Newfoundland
Stories
When Black Bart Burned Trepassey
Just over 300 years ago dreaded pirate Bartholomew Roberts set his sights on Newfoundland and began a 2-week reign of terror. Maybe.
Like A Virgin: NL’s Madonna Iceberg
In 1905 something shiny and new — in the form of an unusual iceberg — appeared outside of St. John’s harbour and some people were convinced it was a miracle.
St. Brendan: The Newfoundland Navigator?
Did an Irish monk visit Newfoundland, carve his story in the rocks and leave again, 500 years before the Norse set up camp at L’Anse aux Meadows?
The Strange Story Behind ‘Jack Was Every Inch A Sailor’
London! New York! Baccalieu! From globe-trotting music hall hit to kitchen parties in the cove, there’s a strange story behind ‘Jack Was Every Inch A Sailor’ becoming a Newfoundland folk music classic.
Love, Dreams and Armpit Apples
Mar Falten! That means it’s Valentine’s Day in Newfoundland! Beware people with apples — check out these old Newfoundland love spells and charms to find out why.
A Candlemas Day Rhyme to Bear in Mind
Candlemas is upon us! Throw your cod-oil lamps and candles away. Find the nearest bear — she may have good news!
The Curious Customs of Old Christmas Day
From superstitions to magic, Old Christmas Day (January 6th) in Newfoundland comes with a set of strange customs and beliefs.
Weird Newfoundland Christmas Traditions
Tibb’s Eve and mummers? Sure. What about playing for Christmas cake and choosing champion of the bay. There are many strange Newfoundland Christmas customs.
Great Big Sea Hove in Long Beach, Bonavista
In a roundabout way, the 1755 Lisbon Earthquake may have led to a classic Newfoundland kitchen party song and a successful Canadian folk-rock band.
Jacky Lantern
Phantom weather lights, jack o’lanterns and carving far-creepier-than-anticipated halloween turnips in Newfoundland.
Mysterious Mockbeggar Graves
Mockbeggar in Bonavista, Newfoundland has reputation for being a haunted places... for good reason. Ghosts and mystery bodies abound.
Sheila’s Brush
Sheila's Brush is a piece of Newfoundland weather folklore associated with St. Patrick's Day... but where did it come from?
Penny in a Pancake
A button, a penny, a straw? In Newfoundland Pancake Day (aka Shrove Tuesday) comes with a dangerous(?) fortune-telling tradition.
Mar Falten: Valentine’s Day in Newfoundland
Mar falten is a traditional Valentine's Day greeting in Newfoundland.
Candlemas Day in Newfoundland
Newfoundland has no groundhogs but plenty of February 2, weatherlore.
Newfoundland, New Year's and New Clothes
My great-grandmother believed it was important to start the new year in new clothes. This year I’m keeping the tradition with a new hat (a Christmas gift from my sister).
These Newfoundland Christmas Traditions
Mummers, Tibb’s Eve, Dark and Light Fruit Cake, Old Christmas Day… These are some of my Newfoundland Christmas traditions.
What Tibb’s Eve Means To Me
The only thing more certain than Tibb’s Eve in Newfoundland is a Newfoundlander asking what Tibb’s Eve is.
Twas The Night After Christmas: A Newfoundland Mummer Story
A Newfoundland mummering story inspired by The Night Before Christmas plus some Newfoundland Christmas facts, history and folklore.