Story Archaeology

Begin Series 3, Dindshenchas and the Art of Mythic Cartography, as the Story Archaeologists interview Dr. Ranke de Vries, editor of "Two Texts on Loch nEchach". With Chris away in Australia, Isolde, left behind in chilly Ireland, had the pleasure of interviewing friend and former teacher, Ranke de Vries, after the recent launch of her book with the Irish Texts Society. Now re-united, the Story Arc...

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 o...

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 o...

In our continuing discussion of the Early Modern Irish tale, “The Fate of the Children of Tuirenn”, we send Brian and the boys off on their epic quest.  Much of this tale sounds terribly familiar  (did someone say “Labours of Heracles?"). But it all boils down to the deceptively simple task of making three shouts on a hill - will the three brothers have any chance of surviving? As this epic "Sorro...

In our continuing discussion of the Early Modern Irish tale, “The Fate of the Children of Tuirenn”, we send Brian and the boys off on their epic quest.  Much of this tale sounds terribly familiar (did someone say “Labours of Heracles?"). But it all boils down to the deceptively simple task of making three shouts on a hill - will the three brothers have any chance of surviving? As this epic "Sorrow...

Jim Fitzpatrick's spectacular Lugh In the Early Modern Irish tale, "The Fate of the Children of Tuirenn", Lugh prepares to take on the might of the Fomoire hosts, seemingly single-handed. But he will need some very special weapons for this task, along with the help of Clann Manannáin, the "Fairy Cavalcade". As this epic "Sorrow of Irish Storytelling" serves as one of the few texts telling the stor...

Jim Fitzpatrick's spectacular Lugh In the Early Modern Irish tale, "The Fate of the Children of Tuirenn", Lugh prepares to take on the might of the Fomoire hosts, seemingly single-handed. But he will need some very special weapons for this task, along with the help of Clann Manannáin, the "Fairy Cavalcade". As this epic "Sorrow of Irish Storytelling" serves as one of the few texts telling the stor...

Photo by Martin Byrne When we listen to stories of the Túatha Dé Danann and their exploits, it can be hard to remember that they are set in real physical locations.  Can a landscape story-archaeology survey of these sites give us a new perspective on the story? Follow the Story Archaeologists on a virtual ramble through the West of Ireland, using a 9th century saga instead of a Sat Nav. Some links...

Heapstown Cairn / Ochtriallach's Cairn Now that we have the entire saga before us, we can take a step back and see what shapes and patterns emerge.  Is the saga a patchwork of tales with unnecessary repetition, or is there some significance to all its duplications and reflections? Enter the realm of Experimental Story Archaeology in the first episode to view the whole story from a new angle. Don’t...

Heapstown Cairn / Ochtriallach's Cairn Now that we have the entire saga before us, we can take a step back and see what shapes and patterns emerge.  Is the saga a patchwork of tales with unnecessary repetition, or is there some significance to all its duplications and reflections? Enter the realm of Experimental Story Archaeology in the first episode to view the whole story from a new angle. Don’t...

"What is there about the Lightest Light and the Darkest Dark" by Iwaski As the last sections of our saga are revealed, the overall picture of the Battle of Moytura emerges. The Morrigan, the poet and recorder of the Dé Danann, gives a raven's-eye view of the battle. Explore some of the overlooked treasures of Cath Maige Tuired with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the lat...

"What is there about the Lightest Light and the Darkest Dark" by Iwaski As the last sections of our saga are revealed, the overall picture of the Battle of Moytura emerges. The Morrigan, the poet and recorder of the Dé Danann, gives a raven's-eye view of the battle. Explore some of the overlooked treasures of Cath Maige Tuired with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the lat...

The technology of Dían Cécht, Goibniu, Luchta and Creidne Cerd is pivotal in the Battle of Moytura.  As People of Craft, the Túatha Dé Danann treasure the skills of their makers and shapers. The Story Archaeologists find evidence of their crafting on every stratum of the Battle of Moytura and far beyond. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts!  Related Articles will be posted in the day...

"The Dagda Cup" - ceramic, made by Chris Thompson The Dagda is one of our most enduring mythological characters.  He strides through the tale of Moytura as craftsman and clown, but how much of the story rests in his large lap? Follow the Track of the Dagda’s Club along with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts!  Related Articles will be posted in the days to...

"Lugh, lord of all crafts" - a ceramic sculpture by Daniel Cullen Lug Lámfhada has a Long Arm indeed, stretching all the way from Continental Celts to the Insular Isles.  His role is central to Cath Maige Tuired, but how does he relate to the other dramatis personae of the tale? Join the Story Archaeologists as we dust off this iconic hero. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts!  Relat...

Bres by Jim Fitzpatrick Bres the Beautiful, the Half-Blood Prince of the Túatha Dé Danann, fared little better than his modern literary counterpart.   As the Battle of Moytura draws near, we explore the terrible tale of the king set up to be brought down by meanness and false judgement. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to piece together the shattered cup of Bres’ kingship. Don’t forget to s...

The Labby Rock in County Sligo: the traditional burial site of Nuada Nuada Láim Argait, the merchant king with the Silver Arm, leads his people in wisdom and strategy for much of the saga of the Second Battle of Moytura.  He is widely regarded as cognate with the British Celtic god Nodens.  So when and how, mythologically speaking, did he come to Ireland? This first episode of the second series of...

An Acallam na nÉces Samhain Special In this seasonal special, the Story Archaeologists compare two stories of Samhain.  It's a time for ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night... but what could such stories tell us about life 100 or even 1,000 years ago? Find out as the Story Archaeologists go digging one dark night. By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello. Re...

The cairn-mound on Sheebeg (Sídh Beag)  An Acallam na nÉces Special In the West of Ireland, every hill is a hollow hill, and every well is a source.  But the hill we live on has many legends. Join the Story Archaeologists on an aerial survey of the story-scape of Sídh Beag, the Small Fairy Hill. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Sheemore and...

Ogham scripts from the Book of Ballymote  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 for...

Ua na gCait - The Cave of the Cat at Crúachán Battle-hag.  Nightmare.  Phantom Queen.  The Morrigan has been called all of these.  But is the battle-cry her only anthem? Uncover the evidence in conversation with the Story Archaeologists. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello.

St. Brigid's Well at Fochard Bríde Brigid: the much-loved irish saint and the revered Celtic tribal ancestress.  But is there a connection between the two? Sift through the strata of her story in conversation with the Story Archaeologists. Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello.

Ceramic on glass by Chris Thompson Airmed is the daughter of the great Dé Danann physician, Dían Cécht.  Together, they created the healling well of Sláine, which restored injured warriors at the Second Battle of Moytura.  But do their names tell a different story? Dig deeper through etymology in conversation with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! by T...

"Hope" - Clay sculpture & paint by Chris Thompson The oral tradition provides vital pieces missing from the Irish manuscripts.  "The Birth of Lugh" is a prime example.  Reconstruct the story-seed of Eithliu and her many brief appearances in conversation with the Story Archaeologists. Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castell...

Bog yew sculpture by Davy Paton Macha gives her name to Emain Macha (Navan Fort, the seat of the Ulster kings) and to Armagh.  She is also remembered for racing the king’s horses and cursing the Ulstermen.  Why should a woman about to give birth be forced into a contest against race-horses? Explore this fantastical myth in relation to Early Irish status texts, illuminating the rural economy in pre...