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For more than 3,000 years
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Ireland has maintained
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a connection to ancient magic
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and a mystical realm.
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DIARMUID JOHNSON:
We have two parallel worlds,
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the human world
and the otherworld.
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NARRATOR:
The rolling landscape
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is believed
to possess hidden power.
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ANDREW COLLINS:
It is said that
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the mounds acted as these
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doorways into other realities.
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NARRATOR:
And within these earthen mounds
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are said to be powerful beings
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known as the Shining Ones.
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GIORGIO TSOUKALOS:
They are somehow able
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to manipulate
their surroundings,
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and have the knowledge
of the universe.
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NARRATOR:
Are these Irish legends
more than fanciful mythology?
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And if so, could there be
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an extraterrestrial connection?
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WILLIAM HENRY:
The ancient Irish
were saying that these beings
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came from the sky.
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NARRATOR:
There is a doorway
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in the universe.
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Beyond it is
the promise of truth.
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It demands
we question everything
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we have ever been taught.
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The evidence is all around us.
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The future
is right before our eyes.
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We are not alone.
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We have never been alone.
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NARRATOR:
Ireland.
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This lush, green island
in the North Atlantic
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has a history of human activity
dating back
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more than 33,000 years.
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Numerous cultures
have called Ireland home,
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from the early Beaker people
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to the Celts and the Gaels,
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and the island
has a rich tradition
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of folklore that has spread
throughout the world.
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But perhaps most notable
is that Ireland boasts
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some of the oldest
structures on the planet.
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Massive earthen mounds,
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many of which date back
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more than 5,000 years.
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TOK THOMPSON:
These mounds are constructed.
They're not natural hills.
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These are
megalithic constructions,
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um, involving, in the larger
sites, an enormous
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amount of man hours and labor.
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These would've been,
when they were made, just very,
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very impressive sites.
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DAVID CHILDRESS:
These mounds were
an ancient earthwork
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that had a tunnel
going through it
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with stones on either side
and stones on top
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and then covered with earth.
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THOMPSON:
Ireland has a tremendous
amount of these mounds,
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and these are
some of mankind's oldest
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large structures in the world.
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And they anchor
all of the land together.
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Usually, if you visit one on top
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of a hill, you go up,
you find one,
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and you can do a line
of sight to the next one.
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There was almost a network,
almost across
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the entire island
of these sites.
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NARRATOR:
The oldest known writing
in Ireland
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dates to the 6th century A.D.,
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more than 3,000 years
after the ancient mounds
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are believed to have been built.
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With no written record
about the mounds' construction,
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archaeologists and historians
can only speculate
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as to who made them
and for what purpose.
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THOMPSON:
These things were built to go
inside, where, presumably,
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very, very important rituals
took place.
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We don't know,
but much later on,
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these sites would've been
used for gatherings,
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for rituals, and sort of
keeping the society together.
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These were enormously
long-lived sites
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of cultural importance.
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It was enormously
long-lived societies
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that used these as focal points.
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NARRATOR:
30 miles north of Dublin
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in County Meath is Ireland's
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largest and oldest mound,
called Newgrange.
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The ancient structure
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00:04:02,375 --> 00:04:05,667
consists of over
200,000 tons of stone
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and has a passageway leading
to a central chamber
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in which human bone fragments
have been found.
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But archaeologists
say Newgrange also has
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an undeniable connection
to the cosmos.
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Spiral petroglyphs, thought
to symbolize the universe,
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are found all around it,
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and the passageway and chamber
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form a cruciform shape
that researchers believe
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is based on
the constellation Cygnus.
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THOMPSON:
At the time Newgrange was built,
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it was presumed to be
the largest structure that
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mankind had
ever built in the world.
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Now, one of the most interesting
things about Newgrange
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is it's a celestial alignment.
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This is still
very, very popular.
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If you go at
the winter solstice,
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you have the sun dagger that
it cuts tremendous distance
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all the way in to brighten up
the inner chamber.
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NARRATOR:
Newgrange is unique
among Ireland's mounds
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in its sophistication,
and was clearly designed
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for ritualistic activity.
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But according
to ancient Irish texts,
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the mounds serve a more profound
and mysterious purpose,
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as the dwelling places
of otherworldly beings
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traditionally called the sidhe.
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DR. JENNY BUTLER:
The word "sidhe,"
it can mean "the mounds"
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and also
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can mean "the otherworld people,
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the people of the mounds."
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In Irish tradition,
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it's bad luck to use
the word "sidhe"
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to directly refer to these
otherworld people.
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So, there are many
different names.
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We have the English word
fairy folk, also elves.
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NARRATOR:
Stories of fairies, elves,
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and even leprechauns are rooted
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in the ancient folklore of what
the Irish called the sidhe.
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But for many Irish people,
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the sidhe are not merely
mythological figures.
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MARTY MULLIGAN:
Fairies and leprechauns
and all that sort of stuff,
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like, too many people kind of
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laugh and joke about it
at times,
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but it's knowledge that'd been
passed down for
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thousands and thousands
of years.
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JOHNSON:
We have the terrestrial world
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and the subterrestrial world,
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the human world, and the
superhuman or otherworld.
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These worlds exist in parallel.
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Occasionally, however,
there is communication
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between the two worlds.
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NARRATOR:
The mounds are often referred to
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as "fairy forts,"
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as are stone circles
and tree clusters
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that are considered
the property of the sidhe.
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This strong cultural belief
that these features
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are the domain
of otherworldly beings
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has kept them intact
for thousands of years.
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And the Irish say that,
when they are disturbed,
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bad luck always follows.
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MULLIGAN:
Seán Quinn was
the wealthiest man in Ireland.
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He lost everything
because he moved a fairy fort.
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He damaged a fairy fort, and he
moved it to another place.
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00:07:02,625 --> 00:07:06,583
DeLorean car manufacturers,
they came to Belfast, and were
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00:07:06,708 --> 00:07:09,500
making the DeLorean car
up in Northern Ireland,
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and they built the factory
on the site of a fairy fort.
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And it all came crashing down,
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and the local people would say,
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"Well, you know,
what do you expect?"
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Ask any Irish person,
"Would you damage a fairy fort?
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What would happen if
you damaged a fairy tree?"
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If you gave me ten million bucks
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and a Cadillac and a helicopter
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and a beautiful house on
Sunset Boulevard and said
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all I had to do was
chop down a fairy tree,
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I'd be handing that money
straight back to you.
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I wouldn't do it. No one
I know would do it either.
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So, do we believe in
the fairies in Ireland? We do.
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NARRATOR:
While modern-day
representations of fairies
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often depict benevolent,
spritely creatures,
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traditional Irish notions
of fairies are much different.
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They are considered powerful
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and sometimes dangerous beings.
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You don't want to mess
with the aos sí.
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They're not cute,
cuddly little fairies like
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we-we typically think of today.
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But these are very
extraordinarily powerful people.
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Wielders of supernatural powers.
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NARRATOR:
The sidhe, or fairy folk,
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are often referred to as
the Shining Ones,
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but do accounts
of their luminous
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appearance suggest
that they are divine beings?
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According to the
ancient Irish stories,
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while the fairies have
supernatural abilities,
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they are not immortal gods.
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The inhabitant of
the sidhe is not necessarily
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immortal in the narrative.
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Sometimes they're-they're
killed or-or meet with death,
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but they never grow old.
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And so, if they are
killed or die,
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they do so while young.
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They're other, uh,
but somewhat humanoid.
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Sometimes they're small
and green, they abduct people,
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they have, uh, either advanced
technology or ancient magic.
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And in many ways
this fairy tradition, uh,
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reminds me very much
of the UFO tradition
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that we have
in the United States.
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HUGH NEWMAN:
When it comes to these dwellings
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of the fairy folk,
there's lots of talk about
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otherworldly beings
emerging from the mounds.
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And also people getting taken
into the mounds
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and, like, disappearing.
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TSOUKALOS:
You hear stories
of lights in the sky
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or even lights in the forest
and the woods that you see.
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So, could it be possible
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that the fairy folk
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is a description of
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extraterrestrials
back in the day?
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There is absolutely an argument
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00:09:39,792 --> 00:09:42,500
that can make that case.
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MULLIGAN:
In our stories
relating to the sidhe,
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the fairies,
call them what you will,
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00:09:48,792 --> 00:09:51,333
all of our stories say that
they came from the sky world.
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NARRATOR:
Is it possible that
modern beliefs of fairies
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00:09:55,208 --> 00:09:59,042
and elves are based on
real otherworldly beings
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that the Irish people
encountered centuries ago
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00:10:02,042 --> 00:10:05,458
and that may still
inhabit the island today?
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00:10:05,583 --> 00:10:08,333
And if so,
why are they thought to
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dwell within the ancient mounds?
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According to legend,
the sidhe did not always
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00:10:13,833 --> 00:10:15,792
live within the Earth,
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00:10:15,917 --> 00:10:19,625
and their story begins
with a group of shining beings
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00:10:19,708 --> 00:10:22,125
who arrived in flying craft.
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NARRATOR: In Ireland, tales of
the sidhe, or fairy folk,
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00:10:32,375 --> 00:10:36,208
have been passed down orally
for more than 3,000 years,
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00:10:36,333 --> 00:10:39,750
and in the 11th century,
many of these stories were
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documented in a text called
The Book of Invasions.
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00:10:43,083 --> 00:10:45,833
According to this medieval
account of Irish history
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00:10:45,917 --> 00:10:48,750
and lore,
thousands of years ago,
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a godlike race of beings called
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00:10:51,083 --> 00:10:55,167
the Tuatha Dé Danann landed
on a mountaintop in Ireland.
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Often referred to
as the Shining Ones,
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00:10:59,167 --> 00:11:01,875
they are
the ancestors of the sidhe.
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00:11:02,042 --> 00:11:04,292
MULLIGAN:
All of our stories relate back
to the Tuatha Dé Danann.
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00:11:04,375 --> 00:11:08,250
For 3000 years, at least,
if not more before that, all of
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the stories from mythology are
all related to Tuatha Dé Danann.
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They were the Shining Ones.
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BUTLER:
There is a description
in the mythological material
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in the early Irish literature
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00:11:19,542 --> 00:11:21,500
of the Tuatha Dé Danann
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arriving in, uh, cloud ships,
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arriving in dark clouds
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and landing on a mountain.
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KATHLEEN McGOWAN:
There was a long poem
about the arrival of
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the Tuatha Dé Danann.
One of the lines says,
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"The truth was not known
beneath the sky of stars,
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00:11:41,042 --> 00:11:43,208
whether they were
of heaven or of earth."
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00:11:44,333 --> 00:11:46,417
JOHNSON:
The Tuatha Dé Danann
are not human.
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00:11:46,542 --> 00:11:49,875
They're demigods.
And not immortal,
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00:11:50,042 --> 00:11:52,875
not infallible, um,
not like the gods of
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00:11:53,042 --> 00:11:56,208
monotheistic tradition of any
of the Abrahamic religions.
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00:11:57,917 --> 00:12:00,333
NARRATOR:
The Tuatha Dé Danann
were said to be luminous
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00:12:00,458 --> 00:12:04,875
beings of large stature
who wielded magical powers.
248
00:12:05,042 --> 00:12:07,792
The Tuatha Dé Danann
had an arsenal of very
249
00:12:07,917 --> 00:12:10,250
technological sounding weaponry.
250
00:12:10,375 --> 00:12:14,167
Lugh of the Long Arm,
for example, possessed a spear
251
00:12:14,333 --> 00:12:16,875
that, when he threw it,
he could give a voice command,
252
00:12:17,000 --> 00:12:19,167
and it would automatically
hit whatever target.
253
00:12:19,292 --> 00:12:21,167
Then he'd give
another voice command,
254
00:12:21,333 --> 00:12:23,833
and the spear would
mysteriously return to him.
255
00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:26,833
We have circles of light
that they used to
256
00:12:26,958 --> 00:12:29,500
travel around Ireland upon.
257
00:12:29,625 --> 00:12:32,208
We have another chieftain
named Nuada
258
00:12:32,333 --> 00:12:35,167
who lost an arm in a battle
against the giants,
259
00:12:35,292 --> 00:12:38,833
and they were able
to replace his arm.
260
00:12:38,958 --> 00:12:40,708
CHILDRESS:
The Tuatha Dé Danann
were said to have
261
00:12:40,875 --> 00:12:42,333
a magical cauldron.
262
00:12:42,458 --> 00:12:45,083
They had a cloak
of invisibility.
263
00:12:45,208 --> 00:12:47,417
They had spears
264
00:12:47,542 --> 00:12:51,000
that shot flames out.
265
00:12:51,167 --> 00:12:52,583
TSOUKALOS:
The ancient astronaut theory
266
00:12:52,708 --> 00:12:55,833
tries to look at ancient stories
267
00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:59,167
in which magic happens
268
00:12:59,333 --> 00:13:01,917
from a modern perspective
and determine
269
00:13:02,042 --> 00:13:04,167
if that so-called magic
270
00:13:04,292 --> 00:13:07,375
really was some type
of technology.
271
00:13:07,500 --> 00:13:11,000
Then one has to wonder, where
did that technology come from?
272
00:13:11,125 --> 00:13:13,583
Well, uh, there's only
one answer to this,
273
00:13:13,708 --> 00:13:16,083
and that is extraterrestrials.
274
00:13:17,042 --> 00:13:18,917
NARRATOR:
For ancient astronaut theorists,
275
00:13:19,042 --> 00:13:20,708
another intriguing aspect
276
00:13:20,833 --> 00:13:23,333
of these stories
is how similar they are
277
00:13:23,500 --> 00:13:27,333
to accounts of sky gods found
in other ancient cultures.
278
00:13:27,500 --> 00:13:30,500
The stories of--
279
00:13:30,625 --> 00:13:32,750
let's call them aliens--
280
00:13:32,875 --> 00:13:36,250
descending from clouds
on tops of mountains
281
00:13:36,375 --> 00:13:40,292
are straight across the cultural
history of, uh, human beings.
282
00:13:40,417 --> 00:13:43,333
Let's start with one
of the earliest ones.
283
00:13:43,500 --> 00:13:45,333
The descent on Mount Hermon
284
00:13:45,500 --> 00:13:47,000
in the Golan Heights.
285
00:13:47,125 --> 00:13:49,208
That's where
the Nephilim came down.
286
00:13:49,333 --> 00:13:52,792
Another,
in the descent of the Anunnaki,
287
00:13:52,875 --> 00:13:54,833
they came from clouds.
288
00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:58,917
CHILDRESS:
We have other stories
in Tibet and other places
289
00:13:59,042 --> 00:14:00,833
where these gods
are coming down,
290
00:14:00,958 --> 00:14:04,000
and they land
on top of a mountain.
291
00:14:04,083 --> 00:14:08,458
The gods of Olympus in Greece
is another example.
292
00:14:10,333 --> 00:14:12,667
COLLINS:
The stories of the
Tuatha Dé Danann
293
00:14:12,792 --> 00:14:15,000
in these whirlwinds or clouds
294
00:14:15,167 --> 00:14:17,375
is something that we find
in connection
295
00:14:17,500 --> 00:14:20,292
with deities
in other parts of the world.
296
00:14:20,375 --> 00:14:23,083
For instance,
across the Middle East,
297
00:14:23,208 --> 00:14:25,583
there is the concept of djinn.
298
00:14:26,750 --> 00:14:29,292
These are supernatural beings,
299
00:14:29,417 --> 00:14:32,667
very often associated
with fire and light,
300
00:14:32,792 --> 00:14:35,833
that can appear in whirlwinds
301
00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:39,625
and manifest into physical form.
302
00:14:39,750 --> 00:14:42,208
TSOUKALOS:
The fact that we have
countless stories
303
00:14:42,333 --> 00:14:44,542
that are not just similar,
but identical,
304
00:14:44,708 --> 00:14:46,917
leads me to think that
305
00:14:47,042 --> 00:14:50,083
perhaps all these ancient
cultures were visited
306
00:14:50,208 --> 00:14:52,083
by the same extraterrestrials.
307
00:14:53,750 --> 00:14:56,458
NARRATOR:
According to ancient
astronaut theorists,
308
00:14:56,542 --> 00:14:59,833
the tradition that is most
similar to the Tuatha Dé Danann
309
00:14:59,958 --> 00:15:02,208
is that of the Anunnaki,
310
00:15:02,333 --> 00:15:05,417
the sky gods described
by the Sumerians,
311
00:15:05,542 --> 00:15:09,000
humankind's earliest
known civilization.
312
00:15:09,083 --> 00:15:11,167
AMIR HUSSAIN:
What you've got with
the Sumerians is
313
00:15:11,292 --> 00:15:13,625
the beginnings
of-of civilization,
314
00:15:13,750 --> 00:15:16,333
people living together, but also
the beginnings of writing.
315
00:15:16,417 --> 00:15:18,167
You know, it's some
of the earliest written
316
00:15:18,333 --> 00:15:20,667
texts that we have
are texts by these people.
317
00:15:20,792 --> 00:15:23,333
JONATHAN YOUNG:
These clay tablets are
318
00:15:23,458 --> 00:15:26,708
5,000 years old
and more, and they
319
00:15:26,875 --> 00:15:29,167
tell of the arrival of the gods,
the Anunnaki,
320
00:15:29,250 --> 00:15:31,667
the pantheon of gods.
The chief was Anu.
321
00:15:31,792 --> 00:15:34,792
This is the sky god
who came along
322
00:15:34,875 --> 00:15:37,125
and created everything.
323
00:15:37,208 --> 00:15:39,333
TSOUKALOS:
The term Anunnaki means
324
00:15:39,417 --> 00:15:42,500
"those who from
the heavens came,"
325
00:15:42,625 --> 00:15:46,333
and it refers to beings
descending from the sky,
326
00:15:46,458 --> 00:15:48,167
imparting knowledge.
327
00:15:48,250 --> 00:15:50,417
NARRATOR:
In the Irish stories,
328
00:15:50,542 --> 00:15:53,000
the Tuatha Dé Danann
were also responsible
329
00:15:53,167 --> 00:15:56,125
for imparting knowledge
to the ancient people.
330
00:15:56,208 --> 00:15:57,667
MULLIGAN:
Tuatha Dé Danann
331
00:15:57,833 --> 00:15:58,917
were the masters
of all of the crafts,
332
00:15:59,042 --> 00:16:00,875
masters of all of the arts,
333
00:16:01,000 --> 00:16:02,167
and they introduced
the knowledge
334
00:16:02,250 --> 00:16:04,000
in the ways of agriculture.
335
00:16:04,125 --> 00:16:05,667
Tuatha Dé Danann would always
interact with the people.
336
00:16:05,750 --> 00:16:07,458
It's the same as the Anunnaki.
337
00:16:09,125 --> 00:16:11,167
NARRATOR:
Ancient astronaut theorists
suggest
338
00:16:11,292 --> 00:16:14,083
the iconography
of the Sumerians and Irish
339
00:16:14,208 --> 00:16:16,125
provides additional evidence
340
00:16:16,208 --> 00:16:20,000
that they encountered
the same otherworldly beings.
341
00:16:20,125 --> 00:16:23,875
Both depicted the gods
as being of giant stature
342
00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:25,792
compared to humans,
343
00:16:25,875 --> 00:16:30,083
both portrayed them in scenes
with hybrid or flying animals,
344
00:16:30,208 --> 00:16:32,583
and both have images of the gods
345
00:16:32,708 --> 00:16:36,500
with horns or antlers
emerging from their heads.
346
00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,000
But perhaps
most intriguing of all
347
00:16:40,083 --> 00:16:43,042
is that there appears to be
a linguistic connection
348
00:16:43,208 --> 00:16:46,958
between the Anunnaki
and the Tuatha Dé Danann.
349
00:16:47,042 --> 00:16:48,375
According to some accounts,
350
00:16:48,500 --> 00:16:50,333
the Tuatha Dé Danann's
original name
351
00:16:50,500 --> 00:16:52,500
was the Tuatha Danu.
352
00:16:52,625 --> 00:16:55,792
"The Tribe of Anu," or Danu.
353
00:16:55,917 --> 00:16:58,375
Linguists are
very intrigued by this
354
00:16:58,500 --> 00:17:01,500
because this encodes
the name of Anu,
355
00:17:01,583 --> 00:17:06,167
the high god of the Anunnaki,
for whom they are formed,
356
00:17:06,333 --> 00:17:09,417
and it suggests that perhaps
the Tuatha Dé Danann
357
00:17:09,542 --> 00:17:12,042
are the descendants
of the Anunnaki.
358
00:17:12,167 --> 00:17:16,500
NARRATOR:
Could the striking similarities
that exist between the stories
359
00:17:16,583 --> 00:17:19,500
of the Tuatha Dé Danann
and the Anunnaki
360
00:17:19,583 --> 00:17:24,083
reveal that Ireland was visited
by the same otherworldly beings
361
00:17:24,208 --> 00:17:27,917
that are described by humanity's
first known civilization
362
00:17:28,042 --> 00:17:31,000
roughly 3,000 miles away?
363
00:17:31,917 --> 00:17:33,625
But if so,
364
00:17:33,708 --> 00:17:36,792
how are they connected
to Ireland's mound dwellers,
365
00:17:36,917 --> 00:17:39,333
known as the sidhe,
or fairy folk?
366
00:17:39,500 --> 00:17:43,167
Perhaps further clues
can be found by examining
367
00:17:43,333 --> 00:17:47,292
mysterious ancient priests
called the druids.
368
00:17:51,875 --> 00:17:53,167
NARRATOR:
Kent, England
369
00:17:54,708 --> 00:17:56,583
1988.
370
00:17:56,708 --> 00:18:00,958
During an excavation
of an Iron Age burial site,
371
00:18:01,042 --> 00:18:04,208
archaeologists uncover
the skeleton of a man
372
00:18:04,375 --> 00:18:07,250
who lived around
the third century BC
373
00:18:07,375 --> 00:18:10,417
and who was wearing
a unique headdress.
374
00:18:10,542 --> 00:18:14,167
Based on the design
of this bronze crown,
375
00:18:14,292 --> 00:18:17,083
many researchers believe
these are the first remains
376
00:18:17,208 --> 00:18:20,208
ever discovered of a druid.
377
00:18:21,208 --> 00:18:23,542
According to Irish legend,
378
00:18:23,708 --> 00:18:26,667
the druids were a class
of ancient Celtic priests
379
00:18:26,833 --> 00:18:30,500
who were in close contact
with the Shining Ones,
380
00:18:30,667 --> 00:18:32,333
the Tuatha Dé Danann.
381
00:18:32,458 --> 00:18:34,667
BUTLER:
The word for "druid" in Irish
382
00:18:34,792 --> 00:18:39,000
is draíocht,
which literally means "magic."
383
00:18:39,125 --> 00:18:41,167
So there is, uh,
an interconnection
384
00:18:41,292 --> 00:18:43,667
between the Tuatha Dé Danann
and their magic
385
00:18:43,750 --> 00:18:45,958
and the practice of druidry.
386
00:18:46,042 --> 00:18:48,333
CHILDRESS:
The Tuatha Dé Danann
387
00:18:48,417 --> 00:18:51,542
were said to have been
the founders of druidism.
388
00:18:51,667 --> 00:18:53,500
And the druids were said
to have all kinds
389
00:18:53,583 --> 00:18:56,125
of special powers themselves.
390
00:18:56,208 --> 00:18:59,750
And so, it would seem
that the Tuatha Dé Danann
391
00:18:59,875 --> 00:19:04,375
had shown some of their
extraterrestrial technology
392
00:19:04,500 --> 00:19:08,458
to the druids who then
were able to use it themselves.
393
00:19:10,625 --> 00:19:12,667
TSOUKALOS:
The druidic religion originated
394
00:19:12,750 --> 00:19:15,625
with the Tuatha Dé Danann,
but they were never allowed
395
00:19:15,750 --> 00:19:19,917
to write down
any of the druidic knowledge.
396
00:19:20,042 --> 00:19:21,500
It was taboo,
397
00:19:21,625 --> 00:19:26,167
because it was so-called
sacred knowledge.
398
00:19:26,292 --> 00:19:29,167
HENRY:
The druids spent
decades in training
399
00:19:29,292 --> 00:19:31,583
to perform
their priestly functions.
400
00:19:31,708 --> 00:19:33,167
These are members
401
00:19:33,292 --> 00:19:35,333
of the inner circle,
as we're told.
402
00:19:35,458 --> 00:19:37,375
The inner circle refers,
ultimately,
403
00:19:37,542 --> 00:19:40,125
to the innermost knowledge
of the Tuatha Dé Danann,
404
00:19:40,208 --> 00:19:42,375
the Shining Ones.
405
00:19:42,500 --> 00:19:45,333
They know their secrets and
they can wield their technology.
406
00:19:45,500 --> 00:19:48,333
NARRATOR:
Portrayals of druids
as mysterious,
407
00:19:48,500 --> 00:19:51,375
shaman-like figures
with mystical powers
408
00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:53,417
has led some scholars
to question
409
00:19:53,542 --> 00:19:57,500
if they truly existed or were
purely mythological figures.
410
00:19:57,625 --> 00:20:00,792
But according to the earliest
accounts of them,
411
00:20:00,917 --> 00:20:04,000
the druids were an integral
part of Celtic society
412
00:20:04,125 --> 00:20:06,500
throughout the British Isles.
413
00:20:06,625 --> 00:20:09,083
JOHNSON:
There are certain things
we know about the druids,
414
00:20:09,208 --> 00:20:10,750
but of course there's a lot
we don't know,
415
00:20:10,875 --> 00:20:12,792
and this vacuum incited
416
00:20:12,917 --> 00:20:15,667
a lot of romantic speculation
in the 19th century.
417
00:20:15,792 --> 00:20:18,333
And so, we're still carrying
that baggage a little bit.
418
00:20:18,417 --> 00:20:20,958
The swirling robes and so on.
419
00:20:21,083 --> 00:20:23,958
But in Celtic society,
in Gaelic society,
420
00:20:24,083 --> 00:20:27,292
the druids exercised authority
and played
421
00:20:27,375 --> 00:20:29,208
an important role, uh,
422
00:20:29,375 --> 00:20:31,750
in the life of the tribe
and the society.
423
00:20:31,875 --> 00:20:35,667
The druids were the holders
of knowledge.
424
00:20:35,792 --> 00:20:38,375
They held and perpetuated
the knowledge
425
00:20:38,500 --> 00:20:41,625
which was important
to the survival of the tribe.
426
00:20:41,708 --> 00:20:46,125
They held and perpetuated
judiciary knowledge
427
00:20:46,250 --> 00:20:49,292
and things sacred and spiritual.
428
00:20:49,417 --> 00:20:52,458
THOMPSON:
The druid was
a very special figure,
429
00:20:52,542 --> 00:20:55,125
a priest, perhaps,
a historian, perhaps,
430
00:20:55,208 --> 00:20:58,292
uh, a magician, uh, perhaps,
431
00:20:58,375 --> 00:21:00,167
uh, and many, many things.
432
00:21:00,292 --> 00:21:03,042
These were the learned people
of Celtic society.
433
00:21:03,167 --> 00:21:05,083
They-they formed
a special class.
434
00:21:05,208 --> 00:21:07,000
According to Caesar,
the druids in Gall
435
00:21:07,167 --> 00:21:09,500
had to study 20 years
to become a druid.
436
00:21:09,625 --> 00:21:11,958
And they had many, many roles
to play,
437
00:21:12,042 --> 00:21:17,458
including acting as, uh, jurist
and judges, advisers to kings.
438
00:21:17,542 --> 00:21:21,375
And so, druidism, and the magic
that they were able to employ,
439
00:21:21,542 --> 00:21:25,417
um, is really a-a foundational
part of early Celtic society.
440
00:21:25,542 --> 00:21:28,500
And druids
are not necessarily men.
441
00:21:28,583 --> 00:21:31,458
Uh, we also have a lot
of accounts of female druidry.
442
00:21:31,583 --> 00:21:33,917
And it does seem
to be associated heavily
443
00:21:34,042 --> 00:21:35,250
with the Tuatha Dé Danann.
444
00:21:36,667 --> 00:21:39,083
NEWMAN:
They didn't just
teach things like astronomy
445
00:21:39,208 --> 00:21:41,167
and, you know,
harmony in nature,
446
00:21:41,250 --> 00:21:43,250
they were working with geomancy,
447
00:21:43,375 --> 00:21:45,750
the placement of ancient sites
across the landscape
448
00:21:45,875 --> 00:21:47,167
called geodesy.
449
00:21:47,292 --> 00:21:49,000
And also
working with Earth energies
450
00:21:49,167 --> 00:21:50,542
and even plant medicines.
451
00:21:50,708 --> 00:21:53,417
So they had a high understanding
452
00:21:53,542 --> 00:21:55,667
of these different
arts and sciences.
453
00:21:57,833 --> 00:22:01,500
NARRATOR:
The druids were known
to travel far and wide,
454
00:22:01,583 --> 00:22:03,792
seeking out the knowledge
of other cultures.
455
00:22:03,875 --> 00:22:06,833
But they were also said
to interact directly
456
00:22:06,917 --> 00:22:09,375
with the Tuatha Dé Danann,
457
00:22:09,542 --> 00:22:12,792
who shared the secrets of their
so-called magical abilities.
458
00:22:12,875 --> 00:22:16,125
Pliny the Elder, who was
one of the most famous
459
00:22:16,250 --> 00:22:18,375
of the Roman writers
and historians,
460
00:22:18,500 --> 00:22:22,167
he claimed that at a full moon,
461
00:22:22,292 --> 00:22:26,000
druids would meet at a mound,
462
00:22:26,125 --> 00:22:28,167
and they would trace a design
463
00:22:28,292 --> 00:22:30,458
that looked something
like a dragon
464
00:22:30,583 --> 00:22:32,667
on top of the mound,
465
00:22:32,792 --> 00:22:36,542
and this would summon
some sort of lightning
466
00:22:36,667 --> 00:22:40,958
or some phenomenon
that happened in the sky.
467
00:22:41,083 --> 00:22:42,583
I don't think he saw it himself.
468
00:22:42,708 --> 00:22:45,250
He was taking what he knew
469
00:22:45,375 --> 00:22:47,458
from Roman soldiers
that witnessed it.
470
00:22:47,542 --> 00:22:49,667
But apparently,
it frightened a lot of them.
471
00:22:49,792 --> 00:22:52,458
They saw lights in the sky
once the druids
472
00:22:52,542 --> 00:22:55,958
did this dragon ritual,
as it became known.
473
00:22:56,083 --> 00:22:59,208
CHILDRESS:
So it would seem
that the druids knew
474
00:22:59,333 --> 00:23:04,167
of the power
of certain special places.
475
00:23:04,292 --> 00:23:06,250
And perhaps, this is something
476
00:23:06,375 --> 00:23:08,833
that would summon
the Tuatha Dé Danann.
477
00:23:08,958 --> 00:23:13,792
These shining people
who came from the sky.
478
00:23:13,917 --> 00:23:16,667
NARRATOR:
One of the many magical powers
479
00:23:16,833 --> 00:23:19,833
the druids were said to possess
was the ability
480
00:23:19,958 --> 00:23:22,542
to levitate massive stones,
which they used
481
00:23:22,667 --> 00:23:25,292
to construct some
of the megalithic structures
482
00:23:25,375 --> 00:23:27,833
found throughout
the British Isles.
483
00:23:27,958 --> 00:23:30,500
COLLINS:
The most famous of the druids,
484
00:23:30,625 --> 00:23:32,500
of course, was Merlin.
485
00:23:33,542 --> 00:23:35,625
Merlin was said to have...
486
00:23:37,333 --> 00:23:40,667
...created Stonehenge by taking
487
00:23:40,792 --> 00:23:43,875
an existing stone circle
from Ireland
488
00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:49,000
and bringing it to Salisbury
Plain in Southern England.
489
00:23:49,167 --> 00:23:51,875
And there, using magic powers,
490
00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:55,667
he was able to raise
the stones into position
491
00:23:55,792 --> 00:23:58,375
in the manner
that we see them today.
492
00:24:01,667 --> 00:24:03,500
What is interesting
is that the stones
493
00:24:03,625 --> 00:24:06,833
that built Stonehenge
did come from a long way away.
494
00:24:06,917 --> 00:24:11,583
About 135 miles
away in South Wales.
495
00:24:11,708 --> 00:24:14,167
Somehow, they were moved
to central England,
496
00:24:14,333 --> 00:24:17,708
and the ancients
believed it was Merlin
497
00:24:17,875 --> 00:24:20,167
who was responsible for that.
498
00:24:20,292 --> 00:24:22,625
TSOUKALOS:
There are stories that say
499
00:24:22,708 --> 00:24:26,042
that some of those big,
gigantic blocks at Stonehenge
500
00:24:26,167 --> 00:24:29,333
were levitated into place
501
00:24:29,458 --> 00:24:32,458
through magical incantations.
502
00:24:32,583 --> 00:24:35,583
Well, what magical incantations?
503
00:24:35,708 --> 00:24:39,083
Because I don't think
that levitation
504
00:24:39,208 --> 00:24:43,375
can happen just by words.
505
00:24:43,542 --> 00:24:47,042
There has to be some type
of technology behind it.
506
00:24:47,167 --> 00:24:49,833
The idea is that, basically,
507
00:24:49,917 --> 00:24:54,375
this was extraterrestrial
knowledge imparted
508
00:24:54,500 --> 00:24:56,375
by the Tuatha Dé Danann.
509
00:24:56,500 --> 00:25:00,500
PHILLIPS:
When the Romans were here,
they say that the druids
510
00:25:00,667 --> 00:25:03,208
had this power
to build stone circles
511
00:25:03,333 --> 00:25:06,667
of which there were thousands
throughout the British Isles.
512
00:25:06,750 --> 00:25:10,167
HENRY:
Stonehenge, Avebury, Newgrange.
513
00:25:10,250 --> 00:25:13,667
These places, we find
legends attached to the druids
514
00:25:13,792 --> 00:25:16,875
that they were able to float
the stones through the air.
515
00:25:17,875 --> 00:25:19,375
NARRATOR:
Is it possible
516
00:25:19,500 --> 00:25:21,500
that a secret society
of Celtic priests
517
00:25:21,625 --> 00:25:24,292
who lived more
than 2,000 years ago
518
00:25:24,375 --> 00:25:28,167
had access
to otherworldly technology?
519
00:25:29,333 --> 00:25:30,500
According
to the ancient accounts,
520
00:25:30,583 --> 00:25:32,667
while the druids
were the disciples
521
00:25:32,792 --> 00:25:34,375
of the Tuatha Dé Danann,
522
00:25:34,542 --> 00:25:36,125
it would ultimately be a druid
523
00:25:36,208 --> 00:25:39,500
who brought their reign
in Ireland to an end
524
00:25:39,667 --> 00:25:43,500
and drove them underground.
525
00:25:49,750 --> 00:25:53,667
NARRATOR:
County Kerry, 1700 B.C.
526
00:25:53,792 --> 00:25:58,375
A fleet of ships arrives on
the southern shores of Ireland,
527
00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:01,708
carrying invaders
from the south.
528
00:26:01,833 --> 00:26:04,417
According to early
Irish accounts,
529
00:26:04,542 --> 00:26:06,833
they are aided by a druid
named Amergin
530
00:26:06,917 --> 00:26:11,583
in their conquest of Ireland.
531
00:26:11,708 --> 00:26:14,333
Amergin was seeking revenge
for his great uncle,
532
00:26:14,458 --> 00:26:18,542
who had been killed by the three
kings of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
533
00:26:18,667 --> 00:26:20,542
COLLINS:
These were the sons of Míl,
534
00:26:20,708 --> 00:26:24,625
better known as the Milesians.
535
00:26:24,750 --> 00:26:28,333
The Milesians came out
of the Mediterranean,
536
00:26:28,500 --> 00:26:31,292
probably from Greece or Crete
537
00:26:31,375 --> 00:26:34,417
or Anatolia, modern day Turkey.
538
00:26:34,542 --> 00:26:36,667
And they arrived in Ireland,
539
00:26:36,750 --> 00:26:39,958
and huge battles took place
540
00:26:40,083 --> 00:26:44,250
between the Tuatha Dé Danann
and the Milesians.
541
00:26:44,375 --> 00:26:47,833
NARRATOR:
Many stories have been
written about these battles,
542
00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:50,333
but according to the most
trusted sources,
543
00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:52,833
the Tuatha Dé Danann
agreed to a truce
544
00:26:52,958 --> 00:26:55,333
to save their beloved Ireland.
545
00:26:55,417 --> 00:26:57,667
MULLIGAN:
They did not come
to the Earth to do warfare.
546
00:26:57,792 --> 00:26:59,917
They came to heal the Earth
and to work with the Earth
547
00:27:00,042 --> 00:27:01,958
and work with Mother Earth
and all of the good energies.
548
00:27:02,042 --> 00:27:06,167
What was agreed upon that, um,
this country will be shared,
549
00:27:06,250 --> 00:27:08,667
there was room enough
for everyone in this country.
550
00:27:09,792 --> 00:27:12,042
COLLINS:
And it was agreed
that the Milesians
551
00:27:12,208 --> 00:27:16,208
would live on the ground,
on the earth itself,
552
00:27:16,375 --> 00:27:21,542
but that the Tuatha Dé Danann
would go beneath the earth,
553
00:27:21,667 --> 00:27:25,500
inside mounds of earth
that were known as sidhe.
554
00:27:25,583 --> 00:27:29,667
These acted as these doorways
555
00:27:29,792 --> 00:27:32,792
into a realm
where, forever after,
556
00:27:32,917 --> 00:27:35,583
the Tuatha Dé Danann would live.
557
00:27:35,708 --> 00:27:39,042
MULLIGAN:
It's said that they all
turned sideways into the light
558
00:27:39,208 --> 00:27:40,875
and just disappeared
underground.
559
00:27:41,000 --> 00:27:43,667
HENRY:
The Milesians then took control
560
00:27:43,792 --> 00:27:46,167
of the surface of Ireland.
561
00:27:46,250 --> 00:27:48,375
Modern-day Irish people
are thought to be descendants
562
00:27:48,542 --> 00:27:50,542
of the Milesians.
563
00:27:50,667 --> 00:27:52,583
NARRATOR:
Legend states that after
564
00:27:52,708 --> 00:27:55,875
the Tuatha Dé Danann
descended below ground,
565
00:27:56,000 --> 00:27:58,958
a mysterious evolution
took place.
566
00:27:59,042 --> 00:28:03,333
Once the Tuatha
went underground,
567
00:28:03,500 --> 00:28:05,542
they evolved over many years
568
00:28:05,708 --> 00:28:08,250
into something known
as the aos sí.
569
00:28:08,375 --> 00:28:13,583
That's better known in later
mythology as the elfen folk.
570
00:28:13,708 --> 00:28:15,792
Elves.
571
00:28:15,875 --> 00:28:17,125
COLLINS:
After the Tuatha Dé Danann
572
00:28:17,208 --> 00:28:21,625
entered into the earthen mounds,
or sidhe,
573
00:28:21,750 --> 00:28:24,458
they became beings
574
00:28:24,542 --> 00:28:27,375
that could appear
in physical form
575
00:28:27,542 --> 00:28:30,542
but could equally vanish.
576
00:28:30,708 --> 00:28:34,000
Humans were able
to interact with them,
577
00:28:34,167 --> 00:28:37,625
often when they would see
some kind of light
578
00:28:37,750 --> 00:28:40,833
that would be emanating
from these earthen mounds.
579
00:28:40,958 --> 00:28:43,333
They would go towards them.
580
00:28:43,417 --> 00:28:46,042
And when they were able
to look into these lights,
581
00:28:46,167 --> 00:28:50,167
they could see the Tuatha Dé
Danann, the sidhe, the fairies.
582
00:28:50,292 --> 00:28:54,750
People would be able
to join them in this realm.
583
00:28:54,875 --> 00:28:57,833
MARTIN ETTINGTON:
Reports of elves and fairies
584
00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,000
and little people have been
around in Ireland
585
00:29:01,125 --> 00:29:03,000
as long as people
have lived there.
586
00:29:03,083 --> 00:29:06,833
People saw something.
They saw some types of beings.
587
00:29:06,958 --> 00:29:09,375
People still see
these beings even today.
588
00:29:10,625 --> 00:29:12,167
NARRATOR:
One location in Ireland
589
00:29:12,292 --> 00:29:14,958
where sightings
of fairies are often reported
590
00:29:15,042 --> 00:29:17,000
is at the Hill of Tara,
591
00:29:17,125 --> 00:29:19,625
which is home to numerous
ancient mounds
592
00:29:19,708 --> 00:29:22,708
as well as a monolith
called Lia Fáil.
593
00:29:22,833 --> 00:29:24,833
Legend states that this monolith
594
00:29:24,917 --> 00:29:26,542
was a gift
from the Shining Ones.
595
00:29:26,667 --> 00:29:29,292
COLLINS:
The Lia Fáil
596
00:29:29,417 --> 00:29:31,458
means the "Stone of Destiny,"
597
00:29:31,542 --> 00:29:34,125
and it refers
to a standing stone,
598
00:29:34,208 --> 00:29:39,667
about five feet tall
in County Meath, Ireland.
599
00:29:39,750 --> 00:29:41,500
McGOWAN:
In the legends of Lia Fáil,
600
00:29:41,625 --> 00:29:42,792
we have the Tuatha Dé Danann
601
00:29:42,917 --> 00:29:45,167
bringing the energy
of this stone
602
00:29:45,333 --> 00:29:48,792
down with them
to this powerful place.
603
00:29:48,917 --> 00:29:51,792
This place of extraordinary
energy and current
604
00:29:51,875 --> 00:29:55,750
because it can interact
with the energy in the land.
605
00:29:55,875 --> 00:29:58,500
The power of the land itself
is the reason
606
00:29:58,625 --> 00:30:02,750
that the Danann come to this
location, the Hill of Tara.
607
00:30:02,875 --> 00:30:05,458
It was said that when
the rightful king of Ireland
608
00:30:05,583 --> 00:30:08,667
came in contact with Lia Fáil,
609
00:30:08,792 --> 00:30:10,708
it would scream out to announce
610
00:30:10,875 --> 00:30:13,625
that this was the rightful
king of all Ireland.
611
00:30:13,708 --> 00:30:15,750
It would then imbue the king
612
00:30:15,875 --> 00:30:19,292
with qualities of strength
and longevity and health,
613
00:30:19,375 --> 00:30:21,500
in order that he might
reign over Ireland
614
00:30:21,625 --> 00:30:23,958
for a very long time.
615
00:30:24,042 --> 00:30:29,000
To this day, ceremonies
take place on the Hill of Tara.
616
00:30:29,083 --> 00:30:31,833
CHILDRESS:
The ancient Irish
associated this stone
617
00:30:31,917 --> 00:30:35,667
with the elven folk
and the fairies,
618
00:30:35,833 --> 00:30:39,125
and people continue
to see them today,
619
00:30:39,250 --> 00:30:41,750
and probably,
we will continue to see them
620
00:30:41,875 --> 00:30:43,750
in the future as well.
621
00:30:43,875 --> 00:30:47,958
NARRATOR:
If otherworldly beings
called the Tuatha Dé Danann
622
00:30:48,083 --> 00:30:50,458
truly existed
in ancient Ireland,
623
00:30:50,542 --> 00:30:53,708
is it possible that
they are still present today,
624
00:30:53,875 --> 00:30:56,792
now known as the sidhe,
or fairy folk,
625
00:30:56,875 --> 00:30:58,917
who inhabit the thousands
of earthen mounds
626
00:30:59,042 --> 00:31:01,167
found throughout the country?
627
00:31:01,292 --> 00:31:04,375
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
628
00:31:04,542 --> 00:31:07,250
and suggest that they may occupy
629
00:31:07,375 --> 00:31:10,083
a parallel dimension.
630
00:31:15,708 --> 00:31:17,375
NARRATOR:
Today, organizations exist
631
00:31:17,500 --> 00:31:19,000
throughout the world
632
00:31:19,167 --> 00:31:21,375
that investigate
potential encounters
633
00:31:21,500 --> 00:31:24,125
with extraterrestrials
visiting Earth.
634
00:31:26,958 --> 00:31:28,917
But long before
these groups existed,
635
00:31:29,042 --> 00:31:31,042
the people of the British Isles
636
00:31:31,167 --> 00:31:35,375
were examining another
type of otherworldly phenomenon.
637
00:31:36,708 --> 00:31:39,500
In the 1920s, something very
strange happened in Ireland.
638
00:31:39,625 --> 00:31:43,167
There were suddenly
mass sightings of fairies.
639
00:31:43,250 --> 00:31:47,000
So much so that a captain,
Quintin Craufurd,
640
00:31:47,125 --> 00:31:48,833
formed what he called
641
00:31:48,958 --> 00:31:52,083
the Society for
the Investigation of Fairies,
642
00:31:52,208 --> 00:31:55,333
which was a very scientific
and serious approach
643
00:31:55,500 --> 00:31:58,917
at collecting data
about these fairy sightings.
644
00:31:59,042 --> 00:32:02,833
CHILDRESS:
Like a modern UFO group today,
645
00:32:02,958 --> 00:32:05,500
their mission was
646
00:32:05,667 --> 00:32:08,083
to study elves,
figure elves out,
647
00:32:08,208 --> 00:32:12,000
what they were doing there,
try to communicate with elves.
648
00:32:12,083 --> 00:32:15,333
And they absolutely believed
that fairies and elves
649
00:32:15,417 --> 00:32:18,708
were real and existed
throughout the British Isles.
650
00:32:18,875 --> 00:32:23,000
NARRATOR:
People from all walks of life
contacted the organization
651
00:32:23,125 --> 00:32:27,083
reporting encounters with beings
they believed were fairies.
652
00:32:27,208 --> 00:32:31,083
Witnesses described fairies
leading them to buried relics,
653
00:32:31,208 --> 00:32:34,167
walking through solid walls,
654
00:32:34,250 --> 00:32:38,542
and even transforming
into orbs of light.
655
00:32:38,667 --> 00:32:41,292
HENRY:
This society did
important research
656
00:32:41,375 --> 00:32:44,208
up until World War II, when
their records were destroyed.
657
00:32:44,333 --> 00:32:48,583
And then in 1949,
they began doing research again.
658
00:32:48,708 --> 00:32:52,500
Hundreds of members joined
the society in the 1950s,
659
00:32:52,625 --> 00:32:55,042
including Walt Disney.
660
00:32:55,208 --> 00:32:57,792
Now, what's amazing about this
is that in order to become
661
00:32:57,875 --> 00:33:01,000
a member of the society,
you had to declare
662
00:33:01,083 --> 00:33:04,000
an absolute belief
in the existence of fairies.
663
00:33:04,083 --> 00:33:06,417
And who other than Walt Disney
in the modern world
664
00:33:06,542 --> 00:33:09,250
is more closely connected
to fairies?
665
00:33:09,375 --> 00:33:12,458
CHILDRESS:
The idea that you would
actually have
666
00:33:12,583 --> 00:33:16,583
a very serious society
that was looking into fairies,
667
00:33:16,708 --> 00:33:20,667
shows that in the British Isles
and in Ireland,
668
00:33:20,792 --> 00:33:24,292
the whole concept of elven folk
669
00:33:24,375 --> 00:33:26,292
and fairies and leprechauns
670
00:33:26,375 --> 00:33:29,542
is very real
and continues to this day.
671
00:33:29,667 --> 00:33:32,292
NARRATOR:
In 1969,
672
00:33:32,417 --> 00:33:34,583
French astronomer Jacques Vallée
673
00:33:34,708 --> 00:33:37,000
published a groundbreaking book
on unexplained phenomena
674
00:33:37,125 --> 00:33:40,083
called Passport to Magonia:
675
00:33:40,208 --> 00:33:43,667
From Folklore to Flying Saucers.
676
00:33:43,750 --> 00:33:47,417
In it, he proposed that
historical accounts of fairies
677
00:33:47,542 --> 00:33:50,500
and other strange beings
could be the same phenomenon
678
00:33:50,625 --> 00:33:54,792
that today is interpreted
as extraterrestrial.
679
00:33:54,917 --> 00:34:00,042
Jacques did what I think is one
of the most important books
680
00:34:00,208 --> 00:34:04,667
about the UFO phenomena,
trying to understand,
681
00:34:04,792 --> 00:34:07,292
of all the things
in the sky and on the ground
682
00:34:07,417 --> 00:34:12,000
through history that have either
been painted, photographed,
683
00:34:12,083 --> 00:34:16,417
caught on radar,
what are they and why are they?
684
00:34:16,542 --> 00:34:20,500
TZADOK:
Every culture speaks
of the "others,"
685
00:34:20,667 --> 00:34:24,500
whether it be the wee people,
the leprechauns,
686
00:34:24,625 --> 00:34:28,667
or the fairies
or the angels or the demons.
687
00:34:28,750 --> 00:34:31,042
Our brothers in Islam
know them very well,
688
00:34:31,208 --> 00:34:33,042
and they're called the djinn.
689
00:34:33,167 --> 00:34:36,917
And the one thing
that is taught about the djinn
690
00:34:37,042 --> 00:34:40,833
is essentially,
they are energetic beings,
691
00:34:40,958 --> 00:34:46,375
and their place of residence is
in the domains of inner earth.
692
00:34:46,500 --> 00:34:48,958
And this leads us
to ask the question,
693
00:34:49,083 --> 00:34:51,292
if the domains of inner earth
694
00:34:51,375 --> 00:34:54,833
are actually physical
within this dimension
695
00:34:54,958 --> 00:34:58,375
or possibly
in a parallel dimension.
696
00:34:58,500 --> 00:35:00,833
NARRATOR:
According to Vallée,
697
00:35:00,917 --> 00:35:04,667
the strange beings that humans
have reported encountering
698
00:35:04,792 --> 00:35:09,833
for thousands of years may,
in fact, be interdimensional.
699
00:35:09,958 --> 00:35:12,833
BIRNES:
Vallée believes that
700
00:35:12,917 --> 00:35:15,667
from the time of the Big Bang,
701
00:35:15,792 --> 00:35:17,667
if it created one universe,
702
00:35:17,792 --> 00:35:20,833
why couldn't it create
a multitude of universes?
703
00:35:20,958 --> 00:35:23,542
Might there be connections
704
00:35:23,708 --> 00:35:26,458
between the different
universes where elements
705
00:35:26,583 --> 00:35:31,208
from the other universe
cross into our universe,
706
00:35:31,333 --> 00:35:35,875
and where elements of
our universe cross into theirs?
707
00:35:36,042 --> 00:35:40,042
That would explain how people
coming upon the sidhe
708
00:35:40,167 --> 00:35:43,583
might not just see an
underground civilization,
709
00:35:43,708 --> 00:35:47,000
but they might see an
interdimensional civilization.
710
00:35:47,167 --> 00:35:50,708
NARRATOR:
Could it be that sightings
of fairies
711
00:35:50,833 --> 00:35:54,667
and similar figures described
in other ancient traditions
712
00:35:54,750 --> 00:35:58,458
are encounters with beings
that occupy parallel dimensions?
713
00:35:58,542 --> 00:36:01,375
And if so,
are these the same beings
714
00:36:01,500 --> 00:36:05,125
described today
as extraterrestrials?
715
00:36:06,375 --> 00:36:08,000
BUTLER:
There are possible parallels
716
00:36:08,167 --> 00:36:11,167
between the sidhe
or fairies that seem
717
00:36:11,250 --> 00:36:14,458
to be similar to UFO,
uh, accounts.
718
00:36:14,583 --> 00:36:17,125
For example,
seeing strange lights.
719
00:36:17,208 --> 00:36:21,000
Like what's known as,
in Irish and British tradition,
720
00:36:21,125 --> 00:36:22,333
the will-o'-the-wisp.
721
00:36:22,458 --> 00:36:25,333
Um, these fairy lights
that move,
722
00:36:25,417 --> 00:36:28,333
uh, and lead people astray.
723
00:36:28,458 --> 00:36:30,917
HOWE:
When you get
to the 20th century,
724
00:36:31,042 --> 00:36:34,542
and where people were trying
to figure out human abductions,
725
00:36:34,667 --> 00:36:37,208
you start hearing
from people saying,
726
00:36:37,333 --> 00:36:39,792
"Well, they shape-shifted
in front of me.
727
00:36:39,917 --> 00:36:42,958
"There were beams of light
that took us up and down.
728
00:36:43,083 --> 00:36:47,000
"They can disappear, they
can go through windows, walls."
729
00:36:47,125 --> 00:36:51,792
And those are the same verbs
and nouns that were being used
730
00:36:51,917 --> 00:36:55,708
in the centuries before
in Ireland and other places
731
00:36:55,833 --> 00:37:00,542
about fairies and so-called
pretend creatures.
732
00:37:00,667 --> 00:37:04,500
BUTLER:
There are stories
and personal experiences
733
00:37:04,583 --> 00:37:08,500
similar to UFO accounts
that have been recorded,
734
00:37:08,625 --> 00:37:12,667
of missing time
where somebody i-is taken
735
00:37:12,792 --> 00:37:15,458
into the otherworld
by the fairies,
736
00:37:15,542 --> 00:37:19,083
and, uh, thinks they've
been there for a few hours,
737
00:37:19,208 --> 00:37:22,208
but it's been a few days
when they return.
738
00:37:22,333 --> 00:37:25,167
TSOUKALOS:
Oftentimes, you hear stories
739
00:37:25,333 --> 00:37:29,750
of missing time, of people
disappearing for weeks,
740
00:37:29,875 --> 00:37:32,292
or losing their memory
741
00:37:32,417 --> 00:37:36,167
for significant events,
and frankly,
742
00:37:36,292 --> 00:37:39,417
that is similar to what you hear
743
00:37:39,542 --> 00:37:42,917
from modern-day
UFO abduction stories.
744
00:37:43,042 --> 00:37:48,083
NARRATOR:
Could it be that the folklore
of cultures all around the globe
745
00:37:48,208 --> 00:37:50,542
is based on
an otherworldly presence
746
00:37:50,667 --> 00:37:52,083
that people
have been encountering
747
00:37:52,208 --> 00:37:54,542
since humankind's
earliest history?
748
00:37:54,708 --> 00:37:57,583
Ancient astronaut theorists
say yes,
749
00:37:57,708 --> 00:38:01,375
and according to the Irish,
at least once a year,
750
00:38:01,500 --> 00:38:05,792
the veil is lifted
between our realm and theirs.
751
00:38:13,208 --> 00:38:16,042
NARRATOR:
The Hill of Uisneach, Ireland.
752
00:38:16,167 --> 00:38:18,875
Located 60 miles
west of Dublin.
753
00:38:19,000 --> 00:38:23,875
This site has been sacred
to the Irish for centuries.
754
00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:26,667
Each year in early May,
755
00:38:26,750 --> 00:38:29,250
locals gather
at this sacred site
756
00:38:29,375 --> 00:38:31,917
to celebrate
the ancient festival of Beltane.
757
00:38:33,333 --> 00:38:36,333
Dating back more
than 3,000 years,
758
00:38:36,500 --> 00:38:39,167
Beltane and its famous bonfire
759
00:38:39,250 --> 00:38:41,833
provide a link between
modern Christian Ireland
760
00:38:41,917 --> 00:38:44,833
and its pagan Celtic past.
761
00:38:44,958 --> 00:38:48,917
This festival is
the traditional start of summer.
762
00:38:50,333 --> 00:38:52,667
The Celtic peoples
divided the year
763
00:38:52,750 --> 00:38:56,292
into a dark half
and then a bright half,
764
00:38:56,375 --> 00:38:57,792
marked at Beltane.
765
00:38:57,917 --> 00:39:00,167
It was so important
that people understood
766
00:39:00,292 --> 00:39:03,167
precise times of year
for agricultural reasons.
767
00:39:03,292 --> 00:39:04,583
The people working the fields
768
00:39:04,708 --> 00:39:06,375
didn't have
the knowledge of astronomy.
769
00:39:06,500 --> 00:39:09,083
So the fire was a signal,
and they saw the fire.
770
00:39:09,208 --> 00:39:11,375
From the highest point
on Uisneach,
771
00:39:11,542 --> 00:39:13,458
20 counties are visible.
772
00:39:13,583 --> 00:39:16,292
So once the main fire is lit
on Uisneach in a circle,
773
00:39:16,417 --> 00:39:18,667
all of the hills around
light their fires,
774
00:39:18,833 --> 00:39:21,167
and then it spreads and spreads
throughout the whole country.
775
00:39:21,333 --> 00:39:23,458
And it happens instantly.
776
00:39:23,542 --> 00:39:26,000
The fire is a signal
to all of the country
777
00:39:26,125 --> 00:39:27,500
that now is the summertime.
778
00:39:27,625 --> 00:39:30,167
NARRATOR:
But Beltane,
779
00:39:30,292 --> 00:39:32,583
which is also celebrated
at other ancient sites
780
00:39:32,708 --> 00:39:37,000
throughout Ireland, serves
another, more profound purpose.
781
00:39:37,083 --> 00:39:40,667
Many Irish believe
that during this festival,
782
00:39:40,833 --> 00:39:44,375
it is possible for humans
to peer inside the mounds
783
00:39:44,500 --> 00:39:46,750
into an entirely
different reality.
784
00:39:46,875 --> 00:39:49,500
BUTLER:
There's a threshold or boundary
785
00:39:49,625 --> 00:39:52,167
between worlds
that becomes thin.
786
00:39:52,250 --> 00:39:56,000
And human beings can see
into the otherworld
787
00:39:56,125 --> 00:39:59,917
or encounter otherworldly
beings, uh, more easily.
788
00:40:00,042 --> 00:40:02,500
Beltane, or May Day,
789
00:40:02,625 --> 00:40:05,125
is associated very strongly
with the sidhe,
790
00:40:05,250 --> 00:40:08,167
the fairy people,
the Shining Ones.
791
00:40:08,292 --> 00:40:11,417
NARRATOR:
Through festivals like Beltane,
792
00:40:11,542 --> 00:40:14,292
the people of Ireland
maintain a strong connection
793
00:40:14,417 --> 00:40:17,000
to the traditions of their past,
794
00:40:17,125 --> 00:40:21,000
traditions of shining beings
who came down from the sky
795
00:40:21,167 --> 00:40:26,583
and continue to live on
within the ancient mounds.
796
00:40:26,708 --> 00:40:28,708
JOHNSON:
When I was growing
up in Ireland,
797
00:40:28,875 --> 00:40:32,333
people, at least in the,
in the rural areas--
798
00:40:32,417 --> 00:40:34,708
and Ireland
was very rural at the time--
799
00:40:34,833 --> 00:40:39,583
nobody would admit
to not believing in the fairies.
800
00:40:39,708 --> 00:40:43,625
The existence of the fairy folk
was not questioned.
801
00:40:43,750 --> 00:40:48,375
TSOUKALOS:
This idea that Ireland
has had this love affair
802
00:40:48,500 --> 00:40:51,000
with leprechauns and fairy folk,
803
00:40:51,125 --> 00:40:53,458
I would ask the question, "Well,
804
00:40:53,542 --> 00:40:55,875
what is the underlying meaning
of this?"
805
00:40:56,000 --> 00:40:58,667
Because stories
of fairy folk go back
806
00:40:58,792 --> 00:41:01,792
at least 3,000 years in Ireland.
807
00:41:01,875 --> 00:41:05,125
In the case
of the Tuatha Dé Danann,
808
00:41:05,250 --> 00:41:07,333
it's even earlier.
809
00:41:07,500 --> 00:41:10,875
It's possible
that what we have here
810
00:41:11,042 --> 00:41:16,167
is one of the earliest examples
of ancient astronaut teachers.
811
00:41:16,333 --> 00:41:18,542
MULLIGAN:
I've reached a certain age
in my life now
812
00:41:18,667 --> 00:41:20,333
that it's not about believing,
813
00:41:20,417 --> 00:41:23,000
it's just that
this is the way it is now.
814
00:41:23,167 --> 00:41:26,333
So, do we believe in fairies
and leprechauns in Ireland?
815
00:41:26,417 --> 00:41:28,500
Absolutely, 100%.
816
00:41:29,500 --> 00:41:31,125
NARRATOR:
Is it possible
817
00:41:31,250 --> 00:41:33,875
that beneath the idyllic
rolling countryside of Ireland,
818
00:41:34,042 --> 00:41:36,958
there are entrances
to a hidden realm
819
00:41:37,083 --> 00:41:41,042
that has been inhabited
by otherworldly beings
820
00:41:41,208 --> 00:41:43,542
for more than 3,000 years?
821
00:41:43,708 --> 00:41:46,625
Could they be the descendants
of extraterrestrials
822
00:41:46,708 --> 00:41:50,917
who were responsible for
the creation of the human race?
823
00:41:51,042 --> 00:41:54,167
Perhaps the whimsical legends
of Ireland
824
00:41:54,333 --> 00:41:57,333
are not so whimsical after all,
825
00:41:57,458 --> 00:42:00,000
but contain profound truths
826
00:42:00,167 --> 00:42:02,000
about an alien presence on Earth
827
00:42:02,125 --> 00:42:05,250
that is still with us today.
828
00:42:05,375 --> 00:42:07,958
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