Travelling to Ancient Wizard Sites in Ireland and Just Over the Sea

We may not have the world-famous and forever drawn-from ancient mythologies of the Greeks, Norse, Egyptians, or even the rehashed Roman myths, but the British Isles remain steeped in folklore and mythic tradition. From the west coast of Galway to the eastern shores of Norfolk, people have long shared stories of magical beings and supernatural creatures that used to walk these lands.

The lands are brought together by Gaelic and Celtic beliefs that once spanned the Isles, and as it turns out, two incredibly powerful wizards once occupied these lands. Here’s a look at where you can find these wizarding hotspots in the UK and Ireland.

England’s Famed Wizard

If there’s one element of English or British mythology that has become quite well-known beyond the Isles, it’s the Arthurian Legends. Centred on King Arthur and his many exploits as a hero of these lands, a huge part of his legend and that of his Knights of the Round Table is the wizard Merlin.

Also known as Myrddin or Merlinus, the wizard was wise, offered a mentor role to Arthur, and helped to guide the position of rule needing to be one of goodwill and justice. While his magical abilities were sometimes more subtly hinted at, he was undoubtedly a powerful wizard in his own right.

Merlin has become so entrenched in English lore that he’s inspired many other popular characters. Merlin’s often cited as J.R.R. Tolkien’s initial inspiration for his wizards, with The Lord of the Rings being inspired by the author’s desire for England to boast a grand mythology. Of course, the actions and lessons of the wizards are more aligned with his Catholic beliefs. Still, the depiction of Merlin and Tolkien’s wizards have certainly left their mark.

Now, wizards are extremely recognisable in popular culture, with the entertainment industry certainly leaning into the idea of pointed hats and impressive beards. Across the entertainment industry, including films and games, this is how we now picture wizards. Even in entertainment sectors like iGaming, this is how wizards appear. In Fire Blaze: Blue Wizard Megaways, the Blue Wizard has this very quintessential wizard look. The game even features within the slots welcome bonus, showing how the theme remains popular.

The blue-cloaked wizard is the path to unlocking wins and new features. The wizard he’s based on, Merlin, is even said to have created Stonehenge with his magic, while he was also traditionally said to dwell in Merlin’s Cave by Tintagel Castle in Cornwall.

Ireland’s Fearfully Powerful Magic-Wielder

Travelling to Ancient Wizard Sites in Ireland and Just Over the Sea 2 : Source: Unsplash

In Ireland, a lesser-known wizard may have been more powerful than Merlin in the myths and tales. This wizard was known as an incredibly powerful magic user who was so mighty that he’d actually inspire fear rather than awe in many. This Irish mage was Mogh Ruith.

Mogh Ruith was said to have been summoned to battle King Cormac. The druid, whose name means “Slave of the Wheel,” may have also been the King of Fir Bolg, was the only one who learned the magical arts within a fairy mound, which imbued him with a tremendous amount of strength.

Among his many fear-inducing showcases included Mogh Ruith summoning storms, breaking wells and dams to cause floods, causing blood to rain from the sky, turning people to stone, and even summoning the great fire eels (dragons) to smite his foes. His origins trace to Valentia Island, offering additional mystery to his legend.

Merlin and Mogh Ruith form the renowned duo of wizards spawned from the myths of the British Isles. Were they to have ever met, despite his legend, few would back Merlin over the terribly powerful Mogh Ruith.