Dark Tales | Irish Folklore | The Whitethorn Tree (Christmas Special)

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I go in search of a whitethorn tree with a very special history as told by my Irish neighbour, and recount the story of his great great great grandfather and an encounter with a certain fairy. Filmed entirely on location in County Sligo in the west of Ireland.
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[@aprilriordan8202]

Hi Daniel what a fantastic tale, hawthorn ( fairy trees ) are sacred to the Irish and not many will mess with one . A good few years back they where expanding on the motorway from Limerick to Ennis and just outside a small village right in the path of the plans for motor way there stood a very old hawthorn (fairy tree ), it’s was petitioned to the county council to save the tree and in the end the motorway was rerouted around the fairy tree and it still stands protected in it’s original place to this day. To move a major road around a tree tells how important hawthorn trees are to the Irish and our folklore. I am sure if a request is submitted to your local Co Council before felling begins the Hawthorn can be saved since it was there before the land was forested . I hope you get to visit your fairy tree for many years to come .

[@jgg59]

I hope he does request that they save the tree

[@matthewcunningham8691]

That's a great story April, go on Daniel take this on as a mission. Clearly, it will bring good fortune to you and Moss et al.

[@christinewright110]

Where I lived in Cambridgeshire, was (and still is) an ancient oak tree which the giant supermarket wanted to take down because it interfered with their plans for the car park. We, the townsfolk, petitioned to keep it and so it remains in the centre of a roundabout.

[@fosullivan9783]

Coillte, the state forest management company are often accommodating to people's requests to save trees, its probably just a matter of letting them know, best of luck.

[@kathleenphillips6445]

Oh yes!!

[@raineyday9066]

I'm so glad people no longer have to rely on Hollywood or writers that have been approved by publishing houses for storytelling. The internet has opened up a world of fascination for all of us without the need of a middle man determining what stories we are allowed to see and hear.

[@GaryBoyd02]

Sometimes you just want to give this man a huge hug.

[@rhondajo7822]

🤣😆😁😊....I totally agree! HUGGABLE! 🥰 I know as a grandmother that I would be so proud to have Peter as my grandson!

[@londonbabe2467]

Moss was sooooo gorgeous. What happened to your lovely home and garden in Ireland? I loved your home.

[@DaneseCooper]

Most Irish folks won’t take down a Hawthorne (and you could always tie yourself to it to avoid it being taken down, my friends and I did that for some 400-year old oaks on a property in Southern California a few decades ago). I have newly purchased some land with a couple of pastures, a shared small lake, a house and quite a nice forest. I’m very interested in Irish woodlands as a result and I’m subscribing to your channel.

[@Cate7451]

Merry Christmas and welcome and let s know how it goes!

[@marirose19]

@Danese Cooper Mossy Bottom is by far one of the best YT channels you could subscribe to. And ty for saving the oak trees (at least I hope you did). Do you know the story of Julia Butterfly Hill & what she did? Check it & her out if her name doesn’t sound familiar. Something tells me you were inspired by her as were others all the way to where I live in NH where a 72 year old woman sat in an extremely old oak tree so they couldn’t cut it down. It worked. Those who tried to cut it down gave up. Victory!!

[@Marie-yx5ie]

Fantastic Danese well done to you all 👏👏👏👏👍😉🇮🇪🍀

[@Marie-yx5ie]

@@marirose19 Wow, that's a fantastic story👏👏👏👏 👍😉🇮🇪🍀

[@marirose19]

@@Marie-yx5ie That’s the kind of 72 yr old I want to be for sure!🤗🎄🌟

[@imeldadiaz4164]

My father was Irish, he'd be 100 years old if he was still alive today. He believed in fairies and used to tell me stories about leprecauns playing in the fields. I never really knew if he believed the myths or was just joking with me. I miss him very much. You're a great story teller Daniel, you've inherited an Irish gift there.

[@jillychandler]

This is terrible news that they will cut all those trees down, and I am so pleased you will take the berries to keep seed in your freezer, to give life again from Mother Earth for the future. Thank you Daniel and Moss from Devon xxx

[@animula6908]

Those are plantation trees. I hope they tried to leave the Hawthorne, but I’m disappointed so many people can’t know the difference between natural foresting and planted trees grown for timber. Ireland had a big fight a thousand years ago or maybe more about deforesting the land, but it was during the agricultural revolution so at the time the progressive thing to do was to deforest and use land to grow crops that people could use. I remember this when trends take hold in progressivism, because the way things appear at the moment may not be how they are, and extremism is the worst mistake. Imagine if they’d been less extreme when they knew they were right to deforest all of Ireland… But anyway that already happened long ago. Everything there now has been planted by humans on purpose. Nothing is a natural wholesome ecosystem Only the fairies have a tree here and there that can pass for natural.

[@flynnjp19]

You had me glued to the screen with this story, just what the world needs now is great story and something to believe in...

[@tcshaitan1]

100 percent agree there.

[@catL156]

Absolutely loved this, as an Irish woman I'm so delighted that you took the time to share this wonderful story and respect the Irish culture and history, Nollaig Shona duit ❤️❤️

[@hollyw9566]

This made me cry, first for the forest - and still for the forest, I hope it still stands - then for the pain of the father and for the things we do and say in anger and pain, and then in happiness at the ending. There is an enormous amount of truth in this tale. There are many billionaires in this world who could, if they would, reach out and spare the forest by buying it and preserving it in perpetuity, giving the money to your pensioners. They would be their own sidhe by so doing. Blessed Be. This is my birthday wish, for today is my birthday.☘🌼🍀

[@hollyw9566]

Let me add that I am very into perfumery, and have found lately that I love fragrances that contain hawthorn as a note. It's a magical fragrance. Must be that I am Irish on all sides (also we are said to have bit of Traveler 😉) , and my father was Irish and Cornish. All my ancestors would have loved this tale!

[@saxon-mt5by]

We have an old Hawthorn tree in our garden boundary which is known to be at least 300 years old. Sadly it has been dying for the last few years and there is now only one branch which still bears blossom; I fear it may only have another year or two to go, but meanwhile we have planted three replacements which are thriving and hopefully will continue to blossom for many years to come.

[@okinoboo4743]

Good on you!

[@rosemason4812]

I would sign a petition to save the the Hawthorn tree. My family come form county Cavan ,immigrated to England where I was born, then immigrated to Australia .we still have those that cannot see the wealth and health in nature.

[@heffo67]

I have heard many a good faerie story, even a few first hand accounts from ones who have claimed to have met them. I enjoyed that, thank you! Oh just to add. From my observations locally (county Laois) it is practice now not to fell deciduous trees within, when felling a plantation of conifers. Fingers crossed for the whitethorn and the glade!

[@johnnynesbit8289]

Yes they're real and it still goes on check out missing 411 thousands of people have very mysterious things happen to them around the world

[@roxannedaly279]

You are a Master Storyteller; a master photographer/filmmaker!! I was totally mesmerized with the forest's beauty; the fascinating fairy-farmer story and the manner in which you presented it!! WOW...best ever! To be watched again & again, & shared! Wishing you a beautiful Christmas Daniel!

[@rhondajo7822]

😊😁..... this video definitely sold me on the benefits of enrolling in Skill Share's film making classes! Excellent editing, photography and story telling. It makes me want to sit down with your farmer-neighbor and hear more stories about his life.

[@flamelily3111]

How beautifully told. You truly have a talent and a love for the earth. My mother was Irish and would never cut down a thorn tree...even in Africa where I was born and she died. Thank you for your story so eloquently told. And the memories it brought back. Would love it if you made them a regular feature. May the fairies bless you.

[@33Jenesis]

Daniel, you have what it takes to be a successful narrator. This is a perfect remote side gig you can do comfortably at home. I hope you are writing your own autobiography so that you can narrate your own book. But I would listen to you narrating Narnia, Lord of the Rings trilogy, Grimm’s Fairy Tales……all day everyday!

[@cunobelinusX31]

I know people will think I'm mad, but I saw a Leprachaun one day. I was driving out of Arklow , County Wicklow, turned off the main road and there's a long stone wall and he was sitting on it. I slowed my car down, our eyes met, then he jumped off and ran across the field and disapered into some trees. Funny thing is, in that field there is a big hump that the locals call "the fairie mound"

[@shelleyjanewildflower5612]

❤❤

[@TrueLife-o2j]

Stay on your medication 💊

[@ka6834]

Writing from Canada! Hoping, wishing, praying for the glade and the hawthorn to be spared. Old trees are not only magical, they store carbon. If we want to mitigate climate change, we must keep them in the ground. Storytellers are magical and powerful as well. Keep up the great work Daniel. I was enthralled and so happy that you will keep some of the berries.

[@andrewmcbride1409]

Wow, I haven't been so gripped by a story in a long long time. Truly fascinating!! Thanks Daniel keep up the great work

[@eastlothian98]

10/10 storyteller mossy! I've recently visited the stone structures on the hill top from your last story. The Burren forest is magical too, ancient stone remains of a settlement, all overgrown with trees and moss now. Sure there is a story hiding in there, and I'd love to hear you tell it. Thanks Mossy Edit: Sorry to hear about your forest! Also I'm a plumber house hunting in the Mayo to Cavan area, I've plenty time if you'd like help with your cottage, even a good chat through if you want to DIY it. Be glad to repay the knowledge you have given me.

[@virginiahernandez7760]

I loved this story. And pray the tree is protected. I think Ireland should be an entire World Heritage location do that ancient endangered trees, plants and ancient archeological history.

[@markirish7599]

Thank you for your kind words. Blessings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@virginiahernandez7760]

@@markirish7599 my heart will always be there. My Granny was from there, Ove been there and plan to return!!

[@2learn4ever]

You've become a seanchaí (storyteller) at last! There are so many Irish myths and legends. You told that story brilliantly. Ah sure I knew they'd end up married in the end! Just like the Cinderella story. I'd say Peter Jackson would make a great film of Irish legends. More please!

[@kateduggleby6161]

I was in raptures over this, beautiful cinematography and story telling! I do hope the hawthorn tree is saved....so special...❤️

[@joebraden3852]

Daniel, wonderful tale, wonderfully told. I'm Irish and love this type of story. A thought...why not petition the landowner/forestry people/local council to spare the hawthorn? Your neighbour would certainly support you. Joe

[@marthapage4756]

Delightful story telling! I live on Vancouver Island in British Columbia and we have the same greedy corporate attitudes when it comes to clear cutting. However, there are many here who fight against this foolishness and as a result at least some of the centuries old giants have been saved through their efforts. Thank you for your wonderful vlogs! I grew up with a father who shared your dream. He gifted me a wonderful tattered book, Five Acres and Independence by M.C. Kains. Perhaps a little out of date now but a true classic. All the Best for 2022 to you , Moss and all the creatures that you share your magical small-holding with.

[@monikacarless_wordwitch]

I also live on Vancouver Island and am so grateful for all the tree defenders here.

[@marthapage4756]

@Myth Tree very true

[@tcshaitan1]

Amazing. You really have a gift of telling a story. This story brought tears to my eyes not just the story itself but the sadness of it possibly being the end of life for that Hawthorn tree. How amazing would it be if you could plant your own like you said. Keep telling stories you are a natural. We have the winter solstice coming up. Would be cool to hear you tell a story for that maybe. I feel like another Christmas story would be wonderful to. I live in County Sligo and I love Carrowkeel not just the tombs but the Miners way aswell. Anyways keep doing what you're doing it's wonderful.

[@katesterly547]

It just hurts somewhere deep inside anytime I see a Forest clear-cut. I personally think that's unnecessary but then I'm not the one that's trying to make money off of the land. Here's hoping that they've got some sense of history and leave the Hawthorne. Please let us know how it goes. Thank you and Mossy for taking us to some beautiful places and yes I love the stories. Merry Christmas. Be well, stay safe, love from Texas.

[@animula6908]

It’s not a forest. It’s a plantation. It’s like being sad in your heart when farmers harvest because you think it’s a natural grassland being felled. Those trees were not native or natural there. They were planted and raised for timber.

[@nataliebutler]

You're such a wonderful story teller!

[@donsheahan1569]

Well done Daniel, a story well told. An Gorta Mór - The Great Hunger, is never forgotten especially in rural Ireland. I do hope you will be successful in saving the hawthorn tree from the chainsaw, with the help of your neighbour no doubt !!!

[@cynthiahofer2903]

There is a hawthorn tree that grows in my yard that I suppose was planted by a bird or a squirrel as I did not plant it. Maybe a faerie. I enjoyed this story immensely. Let's hope the machinery will find a way to go around it. Maybe your story will touch someone's sensitivity enough to do just that and leave the ancient ones. Good story.

[@beverlybaker6970]

What a great story, hoping the Hawthorn tree is somehow saved from the clear cutting. Maybe you could tie some ribbons on the tree so when they come thru cutting they will recognize the tree as something special.

[@kitchengreenie1]

I believe you might be a decendant from the fairies too Daniel. You certainly had me captivated. More Irish folklore please!

[@beecee1235]

Wow! As good as any Irish " Seanachaí " (the ancient art of story telling). I was spell bound. Ask the farmer/fairy if he has any more stories. I believe you have earned a standing ovation. Well Done. And what a great gesture to grow another hawthorn from the seeds if this one. keep up the great work. Thank you.

[@jhankri]

What a wonderful story. I'm so glad you collected berries from the Hawthorne which can also be reproduced from soft wood cuttings. I hope the tree will stand for many years to come.

[@shannonhart6993]

Thank you for this video, Daniel! My tendency is to become quite angry (my Irish rebel DNA!) upon hearing of trees to be cut down, and feel the need to do something about it, although this often leads to burnout. Here on Vancouver Island, they are set to cut down old growth forests, despite the government's promise to protect them. Watching your approach to this similar situation, I now realize that I may not be able to protect the trees now existing (and I am so grateful to the ones who are up there defending them), but I can still, quietly, in a more peaceful manner, do my part to help them. Thank you for saving this tree, Daniel, in the best way you can! And thank you for being a teacher in another way, I am learning so much from you.

[@thisdrinkinglife]

trust me, they will get bad luck if they mess with the hawthorn trees

[@kathleenphillips6445]

I’ve always loved fairytales and myths. You’ve documented this wonderful story for posterity, even if it’s known locally, now your audience is the world. Thank you and especially your neighbor, thank you.

[@markwilliams8538]

Just how champion was that now. More more more. One can only imagine the tree has as many stories as leaves. You set the imagination on fire. Thank you for being you.

[@tomcrawford2350]

Daniel, you are truly a master storyteller! Even though I don't believe a word is true, it was an enthralling tale to hear and told in such a beautiful, peaceful place. Thank you. Please keep these folklore stories a part of your channel.

[@paloma2364]

Wonderful storytelling skills! You must have memorized that whole story to be able to tell is so well. The filming and editing and art direction were also brilliant. I really hope they leave the hawthorn standing and that the people who own that land replant with Irish native species to create a beautiful forest that future generations can enjoy. Sitka spruce forests can be very dark and grim and they don't sustain wildlife. It's a pity the practice of planting them has become common in Ireland.

[@blindvoyager]

Wow! I am a 40 year old minister, storyteller and history/folklore buff and this is seriously one of the best KZbin videos I’ve ever seen!!

[@soapstuff6212]

This was beautiful, I loved it. I'd recommend anyone who loved this as much as I did to read 'under the hawthorn tree' by Marita Conlon McKenna. I would also ask Daniel to consider researching all of the causes underlying the Irish famine including absentee British landlords as well as the potato blight, a million people died and 2 million emigrated on coffin ships changing Ireland forever.

[@valwright9871]

Yes I agree with you and even though I am in the UK This greed way and callousness is the very world we now fight to be rid of.

[@soapstuff6212]

@@valwright9871 Thank you so much for this, I am very lucky to have lots of wonderful British family and friends, I love the UK, there are lessons to learned by all of us from the past.

[@valwright9871]

@@soapstuff6212 Yes there certainly is. We have all allowed ourselves to a degree to be pushed into wars but now we can redress all of this. It is shades of grey too and it will take a lot of work.

[@glenysperry3421]

Magical, so well told Daniel. Merry Christmas everyone. 🌳

[@moiragoldsmith7052]

Happy Christmas to you too! x

[@susanangelo7737]

Same to you.

[@valwright9871]

Merry Christmas to all and you Glenys. We will welcome back our elementals to our new earth.

[@matthewcunningham8691]

I had a close friend some years ago and her father would often say his family was descended from the Tuatha De Danann, the family name was Tuohy. Not too sure what spiritual powers he possessed although he did enjoy the odd spirit down the pub on a Friday night! Great tale Daniel, go raibh míle maith agat 👍

[@shawnorth]

I’m from Northern Ireland and I still live here, I would love to come and help you for a few weeks eventually if I figured out a way to sustain it, thank you for being so true to who you are and for doing this - it keeps me company after a long day in the rat race

[@mortenwellhaven]

It’s always nice to have another seanchaí in the family.

[@eleanortrebicki3694]

That was beautifully told and presented with such wonderful photography. You must have Irish blood or have kissed the Blarney stone. I was enchanted with your tale. Merry Christmas to you, Moss and all the other animals.

[@marcphelan9883]

The blarney stone isn't real it's just a myth that the Irish believe in , that's what a fairy told me anyway

[@Marie-yx5ie]

Eleanor, I feel he has too 👍

[@marymoonchild2801]

My heart sank a little bit when you said that this beautiful and magical forest will be cut down in the future. Such places should be valued and protected as much as it is possible and preserved for future generations to wander through and to discover. It's sad how greed, love of money and profit always seems to prevail in our world over other values. You've chosen a very interesting and captivating story again (for some reason this one made me cry as well as the first one and I'm not one bit ashamed to admit it) and execution was superb - from background music and stunning visuals to your stroytelling. Merry Christmas to you and Moss (and to your neighbour as well)! :)

[@jekalambert9412]

Yes, there are some who are motivated by financial gain but I don't believe the farmer who owns the property is motivated by greed. The economic system on the planet forces many people to make choices they otherwise wouldn't make.

[@marymoonchild2801]

@@jekalambert9412 My comment was meant in a broader, more general sense. I'm not accusing this owner in particular of being greedy because as you wrote, I'm not aware of his financial or personal circumstances (and I apologize if my comment came off in a slightly accusatory and judgemental manner). Yes, current economic situation is globally quite bad and all of us are probably trying to stay afloat as best as we can. I was just really saddened to hear about possible loss of another beautiful and magical place, hence my reaction. If we consider how many forests have been already plundered and how many sanctuaries (because for many people places like this one are sanctuaries where they can spend some time by themselves, immersed in calmness and quiet contemplation) and other wonders of nature destroyed by human hand because of profit, greed or sometimes just because of ignorance or indiffernce, it's quite upsetting. I live in an area where deforestation is gradually becoming more and more visible, and it's truly heartbreaking to see what are some people capable of doing.

[@marilynblotsky4085]

I so agree. If we loss the sense of wonder with the natural world, we loss a piece of our soul.

[@Immortal_Hunter]

we are never going to get closer to a fairy tale in real life than this. i hope someone makes a movie from it. Such a mysterious place.

[@jamesj4998]

Beautiful story. Thank you for keeping our storytelling tradition alive Daniel and the mysteries of the fairies! The fairies have been seen to be linked to the consumption of magic mushrooms in Ireland - in fact the word for mushroom and fairies is the same in irish "pookies". I'd definitely recommend checking out Eddie Lenihans work, he is a master storyteller from Ireland and has an amazing archive of stories.

[@ibrstellar1080]

Accross the Globe there are stories of Fae and identical folklores of forest spirits who have be known to take people back to their underworld.

[@dellchica2373]

Thats very true. There are stories of similar forest spirits here in the caribbean.

[@anthonylyon3398]

The national trust of Ireland should buy that Forest with its Hawthorn tree & preserve it along with its Story because people from all over the world would love to visit it now.

[@sandraengstrand2784]

Beautiful story! Sad to hear they’ll be cutting down the forest… May your hawthorn tree grow tall and prosper!!!

[@rainedavis4173]

What a wonderful story Daniel! You tell it so beautifully. I hope they do not cut down this incredible forest full of history and folklore. It is so sad that this is happening everywhere. We need our beautiful green space. I hope that your story will raise awareness and the public can intercept before it happens. Magic is real!!

[@theroo3625]

Merry Xmas to you and your two- and four-legged family! What a tale... And like several commenters here I really like the idea of petitioning for this glade to be spared and protected - with the local folklore story actually providing a pretty special value one would think... And cheers to a happy new year of 2022!

[@MrSheymie]

Have any TV companies approached you yet to do a programme? It might happen. You're creating it already. You are a very good story teller. You seem to have found a few callings within one.

[@jagoosw6368]

Have a wonderful Xmas Daniel and Moss, you're such a lovely soul! Your storytelling is absolutely amazing. Not only I love listening to you talking about anything at all, but this wonderful story just took me to another dimension. Daniel please continue and think of releasing an audiobook too. Your talent is astounding!!!

[@robfj3414]

What a beautiful and sad story, Daniel. As a descendant (in part) of people who left Ireland during the famine, this truly touched my heart. Thought provoking and exceptionally well told, this will stay with me for a while I’m sure.

[@rebeccasobin7271]

Thank you for taking us on a walk through the woods. The trees are very special and we are saddened by the impending clearcutting of the forest. We hope some survive and that you can grow Hawthorne via the seeds.

[@ProfChris]

What a great storyteller you are! Thanks for sharing this tale:-)

[@donnasperling9780]

Bless you Daniel. Lovely folklore. Beautiful rendition. I’m so sad that the forest will be destroyed.

[@berniecooper3680]

Good morning from an ex Englishman living in California. A wonderful story. Happy Yuletide to both you and Moss.

[@Julia-zj2ch]

Oh Daniel, you have succeeded gloriously in making me feel something! Something quite deep. What a treasure this film is, and will be even more precious if the beautiful Hawthorne tree is lost. What a heart breaking prospect. You are truly special and I am so grateful to have found your channel. Thank you for this and all your videos.

[@blackcrowcottage]

It breaks my heart that such a special place will be destroyed. I'm happy that you are collecting the seeds of the Hawthorne to plant. Loved your story & as always enjoy time spent watching your vlogs. Happy Yule to you & Moss.

[@peteswerdon2796]

Hello from White Haven Pa. USA And a Merry Christmas to you all.

[@alanwerner8563]

Hello Poconos !!! Richard from Nazareth/Bethlehem who now lives 2900 mi. W in Berkeley. I sure find myself thinking back to all our family camping trips at Promised Land, Hickory Run, etc.

[@dottieburton5501]

Thank you for that beautiful story true or not it was beautiful my family on both sides came from Ireland and I love to hear any stories about Ireland I would love one day to visit Ireland but I think I may have waited too long for that joy so instead I watch your KZbin channel to get my taste of Ireland Thank you

[@jasminegrueter1561]

Wow, magical! You are truly a great storyteller! Hope to hear more Irish folklore stories on your channel ☘️ Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@BeFree-BeFrugal]

I love hawthorn trees , especially the fairy thorns I have a special one I go and talk to 🌳Hawthorns had ribbons tied on them and danced around long before maypoles

[@briankelly85]

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful...

[@guitargirl7452]

Oh my goodness! I hope they don't cut down that magical old tree and destroy that lovely glade. That really would be terrible. Great story. The Irish are master storytellers of the old ways. Thanks Daniel. Merry Christmas to you and Moss. Xx

[@rochellelarmour5630]

That was brilliant!!! Both the story and the telling of it. Thank you so much.

[@tombyrne]

According to the Book of Invasions, Moytura, in Sligo, was the site of a huge battle between the Tuath De, then rulers of Ireland and the incoming Milesians, from Spain. The Tuatha De had superior technology, but the Milesians won out through numbers and valour. The deal struck after the battle was that the Milesians should have the land we can see, whereas the Tuatha De retired to the otherworld, an underlying eternal present, and became the fairies or little people-who are always there, just out of sight and become particularly close to this world at Samhain (Halloween). Hence one needs to be very careful of the intersections between our world and theirs, such as white thorn trees and fairy forts, for to damage these would be to break the treaty and all sorts of terrible consequences may follow - for example, one farmer who ploughed up a fairy fort woke up with his feet put on backwards (I heard tell, as a child). The battle at Moytura was the second - there was an even more ancient battle where the Tuatha De defeated and deposed the Firbolg (bag-men), an earlier race. They were also assailed by the Formorians, a race of ravaging monsters..

[@prettyk1020]

That's really interesting! I need to reread the Irish mythology. According to some scholars, the Tuatha de Danaan were the Orkney Islanders, and the Fir Bolg were the Bell Beaker folk.

[@tombyrne]

@@prettyk1020 There were several invasions - the Partholonians,, wiped out by a plague, the Nemedisns, similarly, the Fir Bolgs, the Tuatha De Danann and the Milesians. The story is told to a Christian missionary by Tuan MacCarroll, a Nemedian, who survived out of his race by becoming a stag and then passing through a set of incarnations which he remembered, until he was once again a man. I hadn’t heard of the Orkney theory - the source of the Tuatha given in the Book is four cities - Findias, Gorias, Murias and Falias. From these they brought four treasures - the sword, the spear, the cauldron and the stone. These turn up in a lot of legends, including the Brythonic Mabinogion and end up as the Grail Hallows.

[@paulvenables5432]

More please! That was very well told. I miss such stories, often brought to my parents home by people from Ireland. Thank you!

[@MsAstrovale]

You're wonderful

[@andrewjackdaw2511]

Listening your story I felt like a child again. Open for wonder! Thank you!

[@mshirey2799]

Aaaaaand now I'm crying. THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS, and thank you for saving the seeds of this magical tree

[@suzyking9973]

Wow loving your stories, I got my husband to listen as he is half Irish and his mother came from county Wicklow, we both love the story. Brilliant Happy Christmas to you both

[@essieessie5399]

Daniel, you are a mesmerizing story teller. All your videos truly make my day. Is it too late to save the forest? So many forests being ripped out for nothing but greed. Sadly, so many displaced forest creatures suffer as well.

[@michaeldowdle6123]

What an amazing journey you took me on, beautifully shot and told. Wishing you and your family (human and animal), a very Merry Christmas. Cheers Michael🕊🍸🎄

[@jaymonster6058]

What a magical story! I really loved the way that you told the story. Thank you so much for sharing this and for bringing that otherworldly place into all our homes.

[@eamonhannon1103]

This is a deeper, richer , more meaningful and magic full than the plastic stories and characters we see coming out of Hollywood

[@teghanni]

Thank you for the best Christmas present I have ever received!!! Cryin like a baby here in Central KY!!!! The Happiest of Holidays, Daniel, to you and Moss and all your furry and feathered family!!!

[@eugeneomalley8407]

Daniel, You yet again tell a beautiful story. This is the second such story I heard from you. The first was about the fairy mountain you told a few weeks ago. Your overall theme begins to remind me of the opening lines of a poem by William Allingham called The Fairies. William hailed from Ballyshannon not a million miles from your present abode. The lines go: Up the airy mountain Down the rushy glen We daren't go a-hunting For fear of little men. As I write this I am looking up at the wall at your 2022 calendar with Mossy poking his snout around a tree. It is clearly photographed in the same forest your story is set in. At this point I can offer some practical advice in relation to the lone whitethorn tree. No Irish worker will knowingly touch such a tree. To do so is deeply cursed. All you need to do for its preservation is to spread the word. Your neighbour will already be only too aware of this convention. For illustration I remember, as a boy, a story I heard about the construction of the present main runway at Shannon Airport in the 1960s. It is currently one of the longest there is. The original alignment took it directly through a fairy fort. When local workers became involved in the project they refused to touch the fort. The runway was realigned to avoid the issue. A very happy Christmas to you and Mossy.

[@PRS_18]

Merry Christmas to you all at Mossybottom!

[@matthewgodwin8308]

Daniel, many thanks for your beautiful special Christmas story about the Hawthorne tree, the fairy, farmer and his two children. Wish you and yours a very happy peaceful Christmas and New Year too. Keep up the inspirational vlogs about your extraordinary journey from the UK to rural West coast of Ireland. County Sligo. Take care bye for now Daniel 🤗🤗🤗🤗🌲🎄⛄☘️🍀🇮🇪

[@stephengreen6338]

Well done Daniel, once again you have captured, and told a tale, in which you make it intriguing to listen to, just to echo one of the earlier comments, I believe you have already made your own portal for inspiration, and a different way of living, best wishes, and a merry Christmas to you, and moss, and the other critters in your care.

[@how2withbasics567]

What a lovely touching story which sums up one of many folklore stories that Ireland is so rich in yet so many especially the youth no little of. I often wonder what will come of these stories, will they too die out with the last few remaining that seldom recall them. Thank you for sharing and please share more of those stories.

[@karenleemallonee684]

I absolutely loved that tale, as you told it I could envision it in my mind. Such sad news about the Grove of trees going to be harvested, I too hope the old Hawthorne Tree will be aloud to stand. Thank you for your beautiful gift of this story! 🌼

[@maranathasos3381]

It wasn’t dark at all but full of hope and light - forgiveness and life…. thank you.

[@cerridwenrowan]

Wow.... Enthralled seconds in❤️

[@Z76455]

Ohhh... so beautiful... thank you SO much!! Such a lovely story and so well told..Hawthorn berries are healers to the heart, and the energetics open the heart, and help with expressing, love and receiving love How wonderful that you will take that love energy to your homestead..I gasped out loud when you said the trees would be cut down.. so sad..It is such a special place.. I hope the fairies work their magic and the tree remains for future generations.

[@go4minrakulyx]

wow... great !

[@paulsaunders4146]

Beautiful Daniel, magically told. I am reading a wonderful book at the moment entitled the old magic at Christmas by Linda raedisch, full of surprising world origins of the traditions we follow today. Keep up the good work, midwinter blessings, paul

[@stevehiggins1263]

What a fantastic story.

[@woodchuck9]

Will it be glade once the forest is gone? I hope that there is turn of events and your forest is spared. Great tale🤗 thank you ☺️

[@janalavtizar4426]

So magical. You're a gifted storyteller. Thank you Daniel. More tales please...

[@thizizliz]

What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing.

[@HoH]

Hi Daniel, my girlfriend bought me your calendar as a Christmas present. One of the best and most thoughtful gifts I ever received. A merry Christmas and healthy 2022 for both Moss and you!

[@vegansnippets205]

That tree should not be cut down 😱

[@edainari]

What a beautiful story from such a beautiful place from a storyteller who himself loves beauty and old things. I think the old farmer told the truth; he is descended from the Sidh. Additionally, this story demonstrates that even out of the darkest circumstances can come the greatest beauties.

[@franlooving4203]

Not everyone is a good teacher to people with different types of learning differences. I always appreciate your videos because I ALWAYS learn about the land in Ireland and find myself reflecting back on what you said in a video. Thank you! The story and current information you have really makes you think about and worry that the Hawthorne and area around it won't be saved, but I truly HOPE it will be saved!!! Please thank your neighbor for sharing the story with you. I have learned a lot! Take care.

[@garylightning8740]

Outstanding, thank you very much. In fact all your videos are consistently excellent. Regards Gareth Wiltshire UK. Gratitude. Quality. Respect.

[@ethnamoore5789]

You will find fairy trees all over Ireland standing alone because if damaged you may fear the wrath of the faeries. I have a local one which the land is cleared all round it but the tree stands untouched. It will be a brave soul that clears the fairy tree.