How old is the Cailleach? Wouldn't we all like to know. This illustration was inspired by a re-telling of the story by the Oh-Aissieux at the Narrative Arts Club the other week. I only found out after I finished the illustration that the Cailleach represented winter, the ancient earth and especially the mountains in Irish mythology. If you see a lichen covered rock, that belongs to the Cailleach. Seeing her here, she reminds me a little of the large lichen covered, yellow-green rock that stands just inside the main entrance gates to Stephen's Green. Or maybe I'm getting a bit carried away...!
The image was worked up from the below sketch, done at the storytelling session. They're lovely story-telling events, drop in if you're in the neighbourhood.
