrants and returners.
Sprig of Ivy in the Jug
To “keep” the drink wholesome at gatherings.
Garlic at the Door
Simple old-world ward.
“Weeping” Candle
Heavy drips can omen strong news.
Right Foot First
Enter new places with the right foot for luck.
Milk Spilled
An offering to the Good People softens a streak of mishap.
First Sheaf Saved
A token sheaf hung in the kitchen for harvest luck.
Never Burn Green Wood
Invites smoke and quarrels.
Key on a Ribbon
Hung near doors to “lock out” harm.
Hearth Is a Threshold
Never quarrel across it; shake hands over it to make peace [1].
How to use this list: Irish superstitions are guides for timing, courtesy, and care — not rigid rules. Practice them safely (no open flames near hazards, handle tools properly) and with respect for local custom and heritage sites (never disturb ringforts or lone hawthorns). Where possible, we’ve anchored several items to primary folklore collections and national heritage notes so you can explore the original contexts.
Sources
- Dúchas (Schools’ Collection): “Irish Superstitions” — hearth omens & household signs
- Dúchas: “May Day Superstitions” — milk, coals, fire taboos
- Dúchas: “May Day Customs” — dew washing under hawthorn, ashes & milk rules
- Heritage Council: Baltimore Ringfort — what ringforts are (often called “fairy forts”)
- Heritage Council: Ringforts (a.k.a. fairy forts) as common Irish features
- National Museum of Ireland (News/Collections): “Ghost turnips, púcas, fortune-telling…” — Samhain customs
- Dúchas: May Day Superstitions — May bush at the gate and summer welcome
- Dúchas: “Superstitions About Magpies” — rhyme variants & salutations
- National Museum of Ireland — Irish Folklife Collections overview (folk objects, beliefs, lifeways)
- University College Dublin: National Folklore Collection — holdings, context & UNESCO Memory of the World
- Dúchas.ie — NFC digitisation portal (browse Schools’ Collection & folklore entries)
- Background note on the NFC history & UNESCO listing