Pisrógs

“Bataireacht is a category of stick-fighting martial arts of Ireland. The concept of people swinging sticks at each other, in anger, dates far into pre-history.”

The 18th and 19th century Irish phenomenon known as the Faction Fight was essentially a mass brawl that involved hundreds and sometimes thousands of antagonists organised into groups and meeting at designated venues and dates such as fairs, markets, funerals, race meetings, patterns or any other large gathering.

Angry stick swinging, shin kicking, Irish wrestling, shillelagh making and Faction Fighting explored by the boys in this episode.

Music by Gareth Quinn Redmond

Logo by @aislinglarkindesign

AN Irish mercenary in the Spanish army trained in the art of war by Franciscan monks.

EOGHAN Ruadh Ó Néill is one of the most famous members of the O'Neill Dynasty of Ulster, an Irish family which claim the lineage of Niall of the Nine Hostages, a legendary High King.

HAVING only left Ireland as boy in the Flight of the Earls, O'Neill became known as an incredible defensive tactician, oftentimes fighting and winning with significantly fewer soldiers than the enemy. He quickly rose the ranks of the Spanish garrison.

IT is often said that O'Neill's defensive capabilities could have changed the sequence of events that followed Cromwell's bloody tirade across Ireland.

BUT this is not how the story goes.

LUKE and ARAN discuss the unpredictable, fascinating and unfortunate rise and fall of Owen Roe O'Neill and read through a selection of tales sourced from the National Folklore Collection.

(also it is a really hot day upon the recording and the boy's concept of whats going on hangs by a thread)

You heard it, an episode of beans, beads and begora, tis mighty. We've kept it colloquial with the help of listener suggested stories. From stories of a man who danced himself dead to a ship of beans. Scary fairies to golden stalks to beat the ass, we've got it all.

Music by Gareth Quinn Redmond

Logo by Aisling Larkin Design (@aislinglarkindesign)

CUID A DÓ. In part one the lads discussed the mythological origins of Glas Gabhnenn, an early Irish tale that involved giant cyclopes, glass towers, trapped princesses, sword-wielding champions and a magical cow!

IN PART TWO, The fairy cow takes centre stage!

ARAN and Luke read from an everlasting bucket of archival folk stories, learn about:

The first white and black cow in Ireland, EVER.

Tales of an evil Queen, her defiant son and his ability to put on weight DESPITE her best efforts.

A razor tempered with rat's blood . . . . Hold on, did we read that right?

LISTEN NOW, it's a goodie! (And check back in on the first part in case you missed anything!)

CUID A HAON of our double bill dedicated to An Glas Gaibhnenn, The Gloss, or simply put The Fairy Cow.

THE Fairy Cow is a mythical beast who was said to have an abundant supply of milk.

COUNTLESS stories on The Fairy Cow exist all over Ireland, think of the oldest story you know and then think of that story's older brother. That's give or take how ancient this beauty is.

IN PART ONE, Luke and Aran dive into the mythological origins of Glas Gaibhnenn only to find:

CYCLOPS Giants,

GLASS towers,

CUNNING Smiths,

TRAPPED princesses,

A BATTLE at Sea,

OH, and a lovely wee green cow.

Kick back and relax with this grab bag episode of Irish stories, riddles and love charms. From Fionn Mac Cumhaill's mother's shin bone to the fairy wind. Guaranteed laughs and Irish love.

Music by Gareth Quinn Redmond

Logo by Aisling Larkin Design (@aislinglarkindesign)

OLDER than the Olympics, a yearly 'sporting' event that was about so much more than feats of strength.

THE TAILTEANN GAMES drew crowds from all over Ancient Ireland to take part in competitions of swordplay, long jumps, crafting, storytelling . . . . There were even hills where mass marriages and the occasional divorce took place.

THE boys delve into the real history of the Tailteann Games, an event in honour of the Queen and God Tailtiu . . .

There's even evidence to suggest the Greeks took a little inspiration from the Irish.

The light half of the year has finally arrived. The days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, nature is getting greener.

It is time to send the animals off to higher pastures, cut turf and prepare for the summer of working the land ahead.

Bonfires must be lit to cleanse and protect homes, people and animals.

The morning dew must be collected to ensure luck and prosperity.

The boys discuss all this and more in this episode on the Gaelic May Day Festival of Bealtaine

Music by Gareth Quinn Redmond

Logo by AislingLarkinDesign

CHILD sacrifice, intense worship and a battle between an ancient idol and St. Patrick.

THIS all took place in the small clearing 'Magh Slecht' in the hills of Cavan where a golden idol to the god CROM CRUACH stood.

The boys journey to Magh Slecht, to explore Crom Cruach as a dark yet likely misinterpreted figure. Discover if there really was child sacrifice at Magh Slecht and why exactly it happened in the first place.

Gareth Quinn Redmond on music.

Aisling Larkin on the logo.

Pisrogspodcast on instagram.

Join Aran and Luke this week as they explore their parish and townlands past with stories of treachery, ghosts, hauntings, strongman Seán Byrnes and Miles 'The Slasher'.

Also a sprinkling of Piseóga, superstitious beliefs and practices, and riddles throughout.

Thank you Gareth Quinn Redmond for the music.

Thank you Aisling Larkin (@aislinglarkindesign) for the logo.