Story Archaeology

by Éamonn O'Doherty. Ardagh hill, in County Longford, Ireland is a very special 'Stories in the Landscape' location. This is the legendary Bri Leith, where much of the Tocmarc Étaíne is set. The Ardagh Heritage and Creative Centre, managed by story teller and educator, Ann and her colleague Annette, nestles at the foot of this beautiful hill. Join Chris and Ann,as they explore the centre, and how to best present and adapt the, complex, Tocmarc Étaíne for a modern audience. ‘ÉIRÍ’ An international Arts Competition and Research Project The Tocmarc Étaíne includes many fascinating female characters with intriguing and often complex motivations. Their stories still have much in common with current issues. Listen in to spark ideas for submissions to this exciting Arts competition, open to entries up to the close of October 22. Links for this episode Find out more about the Creative Ardagh CentreExplore the craft shopHeritage in Schools Scheme Explore the Tocmarc Étaíne through t

The Irish Dindshenchas The Lore of Prominent Places are a collection of origin stories which celebrate stories in the landscape. Yet, could they also inspire creative approaches to town planning? Join Chris and Jamie, a storyteller, genealogist and town planner, originally from Boston and now living in Seattle, as, together, they explore the broad and exciting scope of dindshenchas style stories. mage of the rear of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and the Cathedral Public Housing development, on the site of the Irish immigrant neighborhood my ancestors lived in until its ‘slum clearance’ demolition. The old elevated orange line train ran on Washington St, past the front side (not pictured) of the cathedral up until the 1980s. Links for this episode A link from Jamie: A story that inspired a beach nameJamie's link to information on his mentor, Tunny LeeMythical Women re-visited: Discovering Sinann.Information about the Corlea Trackway, Longford

Clare Millege Join Chris and Clare, an artist from Sydney Australia, and an eloquant exponant of the art of landscape stories, as they discuss, art, ecology, the Australian landscape and, especially, Clare's recent installation Imbás: a well at the bottom of the sea at the Sydney Biennale 22. Take the opportunity to explore the installation as Clare leads us on a very special artist's personal walk, through the exhibiton. View gallery Images and reviews 'Taste' the soundscape underlying the installation Read the text of Clare's poem Links to archive episodes relevant to this conversation Mythical Women re-visited: Discovering Sinann.Sinann in the Metrical DindshenchasMore poems of SinannChris' personal look at encounters with early Irish and Australian indigenous art. Dindshenchas and DreamtimeExploring the Longevity of Stories

Lee Fenlon The second of a new Series of Story Archaeology podcast conversations on mythology and its 'Stories in the Landscape'. Join Chris and Ralph, professor of Statistical Physics and enthusiastic comaparative mythologist, as they discuss the remakable possibilities of applying socio-physics to epic myth cycles;take an appreciative retrospective look at the International 'Arts for Sinann' competition which took place last year; and explore the exciting prospects of a new Arts and research project on 'Maths, Myths and Gender' to be launched, in conjunction with the Irish Post, in early May. Susan Mannion Find out about the Arts For Sinann Project and view the exhibition gallery WATCH THIS SPACE: A full description of the new Maths, Myths and Gender project to be launched at Bealtaine, will be available here in a few days time. Morpheus-Ravenna-Carog We covered a lot of stories in this conversation. Below you will find a small selection of relevant links to podcasts and

The first of a new Series of Story Archaeology podcast conversations on mythology and its 'Stories in the Landscape'. Join Chris and Daniel, archaeologist and manager of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre as they discuss Cruachan Aí,the royal home of of Medb, Ailill and the Finnbhennach, the white bull of Connacht. Yet,this famous setting forms only one level in the rich archaeological 'Stories in the Landscape' of Roscommon. Take a 'virtual visit' to the Visitor Centre Find out about the The Táin March Festival Discover the Roscommon Schools' online Oenach projects . Archive episodes connected to this conversation. Series 6 'Circling the Táin' Series 3: Epsodes 3 to 7 in particular Coming soon. A conversation with Professor Ralph Kenna.

Join the Story archaeologists as they attempt to catch up and answer some of the questions that you have been asking. This Q&A session covers the topic of fír flathemon , 'The truth of the king' and delves into the complexities of the text, Lebor Gabála Érenn, the 'Book of the Taking of Ireland'. We also return to the strange phenomenon of the Morrigan's Mono-horse.

This audio story is one of the many stories that circle around the great Táin Bó Cúailnge , The cattle raid of Cooley. It is not a well known story but it is important as it is really the 'origin' story for the whole cycle. It is also a great tale and explains a lot! The story has been included because it emphasises the importance of the storyteller-poets and can be enjoyed in conjunction with the become an Irish Hero Poet activity sheets. Have fun together. Or go to the podcast episode about the Two Poet Pig keepers, The Quarrel of the Two Swineherds. Return to the 'Stories at Home' project hub

It has been a while since Isolde and I have been able to work on the podcast but I have continued working with the stories in schools around Ireland, This year, as part of the 2020 Tain March Festival, in May, I had planned to set up a children's Óenach in Roscommon. Like so much else, this has been postponed for the foreseeable future But this very postponement offers new possibilities. , As a teacher, I am only too aware of the need for fun and interactive 'things to do' at home at present.. Those of you who value the old Irish stories as much as I do might welcome stories and projects based on marvel-ous Irish hero stories, So I am going ahead in releasing my schools' Irish story telling programmes "Warriors, Heroes and Poets". There will be videoed stories and full project pack suitable for use by siblings or as a whole family if you like. I will also be uploading some audio readings of stories of the stories from my, as yet, uncompleted book. This post contains just one of these stories. Th

Medb, Queen of Connacht, is rightly renowned in Irish legend and mythology, as a strong and influential woman leader. Her centre of power, Cruachan Ai, is still recognised as one of the most important Iron-age sites in Ireland.  Medb lead her people in her own name and by her own right. She was a strong woman in a society largely dominated by strong men. She fought hard to maintain the high status of her rule throughout her long life but the choices she made, as always happens, had consequences. This audio-article endeavours to discover some something of Medb the woman, as she can be found in the old Irish texts? What choices did she have to make to protect her land and people and how did she come to terms with the consequences of those choices? It is an interesting story. This audio article is based on a presentation given for an on-line conference  hosted by Vyvianne Armstrong. This conference is entitled Medb, Intoxication and Initiation. This is one of a series of upcoming conferences. If you would like

Join Chris Thompson as she takes a story-teller's view of the old Irish stories. Who told the and why were they so memorable.   In this audio article, Chris celebrates the old stories and explores the challenges in telling them today. For those who have asked me for ideas and advice on story telling generally, I am going to be devoting a  section of my upcoming Patreon site 'Sinann's Well' to this subject. References and Links Oral Tradition Theory While there are a great many experts who can illuminate this eclectic discipline. I have found the writing of John Miles Foley comprehensive and enjoyably helpful. I also appreciate the manner in which he takes account of the revitalizing effect of the internet on oral story telling. Professor Foley was the founder of the academic journal Oral Tradition and the Center for Studies in Oral Tradition at the University of Missouri, where he was Curators' Professor of Classical Studies and English . I have added a link to the UK Amazon page listing a few a selectio

The Dagda with his cauldron of abundance, from which none leave unsatisfied, epitomises the deep and ancient yearning we  feel for mid-winter indulgence and  good company.  It may be that the cauldron had more to offer than just a solid meal. Join Chris, from the Story Archaeologists, as she dips into this extravagant cooking pot. This audio article is based on a piece published in the new book Harp, Club and Cauldron: A harvest of Knowledge published by Eel and Otter Press. It is an entrancing and informative anthology, well worth adding to your physical or digital library and the Story Archaeologists were proud to be asked to offer three articles to the book. I will be adding further picture articles connected to The Dagda's Cauldron article: .(Images of Gobekli Tepe and information on recent Iron age Feasting finds), shortly.  Harp, Club and Cauldron A harvest of Knowledge: Find on Amazon.com Find on Amazon.co.uk Addendum: I haven't checked but I think I referred to the German archaeologist who was

We regularly receive questions from listeners and readers. We try to answer them as soon as we can but many are well worth exploring in more detail. Here we discuss just three. Firstly there is the problem of 'coir', a word that we use regularly in episodes to express an important but complex concept. Another term we frequently use is  'poet' to cover a number of similar roles in early Irish society. In this discussion, Isolde gets to explain about  the many grades of poet that existed, File, Bards, and even Bramble Hounds! The third discussion concerns the thorny issue of who were the Celts, anyway. Join the Story Archaeologist  as they enjoy teasing out a few possible answers.

Isolde_recording What did happen to Midir? Why does he appear in so few stories? It is a mystery. A murder mystery? Could be. Certainly Midir's  reputation was usurped and he, himself, seems to have been, effectively,  'disappeared! For a more 'in depth' examination of this topic go to: In Search of Midir  or In Search of Manannán This short recording was originally made for an on-line conference hosted by Vyviane Armstrong. The weekend conference was entitled  "Tuatha Dé Danann. Our Tribe and Theirs". Some of you may have already heard this presentation but, for our other listeners, I thought I would upload the recording. It is good to get Isolde back 'on the mike' and your donations have helped her to find new equipment that allow her to record lying down. We hope to record the promised, Q &A very soon. This was the  seventh conference in the series  'A Year With The Gods. There was  a very interesting and varied programme and Isolde and I were delighted to be involved.' If you would like to know more

William Robinson: Tallanbanna with cloud front. 1988 So many of the old Irish stories tell of an Otherworld that lies so close to our own. If you want to discover what the stories have to  say about getting there, what you might find when you arrive,  and when, or if, you might return, then join Chris in this audio-article exploration. Apologies for the quality of recording in Isolde's opening message. When we have fully implemented the new recording set-up,  allowing effective recording while Isolde is lying  down,  it will be much improved. Links to podcast episodes referenced in this audio-article. Cormac' s  Adventures in the Otherworld The Instructions of King Cormac The Adventures of Nera: The Cow and the Time Machine Another take on Echtrae Nerai: Corpse Carrying for Beginners The voyage of Brain Mac Febul The story of Mongán and  his wife: The pursuit of the Gilla Decair Tocmarc Étaíne 1 - A Fly On The Wall,  Tocmarc Étaíne 2 - The Reborn Identity Tocmarc Étaíne 3 - A Game of

The briugu, Mac Dá Thó, is the proud owner of the marvelous hound, Ailbe. He also possesses a notorious pig. Now he finds himself faced with contending regional kings and their retinues of elite warriors, demanding the hound for themselves. Will serving up his gourmet pig at a grand feast save his bacon? Join the Story Archaeologists as they share the boasting and bragging from the best of the warriors of Ulster, and Connaught, and beyond. Read the text for yourself! Scéala Muicce Mac Dá Thó: N. Kershaw Chadwick, An Early Irish Reader, Cambridge University Press. The excellent introduction Index Bricriu's Feast Series 3.04-Fled-Bricrenn 1 - The-Feasting-Hall Series 3.05: Fled Bricrenn 2 - The Road to Crúachán Series 3.06: Fled Bricrenn 3 - Your Head or Mine? Series 3.07: Fled Bricrenn 4 - A Head to Head Discussion

The magnificent warrior women Scathach and Aife both play a major role in Cú Chulainn's future life and exploits but they are not the only women who actively engage with out young hero.. Join the Story Archaeologists as they attempt to come to terms with the number of  dalliances and romantic interludes encountered   by the young man on his ventures to Scathach's mysterious northern island in his quest to win his canny bride, Emer. Read the text for yourself! This episode discusses only the second half of this text. The first half was addressed in the previous episode, 6.05 : 'The Wooing of Emer." Tochmarc Emire la Coinculaind The Wooing of Emer : translated by Kuno Meyer, based on LU and Stowe MS 992 (D. iv. 2)]. Verba Scathaige: (Translation by P.L. Henry) We also referred to  Series 3.03 The Well and the Cheese, with reference to the violent death of Derbforgaille and Medb

Cú Chulainn meets his match In this episode we get to meet the marvelous Emer, the woman who bests  the young Cú Chulainn, at least, in terms of her sharp witted and far-sighted eloquence. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to decode how Emer manages her young and unpredictable suitor and deals with her uncompromising father. Read the text for yourself! This episode discusses only the first part of this long text. The second half, where our hero goes to be trained in Alba, will form the basis of the next episode. Tochmarc Emire la Coinculaind The Wooing of Emer : translated by Kuno Meyer, based on LU and Stowe MS 992 (D. iv. 2)].      

Harder, Faster, Stronger, Better! In this episode, we get to examine some remarkable exploits of one of the central figures in the Tain tradition: Cú Chulainn.  We explore stories told by some of the characters who know the hero, remembering him as a child. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to decide if  the young Cú Chulainn can be considered a 'child prodigy'  or merely a 'precocious brat'. Read the texts for yourself! Here are links to the texts and translations that we used for the childhood deeds of Cú Chulainn: "The Boyhood Deeds of Cú Chulainn." Ancient Irish Tales. ed. and trans. Tom Cross and Harris Slover. NY: Barnes and Noble, 1996. reprint The Boyhood of Cú Chulainn, from Táin Bó Cuailgne Recension 1; pp 135-148 [translation]: ed. and trans. Cecile O'Rahilly The sections we refer to are under the following titles: The Eulogy of Cú Chulainn The Boyhood Deeds The Death of the Boys The Fight between Eógan mac Durthacht and Conchobar [aka Cú Chulainn and the Battlefield Phantoms] The f

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the troublesome conceptions and births that stand behind much of the material of the Táin tradition. This time, we examine the births of the doomed Deirdre, the fated Cú Chulainn and re-re-visit the importance of Macha's story. Join the Story Archaeologists as we attempt to disentangle webs of prophecy and poor decision-making, and try to understand what all these little worms are about! Read the texts for yourself! Here are links to the texts and translations that we used for the birth of Deirdre: from the Book of Leinster (LL) Longes mac n-Uislenn - edited by Vernam Hull The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu - translated by Vernam Hull late version translated by Douglas Hyde Deirdre Here are the texts on Macha: Noinden Ulad; The Story of Macha More Stories of Macha - Revisited   An original translation of Compert Con Chulainn, the Conception of Cú Chulainn, will be uploaded in the coming days   Need some revision? You

The richly interwoven stories that make up the Táin tradition contain a wide diversity of characters. There is much to explore. Even their back stories have back stories! In this episode, we explore the back stories of two such characters: the well-known Ulster king, Conchobar Mac Nessa, and the lesser-known Ulster hero, Conall Cernach. Join the Story Archaeologists in the first of two episodes that uncover the significance of a few portentous conceptions and births.   Read the texts for yourself!   Scéla Conchobar, "The Tidings of Conchobar", from the Book of Leinster. edited by R. I. Best and Osborn Bergin translation by Whitley Stokes     Compert Conchobair, "The Conception of Conchobar", from Rawlinson B512 (incorrectly referred to in the episode as from the Yellow Book of Lecan) edited by Vernam Hull translation on the Celtic Literature Collective     Compert Conchobair, "The Conception of Conchobar", from Stowe 992 translation by Kuno Meyer