Story Archaeology

The richly interwoven stories that make up the Táin tradition contain a wide diversity of characters. There is much to explore. Even their back stories have back stories! In this episode, we explore the back stories of two such characters: the well-known Ulster king, Conchobar Mac Nessa, and the lesser-known Ulster hero, Conall Cernach. Join the Story Archaeologists in the first of two episodes that uncover the significance of a few portentous conceptions and births. Read the texts for yourself! Scéla Conchobar, "The Tidings of Conchobar", from the Book of Leinster. edited by R. I. Best and Osborn Bergin translation by Whitley Stokes Compert Conchobair, "The Conception of Conchobar", from Rawlinson B512 (incorrectly referred to in the episode as from the Yellow Book of Lecan) edited by Vernam Hull translation on the Celtic Literature Collective Compert Conchobair, "The Conception of Conchobar", from Stowe 992 translation by Kuno Meyer "The Conception of Conall Cernach", from Cóir Anmann, "The Fitness of Names" Cóir Anmann, edited by Whitley Stokes "The Conception of Conall Cernach", translated by Patrick Brown Links to other books referenced in the episode "Even Cuneiform writing could not be managed left handed": "The Ark before Noah" by Irving Finkel (highly recommended) "The journey across the Alps in Táin Bó Fraoich": “Worlds of Arthur.”  by Guy Halsall Need some revision? You may find it helpful to revisit our episodes on Fled Bricrenn, Bricriu's Feast: Fled Bricrenn 1: The Feasting Hall Fled Bricrenn 2: The Road to Crúachán Fled Bricrenn 3: Your Head or Mine? Fled Bricrenn 4: A Head to Head Discussion     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

The richly interwoven stories that make up the Táin tradition contain a wide diversity of characters. There is much to explore. Even their back stories have back stories! In this episode, we explore the back stories of two such characters: the well-known Ulster king, Conchobar Mac Nessa, and the lesser-known Ulster hero, Conall Cernach. Join the Story Archaeologists in the first of two episodes that uncover the significance of a few portentous conceptions and births.   Read the texts for yourself!   Scéla Conchobar, "The Tidings of Conchobar", from the Book of Leinster. edited by R. I. Best and Osborn Bergin translation by Whitley Stokes     Compert Conchobair, "The Conception of Conchobar", from Rawlinson B512 (incorrectly referred to in the episode as from the Yellow Book of Lecan) edited by Vernam Hull translation on the Celtic Literature Collective     Compert Conchobair, "The Conception of Conchobar", from Stowe 992 translation by Kuno Meyer     "The Conception of Conall Cernach", from Cóir Anmann, "The Fitness of Names" Cóir Anmann, edited by Whitley Stokes "The Conception of Conall Cernach", translated by Patrick Brown     Links to other books referenced in the episode "Even Cuneiform writing could not be managed left handed": "The Ark before Noah" by Irving Finkel (highly recommended)   "The journey across the Alps in Táin Bó Fraoich": “Worlds of Arthur.”  by Guy Halsall     Need some revision? You may find it helpful to revisit our episodes on Fled Bricrenn, Bricriu's Feast: Fled Bricrenn 1: The Feasting Hall Fled Bricrenn 2: The Road to Crúachán Fled Bricrenn 3: Your Head or Mine? Fled Bricrenn 4: A Head to Head Discussion 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

The Midwinter festival has been a time of over indulgence and conspicuous consumption for millenia! This year, we dig in to the Middle Irish story, Aisling MacConglinne, "The Vision of MacConglinne", a delicious debauch of extreme gastronomy.! Join the Story Archaeologists in a feast of fantastical food, with a generous side order of sumptuous satire. Read the full translated text here! 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

The Midwinter festival has been a time of over indulgence and conspicuous consumption for millenia! This year, we dig in to the Middle Irish story, Aisling MacConglinne, "The Vision of MacConglinne", a delicious debauch of extreme gastronomy.! Join the Story Archaeologists in a feast of fantastical food, with a generous side order of sumptuous satire. Read the full translated text here!   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

Welcome to Series 6, "Circling the Tain". In this series, we will delve into the fascinating web of stories making up the Tain tradition, with the Tain Bó Cúailnge, "The Cattle Raid of Cooley", at its core. We begin this exploration with the story of two talented swineherds and their shape-shifting,poetic quarrel. Join the Story Archaeologists as they begin to uncover just how much this entertaining story acts as a trailer for the complex of stories that make up the Tain tradition as a whole.   Related episodes Without too big of a Spoiler Alert, we get excited again about Mongán in this episode! Here are the links to the podcast episodes on Mongán: Rowing Around Immrama 09: Mongan and His Missus Rowing Around Imrrama 10: Mongan and the Poets Rowing Around Immrama 11: The Mongan Mysteries – Some Poetic Fragments External links: Throughout this series, "Circling the Táin", we refer to the Ulster Cycle WordPress site by Patrick Brown. His site is a superb resource for this strand of old Irish literature. Peruse at your leisure! The Ulster Cycle: Heroic Legends from Ireland - Patrick Brown   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

Welcome to Series 6, "Circling the Tain". In this series, we will delve into the fascinating web of stories making up the Tain tradition, with the Tain Bó Cúailnge, "The Cattle Raid of Cooley", at its core. We begin this exploration with the story of two talented swineherds and their shape-shifting,poetic quarrel. Join the Story Archaeologists as they begin to uncover just how much this entertaining story acts as a trailer for the complex of stories that make up the Tain tradition as a whole. Related episodes Without too big of a Spoiler Alert, we get excited again about Mongán in this episode! Here are the links to the podcast episodes on Mongán: Rowing Around Immrama 09: Mongan and His Missus Rowing Around Imrrama 10: Mongan and the Poets     Rowing Around Immrama 11: The Mongan Mysteries – Some Poetic Fragments       External links: Throughout this series, "Circling the Táin", we refer to the Ulster Cycle WordPress site by Patrick Brown. His site is a superb resource for this strand of old Irish literature. Peruse at your leisure! The Ulster Cycle: Heroic Legends from Ireland - Patrick Brown 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

Úa na gCait The Morrigan,  is a multi textured mythological figure, She may take  the role of war correspondent, and diplomat and record keeper. She can be sensual, uncompromising and occasionally even downright scary but then, above all, she is the perfect exemplar of the poet's skill. Come an explore her fascinating complexity with the story archaeologists as they follow her track through the epic stories of the  Táin bó Cuailnge and the Battle of Moytura. Links for this episode There is relevant material throughout the second series on Moytura, but three are especially connected with The Morrigan. See series 2, episode 4: 'On the Dagda's Track ,  series 2 episode 6: The Morrigan's View (part 1) and series 2,episode 6 The Morrigan's View (part 2) We also mentioned her appearance to  Cú Chulainn in Series 3.episode : The Cow and the Time Machine. There are also many , articles, texts and translations, connected to each of these  topics, on the website.

The Morrigan,  is a multi textured mythological figure, She may take  the role of war correspondent, and diplomat and record keeper. She can be sensual, uncompromising and occasionally even downright scary but then, above all, she is the perfect exemplar of the poet's skill. Come an explore her fascinating complexity with the story archaeologists as they follow her track through the epic stories of the  Táin bó Cuailnge and the Battle of Moytura. Links for this episode There is relevant material throughout the second series on Moytura, but three are especially connected with The Morrigan. See series 2, episode 4: 'On the Dagda's Track ,  series 2 episode 6: The Morrigan's View (part 1) and series 2,episode 6 The Morrigan's View (part 2) We also mentioned her appearance to  Cú Chulainn in Series 3.episode : The Cow and the Time Machine. There are also many , articles, texts and translations, connected to each of these  topics, on the website.

Brigid is  the much-loved irish saint of kildare as well a pre-Christian Celtic mythical figure.  But what connection is there    between the two? Just who is Brigid? Sift through the strata of her story  with the Story Archaeologists to uncover some unexpected surprises. Links to other  episodes  mentioned within the podcast. Further Discussion on the Well of Sláine: Airmid Revisited  Further discussion on Ethliu: Ethliu Revisited Further discussion on Rúadán and the forge of Goibniu Also mentioned in the episode: Corpse Carrying for Beginners and The Cow and the Time Machine   Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello.

Sculpture by Annette McCormack Brigid is  the much-loved irish saint of kildare as well a pre-Christian Celtic mythical figure.  But what connection is there    between the two? Just who is Brigid? Sift through the strata of her story  with the Story Archaeologists to uncover some unexpected surprises. Links to other  episodes  mentioned within the podcast. Further Discussion on the Well of Sláine: Airmid Revisited  Further discussion on Ethliu: Ethliu Revisited Further discussion on Rúadán and the forge of Goibniu Also mentioned in the episode: Corpse Carrying for Beginners and The Cow and the Time Machine   Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest podcasts! By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello.

Airmed is the daughter of the great Dé Danann physician, Dían Cécht, part of a family of healers.  Together, they create the healing well of Sláine, which restores injured warriors at the Second Battle of Moytura.  But do the meanings of their names tell a different story? In our  revisit to what may seem at first reading, a side story in the great battle saga, join the  the Story archaeologists as they re-evaluate the role of Airmed and her family, finding their actions  central to the main theme of the epic Moytura  story. In this episode, and our update, we referenced many other episodes, including our entire second series on Moytura.. However, for now, we will include a couple of the most  relevant links. For the story of Dían Cécht, Miach and Airmed in the context of Moytura,  go to: The Battle of Moytura Episode 5: The Four Craftsmen. For examples of laws on sick-lying  ( crólige)  in context go to : Dindshenchas 09: Tocmarc Étaíne 1 – A Fly On The Wall and Dindshenchas 10: Tocmarc Étaíne 2 – The Re-Born Identity

ceramic on glass by Chris Thompson Airmed is the daughter of the great Dé Danann physician, Dían Cécht, part of a family of healers.  Together, they create the healing well of Sláine, which restores injured warriors at the Second Battle of Moytura.  But do the meanings of their names tell a different story? In our  revisit to what may seem at first reading, a side story in the great battle saga, join the  the Story archaeologists as they re-evaluate the role of Airmed and her family, finding their actions  central to the main theme of the epic Moytura  story. In this episode, and our update, we referenced many other episodes, including our entire second series on Moytura.. However, for now, we will include a couple of the most  relevant links. For the story of Dían Cécht, Miach and Airmed in the context of Moytura,  go to: The Battle of Moytura Episode 5: The Four Craftsmen. For examples of laws on sick-lying  ( crólige)  in context go to : Dindshenchas 09: Tocmarc Étaíne 1 – A Fly On The Wall and Dindshenchas 10: Tocmarc Étaíne 2 – The Re-Born Identity

This time of year is a frenzy of shopping, family gatherings and exchange of gifts. But is this simply a modern phenomenon? For this year's MidWinter Special, the Story Archaeologists dig as deep as their virtual spades will go, comparing the deepest layers of human settlement through medieval mayhem to the contemporary craft fair, searching for the common threads. Links from the Episode: Here is The Óenach Project, research conducted by Patrick Gleeson under the Department of Archaeology at University College Cork. Here is a talk given by Ian Hodder on entanglement at Göbekli and Çatalhöyük, "Origins of Settled Life". And finally, as promised in the episode, here's a link to a short animation, "Little Red Riding Hood: The Alternate Version" by An Snag Breac / Maker Magpie: 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

This time of year is a frenzy of shopping, family gatherings and exchange of gifts. But is this simply a modern phenomenon? For this year's MidWinter Special, the Story Archaeologists dig as deep as their virtual spades will go, comparing the deepest layers of human settlement through medieval mayhem to the contemporary craft fair, searching for the common threads. Links from the Episode: Here is The Óenach Project, research conducted by Patrick Gleeson under the Department of Archaeology at University College Cork. Here is a talk given by Ian Hodder on entanglement at Göbekli and Çatalhöyük, "Origins of Settled Life". And finally, as promised in the episode, here's a link to a short animation, "Little Red Riding Hood: The Alternate Version" by An Snag Breac / Maker Magpie:   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

This is the first of two supplemental  episodes supporting  our recent podcast, Tales of Ethliu (revisited). "Elin Gow, the Swordsmith and the Cow, the Glas Gaianach" is a folktale collected in the southwest of Ireland by  Jeremiah Curtin in the late 19th century. The tale first appeared in "Hero Tales of Ireland". It is a great story that overlaps the better known, tale of  Balor and the stealing of a marvelous cow but this version answers the surprising question of how  the cow got to be kept by a sword-smith  in the first place and fills in some details of Cian's amazing adventures.   Read "Hero Tales of Ireland online. https://archive.org/stream/herotalesofirela00curtuoft/herotalesofirela00curtuoft_djvu.txt Folklore from the Dingle Peninsular. Local  folklorist , Doncha Ó Conchúir talks about 'The Gate of the Cow", two pre-historic stone pillars near Ballyferriter, Co. Kerry. He tells a recent version of the last milking of the marvelous cow.  The stone pillars are very interesting. Maybe it is these pillars that gave rise to the story of the transformation of cian in the story we tell of Elin Gow. http://www.voicesfromthedawn.com/gate-of-the-cow/