breaking stones, unlucky for some?

[Nick Aitken]

 

 

E E Evans, in his book ''Irish Folk Ways'' makes an interesting comment when he said -

''... until recently there was a reluctance, for superstitious reasons, to break up large stones...''

but adds no further detail.

Are any members aware of the detail of such a superstition?

[Nick Aitken]

I have found a reference to big stones, probably glacial erratics  -

''The popular opinion, which supposes them to be inhabited by a spirit, coincides with that of the ancient Icelanders, who worshipped the demons, which they believed to inhabit great stones.  It is related in the Kristnisaga, chap. 2, that the first Icelandic bishop, by chanting a hymn over one of these sacred stones, immediately after his arrival in the island, split it, expelled the spirit, and converted its worshippers to Christianity.’’

This could tie in with the reluctance to break a big rock, unlike Forest Gump who just bit into the chocolate and accepted the surprise.

Can anyone help with my enquiry about ''Connemara strangers''?

[louise price]

No.

But I'd be VERY interested to hear the reasons.

My guess - it might create a disturbance to the underworld folk who lived inside the hill.