Story Archaeology

Elin Gowand the cow Glas Gainach 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/

Eithliu is a figure who seems to pop in and out of stories, taking no notice of traditional story cycles, or even how her name is spelt. Yet she rarely takes a leading role. In this "revisit", we return to this enigmatic and sometimes troubling character from Irish mythology and folklore. With the benefit of three years hindsight, we crack some previously un-noticed nutshells and discover new and unexpected aspects to the Kernel aka the Glas Gabhann aka ... Related episodes As ever, there are several later episodes that relate to Eithliu in her many guises, and we refer to them as we go through the episode. Here are the links to those episodes, if you want to refresh your memory! WARNING: Do not attempt all in one sitting! Story Archaeology will not accept responsibility for any damage to hearing or brain... Series 2 Episode 3 - The Coming of Lugh Series 2 Episode 9 - The Children of Tuirenn Part 1 Series 2 Episode 12 - An Experiment in Story Archaeology Series 3 Episode 3 - The Well and the Cheese Series 3 Episode 9 - Tocmarc Étaíne Part 1 (Episode 10 Part 2, Episode 11 Part 3) Series 4 Episode 7 - Echtrae Tadhg Mac Céin Series 4 Episode 9 - Mongán and his Missus Series 4 Episode 12 - In Search of Manannán Series 4 Episode 13 - In Search of Midir Series 5 Episode 1 - Revisiting Sinann 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

Eithliu is a figure who seems to pop in and out of stories, taking no notice of traditional story cycles, or even how her name is spelt. Yet she rarely takes a leading role. In this "revisit", we return to this enigmatic and sometimes troubling character from Irish mythology and folklore. With the benefit of three years hindsight, we crack some previously un-noticed nutshells and discover new and unexpected aspects to the Kernel aka the Glas Gabhann aka ... Related episodes As ever, there are several later episodes that relate to Eithliu in her many guises, and we refer to them as we go through the episode. Here are the links to those episodes, if you want to refresh your memory! WARNING: Do not attempt all in one sitting! Story Archaeology will not accept responsibility for any damage to hearing or brain... Series 2 Episode 3 - The Coming of Lugh Series 2 Episode 9 - The Children of Tuirenn Part 1 Series 2 Episode 12 - An Experiment in Story Archaeology Series 3 Episode 3 - The Well and the Cheese Series 3 Episode 9 - Tocmarc Étaíne Part 1 (Episode 10 Part 2, Episode 11 Part 3) Series 4 Episode 7 - Echtrae Tadhg Mac Céin Series 4 Episode 9 - Mongán and his Missus Series 4 Episode 12 - In Search of Manannán Series 4 Episode 13 - In Search of Midir Series 5 Episode 1 - Revisiting Sinann 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 the second of our "revisits", we look back at our discussions on Noinden Ulaid and the Dindshenchas stories of Emain Macha in Co. Armagh. This was the first discussion that we had about cóir, although we were then using the Egyptian term Ma'at, signifying natural order and justice. Reviewing this episode really highlights how far we've come in developing our terminology and methodology! If you didn't catch it the first time round, you can listen to the second half of the episode to hear that initial discussion, then skip back to our review notes at the beginning. Or just listen straight through to hear our notes first and the original discussion second - or try both and see which you prefer!   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

Macha - a sculpture in bog yew by Davy Paton In the second of our "revisits", we look back at our discussions on Noinden Ulaid and the Dindshenchas stories of Emain Macha in Co. Armagh. This was the first discussion that we had about cóir, although we were then using the Egyptian term Ma'at, signifying natural order and justice. Reviewing this episode really highlights how far we've come in developing our terminology and methodology! If you didn't catch it the first time round, you can listen to the second half of the episode to hear that initial discussion, then skip back to our review notes at the beginning. Or just listen straight through to hear our notes first and the original discussion second - or try both and see which you prefer! 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

Sinann, the river Shannon, from a painting by Chris Thompson Welcome to series 5 of Acallam na nÉces, "Revisiting Mythical Women". In our first episode, we take a look back at the stories of Sinann, and the themes that came up when we discussed them in our very first episode. We've added some new discussion to the beginning of the episode, highlighting how Story Archaeology has added to the ideas and approaches that started the whole project. Follow links below to related episodes and some new research into the longevity of stories, the compacted layers of medieval and 19th century scholarship and the central roles of poetry and dindshenchas. Related episodes Dindshenchas and the Art of Mythic Cartogrophy 2 - Dindshenchas and Dreamtime Rowing Around Immráma 8 - The Schocking Revelations Concerning King Cormac Mac Airt Rowing Around Immráma 12 - In Search of Manannán Articles "Ireland in the Ice Age" on The Ireland Story: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iceage.html "Ancient Aboriginal Stories Preserve History of a Rise in Sea Level" on The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/ancient-aboriginal-stories-preserve-history-of-a-rise-in-sea-level-36010 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 5 of Acallam na nÉces, "Revisiting Mythical Women". In our first episode, we take a look back at the stories of Sinann, and the themes that came up when we discussed them in our very first episode. We've added some new discussion to the beginning of the episode, highlighting how Story Archaeology has added to the ideas and approaches that started the whole project. Follow links below to related episodes and some new research into the longevity of stories, the compacted layers of medieval and 19th century scholarship and the central roles of poetry and dindshenchas. Related episodes Dindshenchas and the Art of Mythic Cartogrophy 2 - Dindshenchas and Dreamtime Rowing Around Immráma 8 - The Schocking Revelations Concerning King Cormac Mac Airt Rowing Around Immráma 12 - In Search of Manannán Articles "Ireland in the Ice Age" on The Ireland Story: http://www.wesleyjohnston.com/users/ireland/past/pre_norman_history/iceage.html "Ancient Aboriginal Stories Preserve History of a Rise in Sea Level" on The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/ancient-aboriginal-stories-preserve-history-of-a-rise-in-sea-level-36010   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 the last stop of our very circuitous Immrám of Immráma, we have a canter through a Fenian tale of surly servants, marine equines, hairy horrors and a battle with the High-King of the World. All in a day's work for Finn and the Fianna... But is it an Immrám? Is it a recognisably Irish tale or a Classical rip-off? Help pull the Story Archaeology oars into its final harbour and find out! 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 the last stop of our very circuitous Immrám of Immráma, we have a canter through a Fenian tale of surly servants, marine equines, hairy horrors and a battle with the High-King of the World. All in a day's work for Finn and the Fianna... But is it an Immrám? Is it a recognisably Irish tale or a Classical rip-off? Help pull the Story Archaeology oars into its final harbour and find out! 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

Etain and Misir by Jim Fitzpatrick As we reach dry land after our long Immram,we encounter yet another  mystery. Midir was once a Lord of the Sidhe a judge, and a worker of wonders. He was, on  land, what  Mananann was, in the Land Under Wave. .  All is not what it seems. A mist of obscurity has gathered around Midir. Join the Story Archaeologists as they undertake a little restoration work. 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

As we reach dry land after our long Immram,we encounter yet another  mystery. Midir was once a Lord of the Sidhe a judge, and a worker of wonders. He was, on  land, what  Mananann was, in the Land Under Wave. .  All is not what it seems. A mist of obscurity has gathered around Midir. Join the Story Archaeologists as they undertake a little restoration work.   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 sculpture of Manannan, by John Sutton from Dungannon, disappeared from Binevenagh Mountain outside Limavady in January 2015. Those who stole the statue left a wooden cross in its place with the words; 'You shall have no other gods before me’. The statue was found one month later and is to be replaced. As we glimpse safe harbour after our mammoth Immram, we take the opportunity to get to know a favourite Otherworld character. But where does Manannan Mac Lir come from? Is he all he appears to be? This quest became so huge that we had to split it into two episodes. So join the Story Archaeologists as they part the mists to look for this maratime Lord of the Sidhe. Be prepared for more surprising navigational twists in the next episode! 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

As we glimpse safe harbour after our mammoth Immram, we take the opportunity to get to know a favourite Otherworld character. But where does Manannan Mac Lir come from? Is he all he appears to be? This quest became so huge that we had to split it into two episodes. So join the Story Archaeologists as they part the mists to look for this maratime Lord of the Sidhe. Be prepared for more surprising navigational twists in the next episode!   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 our third and final episode on the lost hero, Mongán, we piece together some intriguing potsherds. What has the son of Manannán to say to Saint Colm Cille? What happened when he had his "Frenzy"? Can we re-construct his death-tale, Aided Mongáin? Join the Story Archaeologists as they look for edges and corners in this poetic jigsaw. 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 our third and final episode on the lost hero, Mongán, we piece together some intriguing potsherds. What has the son of Manannán to say to Saint Colm Cille? What happened when he had his "Frenzy"? Can we re-construct his death-tale, Aided Mongáin? Join the Story Archaeologists as they look for edges and corners in this poetic jigsaw.   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