PODCAST · society
Story Archaeology
by Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody
Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations with people from around the world who have ‘Stories in the Landscape’ to share.
Episodes
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Sinann ~ The Journey of a Story
The story of Sinann, who gave her name to the river Shannon, was first recorded, in written form, in the Metrical Dindshenchas, 'the Lore of Prominent Places'. Such tales morph and shapeshift as they are retold through time yet still retain unexpected applicabilities. Join Chris as she traces her...
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Chris’ Ramble 24 ~ Welcome to the Otherworld
William Robinson: Tallanbanna with cloud front. 1988 The Irish Otherworld goes by many names, Tír na mBeo, the Land of the Living, or Emhain Abhlach, the Plain of Apples, for example. It is a world that, in Irish mythology, lies unseen, adjacent to our own, a source of beauty and fertility and...
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Chris’ Ramble 23 ~ Animal Companions in Early Irish Law and Folklore
Animal companions have played a variety of important roles in human societies over the millenia. Join Chris as she explores how dogs, cats and even the occasional crane, have been regarded and regulated both in the comprehensive early Irish law texts and Irish stories, mythology and folklore....
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A Conversation with Phillipa Klaiber
From 'Understories', by Phillipa Klaiber Phillipa Klaiber is an artist, specialising in photography, who celebrates stories in the landscape through her evocative images and poetry. Join Chris and Phillipa as they explore two of Phillippa's photographic projects, Understories and Vorest, and...
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Chris’ Ramble 22: Concerning Animal Companions
Recent DNA testing on a long ignored jawbone fragment has opened a viewpoint on the distant past to when and how animal companions began to alter the everyday lives of human communities. Join Chris as she explores this new research and wonders, on the way, what 'pet' names might they have chosen!…
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Chris’ Rambles 21: Sheebeg and Other Cairns
Sheebeg in the snow Dolmens, Barrows, Cairn ? They were built millennia ago to transport the human memory and imagination from one world to another and, in so many different ways, they still do. Join Chris on a personal exploration of these liminal places as she considers not only their...
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Chris Ramble 20 ~ What is so special about the Cath Maige Tuired?
The Eglone Stone, Moytura The settling of the The Tuatha Dé Danann in Ireland and their struggle against the mysterious Fomoire, form the central strand of the ancient Irish Mythological Story Cycle. Join Chris as she explores why this great cycle of stories might just be the 'Jewel in the Crown'...
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Chris Ramble 19: Hidden in Plain Sight
Stories in the landscape of Uzbekistan Sunrise over Khiva .One of the best travel experiences is to have all your preconceived perceptions overthrown without having time to gathered them up again. Join Chris as she explores the unexpected 'stories in the landscape' encountered in a recent trip to...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 12~ The Land Restored.
This audio re-telling of ‘The Battle of Moytura’ is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In this final part. The heroes Ogma, the Dagda along with Lugh set out to put things right ensuring the land will become green and growing once more. Discover more about the The…
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 11~ The Great Battle.
his audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 11: The Great Battle, the Dé Danann, and the Fomoire come to blows and we discover what happens when the giant, Balor's withering eye is finally opened. The Labby rock...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 10~ The Well and the Forge.
Heapstown Cairn This audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 10: The Well and the Forge, Dian Cécht and Goibnu keep their promises but there are tragic results for Ruadhán, son of Bres when the Fomoire strike back....
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 9~ The Muster.
This audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 9: The Muster, Lugh gathers together the finest heroes and craftsmen from the Tuatha Dé Danann to find out just what marvels they can offer! Discover more about the The…
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 8~ What the Dagda Did Next.
This audio re-telling of 'The Battle of Moytura' is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 8, What the Dagda Did Next , the 'Big Man' gets to consume a whole cauldron of food all by himself goes on to and encounters two extraordinary women Battle Poets. Discover...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 7~ The Arrival of the Ildánach
Lugh: Jim Fitzpatrick The battle of Moytura is better known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 7, The Arrival of the Ildánach , the looming dread of invadion by the Fomoire is met by the arrival of a...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 6~ Among the Fomoire
The battle of Moytura is better known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. We find out what the Fomoire king , Elaha thinks of his son's actions among the Dé Danann and we hear the disturbing tale of Eithliu,...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 5~ Betrayal.
Jim FitzPatrick The battle of Moytura is better known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 5, Betrayal, Coipre the chief poet, finally manages to find a way of getting rid of Bress. But Bress comes up…
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 4~ The Healers.
ceramic on glass by Chris Thompson The battle of Moytura is better known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 4,The Healers, we discover how Nuada achieves another shot at the kingship, the sad fate of...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 3~ Wasteland!
The battle of Moytura is better known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 3, Wasteland, Dagda tells how the Dé Danann were mistreated and starved and we meet the terrifying one-eyed Formoire giant Balor...
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 2~ The Shadow of the Fomoire.
The battle of Moytura is bettter known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 2, Shadow of the Fomoire, we meet the the young warrior Bres. We discover just how he came to be chosen as the Dé Danann king…
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The Cath Maige Tuired, for a wider audience: Part 1~ The First Battle.
Jim Fitzpatrick The battle of Moytura is better known as the Mythological story cycle. This audio re-telling is especially designed for, but not limited to, a younger audience. In part 1, The First Battle, we meet the Firbolg champion, Streng and the Dé Danann king, Nuada and discover what…
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Audio stories: Fergus Mac Léite and the fearsome péiste’
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…
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Audio story 7: Findabair’s Story ~ A quarrel over a bull!
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:...
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Chris’Ramble 18: Then The Morrigan said…
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...
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Audio Story 6: The Dreadful adventure of Conan Maol.
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...
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Audio stories 5: The Adventures of Nera~ A Rathcroghan story.
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…
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Audio stories 4: The Pig-keeper poets
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…
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Audio stories 3: Scathach’s Story
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…
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New! Irish audio stories for a wider audience. (9+) 1: Bricriu’s feast.
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...
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New! Irish audio stories for a wider audience. 2: The Gilla Dacair and his ugly horse.
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...
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A Conversation with Sana Malik
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...
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A Conversation with Tamlyn Young
Tamlyn Young is a Limerick lecturer and artist specialising., especially in her current project on augmented reality art and storytelling, to create place-based storytelling. She describes her practice as exploring the synergistic, potentials of analogue and digital to create an immersive…
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Chris’ Ramble 17: Once Upon a Myth
The Eglone Stone, Moytura What makes a story mythic? Why have so many cultures gathered, protected and passed on mythological stories? And, why do they matter today? Join Chris as she takes a personal look at myth and how much mythology still has relevance. Links for this episode Read the full…
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A New Conversation with Daniel Curley
Daniel Curley is an archaeologist, author and manager of the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre . who has taken a particular interest in the mythological Connacht hero, Fraích. Join Chris and Daniel as they discuss the Táin bó Fraích, and discover how Daniel's research has revealed a far more important...
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Chris’ Ramble 16: Oíche na Gaoithe Móire ~The Night of the Big Wind
Stories of The Big Wind of 1839 have been told and retold in Ireland for all of 186 years. Join Chris as she explores what makes weather events such as Oíche na Gaoithe Móire so memorable and considers whether Storm Eowyn, a storm of a similar destructive nature, will still be remembered so far...
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Chris’ Ramble 15 ~ Lament for the Ash
Leafless Ash in June (background) The effects of the die-back disease are slowly destroying most of Ireland's beautiful ash trees. Join Chris as she explores the sad story of this tree-tragedy that began in Leitrim more than a decade ago now and why it is important that everyone should know what…
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A conversation with Professor Lisa Bitel
Lisa Bitel is a Professor of Religion and a Medieval historian specializing in Britain and Ireland. and is the author of her new book 'Otherworld'. Join Chris and Lisa as they explore some favourite stories and discuss how best to contintinue the transmission of these wonderful tales, from the…
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The Uí Máine Project~ A Conversation with Liam Kildea, Nicola Bowes and Paula Sharkey.
Designed to protect and celebrate the unique Karst landscape of South Roscommon and its embedded mythologies and stories, the Uí Máine community project has grown and developed from the inspired work of three main groups, The Celtic Eye art group, the Karst Farming group and the Taughmaconnell...
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Samhain Special: Corpse Carrying For Beginners
An Acallam na nÉces Samhain Special In this seasonal special, the Story Archaeologists compare two stories of Samhain. But what could such stories tell us about life 100 or even 1,000 years ago? Find out as the Story Archaeologists, Chris and Isolde, go digging one dark night. I am reposting this...
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Chris’s Ramble 14: Introducing Banbha
Banbha Banbha is one of the three Dé Danann sisters, daughters of Ernmas, who gave their names to the land of Ireland, Ériu is the best known of the the three but Banbha has another, older, and less well known story to tell. Join Chris as she celebrates the birth of a new granddaughter named...
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Exploring Samhain: A glimpse into the past
The festival of Samhain, is one that has been celebrated, in one form or another, for a very long time. In the early Irish stories it was a time for gatherings and feasting. But how has it changed in more recent times? Join Chris as she explores The 'Schools' Folklore collection'' finding some...
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Chris’ Ramble 12: The Rider on the River
Designed by Morgane Suquart for 'Paris 24' Olympics opening ceremony. This 'Ramble' is inpired by the silver rider on the River Seine at the Paris 24 Olympics. So join Chris as she explores the history and mythology of three great rivers, the Seine, the Severn and the Shannon and discovers just…
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Chris’ Ramble 11: Romancing the Neolithic Stone
New Scientific evidence supporting the origin of the altar stone at Stonhenge supports a better understanding of the of societal connections and collaborative co-operation to be found between the communities of early neolithic farmers throughout Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Join Chris in...
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Chris’ Ramble 10 ~ Stories to Remember
The SchoolsCollection | dúchas.ie The National Folklore Schools Collection was compiled in 1937 with stories and memories collected with the support of schools from all over Ireland. Itis one of Ireland's unique and valuable treasures and a wonderful resource. Join Chris as she explores this...
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A Conversation with Anthony Murphy
Newgrange at Twilight ~ Anthony Murphy Anthony Murphy, is an author, journalist, astronomer and photographer. He also curates the wondeful Mythical Ireland website. Join Chris and Anthony as they explore how Irish mythological stories, supported by recent evidence from genertics, seem to reflect...
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Chris Ramble 9: An Irish Winter Solstice Journey
Grianstad an Gheimhridh, the winter solstice is that special moment when the year turns and the hours of daylight, begin slowly to increase. This time of year has long been a cause for reflection and celebration. So, join Chris on yet another ramble, as she explores an Irish Winter Solstice...
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Celebrating Professor Ralph Kenna
Professor Ralph Kenna As many friends of Story Archaeology will now have heard, Professor Ralph Kenna passed away and left the world we know, last Thursday. I received the sad news from his wife, Claire, last Friday. It is so very sad that it has taken me a few days to feel ready to write this...
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Chris’ Ramble 8: A Story for our Times
The Táin Bó Cúailnge is an dramatic epic well worth the telling but with some challenging themes including broken loyalties and friendships with destruction laid on the land, for the sake of status and honour. Join Chris as she explores the telling of the tales and encounters a fresh resonance…
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A new conversation with Jamie Madden: The Writing of the Takings
The The Lebor Gabála tells of a series of mythical Irish migration stories, which can be traced back to a very early date. Its history is somewhat complex and, although fascinating, it is not an 'easy read'. So, join Chris and Jamie as they share Jamie's new telling. 'The Writing of The Takings'....
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Chris’ Ramble 7: What’s in a Name?
Culture heroes, ancestor figures, genii loci, gods and godesses ... Can all, or indeed, any of these terms be useful in defining some favourite characters in Irish mythology, Join Chris as she takes a walk throuh a forest of stories on a light hearted search for hidden identities. Links for this...
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A Conversation with ÉIRÍ winner, Kate Lionis
The Morrigan by Kate Lionis Meet Kate Lionis one of the seven adult winners of the ÉIRÍ art competition and project. So, join Chris and Kate as they discuss, the many creative possiblities of digitally enhanced photography, the enviromental relevance of Australian indigenous stories and share the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations with people from around the world who have ‘Stories in the Landscape’ to share.
HOSTED BY
Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Story Archaeology have?
Story Archaeology currently has 153 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Story Archaeology about?
Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations...
How often does Story Archaeology release new episodes?
Story Archaeology publishes regularly with 153 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Story Archaeology?
You can listen to Story Archaeology on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Story Archaeology?
Story Archaeology is created and hosted by Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody.
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