Story Archaeology

This time last year, I was struggling with what felt like an impossible task. I was asked to come up with a scripted screenplay for the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre, Roscommon. This short animation was commissioned by Nollaig Feeney, the Roscommon Heritage Officer and was a direct outcome of the Schools workshops undertaken in the county in support of the annual Tain March event. (I will be writing about this event in a subsequent post.) I was keen to tell part of the Fled Bricrenn story. There was a problem in that Bricriu's Feast is a long and complex text full of convolutions and duplication. It took Story Archaeology four full episodes to tell the story. I had created a telling adapting it for a modern audience and much loved by Primary aged children but it would be a huge challenge to condense it to under tn minutes. Eventually, I settled for telling only the section of the story that concerned Medb and Rathcroghan. As I am sure you are aware, and we soon discovered, animation is costly to produce and basic flash was all that the budget allowed for simple 2D graphics. I think that Pink Kong did a great job and we are pleased with the results. We had hope to make some of the children's poetry integral to the story telling but the script had to be kept tight. We managed to include a short selection along with the credits. The film was completed last October but was released this May at the culmination of the 2019 Tain March event. Our regular listeners will recognise that Medh is played by our own Isolde. We had fun getting the wheelchair into the recording booth but all went well eventually. I have now produced a full written and audio version of Bricriu's Feast for a family audience and this will be published shortly.

Medb, Queen of Connacht, is rightly renowned in Irish legend and mythology, as a strong and influential woman leader. Her centre of power, Cruachan Ai, is still recognised as one of the most important Iron-age sites in Ireland.  Medb lead her people in her own name and by her own right. She was a strong woman in a society largely dominated by strong men. She fought hard to maintain the high status of her rule throughout her long life but the choices she made, as always happens, had consequences. This audio-article endeavours to discover some something of Medb the woman, as she can be found in the old Irish texts? What choices did she have to make to protect her land and people and how did she come to terms with the consequences of those choices? It is an interesting story. This audio article is based on a presentation given for an on-line conference  hosted by Vyvianne Armstrong. This conference is entitled Medb, Intoxication and Initiation. This is one of a series of upcoming conferences. If you would like to find out more, contact Vyviane at  vyviane@landseaskytravel.com  Music: A Trip to Emain by Gian Costello

Join Chris Thompson as she takes a story-teller's view of the old Irish stories. Who told them and why were they so memorable.   In this audio article, Chris celebrates the old stories and explores the challenges in telling them today. For those who have asked me for ideas and advice on story telling generally, I am going to be devoting a  section of my upcoming Patreon site 'Sinann's Well' to this subject. References and Links Oral Tradition Theory While there are a great many experts who can illuminate this eclectic discipline. I have found the writing of John Miles Foley comprehensive and enjoyably helpful. I also appreciate the manner in which he takes account of the revitalizing effect of the internet on oral story telling. Professor Foley was the founder of the academic journal Oral Tradition and the Center for Studies in Oral Tradition at the University of Missouri, where he was Curators' Professor of Classical Studies and English . I have added a link to the UK Amazon page listing a few a selection of his works but they tend to be somewhat difficult to find.  Our American listeners, I  suspect, would have less of a problem. His  books do offer a comprehensive and modern approach to Oral Tradition Theory. For those of you who enjoy audio books.I would  highly recommend,  The Modern Scholar: Singers and Tales:  Oral Tradition and the Roots of Literature  By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout. Miichael Drout, who studied under Professor Foley,  Professor of English and Director of the Center for the Study of the Medieval at . He is an author  and specialising in Anglo Saxon,  medieval literature, fantasy and science fiction. This is an enjoyable and easy-to-follow introduction to the  history and development of Oral Tradition Theory and offers a fascinating insight into how story telling functions within  diverse  societies. I listen to the book  over and over again, just because I enjoy it. It is not too long, either. Other links The Ark before Noah by Irving Finkel Nothing to do with Oral Tradition theory, or, indeed, with the early Irish tales, I am still going to recommend this book in connection with the current topic. This tells how a story, now known, only from the careful translation of long-lost Cuneiform clay tablets,  has continued to retain so much information,. Irving Finkel, does not just plot the meandering, ever changing and adapting, course of a story, still known and loved today,  but he throws a fascinating light on the world where this story may have been first told. He even identifies performative elements, still recognisable. I love this book. Music: The Wandering Harper by Gian Costello

The Dagda with his cauldron of abundance, from which none leave unsatisfied, epitomises the deep and ancient yearning we  feel for mid-winter indulgence and  good company.  It may be that the cauldron had more to offer than just a solid meal. Join Chris, from the Story Archaeologists, as she dips into this extravagant cooking pot. This audio article is based on a piece published in the new book Harp, Club and Cauldron: A harvest of Knowledge published by Eel and Otter Press. It is an entrancing and informative anthology, well worth adding to your physical or digital library and the Story Archaeologists were proud to be asked to offer three articles to the book. I will be adding further picture articles connected to The Dagda's Cauldron article: .(Images of Gobekli Tepe and information on recent Iron age Feasting finds), shortly.  Harp, Club and Cauldron A harvest of Knowledge: Find on Amazon.com Find on Amazon.co.uk Addendum: I haven't checked but I think I referred to the German archaeologist who was responsible for the dig at Gobekli Tepe, for so many years, as 'George'  rather than 'Klaus' Schmidt. I can't imagine why I said that. Klaus Schmidt sadly died in 2014. Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

We regularly receive questions from listeners and readers. We try to answer them as soon as we can but many are well worth exploring in more detail. Here we discuss just three. Firstly there is the problem of 'coir', a word that we use regularly in episodes to express an important but complex concept. Another term we frequently use is  'poet' to cover a number of similar roles in early Irish society. In this discussion, Isolde gets to explain about  the many grades of poet that existed, File, Bards, and even Bramble Hounds! The third discussion concerns the thorny issue of who were the Celts, anyway. Join the Story Archaeologist  as they enjoy teasing out a few possible answers.

Isolde_recording What did happen to Midir? Why does he appear in so few stories? It is a mystery. A murder mystery? Could be. Certainly Midir's  reputation was usurped and he, himself, seems to have been, effectively,  'disappeared! For a more 'in depth' examination of this topic go to: In Search of Midir  or In Search of Manannán This short recording was originally made for an on-line conference hosted by Vyviane Armstrong. The weekend conference was entitled  "Tuatha Dé Danann. Our Tribe and Theirs". Some of you may have already heard this presentation but, for our other listeners, I thought I would upload the recording. It is good to get Isolde back 'on the mike' and your donations have helped her to find new equipment that allow her to record lying down. We hope to record the promised, Q &A very soon. This was the  seventh conference in the series  'A Year With The Gods. There was  a very interesting and varied programme and Isolde and I were delighted to be involved.' If you would like to know more more about Vviane's future events, do  contact her for more details. Vyviane ArmstrongLand Sea Sky Travelvyviane@landseaskytravel.com

William Robinson: Tallanbanna with cloud front. 1988 So many of the old Irish stories tell of an Otherworld that lies so close to our own. If you want to discover what the stories have to  say about getting there, what you might find when you arrive,  and when, or if, you might return, then join Chris in this audio-article exploration. Apologies for the quality of recording in Isolde's opening message. When we have fully implemented the new recording set-up,  allowing effective recording while Isolde is lying  down,  it will be much improved. Links to podcast episodes referenced in this audio-article. Cormac' s  Adventures in the OtherworldThe Instructions of King CormacThe Adventures of Nera: The Cow and the Time MachineAnother take on Echtrae Nerai: Corpse Carrying for BeginnersThe voyage of Brain Mac FebulThe story of Mongán and  his wife: The pursuit of the Gilla DecairTocmarc Étaíne 1 - A Fly On The Wall, Tocmarc Étaíne 2 - The Reborn IdentityTocmarc Étaíne 3 - A Game of FidchellThe article on Underworlds If you want to find out about more about Leprechauns! A Crock of Old CobblersAnd for source material on the Irish Otherworld:  Space, Time and the Otherworld: by Professor John Carey. Source: Proceedings of the Harvard Celtic Colloquium, Vol. 7 (1987), pp. 1-2Published by: Department of Celtic Languages & Literatures, Harvard University  And that picture of Niamh and Oisín in my bathroom? Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

The briugu, Mac Dá Thó, is the proud owner of the marvelous hound, Ailbe. He also possesses a notorious pig. Now he finds himself faced with contending regional kings and their retinues of elite warriors, demanding the hound for themselves. Will serving up his gourmet pig at a grand feast save his bacon? Join the Story Archaeologists as they share the boasting and bragging from the best of the warriors of Ulster, and Connaught, and beyond. Read the text for yourself! Scéala Muicce Mac Dá Thó: N. Kershaw Chadwick, An Early Irish Reader, Cambridge University Press.The excellent introductionIndex Bricriu's Feast Series 3.04-Fled-Bricrenn 1 - The-Feasting-HallSeries 3.05: Fled Bricrenn 2 - The Road to CrúachánSeries 3.06: Fled Bricrenn 3 - Your Head or Mine?Series 3.07: Fled Bricrenn 4 - A Head to Head Discussion

  The magnificent warrior women Scathach and Aife both play a major role in Cú Chulainn's future life and exploits but they are not the only women who actively engage with out young hero.. Join the Story Archaeologists as they attempt to come to terms with the number of  dalliances and romantic interludes encountered   by the young man on his ventures to Scathach's mysterious northern island in his quest to win his canny bride, Emer. Read the text for yourself! This episode discusses only the second half of this text. The first half was addressed in the previous episode, 6.05 : 'The Wooing of Emer." Tochmarc Emire la CoinculaindThe Wooing of Emer : translated by Kuno Meyer, based on LU and Stowe MS 992 (D. iv. 2)].Verba Scathaige: (Translation by P.L. Henry)We also referred to  Series 3.03 The Well and the Cheese, with reference to the violent death of Derbforgaille and Medb

Cú Chulainn meets his match In this episode we get to meet the marvelous Emer, the woman who bests  the young Cú Chulainn, at least, in terms of her sharp witted and far-sighted eloquence. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to decode how Emer manages her young and unpredictable suitor and deals with her uncompromising father. Read the text for yourself! This episode discusses only the first part of this long text. The second half, where our hero goes to be trained in Alba, will form the basis of the next episode. Tochmarc Emire la Coinculaind The Wooing of Emer : translated by Kuno Meyer, based on LU and Stowe MS 992 (D. iv. 2)].      

Cú Chulainn meets his match In this episode we get to meet the marvelous Emer, the woman who bests  the young Cú Chulainn, at least, in terms of her sharp witted and far-sighted eloquence. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to decode how Emer manages her young and unpredictable suitor and deals with her uncompromising father. Read the text for yourself! This episode discusses only the first part of this long text. The second half, where our hero goes to be trained in Alba, will form the basis of the next episode. Tochmarc Emire la CoinculaindThe Wooing of Emer : translated by Kuno Meyer, based on LU and Stowe MS 992 (D. iv. 2)].

Harder, Faster, Stronger, Better! In this episode, we get to examine some remarkable exploits of one of the central figures in the Tain tradition: Cú Chulainn.  We explore stories told by some of the characters who know the hero, remembering him as a child. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to decide if  the young Cú Chulainn can be considered a 'child prodigy'  or merely a 'precocious brat'. Read the texts for yourself! Here are links to the texts and translations that we used for the childhood deeds of Cú Chulainn: "The Boyhood Deeds of Cú Chulainn." Ancient Irish Tales. ed. and trans. Tom Cross and Harris Slover. NY: Barnes and Noble, 1996. reprint The Boyhood of Cú Chulainn, from Táin Bó Cuailgne Recension 1; pp 135-148 [translation]: ed. and trans. Cecile O'Rahilly The sections we refer to are under the following titles: The Eulogy of Cú Chulainn The Boyhood Deeds The Death of the Boys The Fight between Eógan mac Durthacht and Conchobar [aka Cú Chulainn and the Battlefield Phantoms] The fate of the twenty-seven men and the reason why none dared to wound the Ulstermen when they were in their debility. The killing of the Smith's Hound by Cú Chulainn and the reason why he is called Cú Chulainn The Death of Nechta Scéne's Three Sons  

Harder, Faster, Stronger, Better! In this episode, we get to examine some remarkable exploits of one of the central figures in the Tain tradition: Cú Chulainn.  We explore stories told by some of the characters who know the hero, remembering him as a child. Join the Story Archaeologists as we try to decide if  the young Cú Chulainn can be considered a 'child prodigy'  or merely a 'precocious brat'. Read the texts for yourself! Here are links to the texts and translations that we used for the childhood deeds of Cú Chulainn: "The Boyhood Deeds of Cú Chulainn." Ancient Irish Tales. ed. and trans. Tom Cross and Harris Slover. NY: Barnes and Noble, 1996. reprint The Boyhood of Cú Chulainn, from Táin Bó Cuailgne Recension 1; pp 135-148 [translation]: ed. and trans. Cecile O'Rahilly The sections we refer to are under the following titles: The Eulogy of Cú Chulainn The Boyhood Deeds The Death of the Boys The Fight between Eógan mac Durthacht and Conchobar [aka Cú Chulainn and the Battlefield Phantoms] The fate of the twenty-seven men and the reason why none dared to wound the Ulstermen when they were in their debility. The killing of the Smith's Hound by Cú Chulainn and the reason why he is called Cú Chulainn The Death of Nechta Scéne's Three Sons  

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the troublesome conceptions and births that stand behind much of the material of the Táin tradition. This time, we examine the births of the doomed Deirdre, the fated Cú Chulainn and re-re-visit the importance of Macha's story. Join the Story Archaeologists as we attempt to disentangle webs of prophecy and poor decision-making, and try to understand what all these little worms are about! Read the texts for yourself! Here are links to the texts and translations that we used for the birth of Deirdre: from the Book of Leinster (LL) Longes mac n-Uislenn - edited by Vernam Hull The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu - translated by Vernam Hull late version translated by Douglas Hyde Deirdre   Here are the texts on Macha: Noinden Ulad; The Story of Macha More Stories of Macha - Revisited An original translation of Compert Con Chulainn, the Conception of Cú Chulainn, will be uploaded in the coming days Need some revision? You may find it helpful to revisit our episodes on Macha: Series 1 - Mythical Women; Episode 2 - The Story of Macha Series 5 - Revisiting Mythical Women; Episode 2 - Revisiting Macha   Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the troublesome conceptions and births that stand behind much of the material of the Táin tradition. This time, we examine the births of the doomed Deirdre, the fated Cú Chulainn and re-re-visit the importance of Macha's story. Join the Story Archaeologists as we attempt to disentangle webs of prophecy and poor decision-making, and try to understand what all these little worms are about! Read the texts for yourself! Here are links to the texts and translations that we used for the birth of Deirdre: from the Book of Leinster (LL) Longes mac n-Uislenn - edited by Vernam Hull The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu - translated by Vernam Hull late version translated by Douglas Hyde Deirdre Here are the texts on Macha: Noinden Ulad; The Story of Macha More Stories of Macha - Revisited   An original translation of Compert Con Chulainn, the Conception of Cú Chulainn, will be uploaded in the coming days   Need some revision? You may find it helpful to revisit our episodes on Macha: Series 1 - Mythical Women; Episode 2 - The Story of Macha Series 5 - Revisiting Mythical Women; Episode 2 - Revisiting Macha Don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts! Related Articles will be posted in the days to come… Story Archaeology is run on a voluntary not-for-profit basis. If you can afford a donation towards our running costs, we would be very grateful. The “Donate” button is on the right-hand-side of each page, or e-mail us for other ways to support our work. Check our Reading List for further reading and resources. by The Story Archaeologists Music: “Tam Lin” by Gian Castello