My new book, Béara: Rescued Folklore - 4th in the Rescued Folklore series - is available from 31 March 2025. More here: www.mike-baldwin.net/folklore

Really glad I asked for extra-long legs for my Pilgrim Skylark harp. So much easier to play standing up with a dodgy back.

Car park with a view. #Schull #Cork

The hills of West Cork are as stunning in a late-night rainstorm as on a sunny day.

Dunbeacon stone circle and nearby Coolcoulaghta standing stones near Durrus, West Cork, Ireland. #standingstonesunday

Béara: Rescued Folklore. Out now. #newbooks #folklore #Ireland

Looking for a Christmas present? These are great... and I'm not biased. #Books #folklore #harps #WestCork #Ireland #Christmas

I've recently been working on a new podcast on the cultural and scientific history of musical instruments, named 'Instrumental.' I have interviewees ready but now need to buy recording equipment. If you’d like to know more or maybe help please visit gofund.me/89f2efc9

Thanks

Dr Mike Baldwin

Today I’ve coughed, rattled and slept. I’ve drunk a few pints of Lemsip, and I’ve finalised the cover for Béara: Rescued Folklore, for the printer. Despite ancient folkloric advice, I’ve not resorted to sucking on a frog to cure my ailments. #Folklore #newbook #Ireland

With Béara: Rescued Folklore, (my new book) flying the nest, my thoughts now turn to finishing The Gaelic Harp in Folklore. Here’s a woodcut from Derricke’s The Image of Ireland. Note the harper in the bottom right corner and the arse-baring jesters entertaining the king. Bums have always been funny

Cúil cuallachta standing stones near Durrus in West Cork. These places always make me think of how populous the area must have been in prehistory compared to today. What I wouldn’t give to spend one day in prehistoric Dunbeacon.

#FridayFolklore fact: Folklore from Ireland's Béara Peninsula says the blackbird was once white. Sent by a magpie to a treasure-filled castle, she was drawn to the shimmering gold. She encountered a demon who snorted black smoke over her white feathers. Her beak remained bright, touched by gold,

My new book, Béara: Resued Folklore, Histories and Songs from Ireland's South-west, is out on 2 December. If you like carefully transcribed #folklore, #culturalhistory, and fascinating stories about #Ireland from one of the world's most beautiful places, follow and retweet.