Story Archaeology

Suggested age range: 9 and on up! A bit about the original story When Bricriu decides to hold a party, anyone who is anyone must put in an appearance. But Bricriu has no intention of getting in a few beers and a few bowls of nibbles. No, Bricriu’s feast will set the greatest heroes of Ulster at each other’s throats and send them racing off on adventures throughout Ireland. This story incudes giants, mysterious monsters, killer cats, mad competitions. racing, feasting and wvwn a scary but it-turns-out-fine ending. It has EVERYTHING! Practical bits: The story is told in four sections. Part 2 begins at 14 mins 50 Part 3 begins at 25 mins 13 Part4 begins at 40.26 For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale. (episodes 4-7) Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Younsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but they weren't considered juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. Have fun, Chris

A Finn MacCumhail story Suggested age range: 9 and on up! In this hilarious tale we take a canter through a Fenian tale of surly servants, a seabound horse, , hairy horrors and a battle with the High-King of the World. All in a day’s work for Finn and the Fianna. Practical bits Part 2 begins at 8 mins 35 Part 3 begins at 17 mins 34 For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale. Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Younsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but they weren't considered juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. Have fun. Chris

Sana Malik grew up in Pakistan, and has been a widely travelled humanitarian aid-worker. Ireland is now her spiritual home. Join Chris and Sana as they discuss two favourite Irish stories, 'The Voyage of Bran' and the 'Story of Sinann', exploring 'Silver Branch Perception' and the relatabilty of mythology to the voyages of life. Sana and I intend to share further conversations. In the next conversation we would like to share stories originating in the Indian subcontinent. I expect to learn a lot! Story Archaeology Links for this Episode The story of Sinann: podcast episodes and Dindshenchas translations. (You will find access to all this material on one page through this link.) Explore a short video on the 'remarkable meanderings of the Sinann story' Listen to the Podcast: Immrám Brain Mac Febul Find Chris' telling of The Otherworld Apple Branch The Text of Immram Brain Part 1: The Woman's Poem. Translation by Isolde Find out more about Mongan, the hero poet child heralded to Bran by Manannan. Episodes 9 to 11 of Series 4: Rowing Around Immráma cover his stories, including his meeting with Colmcille. External Links for this episode. Explore the life, work and writings of John Morriarty

Tamlyn Young is a Limerick lecturer and artist specialising., especially in her current project on augmented reality art and storytelling, to create place-based storytelling. She describes her practice as exploring the synergistic, potentials of analogue and digital to create an immersive narrative experience for the viewer. Links for this episode The story of Sinann: podcast episodes and Dindshenchas translations. (You will find access to all this material on one page through this link.) Ralph Kenna and the Arts for Sinann project. (You will be able to explore the way the Sinann story has been given back its relevance and a lot more, through this link.) Explore a short video on the 'remarkable meanderings of the Sinann story' Visit Tamlyn's Website Explore Tamlyn's place-based narrative project. Explore the background to the project Explore Tamlyn's immersive augmented reality Sinann story. Take a glimpse inside the story. Watch out for more information as the project grows and flows!

The Eglone Stone, Moytura What makes a story mythic? Why have so many cultures gathered, protected and passed on mythological stories? And, why do they matter today? Join Chris as she takes a personal look at myth and how much mythology still has relevance. Links for this episode Read the full text of the Cath Maige Tuired Explore the Cath Maige Tuired on Story Archaeology : Episodes 1-6 and Episodes 7-12 Explore the story of Gilgamesh. Read a summary of the story or take a deeper dive. Take a look at The Ark Before Noah by Irving Finkel Egyptian Folktales: The Doomed Prince, Explore some of Cú Chulainn’s Bizarre Adventures The heroic biography of Cú Chulainn By Lisa Gibney B.A. Explore the stories from the Táin on Story Archaeology The best full version to read must be the Thomas Kinsella translation.

Daniel Curley is an archaeologist, author and manager of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre . who has taken a particular interest in the mythological Connacht hero, Fraích. Join Chris and Daniel as they discuss the Táin bó Fraích, and discover how Daniel's research has revealed a far more important role for this 'lost' hero. Links for this Episode The Handsomest Hero in Ireland a tale of two halves : Find out more about the paper that Daniel and Mike wrote along with Ralph Kenna. Explore the Rathcroghan visitor Centre OtherWorld: Nine Tales of Early Irish Literature: Lisa Bitel's book contains an excellent telling of the story of Fraích and Findabair A readable version of the story containing a few of the descriptions included in the text (with notes) T

Stories of The Big Wind of 1839 have been told and retold in Ireland for all of 186 years. Join Chris as she explores what makes weather events such as Oíche na Gaoithe Móire so memorable and considers whether Storm Eowyn, a storm of a similar destructive nature, will still be remembered so far into the future. Links for this episode Duchas.ie I counted wrongly in the audio article. . There are as many as 1562 transcribed stories under the title of 'The Big Wind Aticles and Papers I have found interesting. Met Éireann: Exceptional Weather Events: “Night of the Big Wind” paper by Lisa Shields and Denis Fitzgerald. This paper also contains a number of excellent references for further exploration. An Article from The Irish Times from 2017 The night of the big wind: the impact of the storm on Loughrea by Keiran Hickey An interview with Dr Hickey for RTÉ 's Histoy programme. An Article from the Connaught Telegragh 2018 Armagh Observatory: The Night of the Big Wind by Mathew Patterson 2010 The Ballad of the Night of the Big Wind From the Dúchas Schools' Collection Come all ye sons of Erin's Isle and listen to my song About old Ireland's windy night I wont detain yez long, There ne'er was such a night before, nor one thats kept in mind, Like the night of January the sixth in eighteen thirty-nine. ~ The Kerry cows (you know they're small) went soaring through the air; A funny sight it must have been to see them land in Clare. It blew the peaks of Cuddy's reeks then lept across the moor. Sure the people thought they all were kilt, the way the wind did roar. ~ In the County Tipperary, not far from Templemore, man named Tom McNulty and his wife and children four. Were lifted from their beds that night (the devil a lie I'll tell), And were carried bag and baggage to the town of Patrick's Well. ~ Another family of the Burkes that lived near Skibbereen Were blown from Cork to Kerry; they came down at Caherciveen. So pleasant was their journey as they rode upon the gale. That ne'er a one of them woke up I've often heard the tale. ~ In Limerick, thats my county, near the bogs of Ballygran, I used to hear me father tell how he and Pat McCann Were on their way home from a wake when men boreen and all Were wafted high up in the air and blown to Donegal ~ It carried ricks of hay and grain across the River Lee, But high above the storm rang out in far-flung melody. Those golden throated Shandon bells played by a magic hand The music of those bells that night was heard all o'er the land. ~ Thatched roofs were torn from cabins and transported far away, A jaunting car took wings at Cork, and flew to Bantry Bay. The jarvey who was driving it, as soon as he came down Said "Jerra nouns but that's the way to go from town to town". ~ There never was a wind like that 'twas Little Christmas Night, From every cabin window gleamed the blessed candle's light. And that is why no lives were lost, at least that's what they say, Signs on the Irish always light a candle on this day ~ From a school in Co Kerry I will get this recorded and added to the podcast episode a.s.a.p.

Leafless Ash in June (background) The effects of the die-back disease are slowly destroying most of Ireland's beautiful ash trees. Join Chris as she explores the sad story of this tree-tragedy that began in Leitrim more than a decade ago now and why it is important that everyone should know what is happening to our woodlands. The rot in the heartwood. Links for this episode Explore Ireland's native trees: The Tree Council of Ireland Find out more about CRANN and its current activities: Trees for Ireland Find out more about COILLTE and the projects they support today. Read what TEAGASC have to say about Ash dieback and the future of Ash trees. Trees in Early Ireland by Fergus Kelly: Download the PDF to find out more about early medieval Irish law concerning trees

Lisa Bitel is a Professor of Religion and a Medieval historian specializing in Britain and Ireland. and is the author of her new book 'Otherworld'. Join Chris and Lisa as they explore some favourite stories and discuss how best to contintinue the transmission of these wonderful tales, from the deep past, to an audience today. Links for this episode Read more abour Lisa's book Otherworld, Nine tales of early Irish literature Explore more of Lisa's publicaions Story Archaeology Links Our conversation references a number of different stories and story cycles. Explore all the podcast links to episodes about Etain and Midir and Bricriu's feast (This episode was uploaded after a 22 hour power outage, immediately before I flew to the UK for Xmas. If there prove to be minor editing issues, they will be corected shortly)

Designed to protect and celebrate the unique Karst landscape of South Roscommon and its embedded mythologies and stories, the Uí Máine community project has grown and developed from the inspired work of three main groups, The Celtic Eye art group, the Karst Farming group and the Taughmaconnell Hall, community. Join Chris as she discovers more about their on-going achievements and awards. Links for this podcast Listen to the podcast A Conversation with Niola Bowes and Rosemary Carty from the Celtic Eye arts group. Find out about Celtic Eye Find out more about the Karst landscape project. View some of Uí Máine Project recent events. Find out more about the geological survey of south Roscommon Find out more on the The Uí Máine Project gallery page (available shortly) karst regions in Ireland