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Irish Paganism for beginners can feel overwhelming at first, especially when you’re just starting out and trying to make sense of what’s real, respectful, and rooted in Irish tradition. You feel the pull so strongly – to Ireland, to the old Gods, to something that feels ancient and real in your bones – and then suddenly, you’re knee-deep in online nonsense.
Forums full of opinionated strangers. Social media reels full of fantasy cosplay. Books that don’t quite sound… right. (
AI – that you?!)
Post by Lora O’Brien, MA in Irish History
If you’ve felt overwhelmed by all that, you’re not alone. One of the most common things I hear from new students is: “I don’t know where to start – and I don’t want to get it wrong.”
So, let’s make it simple. If you’re here looking into Irish Paganism for beginners, there are a few myths you can go ahead and leave at the door.
Myth 1: “You Have to Be Irish to Practise Irish Paganism”
Let’s get this one out of the way early. You do not need to be Irish to respectfully engage with Irish spirituality.
Yes, our gods, our stories, and our practices are rooted in Irish land, language, and culture – and yes, that deserves deep respect and understanding. But Irish Paganism is not a completely closed tradition. What matters more than blood or birthplace is the approach.
Read More: Is Irish Paganism an Open Practice?
Are you learning from culturally connected sources? Are you honouring the traditions as they are, rather than twisting them to suit a modern aesthetic? Are you willing to listen, learn, and integrate slowly?
If so, you’re on the right path.
Many of our students at the Irish Pagan School are from the diaspora – and many more have no Irish ancestry at all. What connects us is a shared commitment to authentic Irish Paganism, not a family tree.
Added to this is the extreme entitlement that too often comes with the claim by foreign nationals of ‘being Irish’… with us, it gets ya nothing bud, sorry.
We all gotta do the work, we all gotta earn our place in this beautiful cultivated garden we maintain. Regardless of what your ancestry report says to you.
As I’ve said before: It’s not about where your grandparents were born. It’s about how you show up now.
Myth 2: “Irish Paganism is Basically the Same as Wicca or Generic Celtic Paganism”
I know this one crops up a lot, especially if your entry point into Paganism was through Wicca or a broad ‘Celtic’ path.
But Irish Paganism – as we teach it here – is a specific spiritual tradition grounded in the mythology, history, and culture of Ireland.
Read More: What is Irish Paganism?
It’s not a universal system where you can swap in Irish names for Greek or Norse ones. It’s not a one-size-fits-all set of wheel-of-the-year rituals. And it’s certainly not about aesthetic cottagecore versions of Irish deities.
We’re talking about a land-based spirituality that respects the sovereignty of place. We’re talking about Irish Gods and Goddesses who come with complex, often challenging stories.
And we’re talking about magic, ritual, and connection shaped by Irish worldviews, manuscript traditions, and living folklore.
That doesn’t mean you need to be a historian or a scholar to begin. But it does mean letting go of the assumption that all Pagan traditions are interchangeable.
They’re not – and that’s part of what makes Irish Paganism so rich.
Myth 3: “You Have to Know Everything Before You Can Start”
Oh, this one hurts – because it’s the myth that keeps people frozen.
You’ve looked into Irish Paganism for beginners by… signing up for a few online classes. You’ve got a stack of books you haven’t touched. You’re scared to light a candle or say a prayer because… what if you do it wrong?
Here’s the truth: You don’t need to know everything. You just need to begin.
Irish Paganism for beginners isn’t about passing a test. It’s about building a relationship. With the land. With the lore. With the Gods. With our vibrant living traditions.
Like any Right Relationship, it takes time. You listen. You learn. You show up.
Read More: Right Relationships
You can start with five minutes a day. Light a candle and speak aloud a line from a myth. Offer a breath to the land where you stand. Whisper a Gaeilge phrase you’ve learned.
That’s real practice. That’s connection.
At the Irish Pagan School, we don’t expect you to have it all figured out. We offer self-paced courses, bite-sized blogs like this one, and regular guidance so that you can grow at your own speed.
The most important thing is not perfection – it’s sincerity, and connection to authentic sources.
How to Actually Start (Without the Overwhelm)
If these myths have been holding you back, here’s a simple way to begin:
- Choose one God or Goddess to learn about. Not all at once. Just one.
- Start reading the Irish myths from reliable sources. (We recommend Táin Bó Cúailnge, Cath Maige Tuired, and the Metrical Dindshenchas as great entry points.)
- Learn one or two key Irish phrases – like Dia duit (hello) or Slán go fóill (goodbye for now).
- Take a class that walks you through things step by step. We’ve got plenty.
- Resource: Irish Paganism – A Living Tradition.
And if you need encouragement?
You’re already doing it. You’re here. You’re learning. You’re asking the right questions. That matters.
Final Thoughts from a Native Irish Draoí
I grew up with this land. I’ve walked the sites, worked in heritage, served the Mórrígan, taught these practices for over three decades. And I still learn something new every single week.
So if you’re new to Irish Paganism – welcome. There’s space for you here, as long as you show up with respect and curiosity.
Let go of the NeoPagan nonsense myths. They’re not helping you. Start where you are. That’s all any of us can do.
Ready to Begin?
We’ve created a free download just for folks like you:
Irish Pagan Resources Checklist – Get it Here
It includes reliable books, links to free courses, blog articles, and guidance for respectful practice.
Take what serves you, and come back to it whenever you’re ready.
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