Animals omen of death

THE belief that animals can give signs to humans of impending death is still strong in folk traditions internationally, including our own.

The appearance of certain creatures is regarded as a common omen of somebody’s imminent passing.

A reminder comes from Tony Brunnock, who lives in Cuil Aodha, Co Cork, who says some people there view with foreboding the appearance of a large, quite black hare. Whenever the hare is seen, somebody in the area dies a short time afterwards, according to Tony.