Story Archaeology

Fergus was a man with a plan. He wanted to become, and remain, the most important king in Ulster. Discover how this got him into such trouble with a horrible water monster! This entertaining, and funny story also offers a chance to see just how life was organised in Ireland long before the Normans arrived.

This is a ideal Introductory story which sets these wonderful tales firmly into their pre-Norman context.

For eight and over's.

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun. Chris

Findabhair was the long suffering daughter of Medh of Connacht,. She was used to her mother's dramatic determination, but the quarrel she overheard one night, began a long series of events that eventually lead to war and destruction. The story is often known as 'The pillow talk'.

For adults: Explore this link for more background on the Ulster Cycle stories

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun Chris

Storytelling in changing times

Kate Lionis

It is always exciting when new scientific research is able to throw a new light on ancient stories. Join Chris in a new and wide-ranging ramble as she explores the extaordinary vistas of the early Irish Cath Maige Tuired (The Battle of Moytura) and contemplates a neolithic tragedy.

Links for this podcast episode

Story Archaeology links

The Battle of Moytura: Explore Series 2 (Episodes 1-6)

The Battle of Moytura: Explore Series 2 Episodes 7-12

Listen to a Conversation with Anthony Murphy from Mythical Ireland

Listen to a Conversation with Professor Patrick Nunn

External Links

Neil Carlin: Understanding Bell Beaker identities in Ireland - people, places and identities

Repeated plague infections across six generations of Neolithic Farmers (Paper in 'Nature' July 24)

Last Humans Standing with geneticist, David Reich (This particular talk does offer a clear explanation of recent genetic based evidence but is very long. I will try to provide a preferable discussion, or similar. )

David Anthony and Dorcas R. Brown: The Yamnaya Origins and the Expansion of Late PIE Languages, For those interested in liguistic exploration. I found David Anthony's The Horse, the Wheel and Language extremely useful in understanding how, where and why the bronze age migration took place. . Much of what he wrote in 2015 is now even better supported by recent genetic evidence.

Music for story: Lamentation by Ben Dwyer from SacrumProfanum

Every hero in Irish stories had something to boast about, a super-skill or a magical piece of kit! Finn and his friends were no different. They were the best fighters, the greatest hunters, and the most inspiring poets. Yes, you had to be good at poetry to join the Fianna! But there was one hero whose special ability was unique. Meet Conan Maol!

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun. Chris

This is probably one of the best - ever- Halloween (Samhain) stories. During this Rathcroghan feast, given by Ailill and Medb, Nera, has to face up to his boastful words and undertake a terrifying quest, through the Samhain-dark land and into another world and time. It is an remscéla adventure that will ensure Nera's role in the great Battle of the Bulls, the Táin Bó Cúailnge.

Practical bits

The story is in two parts

Part 2 begins at 11.30 mins

For adults: Find out more about the background to this story.

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, think these stories work best in this format.

Hsve fun. Chris

Suggested age range around nine and up

The Two Pig Keeper poets, more often known as 'The Two Swineherds' is an early origin tale for the battle of the Two Bulls between Connacht and Ulster. It is an exciting story with plenty of time-and-shape shifting but most importantly, stands as a reminder of why it is works out best for everybody to avoid quarrelling with your neighbours!

For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun. Chris

Suggested age range around nine and up.

So just what did Cú Chulainn get up to while he was still only a boy and how did he become such a famous warrior? This story is told by Scathach the woman who trained him how to fight! Find out what Uathach, Scathach's daughter, thought about it all, and then make up your own mind!

For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale.

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun. Chris

Suggested age range: 9 and on up!

A bit about the original story

When Bricriu decides to hold a party, anyone who is anyone must put in an appearance. But Bricriu has no intention of getting in a few beers and a few bowls of nibbles. No, Bricriu’s feast will set the greatest heroes of Ulster at each other’s throats and send them racing off on adventures throughout Ireland.

This story incudes giants, mysterious monsters, killer cats, mad competitions. racing, feasting and wvwn a scary but it-turns-out-fine ending. It has EVERYTHING!

Practical bits: The story is told in four sections.

Part 2 begins at 14 mins 50

Part 3 begins at 25 mins 13

Part4 begins at 40.26

For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale. (episodes 4-7)

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Younsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but they weren't considered juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun, Chris

A Finn MacCumhail story

Suggested age range: 9 and on up!

In this hilarious tale we take a canter through a Fenian tale of surly servants, a seabound horse, , hairy horrors and a battle with the High-King of the World. All in a day’s work for Finn and the Fianna.

Practical bits

Part 2 begins at 8 mins 35

Part 3 begins at 17 mins 34

For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale.

Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but the tales weren't considered as juvenelia.

However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.

I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format.

Have fun. Chris

Sana Malik grew up in Pakistan, and has been a widely travelled humanitarian aid-worker. Ireland is now her spiritual home. Join Chris and Sana as they discuss two favourite Irish stories, 'The Voyage of Bran' and the 'Story of Sinann', exploring 'Silver Branch Perception' and the relatabilty of mythology to the voyages of life.

Sana and I intend to share further conversations. In the next conversation we would like to share stories originating in the Indian subcontinent. I expect to learn a lot!

Story Archaeology Links for this Episode

The story of Sinann: podcast episodes and Dindshenchas translations. (You will find access to all this material on one page through this link.)

Explore a short video on the 'remarkable meanderings of the Sinann story'

Listen to the Podcast: Immrám Brain Mac Febul

Find Chris' telling of The Otherworld Apple Branch

The Text of Immram Brain Part 1: The Woman's Poem. Translation by Isolde

Find out more about Mongan, the hero poet child heralded to Bran by Manannan. Episodes 9 to 11 of Series 4: Rowing Around Immráma cover his stories, including his meeting with Colmcille.

External Links for this episode.

Explore the life, work and writings of John Morriarty