I have attempted over the past year to gather as much information as I can on the folklore medicine of East Clare. This includes among other things, Herbal Remedies and Tonics, Local Healers, Charms used, Superstitions practiced and the uses of some Holy Wells. My sources of information came from many places. In 1937 children in primary schools all around the country were asked to collect local customs and folklore. The results are held in the Folklore Department of University College, Dublin. Much of this information can also be found in the Local Studies Centre in Ennis. I have typed them out as they were written by the children at that time. There are also numerous books on Irish herbal medicine and folklore medicine. Publications such as the Slieve Aughty and the Clare Champion have some very interesting articles.
No project of this nature would be complete without the memories of local people themselves and the results of these interviews have been of great use. There is a very ancient tradition of herbal medicine in Ireland dating back 5000 years. After the battle of Magh-tura, County Mayo, between the native Firbolgs and the invading Tuatha De Danaan, baths of herbs were prepared into which the wounded were plunged. Dian-cecht, physician to the Tuatha De Danaan, recommended a porridge, used for the relief of colds, phlegm, throat troubles and worms up until the last century. The porridge consisted of Hazel buds, Dandelion, Chickweed and Wood sorrel, boiled together with Oatmeal.
Early Irish physicians based their traditions and knowledge, not only on Hypocrates and Galen, but also on Dian-cecht. I have tried where I can to include common local names of herbs and conditions in both Irish and English. Today most of our medicine is synthetic. It is only in the last 50 years that such useful herbs as Chamomile, Nettle, Garlic and Coltsfoot have been discarded from common use. There is a revival, but much knowledge of herbal remedies has been lost and the control of the pharmaceutical industries over what we are prescribed by our doctors so great, that people are skeptical and unwilling to use a more natural approach to the prevention and treatment of minor ailments. I hope the information contained in the following pages will be of some interest and use to present and future generations.