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Contractor James Bellew got more than he bargained for when he went to turn hay for farmer Thomas Delany yesterday evening in Starinagh, Co Meath, when he was surrounded by a giant will o’the wisp.
Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, James said: “The wisp came across the hills and lasted for at least 10 minutes.”
The tale of the wisp is associated with fairies and bad luck.
The phenomenon is caused by a swirling updraft of air under sunny conditions during fair weather but in Ireland it was traditionally known as a sí gaoithe, which can be translated as a gust of wind or a ‘fairy wind’.
The sí gaoithe was believed to have been caused by fairies and people would make the sign of the cross when they saw it, not being sure whether it was a sign of good or evil.
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