Paganism

This chapter discusses contemporary Paganism in Ireland and documents the historical emergence of this new religious movement against the backdrop of historical romanticization of the Celtic world and Celtic spirituality. It examines the traditions of those who self-identify as Pagan today, including Druids and Witches, based on ethnographic research. Presented here is an overview of the cosmology and worldview of contemporary Paganism and the relationship between globalized Paganism and local and national identities. An overview is provided of how, through their ritual practices, Pagans have a unique connection to nature and the landscape, archaeology, and the ancient past. Consideration is given to how modern Pagans engage with folklore and mythological traditions and to how cultural resources, including the Irish language, are drawn upon in the formation and maintenance of Pagan identities.