Tyler attempts to untangle the relationship between kingship and early Irish law through depictions of crime and compensation in The Saga of Fergus Mac Léti.

Main topics addressed: kingship, early Irish law

References and Suggested Media:

The additional music is ‘The Theme of Law & Order’ by Mike Post, 1990.

Binchy, D. A. 1952. ‘The Saga of Fergus Mac Léti’, Ériu 16, 33-48 (pp. 39-44)

Binchy, D. A. 1954. ‘Secular Institutions’, Early Irish Society 8, 52-65

Kelly, F. A Guide to Early Irish Law (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2020), pp. 17-26

McLeod, Neil. 2011. ‘Fergus Mac Léti and the Law’, Ériu 61, 1-27

Transcript:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y2ViHAF_a5aZvUbmC4D0-g4d0ytEzITrdlrz1DSHAd0/edit?usp=sharing

Tyler provides an overview of early medieval Irish society, discussing D. A. Binchy's description of that society as "tribal, rural, hierarchical, and familiar".

Main topics addressed: Irish petty kingdoms, cow-based currency, the social (and legal) hierarchy, kinship

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wm5oW5IHKKLWuq-GPp6wqtpF5zQINkxCrEQyumujzLI/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Best, R. I. ‘The Settling of the Manor of Tara’, Ériu 4 (1910), 121-172.

Kelly, F. A Guide to Early Irish Law (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2020).

McLeod, N. ‘Kinship’, Ériu 51 (2000), 1-22.

In last of three episodes about early Irish writing, Tyler discusses the sources for Early Irish Law (a.k.a Breton law). He emphasises the importance of tradition, Christian influences, and the nature of manuscript culture in how these sources have come down to us. The law texts will serve as an important lens through which we can understand medieval Irish society.

Main topics addressed: manuscripts, Early Irish Law (Brehon Law)

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_S03Lgi2WFZZ6vWfQZtEI4hGjavHkeCc-GjBqbVRCSc/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Best, R. I. 1910. ‘The Settling of the Manor of Tara’, Ériu 4, pp. 121-172

Carey, John. 1994. ‘An Edition of the Pseudo-Historical Prologue to the Senchas Már’, Ériu 45, pp. 1-32.

Cross, T. P.  & Brown, A. C. L. . 1918. ‘Fíngen’s Night Watch’, The Romanic Review IX, §4

Kelly, F. 2020. A Guide to Early Irish Law. Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, especially pp. 225-241.

Macalister, R. A. S. (1939) Lebor Gabála Érenn vol 2. Dublin: Educational Co. of Ireland. pp. 181, 197, and 203.

Medieval Irish History Podcast on law and society: https://open.spotify.com/episode/10nfUgLHjZLLM9f46O0Wpb?si=feb8ec51bc31456b 

In the second of three episodes about early Irish writing, we explore the nature of Ireland's earlies medieval manuscripts, including who wrote them, how they put them together, and the variety of content they contained.

Main topics addressed: manuscripts, codicology, palaeography

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_S03Lgi2WFZZ6vWfQZtEI4hGjavHkeCc-GjBqbVRCSc/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Helsen, Kate. ‘Codicology’ video lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVDvpfXbOdg

Helsen, Kate. ‘Codicology and Palaeography’ video lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r3EQtyYSCw

Murray, Kevin. 2001. ‘The Finding of the Táin’, Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies 41 (Summer), 17–23

‘Sewing the Gatherings’ virtual exhibition: https://exhibitions.bgc.bard.edu/craftandcodex/hotspots/sewing-the-gatherings

Short videos on manuscript production:

• Vellum: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-SpLPFaRd0
• Quills: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocnhYzKLeHU
• Ink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7k4-wj8mZ8
• Pigment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIf-9s5Lvos
• Paint: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaIlRuDGhlg
• The page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRlWpKRm0WU
• Assembling the manuscript: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuNfdHNTv9o

In the first of three episodes about early Irish writing, we explore the fascinating myths, enigmatic history, and linguistic quirks of the stone markings known as ogam or ogham.

Main topics addressed: Irish language, Latin, ogam (ogham), Ogma, early medieval Ireland.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gg2THDqf5Tm0JpaIus2zgpSzKA7-1oaOhbGndYL1wA0/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Binchy, D. A. 1961. ‘The Background of Early Irish Literature’, Studia Hibernica 1, 7-18.

Carey, John. 2014. ‘Ogmios and the Eternal Word’, Cosmos, 30, 1-35.

Celtic Inscribed Stones Project (CISP) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/cisp/database/ 

Charles-Edwards, T. 1995. ‘Language and Society Among the Insular Celts, AD 400-1000’, in The Celtic World, ed. M.J. Green, 703-736.

Clinton, Mark. 2001. Souterrains of Ireland (Wordwell Ltd).

Gutiérrez, Verónica A. 2019. ‘A Procession Through the Milpas: Indigenous-Christian ritual in Cholula, Pueblo, Mexico’, Fides et Historia 51(1), 105-123.

Harvey, A. 1987. ‘Early Literacy in Ireland: The Evidence from Ogam’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies 14, 1-15.

Macalister, R. A. S. 1945. Corpus inscriptionum Insularum Celticarum, 2 vols, vol. 1 (Dublin: Stationery Office).

Mac Cana, P. 1970. ‘The Three Languages and the Three Laws’, Studia Celtica 5, 62-78; 62-66.

MacNeill, E. 1908-1909. ‘Notes on the distribution, history, grammar and import of the Irish Ogham Inscriptions’, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 27C, 329-70: 329-34.

MacNeill, E. 1922. ‘A Pioneer of Nations’, Studies 11, 13-28, 435-46.

MacNeill, E. 1931. ‘Beginnings of the Latin Culture in Ireland’, Studies 20, 39-48.

McManus, D. 1991. A Guide to Ogam, Maynooth Monographs 4.

Ogam in 3D http://ogham.celt.dias.ie/ 

Russel, James R. Zoroastrianism in Armenia (Thesis, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies).

Stevenson, J. 1989. ‘The Beginnings of Literacy in Ireland’, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 89C, 127-65.

Thesaurus Indogermanischer Text- und Sprachmaterialien (TITUS) http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/ogam/frame/htm 

Thomas, Charles. 1994. And Shall These Mute Stones Speak? Post-Roman Inscriptions in Western Britain (University of Wales Press).

Waddell, John. 2014. “The cave of Crúachain and the Otherworld”, in: Jacqueline Borsje, Ann Dooley, Séamus Mac Mathúna, and Gregory Toner (eds), Celtic cosmology: perspectives from Ireland and Scotland 26 (Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies), 77–92.

This episode surveys the earliest texts written by and about Saint Patrick, the man credited with Christianising Ireland. But is it really that simple?

Main topics addressed: Saint Patrick, hagiography, Christianity, paganism, early medieval Ireland

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdX_pAGLVz2pp2YWMYzGkJ20STLtKxjzX8nB6sLMpsE/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Muirchú’s Text in English’.  https://confessio.ie/more/muirchu_english# 

Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Tírechán’s Text in English’. https://confessio.ie/more/tirechan_english# 

Carey, J. (with O’Loughlin, T.). 2006. ‘Christianity, Celtic’ in Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia vol 2, ed. by Koch, J. T.

McCarthy, P. 2011. ‘Confession’. https://confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english# 

Wycherley, N. The Medieval Irish History Podcast, https://x.com/EarlyIrishPod 

Tyler and Michael discuss the Hill of Tara and the legendary high kingship associated with it, alongside the actual history and archaeology of the site.

Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Tara, sacred kingship, sovereignty goddesses, and rather odd job requirements.

This episode contains references to alcohol, sex, and nudity.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l7tgf2gkqBgVRw8D-awpWCYyDY3M9v0RUkmiNOrghXE/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Bhreathnach, E. (ed.) 2005. The Kingship and Landscape of Tara.

Bhreathnach, E. and Newman, C. 1995. Tara.

Carey, J. 2005. ‘Tara and the Supernatural’ in The Kingship and Landscape of Tara, ed. by E. Bhreathnach (Dublin: Four Courts Press), 32-48.

Dillon, M. 1946. ‘Baile in Scáil: The Phantom's Frenzy’ in The Cycle of Kings, electronic ed. https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/phantom.html

Grogan, E. 2009. The Rath of the Synods, Tara, Co. Meath: Excavations by Seán P. Ó Ríordáin.

Gwynn, L. ‘De Síl Chonairi Móir’ in Ériu 6 (1912), 130-143 (pp. 138-141).

Herbert, M. 1992. Goddess and King: The Sacred Marriage in Early Ireland in Women and Sovereignty ed by L. Fradenburg.

Hull, V. ‘Geneamuin Chormaic’ in Ériu 16 (1952), 79-85 (§10); available at Irish Sagas Online: https://iso.ucc.ie/Geneamuin-chormaic/Geneamuin-chormaic-text.html#Section_10 

Koch, J. and Carey, J. (eds). 2003. The Celtic Heroic Age 4th edn: ‘Echtra Mac nEchach’ (The Adventures of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedón), pp. 203-208 and ‘Togail Bruidne Da Derga’ (The Destruction of Da Derga’s Hostel), pp. 166-169 (§1-15).

Newman, C. ‘Procession and Symbolism at Tara: Analysis of Tech Midchúarta (the “Banqueting Hall”) in the context of the sacral campus’ in  OJA 26/4 (Nov. 2007), 415–438.

Ó Bróin, T. ‘Lia Fáil: Fact and Fiction in the Tradition’ Celtica 21 (1990), pp. 393-401.

O’Sullivan, A. and Kinsella, J. 2013. ‘Living with a sacred landscape: interpreting the early medieval archaeology of the Hill of Tara and its environs, AD 400-1100.’ in M. O’Sullivan (ed.) Tara: from the past to the future, pp 321-344.

Stokes, W. The Rennes Dindshenchas https://www.ucd.ie/tlh/trans/ws.rc.15.001.t.text.html

Wadell, J. 2022. The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland new edn, Ch.9.

What the Folklore? (comedy podcast) https://www.wtfolklorepodcast.com/ 

The episode title is in Latin (Incipit) and Old Irish, and translates to 'The Selected Language Begins'. Tyler and Michael discuss the legendary origins of the Irish language according to Auraicept na nÉces (The Scholar's Primer) and the Lebor Gabála (The Book of Invasions), finally concluding our overview of the Book of Invasions with the fifth and final taking of Ireland by the Sons of Míl. An overview of the historical reality of the development of Irish and the other Celtic languages concludes the episode.

Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Irish language, Scholar's Primer, Book of Invasions, Sons of Míl, poets and poetry.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dV3Wovl92aqXdrFQvsHiaDfrJ7MFokcJnpohULT9-ng/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Calder, G. Auraicept na nÉces: The Scholar’s Primer. Edinburgh: John Grant, 1917.

James, S. Exploring the World of the Celts (London: Thames & Hudson, 2005), pp. 152-163.

Macalister, R. A. S. Lebor Gabála Érenn vol 5. Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1956.

Twist, C., Raferty, B., et al. Philip's Atlas of the Celts. Dublin: George Philip Limited, 2001, pp. 14-17.

Our new co-host Michael joins Tyler in exploring just what makes the Iron Age so mysterious. The enigmatic quality of the period is exemplified by the archaeology of the 'royal site' of Ulster, Emain Macha (Navan Fort) and a lesser-known site known as Corlea Trackway.

Note this episode contains reference to violence and sexual topics.

Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Navan Fort (Emain Macha), Corlea Trackway, La Tène.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YLhg0DDC7mZqkCyB8zFIh00vIPUBb8IXb6ugeO6t5AY/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

A Barbary Ape Skull from Navan Fort, Co. Armagh: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2014/05/a-barbary-ape-skull-from-navan-fort-co-armagh/ 

Aerial Views of Ireland’s Ancient Royal Sites: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2014/10/aerial-views-of-irelands-ancient-royal-sites/ 

Bergin, O. and Best, R. I. Tochmarc Étaíne electronic ed, Cork: CELT, 2005, §3.8 https://iso.ucc.ie/Tochmarc-etaine/Tochmarc-etaine-text.html

Best, R. I., Bergin, O. and O'Brien, M. A. (eds). 2008. Book of Leinster vol 1 electronic ed. Cork: CELT, Section 2 (pp. 79-80) https://celt.ucc.ie/published/G800011A/index.html 

Gosling, P. ‘Placing Names in Táin Bó Cúailnge: “Findabair Chúailnge” and “Findabair Sléibe”’, Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society 28(3) (2015), 309-325.

Gwynn, E. The Metrical Dindshenchas vol 4. Dublin: Irish Texts Society, pp. 3-9, 125-131, 309-311. Available electronically at https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T106500D/index.html

James, S. Exploring the World of the Celts. London: Thames & Hudson, 1993.

Keating, G. (2002, 2010) The History Of Ireland vol 2 electronic ed. Cork: CELT, pp. 153-157 (Sec 28), https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T100054/index.html

O'Donovan, J. (trans) The Annals of the Four Masters electronic ed. Cork: CELT, M4470.0-M4546.1 https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005A/index.html 

O'Sullivan, A. ‘Exploring past people's interactions with wetland environments in Ireland’, in Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 107 (2007), 147–203.

Twist, C., Raferty, B., et al. Philip's Atlas of the Celts. Dublin: George Philip Limited, 2001.

‘Visit Armagh’ website on Navan Fort/Emhain Mhacha: https://visitarmagh.com/places-to-explore/navan-centre-fort/ 

Wooding, J. M. ‘The Idea Of The Celt’ in Atherton, M. (ed) Celts And Christians. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 39-59.

This is a short news and announcements episode explaining upcoming changes to the podcast and when you can expect full episodes to resume (spoiler: mid-March!)

Main topics addressed: solar myth theory, podcast schedule and format.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xdtnXBSQWZbO-Nursb4yZ_uUDP6LFqRL-ONVrVoRDTM/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Chatterton, G. Rambles in the South of Ireland During the Year 1838. London: Saunders and Otley, 1839. https://archive.org/details/ramblesinsouthi03chatgoog/mode/2up 

Davies, E. Mythology and Rites of the British Druids. London: J. Booth, 1809. https://archive.org/details/mythologyritesof00davirich/mode/2up 

Georgiou, A. ‘Man Finds Prehistoric Hilltop Tomb With “Sun Altar”' Lost for 180 Years’, Newsweek 24 Jan 2024 [Accessed 25 Feb 2024] https://www.newsweek.com/man-finds-prehistoric-tomb-sun-altar-lost-180-years-1863597 

Müller, M. Comparative Mythology: An Essay. London: George Routledge and Sons Limited, 1909 (originally published 1856). https://archive.org/details/comparativemytho00ml/page/n3/mode/2up