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There’s a quiet longing many of us feel – to connect more deeply with Irish Paganism, to share our practice in person, and to speak aloud the old ways with others who understand. But if you’re not in Ireland, or not near any existing Irish Pagan group, what do you do?
Let’s talk about how to start a local Irish Pagan group for study or practice, safely and respectfully – with source-based materials, cultural integrity, and real-world support.
Why Start an Irish Pagan Group?
Many people today are searching for authentic Irish spirituality, and while online learning is brilliant (and we’re big fans, obviously), sometimes there’s no substitute for sitting in circle with others.
Starting a group can:
- Build local connection and spiritual community.
- Create accountability for your learning and practice.
- Offer support and inspiration when you’re on this path alone.
But before you jump in, there are a few things to consider for your Irish Pagan group – especially when working with a living tradition from a culture that’s not your own.
Begin with Cultural Respect, Not Appropriation
Irish Paganism is not a grab-bag of cool-sounding symbols and random “Celtic” quotes. It’s rooted in a specific place, history, language, and worldview.
So if you’re forming an Irish Pagan group around it, it’s vital that you’re approaching it from a position of cultural appreciation, not appropriation.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Use native sourced Irish materials – not pop culture or Neo-Druid invention.
- Respect the Irish language and history, even if you’re not fluent.
- Avoid mixing traditions that have no relation to each other (e.g., Irish deities with Norse or Greek unless you’ve done serious comparative work and you’re clear with your group about context).
🔗 More Info: Is Irish Celtic Paganism an Open Practice?
A good motto for your group: We are guests of the culture, not owners of it.
Use Native Resources in Your Irish Pagan Group
If you’re looking for a curriculum or study materials, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
For a beginner group, you might start with:
- Shared Reading from the Blog
- Shared Listening from the Podcast
- Shared Watching from the YouTube Channel
🔗 More Info: All of Our Free Resources are Here
The Irish Pagan School offers a wealth of trustworthy, native-taught classes on topics including:
- Irish Paganism: A Living Tradition
- The Wisdom of Irish Trees
- Draíocht: Foundations in Irish Magic
- Seasons and Sacred Cycles
- A Timeline of Irish History
All of these on-demand online classes are taught by people who live within the culture, use source texts, and teach with context and integrity.
🔗 Full Class List is Here
You could build your Irish Pagan group syllabus around one class per month, encouraging everyone to watch individually, then gather in person to discuss and share practice.
[Note: For our paid materials, please remain honourable and ensure each group member pays for personal access!]
Keep Your Irish Pagan Group Safe and Inclusive
Whether you’re meeting in someone’s home, a public park, or a rented hall, group safety is non-negotiable. A few best practices:
- Set clear boundaries and ground rules for behaviour.
- Have a screening process if the group is private – even just an email Q&A to get to know people.
- Make space for questions, not dogma – you’re all learning together.
- Encourage inclusivity around gender, ability, culture, and spiritual background (as long as folks are genuinely respectful of the Irish framework).
You can also include a group agreement document – outlining your purpose, what sources you’ll use, and your values as a group. This helps keep everyone on the same page.
Use Simple Irish Language to Open and Close Meetings
Even complete beginners can incorporate a little Gaeilge into your meetings. Here are a few phrases you can learn together and use each time:
To Begin the Meeting:
“Fáilte romhat” – You are welcome.
“Cuirimis tús leis an gcruinniú” – Let’s begin the meeting.
To End the Meeting:
“Go raibh maith agat/agaibh” – Thank you (to one/to many).
“Slán agus beannacht” – Goodbye and blessings.
(Pronunciations for each phrase can be found by pasting them into Abair.ie)
Learning even small bits of Irish shows reverence for the language, which is central to understanding the culture you’re engaging with.
✨ Irish Language Inspo: Irish with Mollie
You might decide as a group to learn a few phrases together each month!
Meeting Formats That Work Well
Depending on your Irish Pagan group’s focus and energy levels, a typical session might include:
- A welcome and short check-in round
- A shared reading or video screening (from the Irish Pagan School YT or mythological texts)
- Discussion or journaling prompts
- Optional shared practice – such as guided meditation, a seasonal rite, or tree walk
- Tea and chats
🔗 Mythological Texts Essential: Through the Mist
You might want to rotate facilitation so no one person is ‘the leader’, especially in groups focused on study rather than ritual.
Just make sure someone takes responsibility for keeping things structured.
Consider Mutual Aid and Community Building
Irish spirituality isn’t just about inner work – it’s about community. The old tales speak of fír flatha, the Sovereign’s truth, as being rooted in justice, fairness, Right Relationship, and communal responsibility.
That might look like:
- Sharing lifts to events or meetings
- Collecting for a local charity each season
- Swapping skills – from Irish language support to herbalism
- Supporting each other emotionally or practically in tough times
When done well, your Irish Pagan group becomes more than a study circle – it becomes a support network grounded in shared values and good cultural practice.
How to Get the Word Out (Safely & for Free)
If you’re ready to open up your Irish Pagan group to study or practice with others, it’s time to let people know – but with care.
Especially if you’re in the United States or other diaspora contexts, it’s important to find the right people, not just the most people.
Here are safe, no-cost ways to reach potential group members without putting yourself (or the group) at risk:
Use Trusted Online Communities
- The Irish Pagan School Facebook group is a brilliant place to connect with people already aligned with respectful, source-based Irish spirituality. Make sure to share your general area and intentions clearly, and invite private messages rather than posting personal details.
- Local Pagan or Druid Facebook groups (search your town or region with keywords like “Pagan,” “Druid,” “Witch,” or “Irish spirituality”) often allow posts about new groups forming.
- Reddit has threads like r/pagan, r/druidism, and even regional subreddits (e.g., r/Oregon, r/Boston) where you can post an invite. Just be ready to moderate responses carefully.
Offline Notice Boards (With Caution)
- Many local metaphysical or indie bookshops have a bulletin board for community events. Create a simple flyer with a contact email and brief group description (e.g. “Irish Pagan Study Group – respectful, source-based learning & practice rooted in native tradition”).
- Libraries and cultural centres sometimes allow listings for educational or cultural groups – especially if you position your group as focused on learning about Irish language, myth, or folklore.
- Irish heritage organisations or language circles in your area may be open to cross-posting – if you’re transparent about your Pagan focus, respectful in tone, and not trying to convert anyone.
Prioritise Privacy and Safety
- Use an email address set up just for the group, rather than personal contact details.
- Hold initial interest meetings in public places – a café, library room, or community hall – until trust is built.
- Consider a private Facebook or Discord group where new members can introduce themselves before attending in person.
- Let people know the values of the group upfront – respectful study, non-hierarchical sharing, no cultural mashups, and a focus on native Irish resources.
If your advert speaks clearly to your group’s respectful and source-based approach, it’ll naturally filter out folks looking for fantasy re-enactments or pan-Celtic chaos.
Don’t Rush – Let the Group Grow Organically
Start small. Even two or three people meeting regularly can become the seed of something bigger. Use local Pagan or spiritual Facebook groups, community centres, or Irish culture events to connect with potential members.
It’s not about numbers – it’s about depth and trust. Consistency and sincerity will draw the right people over time.
Ready to Get Started with Your Irish Pagan Group?
If this post has sparked ideas for forming your own local Irish Paganism study or practice group, brilliant. Remember:
- Stay grounded in authentic Irish sources
- Prioritise respect, safety, and inclusivity
- Learn a little Gaeilge and use it in context
- Build slow, build strong.
WANT A FREE IRISH PAGAN GROUP CHECKLIST?
(Includes a simple Opening and Closing Ceremony!)
👉 Irish Pagan Group Starter Checklist
We’re here to support you – wherever you are on the map.
