T.P. Agony

Cromm Cruac

Crom Cruach (Old Irish: Cromm Crúaich [ˈkɾˠɔmˠ ˈkɾˠuəç]) was a pagan god of pre-Christian Ireland. According to Christian writers, he was propitiated with human sacrifice and his worship was ended by Saint Patrick.He is also referred to as Crom Cróich, Cenn Cruach/Cróich ([ˈkʲɛnˠː ˈkɾˠuəx]) and Cenncroithi ([ˈkʲɛnˠː ˈkɾˠɔθʲɨ]). He is related to the later mythological and folkloric figure Crom Dubh. The references in a dinsenchas ("place-lore") poem in the 12th century to sacrifice in exchange for milk and grain suggest that Crom had a function as fertility god. The description of his image as a gold figure surrounded by twelve stone or bronze figures has been interpreted by some as representing the sun surrounded by the signs of the zodiac, suggesting a funct… more »