Ah, Ireland—the land of rolling green hills, legendary storytellers, and, of course, superstitions that would make a leprechaun blush. While Friday the 13th may send a shiver down your spine, here in Ireland, that’s just scratching the surface of our strange, spooky, and downright bizarre beliefs. Buckle up, as we dive into 10 Irish superstitions you definitely don’t want to mess with!

1. Fairy Rings and Fairy Forts: Tread Lightly!

You’ve probably heard tales of Ireland’s mischievous fairies, but if you stumble upon a fairy ring or fort—whether you mean to or not—damaging it is basically signing your family up for a lifetime (or longer) of bad luck. Fairies don’t forget, and neither will your descendants.

2. When Death Knocks, Stop the Clocks

You might think losing a loved one is the worst of your worries, but not so fast! If you forget to stop the clock, shut west-facing windows, or turn mirrors to the wall when someone passes away, you’re practically opening the door for the Sluagh—evil spirits who’ll make sure your dearly departed never rests in peace. Yikes.

3. New Shoes on the Table? Fatal Mistake.

So you’ve splurged on a shiny new pair of shoes? Congratulations! But if you dare place them on the table, you might want to start preparing for a funeral. According to superstition, someone in your family will die within the year. Lesson: admire your shoes on the floor, where they belong!

4. Tripping in a Graveyard? Don’t!

Speaking of graveyards, a little tumble while visiting one might be the last trip you take. Fall there, and it’s a surefire sign that the Grim Reaper has penciled you into his schedule within the next 12 months. And if you fall onto a gravestone? Well, your time might come even sooner.

5. Horseshoes: The DIY Job You Can’t Mess Up

That horseshoe hanging above your door isn’t just decoration—it’s a shield against evil. But if it ever swings upside down? It’s like rolling out the red carpet for every dark force imaginable. Keep those nails tight, folks!

6. Passing Churches and Hearses: Time to Bless Yourself

Driving past a church? Even if you’re hands-on-the-wheel, eyes-on-the-road kind of person, bless yourself! Same goes for passing a hearse—if it’s full, that is. Failure to do so might mean bad luck is along for the ride.

7. Got No Banshee? Hire a Keener!

Not everyone’s fancy enough to have a personal Banshee. If that’s the case, it’s time to call in a professional keener to wail over your lost loved ones. And don’t skimp on paying them! If the keening isn’t done right, you might just find the Hounds of Hell collecting souls instead of mourners.

8. Boats, Redheads, and Bad Luck

Ahoy! Own a boat? Here’s your rulebook for avoiding a watery fate: Never rename it, don’t paint it green, never drop a coin overboard, don’t leave the harbor last, and for goodness’ sake, don’t invite a redhead aboard! Unless, of course, you enjoy the idea of a dramatic shipwreck.

9. One for Sorrow, Two for a Salute

Spot a lone magpie while out and about? Don’t just stand there! According to Irish superstition, seeing a solitary magpie brings sorrow. You’ll need to tip your hat or verbally greet the bird to ward off bad luck—though you might earn some funny looks while doing it.

10. Broken Mirrors = Broken Souls

Your new shoes are safe from the table, you survived the graveyard trip, and now you’re admiring yourself in the mirror. But wait! A bird flies into your house, you get startled, and the mirror shatters. Congratulations—you’ve just earned seven years of bad luck! Why? Because that mirror was holding a piece of your soul, and now, well, it’s in shards.

And there you have it—10 Irish superstitions that’ll either make you laugh or have you looking over your shoulder. Whether you believe in them or not, it’s probably best to play it safe—because in Ireland, you never know who (or what) is watching!