Episode 166 - LOST IRISH FOLKLORE: LIFTING STONES

The Folklore Podcast

The old Irish tradition of using enormous stones in the landscape, sometimes known as testing stones, as a feat of strength has been all but lost for generations. Such stones were lifted to honour the dead at funerals, as a rite of passage to adulthood, as a test of suitability for particular jobs or roles, and for many other purposes.

There are many such stones still lying in the Irish landscape, the purpose forgotten, until recently. Thanks to the diligent research and investigation of the guest on this episode of The Folklore Podcast, David Keohan, these stones are gradually being rediscovered, mapped, and lifted once again.

In this episode, we learn about the Irish traditions behind the Lifting Stones, and David's efforts to rediscover them.

You can follow David on his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/_indiana_stones_

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