This medieval Irish poem is like a nursery rhyme. Only it doesn’t rhyme. And it’s not for children. 

Prepare to contemplate your own impermanence as you uncover the inner life of an old woman preparing for death.

00:00 Teaser

00:16 Introduction

02:39 Your story: The Lament of the Hag of Beara

08:04 End credits

Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that:  https://irishmyths.com/

Might I recommend my article “Who Is the Celtic Goddess of Winter? The Cailleach Explained”: https://irishmyths.com/2025/01/28/cailleach/

More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos

Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in the following:

-“Irish Goddess of Winter? The Cailleach Explained: https://youtu.be/MwTrinm1A1U?si=r0N2iCM3XPxl8sXt

-“The Holly King & Oak King Explained”: https://youtu.be/EWq0c5UhXgU?si=pbiEblLQgnFEk0VK

-”How Many Celtic Otherworlds Are There?”:

https://youtu.be/BFVoqVAxP_s?si=agcMlxxfwMPqMq4S

-“What Is a Banshee?”: https://youtu.be/Bua82CdZA4I?si=yTJT9dhvR3kDC59E

-“Celtic Sacred Trees (in Ireland and Beyond)”: https://youtu.be/9m0iiEVL-TY?si=DTKp6HZB-RY71fcA

-“Differences Between Myths, Legends, Folktales, and Fairytales”: https://youtu.be/kpLqEKLrxnc?si=ZOkzkHqdY13w7p4K

Books by me, I. E. Kneverday:

(Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.)

-Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc

-Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg

-Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0

-Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO

-Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG

-The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v

Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston)

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT

Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2

Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132\