QUIZ OF THE WEEK

MYTHS AND LEGENDS

1. Which Irish river is said to have been the home of the

Salmon of Knowledge?

2. What is the name of the grand hall which ancient Norse warriors are said to have ascended to when they died in battle?

3. What is the national animal of Scotland?

4. Sasquatch is an alternative name for which ape-like creature in American folklore?

5. A series of rocks in Enniscrone are said to be the children of which creature who transformed them to protect them when she realised she could not take them all back to her home?

6. What artefact in Greek mythology was said to release all the evils of the world if it was ever opened?

7. What ghostly vessel is considered to be a symbol of trouble ahead if observed on the high seas?

8. There is an old tradition that windows on the west side of a house in Ireland should remain closed at all times to keep which unwanted spirits away?

9. According to popular legend, which ancient city was founded by twin brothers Romulus and Remus?

10. ‘Land of Youth’ is the

English translation for which supernatural realm?

11. A phantom known as Springheeled Jack was rumoured to have terrorised which major city in the 19th century?

12. In many European countries, what is the name of the figure who visits the homes of children at Christmas time who have misbehaved?

13. The labyrinth of which beast was said to have been located on the island of Crete?

14. Which Sligo home, now in ruins, is claimed to be haunted by a widow’s curse as well as by the middle eastern artefacts which once inhabited it?

15. Which spirit in Irish mythology has an infamous reputation for being the herald of an imminent death in the family?

16. Which Norse god only has one eye after he sacrificed the other in exchange for cosmic wisdom?

17. Which greek monster had hair made of venomous snakes?

18. Sightings of a giant monster have been reported in which

British lake for over 1,000 years?

19. Which Greek hero is wellknown for his 12 labours?

20. Aodh, Fionnghuala, Fiachra and Conn are better known as the Children of where?

21. Which biblical figure was recorded as standing at a height of ‘six cubits and a span’?

22. Lough na Suil, also known as the disappearing lake, was allegedly formed 3,000 years ago when the eye of Balor, leader of the Formorians, fell on the ground and burned a whole in the ground. In which Sligo village can this lake be found?

23. The centaur is a mythological creature which is half man, half what?

24. Ra is the Egyptian god of which celestial body?

25. Before Jack O’Lanterns became the norm, what type of food was carved into faces to ward off unwanted visitors during Halloween?

26. What is the name of the malevolent Irish fairies which are said to often take the shape of black horses to wreak havoc at night?

27. What is the name of Ireland’s headless horseman who is described as having a human spine for a whip in one hand and his own grinning head in the other?

28. Queen Maeve is said to be buried upright on Knocknarea and facing her enemies in which part of Ireland?

29. In Greek mythology, the earth and the underworld are connected by which river?

30. Cerberus, also known as the Hound of Hades, has how many heads?

31. Tobernashelmida was a well in Sligo which supposedly contained what kind of giant creature which only emerged every seven years?

32. What is the name of the Scandinavian, sea-dwelling monster which is allegedly capable of sinking ships and has a taste for humans?

33. The Bunyip is a creature said to stalk creeks and swamps in which country?

34. It is considered bad luck not to salute which bird?

35. What is the name of the High

King of Ireland who according to legend was raised in the

Caves of Kesh by a wolf?

ANSWERS BELOW