Tales of Britain and Ireland

By Tales of Britain and Ireland.

What's Tales of Britain and Ireland about?

A storytelling and folklore podcast.

Telling some of the famous and not so famous British and Irish myths, legends and folktales, in no particular order.

Coming direct from South Yorkshire it is currently regularish, and will feature all of the above and whatever other miscellaneous snippets take my fancy.

Presented by Graeme. Website at www.TalesofBritainandIreland.com

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Tales of Britain and Ireland episodes:

01.29.2024
49: Childe Rowland
This episode we've a nice normal fairy story about Elves, and one boy's bloody Tarantino-esque quest to get his ball back (and maybe something else as well? I forget.)For sources and more visit the episode page on the website: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-49-Childe-Rowland/ #mythology...
12.10.2023
48: Glasgow - Gold, Green and Iron
This episode we're off to Glasgow - the largest city in Scotland, for stories about Saints and Monsters set along the river, by turns in a Dear Green Place and a gritty, deadly urban sprawl. Hear stories involving necromantic powers, cuckolding,...
08.29.2023
47: The Witch of Eagle’s Crag
This episode we have a tale featuring Lancashire Witches, phenomenal cosmic power, a sort of gap year/nature documentary, an unexpected promotion and a story mash up that almost works if you squint, coming from the pen of Lancashire folklore's most...
06.20.2023
46: The Hobyahs
A fairy tale like story that's meant for children... and may be the most traumatic and violent I've covered yet. Meet the family: an old woman, an old man and a little girl living in a remote valley with their dog...
04.21.2023
45: Third Branch of the Mabinogi(on) - Manawydan
Branch Three of the Mabinogi(on) featuring marrying mothers, misty magic, market disruption, mice, milquetoast Manawydan and much much more! For musical credits, sources and more visit the website: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-45-third-branch-of-the-mabinogion-manawydan/ #WelshMythology #Mabinogion #Mabinogi #Folklore #Myth
01.08.2023
44: Petticoat Loose
A collection of stories telling the life and active afterlife of one of Ireland's most notorious and corporeal ghosts, with a rather unusual nickname. A woman, evil in life, who was graciously rewarded with the opportunity to continue being evil after...
11.20.2022
43: The Lad of the Skins (Fenian Cycle Pt 5.)
A tale of Fionn and the Fianna featuring heroism (maybe), murder (definitely), theft, even more animal transformations and other laddish pursuits. Stick around for the post credit sequence!For musical credits, sources and more visit the website: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-43-fionn-pt-5-the-lad-of-the-skins/#myth #mythology #folklore #Feniancycle...
09.02.2022
42: Cornish Wrecking
Storms, shipwrecks, salvaging, surprising donkeys and satanic forces all feature in two tales of wrecking on the Cornish Coast. For musical credits, sources and more visit the website: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-42-cornish-wreckers/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends #cornwall
06.27.2022
41: Irish Fairylore 2 - Fairymore?
The second of two episodes on Irish fairy lore with three more tales of the Aos Sí. Featuring a new trendy get rich quick scheme (robbery), absolutely banging tunes and highly restrictive music licencing laws, and what's sure to be...
05.24.2022
40: Irish Fairylore 1 - Aos Sí what you did there
The first of two episodes on Irish fairy lore - featuring three tales of the Aos Sí and there's not a pair of gossamer wings in sight. Discover the connection between a fairy rath and the fairies wrath, meet a dead...
05.04.2022
39: Kelpies and the each-uisge
This episode features a number of accounts of encounters with the fearsome Scottish water-horse known alternately as the Each-Uisge and the Kelpie. The tales involve a kindly magical old woman, a not so kindly magical old woman, sticky situations, lust,...
04.07.2022
38: King Herla & the Wild Hunt
This episode is the second from the collection of Medieval chronicler of oddities, miscellanea, and forteana - Walter Map. Featuring two weddings, a suspicious contract, dust, a cute little goat man, the wild hunt (but not really) and a dog...
03.16.2022
37: The Buggane of St. Trinian’s
This episode we've a tale from the Isle of Man featuring a folkloric Kaiju, a super-powered Saint, unusual ordinance, a brave little tailor(but not that brave little tailor), a deal with god, and more nautical terms than you can shake...
02.09.2022
36: The Dead Hand
This episode we've got a tale that draws strongly from Folk-horror, the strange world of the Lincolnshire Carrs (marshlands), a fairly unnecessary second person framing narrative and a lesson about the real power of a firm handshake. Sources and musical...
01.20.2022
35: Kate Crackernuts
This episode we have a delightful Fairy Tale. With fairies, castles, witches, princesses and princes, step mothers and ugly step sisters (alignments to be revealed), lots of things done in threes, and body horror that's positively Cronenbergesque. Musical credits, sources...
08.23.2021
34: Manchester 2, Manchester Unite-Dead
More tales from Manchester. Three stories with an emphasis on the post-mortem, with a light dusting of Boggarts and faeries to keep things interesting. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-34-manchester-unite-dead/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends #fairytales
05.27.2021
33: Manchester 1, Bizarre Botany and Curious Collections
Come with me to Cottonopolis where we’ve got two stories and an introduction. There’ll be more ill-advised ways to win a woman (see the last episode), and lots of mentions of a table that’s far bigger than I’d assumed. ....
04.05.2021
32: The Shoemaker of Constantinople
Walter Map’s charming little tale of a Princess, ambition, obsession, one of the most taboo acts known to humanity, an unlikely weapon from an unlikely source and, of course, shoes. Let me take you to Constantinople…. Musical credits, sources and...
01.27.2021
31: The Seeker Knight
A Knight! A Dark and Stormy night! A Castle! A quest! A hot headed wizard! A damsel! Northumberland! What more could you possible want? Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-31-the-seeker-knight/ #myths #folklore #legends
12.24.2020
30: The Trows’ Christmas (Christmas bonus)
A short bonus episode about the lovable little Trows and their delightfully happy Christmas adventures! Proceed with caution. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-30-the-trows-christmas/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
10.31.2020
29: Mabinogion Branch 2, Part 2: War and Peace and Feasts
This time we’ve got the conclusion to the Second Branch of the Mabinogion. There’s talking heads, the non-talking dead, talking birds, and I bitterly regret recording the whole episode without saying “A little bird told me”. It’s the longest episode...
08.22.2020
28: Mabinogion Branch 2, Part 1: Branwen
A tale taken from the premier text of Welsh mythology, with part one of a story of London, giants, magic, marriage, international diplomacy and the age old question of: Families. Who'd have them? Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-28-19-second-branch-of-the-mabinogion/...
06.27.2020
27: Brother Jucundus
This episode join us in York, for the story of Brother Jucundus... a liminal tale of monks, wild partying and coincidences. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-27-brother-jucundus/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
05.17.2020
26: Stone circles (I was petrified)
This episode we've got three short stories of Stone circles. There's poor wedding planning, there's a beautiful view ruined, and there's a remote island community in midsummer, with cuckoos. Be afraid, be petrified! Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofthebritishisles.com/episode-26-stone-circles/
04.05.2020
25: Robin Goodfellow: His Mad Pranks and Merry Jests
Do you like prank(e)s? Do you like jests? Do you like them mad and merry? Do you like characters who are cruel, capricious and also have super powers? Well if so, we've got just the tale for you! Musical credits,...
02.11.2020
24: The Enchanter of Pengersick Part 3, feat: an Enchanter
The final part of the tale of the Enchanter of Pengersick, features destinies fulfilled, wizard school, magical battles, renovations and, just in the nick of time, an Enchanter. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-2123-24-the-enchanter-of-pengerswick/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
02.06.2020
23. The Enchanter of Pengersick, Part 2, Plots and Schemes
The second part of the Cornish tale of the Enchanter of Pengersick! There are plots, there's poison, there's ghosts, there's pirates! An Enchanter you ask? Did we mention the pirates? Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-2123-24-the-enchanter-of-pengerswick/ #myth #mythology #folklore...
12.21.2019
22: The Mistletoe Bride (Christmas bonus)
This time we have a short Christmas bonus episode for you, because it's the season for it. And because the episode we're meant to have isn't done yet. We're telling a narrative story of a popular old Christmas song... with...
11.27.2019
21: The Enchanter of Pengersick Part 1, Dastardly Deeds
In this episode we start a three part Cornish legend where Magic, marriage, murder and mayhem abound, in a story packed with more folkloric elements than you can shake an enchanted stick at: Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-2123-24-the-enchanter-of-pengerswick/...
10.22.2019
20: The Spectre Horseman
And we’re finally back! This time with a spooky story from Lancashire featuring, amongst other things, class politics, horses, a kiss and a lot of storytelling. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofthebritishisles.com/episode-20-the-spectre-horseman/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
05.26.2019
19: London Legends Part 2: Residents
This time we’ve got the second in a two parter telling tales from the biggest smoke: London town. This time there are three stories of residents of the city: an entrepreneur who dares to think outside the box, a property...
04.01.2019
18: London Legends Part 1: Visitors
This delayed Tales of Britain and Ireland is the first of two episodes looking at some legends from that Heart of Darkness itself: London town. This time there are three stories of visitors to the city: one an original wonder...
02.19.2019
17: Fionn MacCumhaill Part 4: Oh deer (Oisín)
This episode we continue working our way through the origin phase of the Fenian cycle featuring everything you’ve grown to expect from a Fionn story: an evil Sidhe, animal transformations, and blatant overuse of Irish incidental music. Musical credits, sources...
01.29.2019
16. Fionn MacCumhaill Part 3: Bran
Today we're back in the world of mythological Ireland, as we return to the tales of Fionn MacCumhaill. It's backstory time and changes are afoot, not least of strongly held opinions. We'll learn about the dangers of an angry ex,...
01.07.2019
15: Christmas Ghosts part 2: The Shadow
The second part in our look at Festive Ghost stories this episode is an unusual one for this podcast, featuring a straight reading of E. Nesbit’s wonderful Ghost Story “The Shadow” featuring no rambling asides, and little incidental music. Suggest...
01.07.2019
14: Christmas Ghosts part 1
In this slightly delayed festive (read: spooky) episode we’ve got a number of ghost stories from the British Isles, featuring peculiar Medieval spooks of Yorkshire, toe-curlingingly embarrising attempts at emulating the crypt Keeper, Lovecraftian horrors of Victorian London and the...
12.17.2018
13: The Black Bull of Norroway
A Scottish fairy tale, name checked by none other than J.R.R. Tolkien features a whole lot of threes, an Epic Battle (off camera), a very valuable apple (no Steve Jobs required) and a fast and loose attitude to tying up...
11.27.2018
12: Mabinogion Branch 1, Part 2: Rhiannon
Concluding the first Branch of the Mabinogion we pick up again with Pwyll and Rhiannon. This time they'll be contending with legal technicalities, murder most foul, a dark game of horsey, claws encounters and Pwyll's general ineptitude. And I’ll fail...
11.06.2018
11: Mabinogion, First Branch, Part 1: Pwyll
This episode we begin our look at the renowned collection of medieval Welsh tales, the Mabinogion. Join Pwyll prince of Dyfed on an unusual job swap, featuring a magical horse, some colourful hounds, acts of both uncivility and propriety, and...
10.29.2018
10: The Hand of Glory (Bonus Halloween episode)
With Halloween right around the corner we have a short bonus episode looking at another spooky tale. This story from Kent is not strictly about Halloween but does feature a host of seasonal favourites: Black magic, dismembered body parts, murder...
10.17.2018
9: The Buried Moon
A creepy Lincolnshire legend features a collection of evil creatures that haunt the darkness, spells to keep them away and a possible moral about knowing your place in the world. Especially if you have got a really important job to...
09.23.2018
8: Origins of Britain Part 2: Brutus
Concluding our look at the mythic origins of Britain we learn about the link between Troy and the founding of London by way of a murder packed cruise around the Mediterranean with everyone’s favourite cuddly hero Brutus (not that Brutus)....
09.02.2018
7: Origins of Britain 1: Albina
This episode we take a look at the surprising mythical origins of Britain. Without giving too much away this turns out to feature Syria, giants, a host of badass princesses, a lot of murder and many other decidedly unexpected elements....
08.15.2018
6: A curious collection of churches
Three (well sort of four) stories vaguely linked by the theme of Churches: featuring Devilish plots both thwarted and not, great marketing and a young whippersnapper of a Reverend. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-6-a-curious-collection-of-churches/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
07.23.2018
5: The Dragon of Wantley
This episode we've a lighter tale in the form of The Dragon of Wantley. There is everything you'd expect from a good dragon slaying story: a Knight, a maiden, and a digestive complaint. Plus Sheffield steel puts in an appearance....
07.03.2018
4: The Boyhood of Fionn Part 2
We continue our look into the beginnings of the Fenian cycle with a grisly plot item, a definitive answer to the question of whether fish-oils are good for the brain (in very specific circumstances), one weird trick to beat narcolepsy...
06.09.2018
1: Thomas the Rhymer
A retelling of this ballad from the Scottish borders featuring all your favourite Elves and Bards. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/1_thomas_the_rhymer/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
06.09.2018
2: Tamlin
A second Scottish border ballad, this time with the wrong character named in the title and featuring our old friends the Fair Folk. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-2-tam-lin/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends
06.09.2018
3: The Boyhood of Fionn Part 1
We dip a tiny toe into the vast lake of Irish Mythology with the beginnings of the Fenian cycle, a King called Conn, a warrior called Cumhaill and a boy called Fionn. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-3-the-boyhood-of-fionn-part-1/ #myth...

What's Tales of Britain and Ireland about?

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Tales of Britain and Ireland episodes:

49: Childe Rowland

48: Glasgow - Gold, Green and Iron

47: The Witch of Eagle’s Crag

46: The Hobyahs

45: Third Branch of the Mabinogi(on) - Manawydan

44: Petticoat Loose

43: The Lad of the Skins (Fenian Cycle Pt 5.)

42: Cornish Wrecking

41: Irish Fairylore 2 - Fairymore?

40: Irish Fairylore 1 - Aos Sí what you did there

39: Kelpies and the each-uisge

38: King Herla & the Wild Hunt

37: The Buggane of St. Trinian’s

36: The Dead Hand

35: Kate Crackernuts

34: Manchester 2, Manchester Unite-Dead

33: Manchester 1, Bizarre Botany and Curious Collections

32: The Shoemaker of Constantinople

31: The Seeker Knight

30: The Trows’ Christmas (Christmas bonus)

29: Mabinogion Branch 2, Part 2: War and Peace and Feasts

28: Mabinogion Branch 2, Part 1: Branwen

27: Brother Jucundus

26: Stone circles (I was petrified)

25: Robin Goodfellow: His Mad Pranks and Merry Jests

24: The Enchanter of Pengersick Part 3, feat: an Enchanter

23. The Enchanter of Pengersick, Part 2, Plots and Schemes

22: The Mistletoe Bride (Christmas bonus)

21: The Enchanter of Pengersick Part 1, Dastardly Deeds

20: The Spectre Horseman

19: London Legends Part 2: Residents

18: London Legends Part 1: Visitors

17: Fionn MacCumhaill Part 4: Oh deer (Oisín)

16. Fionn MacCumhaill Part 3: Bran

15: Christmas Ghosts part 2: The Shadow

14: Christmas Ghosts part 1

13: The Black Bull of Norroway

12: Mabinogion Branch 1, Part 2: Rhiannon

11: Mabinogion, First Branch, Part 1: Pwyll

10: The Hand of Glory (Bonus Halloween episode)

9: The Buried Moon

8: Origins of Britain Part 2: Brutus

7: Origins of Britain 1: Albina

6: A curious collection of churches

5: The Dragon of Wantley

4: The Boyhood of Fionn Part 2

1: Thomas the Rhymer

2: Tamlin

3: The Boyhood of Fionn Part 1