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Welcome to Irish Gothic Bitesize, a short-form companion to the Irish Gothic podcast.

In this episode, Spence Wright explores the work of Sam Henry, the Coleraine-born folklorist, song collector, and storyteller best known for his Songs of the People series. Henry travelled through rural Ulster gathering songs, folklore, and local tales, preserving oral traditions before they were lost.

This episode also celebrates the work of Colin Irwin, a modern storyteller, folk singer, and songwriter who has revisited Henry’s folklore through The Arn Hagg, a collection published by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.

Spence reads Fire and Brimstone at Duncrue, a dark coastal legend filled with castles, crusaders, betrayal, vengeance, fire, and ghosts on the Antrim coast.

This is a bite-sized taste of the myths, stories, places, and people that shape Irish Gothic.

Next full episode: Cú Chulainn, the Hound of Ulster. Coming Soon!

Presented by Spence Wright
 Produced by Irish Gothic
 From Causeway Pictures

Listen, subscribe, and join us as we explore the darker edge of Irish myth, folklore, and legend.

#IrishGothic #IrishFolklore #IrishMythology #UlsterFolklore #NorthernIreland #AntrimCoast #CausewayCoast #SamHenry #ColinIrwin #TheArnHagg #FolklorePodcast #GothicPodcast #IrishPodcast #DarkFolklore #GhostStories #IrishLegends #CuChulainn #HoundOfUlster #SpenceWright #CausewayPictures

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Whilst Chris and Spence work away to prepare to delve into Cú Chulainn on next week’s episode, we have enlisted a very special guest to fill in this week - Spence’s daughter, Eliza. Listen in to hear this fun tale of our little green friend, and let us know in the comments if you believe in leprechauns too ! We will be back next week with our full length episode on origins of the hero of the Ulster Cycle…

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Follow us:

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Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

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www.causewaypictures.com

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Welcome back to part two of the legend of the little green sprite, smoking a pipe and with a rainbow coming out of his *** (at least according to Chris). On this episode, Chris and Spence delve into the culture which surrounds this mischievous figure, and attempt to out-geek each other with their Leprechaun movie trivia. Leave your favourite pop culture Leprechaun in the comments !

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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This week is part one of the mischievous tales of Ireland’s iconic little green man; he Leprechaun. A fan of a prank themselves, listen to Chris and Spence unveil the secrets of Ireland’s legendary trickster, and tell tales of their hoaxes and capers gone by. Come back next week for part 2 of the legend of the Leprechaun !

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Bibliography: 

Fairy & Folk Tales of Ireland, W.B. Yeats : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fairy-Tales-Ireland-William-Butler/dp/0684829525

Legends and Stories of Ireland, Samuel Lover : https://archive.org/details/legendsstories00love

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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Chris and Spence are hitting each other over the head with sticks in this week’s episode of Irish Gothic….. April Fool’s ! All joking aside, on this week's episode, Chris and Spence are diving into the fascinating lore of Ireland's fighting stick : the Shillelagh. Listen in to learn more about this iconic Irish weapon. 

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Bibliography: 

Buy your very own fighting stick here !

https://mccaffreycrafts.com/collections/blackthorn-shillelagh?srsltid=AfmBOopWF3HF4XAZdlc-U4FPQb8kYS7zFz6KHEYvKAkC3EECsmwBtgpk

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Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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Vampires are … Irish !?

Welcome to season two and a happy St. Patrick’s Day from all of us at Irish Gothic ! No, you haven’t drank too many pints of the black stuff, you read that right - the legend of the vampire finds its origins in the Irish legend of the Abhartach. Join Chris and Spence as they reveal how all of your fanged favourites find their origins in a humble field just outside of County Derry/Londonderry. 

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Bibliography: 

Learn more about the Abhartach here !

https://yourirish.com/folklore/abhartach-irish-vampire

https://northwordni.org/your-stories/abhartach/

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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This week, Chris bites into the mystery that surrounds Ireland's Dark Hedges. Listen in to learn more about the iconic beech trees which formed the epic Kingsroad in HBO's Game of Thrones. 

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Visit the Dark Hedges here !

https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/the-dark-hedges-p703291

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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This week, Spence takes you into the world of Thomas Crofton Croker and his book Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland, published in 1825.

The Good Woman is a misadventure story that harks back to our Episode 2: The Dullahan.

New Full Episodes COMING SOON.

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Check out our other podcast, Hostage to the Devil, which features real-life stories of exorcism and possession. It's available wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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Join Spence in the first of our mini-episodes as we prepare for the new season later in the month.

This week, we hear about an  Irish Priest who meets 'The Old Gentleman' himself, the Devil.

Host:  Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Check out our other podcast, Hostage to the Devil, which features real-life stories of exorcism and possession. It's available wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

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HO HO HO, NOLLAIG SHONA DUIT ! 

Chris and Spence have donned their red (or black) Santa suits to tuck into more than just a minced pie for Irish Gothic’s first Christmas special. We’re covering everything from Ireland’s festive ‘devil bird’, to the big man himself - Saint Nicholas. Listen in to hear toe-curling tales, even scarier than having your in-laws over for turkey. However you celebrate at this time of year, good tidings to all and we’ll be back in the New Year!

The Irish Gothic Podcast explores the origins of Irish Folk tales. myths and legends in all their dark, fantastical glory and how these vivid yarns continue to resonate across the world to this very day. 

Join Hosts Chris Patterson and Spence Wright as they fuse their love for all thing's horror with a wellspring of Irish lore. 

From the terrifying figure of the Dullahan to the origins of Halloween itself, if it’s a yarn you’re after, pull up a chair and let ‘Irish Gothic’ fill your ears. 

Hosts: Chris Patterson & Spence Wright 

Producer: Rebecca Alcorn 

Production Company: Causeway Pictures 

Bibliography: 

Learn more about Ireland at Christmas here ! 

https://www.shamrockgift.com/blog/christmas-folklore-ireland/?srsltid=AfmBOoqmccVLUspvHewEi_YWvs4gDo6E4ng5zGhO26NdlK7w_YdMghWa

Follow us:

Instagram: @irishgothicpod

X: @irishgothicpod

Website: https://irishgothicpod.buzzsprout.com

Show your support for the podcast at: buymeacoffee.com/irishgothicpod      

Checkout our other podcast - Hostage to the Devil, real life stories of exorcism and possession. Wherever you get your podcasts.

Causeway Pictures © All rights reserved           

www.causewaypictures.com

Support the show