The word “cailleach” in the Scottish-Gaelic means old woman!, Owl in Gaelic is “cauileach-oidhche” , believe it or not it means “night-cockerel” or “white old woman of the night.” Because the owl was most often associated with the Crone aspect of the Celtic Hag Goddess “Cailleach”. The owl is often a guide to and through the Underworld, a creature of keen sight in darkness, and a silent and swift hunter. Celtic folklore says the wise owl can give you wisdom by helping unmask those who would deceive you or take advantage of you. “Hoo” knew?

What does the owl signify in Celtic culture?

The owl is a creature that has sharp vision even in the dark, a hunter that is stealthy and quick, and it often acts as a guide to and through the Underworld. Celtic legend has it that the wise owl may bestow insight upon its human companion by revealing the identities of people who would want to trick them or take advantage of them.

Is the owl an unusual sight in Ireland?

The population of this species has been decreasing over the past few decades, and as a result, its home range has shrunk to include just parts of the southwest and the midlands of Ireland. It is estimated that the population of barn owls has decreased by more than fifty percent over the course of the previous quarter century, and the IUCN Red List of Ireland has now included it as a species of concern.

What kind of bird cries out in the night in Ireland?

Because they are nocturnal and native to Ireland, barn owls are difficult to spot because they prefer the cover of darkness. This contributes to the mystique surrounding these birds. Their haunting cries are what gave rise to the myth of the banshee, a female ghost who was said to have been able to predict a person's impending death by howling and howling at night.

Is it considered fortunate to spot an owl?

Owls are often seen as symbols of tremendous knowledge and insight, and they may also provide direction. These birds may serve as a warning of a threat that is surmountable, as well as a portent of prosperity or positive change. In certain societies, owls are believed to be divine messengers or even to act as intermediaries between this world and the next.

Another Irish word for owl is 'ulchabhán', which translates literally as 'white beard'. Another expression for the owl in Irish is 'scréachóg reilige', which translates as 'shrill graveyard bird'.
 

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