Podcasts about story archaeology

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 articles connected to our conversation topics. Find out more about ScathachFind out more about FuimnachFind out more about Medb and her sistersFind out more about oral tradition theoryFind out more about Emer Applogies about any shortcomings in the recording quality at times. Ralph and I will be meeting up over the Summer months sometime and intend to have a futher non-remote recorded conversation. By that time we will have plenty to discussincluding the new art and reseach project to be launched in May. Bill Rabinovitch Coming soon: A conversation with Clare Milledge. Clare is an Australian artist based in Sydney She is currently exhibiting at the Sydney Biennalle. The description of the installation reaads 'Imbás: a well at the bottom of the sea, draws on the Story of Sinann, an Old Irish story/dindshenchas about the forming of the river Shannon. ' The Sinann story and the postcast was a 'source' ideas for the installation. I, very much, look forward to talking with her sometime in May.

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.

This time last year, I was struggling with what felt like an impossible task. I was asked to come up with a scripted screenplay for the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Roscommon. This short animation was commissioned by Nollaig Feeney, the Roscommon Heritage Officer and was a direct outcome of the Schools workshops undertaken in the county in support of the annual Tain March event. (I will be writing about this event in a subsequent post.) I was keen to tell part of the Fled Bricrenn story. There was a problem in that Bricriu's Feast is a long and complex text full of convolutions and duplication. It took Story Archaeology four full episodes to tell the story. I had created a telling adapting it for a modern audience and much loved by Primary aged children but it would be a huge challenge to condense it to under tn minutes. Eventually, I settled for telling only the section of the story that concerned Medb and Rathcroghan. As I am sure you are aware, and we soon discovered, animation is costly to produce and basic flash was all that the budget allowed for simple 2D graphics. I think that Pink Kong did a great job and we are pleased with the results. We had hope to make some of the children's poetry integral to the story telling but the script had to be kept tight. We managed to include a short selection along with the credits. The film was completed last October but was released this May at the culmination of the 2019 Tain March event. Our regular listeners will recognise that Medh is played by our own Isolde. We had fun getting the wheelchair into the recording booth but all went well eventually. I have now produced a full written and audio version of Bricriu's Feast for a family audience and this will be published shortly.

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 Fidchell The article on Underworlds  If you want to find out about more about Leprechauns! A Crock of Old Cobblers And for source material on the Irish Otherworld:  Space, Time and the Otherworld: by Professor John Carey. Source: Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium, Vol. 7 (1987), pp. 1-2Published by: Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University  Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

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 may find it helpful to revisit our episodes on Macha: Series 1 - Mythical Women; Episode 2 - The Story of Macha Series 5 - Revisiting Mythical Women; Episode 2 - Revisiting Macha   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

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 "The Conception of Conall Cernach", from Cóir Anmann, "The Fitness of Names" Cóir Anmann, edited by Whitley Stokes "The Conception of Conall Cernach", translated by Patrick Brown Links to other books referenced in the episode "Even Cuneiform writing could not be managed left handed": "The Ark before Noah" by Irving Finkel (highly recommended) "The journey across the Alps in Táin Bó Fraoich": “Worlds of Arthur.”  by Guy Halsall Need some revision? You may find it helpful to revisit our episodes on Fled Bricrenn, Bricriu's Feast: Fled Bricrenn 1: The Feasting Hall Fled Bricrenn 2: The Road to Crúachán Fled Bricrenn 3: Your Head or Mine? Fled Bricrenn 4: A Head to Head Discussion     Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

The Midwinter festival has been a time of over indulgence and conspicuous consumption for millenia! This year, we dig in to the Middle Irish story, Aisling MacConglinne, "The Vision of MacConglinne", a delicious debauch of extreme gastronomy.! Join the Story Archaeologists in a feast of fantastical food, with a generous side order of sumptuous satire. Read the full translated text here! Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

Welcome to Series 6, "Circling the Tain". In this series, we will delve into the fascinating web of stories making up the Tain tradition, with the Tain Bó Cúailnge, "The Cattle Raid of Cooley", at its core. We begin this exploration with the story of two talented swineherds and their shape-shifting,poetic quarrel. Join the Story Archaeologists as they begin to uncover just how much this entertaining story acts as a trailer for the complex of stories that make up the Tain tradition as a whole.   Related episodes Without too big of a Spoiler Alert, we get excited again about Mongán in this episode! Here are the links to the podcast episodes on Mongán: Rowing Around Immrama 09: Mongan and His Missus Rowing Around Imrrama 10: Mongan and the Poets Rowing Around Immrama 11: The Mongan Mysteries – Some Poetic Fragments External links: Throughout this series, "Circling the Táin", we refer to the Ulster Cycle WordPress site by Patrick Brown. His site is a superb resource for this strand of old Irish literature. Peruse at your leisure! The Ulster Cycle: Heroic Legends from Ireland - Patrick Brown   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

This time of year is a frenzy of shopping, family gatherings and exchange of gifts. But is this simply a modern phenomenon? For this year's MidWinter Special, the Story Archaeologists dig as deep as their virtual spades will go, comparing the deepest layers of human settlement through medieval mayhem to the contemporary craft fair, searching for the common threads. Links from the Episode: Here is The Óenach Project, research conducted by Patrick Gleeson under the Department of Archaeology at University College Cork. Here is a talk given by Ian Hodder on entanglement at Göbekli and Çatalhöyük, "Origins of Settled Life". And finally, as promised in the episode, here's a link to a short animation, "Little Red Riding Hood: The Alternate Version" by An Snag Breac / Maker Magpie:   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

Eithliu is a figure who seems to pop in and out of stories, taking no notice of traditional story cycles, or even how her name is spelt. Yet she rarely takes a leading role. In this "revisit", we return to this enigmatic and sometimes troubling character from Irish mythology and folklore. With the benefit of three years hindsight, we crack some previously un-noticed nutshells and discover new and unexpected aspects to the Kernel aka the Glas Gabhann aka ... Related episodes As ever, there are several later episodes that relate to Eithliu in her many guises, and we refer to them as we go through the episode. Here are the links to those episodes, if you want to refresh your memory! WARNING: Do not attempt all in one sitting! Story Archaeology will not accept responsibility for any damage to hearing or brain... Series 2 Episode 3 - The Coming of Lugh Series 2 Episode 9 - The Children of Tuirenn Part 1 Series 2 Episode 12 - An Experiment in Story Archaeology Series 3 Episode 3 - The Well and the Cheese Series 3 Episode 9 - Tocmarc Étaíne Part 1 (Episode 10 Part 2, Episode 11 Part 3) Series 4 Episode 7 - Echtrae Tadhg Mac Céin Series 4 Episode 9 - Mongán and his Missus Series 4 Episode 12 - In Search of Manannán Series 4 Episode 13 - In Search of Midir Series 5 Episode 1 - Revisiting Sinann Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

In the second of our "revisits", we look back at our discussions on Noinden Ulaid and the Dindshenchas stories of Emain Macha in Co. Armagh. This was the first discussion that we had about cóir, although we were then using the Egyptian term Ma'at, signifying natural order and justice. Reviewing this episode really highlights how far we've come in developing our terminology and methodology! If you didn't catch it the first time round, you can listen to the second half of the episode to hear that initial discussion, then skip back to our review notes at the beginning. Or just listen straight through to hear our notes first and the original discussion second - or try both and see which you prefer!   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

  Welcome to series 5 of Acallam na nÉces, "Revisiting Mythical Women". In our first episode, we take a look back at the stories of Sinann, and the themes that came up when we discussed them in our very first episode. We've added some new discussion to the beginning of the episode, highlighting how Story Archaeology has added to the ideas and approaches that started the whole project. Follow links below to related episodes and some new research into the longevity of stories, the compacted layers of medieval and 19th century scholarship and the central roles of poetry and dindshenchas. Related episodes Dindshenchas and the Art of Mythic Cartogrophy 2 - Dindshenchas and Dreamtime Rowing Around Immráma 8 - The Schocking Revelations Concerning King Cormac Mac Airt Rowing Around Immráma 12 - In Search of Manannán Articles "Ireland in the Ice Age" on The Ireland Story: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iceage.html "Ancient Aboriginal Stories Preserve History of a Rise in Sea Level" on The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/ancient-aboriginal-stories-preserve-history-of-a-rise-in-sea-level-36010   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

   In the last stop of our very circuitous Immrám of Immráma, we have a canter through a Fenian tale of surly servants, marine equines, hairy horrors and a battle with the High-King of the World. All in a day's work for Finn and the Fianna... But is it an Immrám? Is it a recognisably Irish tale or a Classical rip-off? Help pull the Story Archaeology oars into its final harbour and find out! Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

A Prize Mare suffers a horrific fate every May Eve! Part 12 of the First Branch of the Mabinogion. We shift our attention now to the Kingdom of Gwent and its' Lord, Teyrnon, who has a terrible problem with his Prize Mare. At the same time as young Pwyll and his Bride, Rhiannon, are being punished for the 'alleged' crime that Rhiannon has committed, Teyrnon and his wife are deciding to end the unspeakable horror that comes upon the Horse every year as she tries to give birth at Beltane. What comes next is a huge surprise..! This episode is also the 12th episode of the First Branch of the Mabinogi. Running Order: Intro 0:40 Recap 3:27 Story 4:22 Listener Feedback - Ben 25:38 Duncaron Competition 18:45 Promo - Story Archaeology 20:48 Cernunnos Rising 22:29 Thanks for iTunes Reviews 26:01 All the credits for this episode can be found in our show-notes at http://celticmythpodshow.com/firstbranch12 We hope you enjoy it! Gary & Ruthie x x x It's always great to hear from you! garyandruth@celticmythpodshow.com, or call us using Speakpipe Names Used in this Story Listed in order of appearance Pwyll Rhiannon Hevaidd Hen Dyfed Arberth Gwent Prydain Hafren Cantref Gwent Is Coed Teyrnon Teyrnon Twryf Lliant Silures Gruffydd ap Llewelyn Delwyn Beltane Calan Mai Gwri Gwallt Euryn Teyrnon fighting against the Sea-Monster From: The Mabinogion (Lady Charlotte Guest) Teyrnon (Pedair Cainc) From: darlun o'r gyfrol Chwedlau Cymru Fu, Merthyr Tudful 1906: llun gan Anatiomaros Pre-Roman Wales The Map, circa 40 AD, shows the territiories occupied by the Brythonic tribes at the time. Our story takes place in Dyfed which is in Demetian lands. By this time it was approximately 200 years after the death of Gruffydd ap Llewelyn, whom Gary wrongly calls Gruffyd ap Llewellyn in the Show. In 1056, he won another victory over an English army near Glasbury. Now a true King of Wales, he claimed sovereignty over the whole of Wales. By the 13th Century, the South was ruled by the Marcher Lords and the indigenous Brythonic Welsh who had retreated into the (Green) North of Wales. Later in the Mabinogi our stories tell us more about this area. Political Lanscape of Post-Roman Wales Listener Feedback Ben We play some lovely feedback from Ben in Adelaide, Australia. Thank you so much Ben! Competition Duncarron Medieval Village The Lads of Saor Patrol Do you fancy winning a fantastic Hoodie in XXL size from the Duncarron Medieval Village run by the Clanranald Trust for Scotland Charity and Saor Patrol? If so, then read on for more details about them and listen to the end of the show for how you can enter! The Clanranald Trust is currently building a full-scale replica of an early Medieval Fortified Village. This will be typical of the Scottish Clan Chief’s residence throughout the earlier part of the last millennium. Our Prize - The Duncarron Hoodie! Promo - Story Archaeology Podcast Story Archaeology Podcast Story Archaeology combines the breadth of knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. We focus on the Irish tradition, peeling back the layers of modern folklore to unearth the potsherds and treasuries of our heritage. On StoryArchaeology.com, you will find regular podcasts and articles about Irish Mythology by the Story Archaeologists, Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody. You can find the show in iTunes or listen/download the Podcast directly from the Story Archaeology website. Music - Blessings of Beltane by Cernunnos Rising Nature’s Child The beautiful and ethereal version of Blessings of Beltane that could originally be heard on their album, Wild Soul, has been re-mixed to include the lovely vocals of Carla Lewis and the beautiful harmonies of Katie Nicholas in the new track Beltane. This track is the first that we have played from their latest album which will be available on July 1st, Nature's Child, and you can find out more about Cernunnos Rising on their website or on our Contributor Page.   Additional Thanks We also give thanks to AFS Fish, Natty Lizard King and John 7 Ash for their superb reviews on iTunes!   Special Thanks For Incidental Music Kevin MacLeod, for Peaceful Desolation. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details. Heroic Struggle from Free Stock Music. Jason Shaw for Antartica. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details Densle for Dragon's Breath from Elatheria. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details. Kubi for Siempre Contigo. See his website or our Contributor Page for more details. Diane Arkenstone The Secret Garden. See her Contributor page for details. Kim Robertson The Hangman's Noose. See her Contributor page for details. Jigger Time Ticks Away. See her Contributor page for details. For our Theme Music The Skylark and Haghole, the brilliant Culann's Hounds. See their Contributor page for details. Extra Special Thanks for Unrestricted Access to Wonderful Music (in Alphabetic order) Anne Roos Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of her masterful music to Anne Roos. You can find out more about Anne on her website or on her Contributor page. Caera Extra Special thanks go for permission to any of her evocative harping and Gaelic singing to Caera. You can find out more about Caera on her website or on her Contributor Page. Celia Extra Special Thanks go for permission to use any of her wonderful music to Celia Farran. You can find out more about Celia on her website or on her Contributor Page. Damh the Bard Extra Special thanks go to Damh the Bard for his permission to use any of his music on the Show. You can find out more about Damh (Dave) on his website or on his Contributor page. The Dolmen Extra Special thanks also go to The Dolmen, for their permission to use any of their fantastic Celtic Folk/Rock music on the Show. You can find out more about The Dolmen on their website or on our Contributor page. Keltoria Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of their inspired music to Keltoria. You can find out more about Keltoria on their website or on their Contributor page. Kevin Skinner Extra Special thanks go for permission to use any of his superb music to Kevin Skinner. You can find out more about Kevin on his website or on his Contributor page. Phil Thornton Extra Special Thanks go for permission to use any of his astounding ambient music to the Sonic Sorcerer himself, Phil Thornton. You can find out more about Phil on his website or on his Contributor Page. S.J. Tucker Extra Special thanks go to Sooj for her permission to use any of her superb music. You can find out more about Sooj on her website or on her Contributor page. Spiral Dance Extra Special thanks go for permission to use Adrienne and the band to use any of their music in the show. You can find out more about Spiral Dance on their website or on their Contributor page. Get EXTRA content in the Celtic Myth Podshow App for iOS, Android & Windows Contact Us: You can leave us a message by using the Speakpipe Email us at: garyandruth@celticmythpodshow.com. Facebook fan-page http://www.facebook.com/CelticMythPodshow, Twitter (@CelticMythShow) or Snapchat (@garyandruth), Pinterest (celticmythshow) or Instagram (celticmythshow)   Help Spread the Word: Please also consider leaving us a rating, a review and subscribing in iTunes or 'Liking' our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/CelticMythPodshow as it helps let people discover our show - thank you :) If you've enjoyed the show, would you mind sharing it on Twitter please? Click here to post a tweet! Ways to subscribe to the Celtic Myth Podshow: Click here to subscribe via iTunes Click here to subscribe via RSS Click here to subscribe via Stitcher   Save Save

As we reach dry land after our long Immram,we encounter yet another  mystery. Midir was once a Lord of the Sidhe a judge, and a worker of wonders. He was, on  land, what  Mananann was, in the Land Under Wave. .  All is not what it seems. A mist of obscurity has gathered around Midir. Join the Story Archaeologists as they undertake a little restoration work.   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

As we glimpse safe harbour after our mammoth Immram, we take the opportunity to get to know a favourite Otherworld character. But where does Manannan Mac Lir come from? Is he all he appears to be? This quest became so huge that we had to split it into two episodes. So join the Story Archaeologists as they part the mists to look for this maratime Lord of the Sidhe. Be prepared for more surprising navigational twists in the next episode!   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

In our third and final episode on the lost hero, Mongán, we piece together some intriguing potsherds. What has the son of Manannán to say to Saint Colm Cille? What happened when he had his "Frenzy"? Can we re-construct his death-tale, Aided Mongáin? Join the Story Archaeologists as they look for edges and corners in this poetic jigsaw.   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

In our second dip into Mongan's mysterious waters, we compare several stories showing off Mongan's miraculous poetic skill. As a boy-wonder, he humiliates his father's chief poet; as a king, he terrifies a poor student into a mysterious quest; and finally lets slip that he may have been here before... Join the Story Archaeologists as they dredge up a lost hero of Irish poets - one who can give Taliesin a run for his money!   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

  In our very first Immrám, Immrám Bran, we met Manannán on his way to beget a wonder-child, Mongán. Now that we've finished rowing around the open seas, we've returned to dry land to find out what happened next. What we've found is one of the funniest stories we've ever looked at! So strap in your sides and prepare to get hilarious with the Story Archaeologists!   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

Happy new year to our Story Archaeology listeners! Because we love ye thiiiiiis much, we're sending out a multimedia feast for our Samhain special. So, take a look at this video of a live Story Archaeology show, then have a listen to our episode, "A Tale to Remember", and peruse the attached texts and your leisure. Enjoy!     Texts for this episode: The Fairy Palace of the Quicken Trees by P. W. Joyce The Palace of the Quicken Trees by Lady Augusta Gregory The Chase of Slieve Fuad by P. W. Joyce from "Fionn and the King of Alba's Son"     Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

King Cormac Mac Airt is often called "The Irish Solomon". But was this legendary king quite the wise old judge suggested by that epithet? Find out with the Story Archaeologists in this long-awaited - and lon-running! - 2 hour dig for truth and justice.   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

Greetings all diggers and scrapers and fragment-collectors… If you read “The Trials and Tribulations of a pair of Story Archaeologists”, you’ll know that we at Story Archaeology have been on our own technological Immrám for some time now. It certainly can feel very much like “rowing around” when trying to select, construct and set up new computers. We have conquered one of those islands on our journey. Isolde now has a new PC which is much less terrified of the internet than her previous model. Chris has finally installed the wonders of wi-fi in her own home. So we are ready to strike out on the next leg. This is where you come in. Please take a listen to this short-cast, which explains why we need your help to continue on our journey. We would be nothing without our wonderful audience. Indeed, we’re starting to get the sense that this audience is in fact a community. So please help tug on the oars, and let’s keep Story Archaeology on this extraordinary immrám of discovery!

The Adventures of Tadhg Mac Céin may seem like a Middle Irish vision of Theme Park Ireland, but this rollocking sea adventure has real surprises up its sleeve. Exactly what kind of Otherworld is it that our Jack-the-Lad hero has discovered? Join the Story Archaeologists as they plumb the unexpected depths of this hidden Immrám gem. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

There are some characters in Irish story who are just hard to ignore. St Brendan the Navigator is one of them. Although his voyage is not one of the Immrama from the tale lists, he confidently sets of with his crew of monks to sail to the Land of Promise of the Saints. Join the Story Archaeologists as they follow in the wake of a saint.   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

We are reaching the end of our voyage into “official” Immráma. As we turn for home with Mael Duin and his crew, we ask, “So what does it all mean?” Journey into new waters with the Story Archaeologists as we begin to chart our Immrám adventures.   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

We have dug down as far as we can go in this Story Archaeology dig of Cath Maige Tuired.  We've studied the landscape, examined related stories, collected linguistic potsherds. So what are we left with? For the last episode in "The Battle of Moytura" series, the Story Archaeologists engage in some experimental story archaeology. What if we leave out "foreign" characters? What if we only read the oldest strata of the tale? If the story is not a battle between Good Gods and Evil Demons, what kind of story is it? Strap yourselves in as we take off into pure speculation on a Story Archaeology joyride! If you have any technical difficulties downloading or listening to the podcast, please leave a comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts!  Related Articles will be posted in the days to come. Old episodes now available on archive.org. By The Story Archaeologists. Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello.

We have dug down as far as we can go in this Story Archaeology dig of Cath Maige Tuired.  We've studied the landscape, examined related stories, collected linguistic potsherds. So what are we left with? For the last episode in "The Battle of Moytura" series, the Story Archaeologists engage in some experimental story archaeology. What if we leave out "foreign" characters? What if we only read the oldest strata of the tale? If the story is not a battle between Good Gods and Evil Demons, what kind of story is it? Strap yourselves in as we take off into pure speculation on a Story Archaeology joyride! If you have any technical difficulties downloading or listening to the podcast, please leave a comment below. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts!  Related Articles will be posted in the days to come. Old episodes now available on archive.org. By The Story Archaeologists. Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello.

 An Acallam na nÉces Special Many people are familiar with the "Tree Alphabet" or even "Tree Calendar" derived from the ancient Irish Ogham script.  But is this barking up the wrong tree?  Is this really what Ogham was created for? Peel back the compacted layers of 19th century romanticism and Medieval reconstruction with the Story Archaeologists. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello. Our Tree Circle - Some Pictures The tree circle was begun in 1992. The original concept was to place a tree in the centre of each "month" with a second corresponding tree at the start of the period, just outside the circle so as to give the circle depth. However, the trees are now mature and are real trees not just a written glyph. It is a garden full of living trees. Different species grow at varying rates, and some individual trees do better than others. Some are happier with the environment than others. For instance, one of the birches was attacked by sheep when it was young, and was ringed. Although it is healthy, it will never grow to be a tall tree. Then, rowans do not like our soil. The two rowans in the circle were hard to establish, and are the only rowans growing on the land; although there are many on the higher land not far away. Some trees live much longer than others. The oak and yew, for example, will far outlive the alder. This may have been an long term experiment in Story Archaeology and it has many uses and applications  but it is. above all, a garden.

Welcome to StoryArchaeology.com, uncovering the layers of Irish Mythology.  On this site, you will find a regular podcast and articles about Irish Mythology by the Story Archaeologists, Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody.  To find out what Story Archaeology is, and how we apply this method to the exploration of Irish stories, listen to this introductory mini-episode. To subscribe to the podcast, point your podcatcher of choice at feeds.feedburner.com/StoryArchaeology. By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello.