Featuring the greatest periwinkle story ever told, this episode explores the evidence for the language spoken in Ireland in late antiquity with the highly entertaining Prof. David Stifter (Maynooth University). He tells us all about the uniqueness of the ogham/ogam writing script (which may or may not have been invented by a Kerryman) and how difficult Old Irish is to learn. Stay tuned to the end to hear Prof. Stifter recite/translate some lines and poetry in Old Irish, Modern Irish, Latin and German.

This is the third and final episode of our little trilogy on Ireland in late antiquity. The first two episodes are 'Ireland in the Roman Empire with Dr Elva Johnston' and 'St Patrick with Terry O'Hagan'.

Happy Easter!

Suggested reading/links:

Ogam booklet by David Stifter: https://shop.universitybooks.ie/Books/Ogam-Language-Writing-Epigraphy_9788413404226

David Stifter, Sengoidelc: Old Irish for Beginners (Syracuse, 2006) https://shop.universitybooks.ie/Books/SENGOIDELC-OLD-IRISH-FOR-BEGINNERS_9780815630722

The Og(h)am project website, esp blog on spelling and pronounciation: https://ogham.glasgow.ac.uk/index.php/2021/12/06/you-say-ogham-and-i-say ogam/#:~:text=There%20are%20those%20who%20speak,as%20if%20you%20were%20gargling).

Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday).

Email: [email protected]

Twitter X: @EarlyIrishPod

Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, & Science Foundation Ireland/The Irish Research Council. Views expressed are the speakers' own.

Production: Tiago de Oliveira Veloso Silva.

Logo design: Matheus de Paula Costa

Music: Lexin_Music