Story Archaeology

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.

In exploring the Dindshenchas of Inber Ailbine, we looked at the poem Nuall Fer Fio, "Fer Fio's Cry", to gain some understanding of the nine daughters of the sea in their bronze boats.  In the episode, I incorrectly attributed the translation to Dr. John Carey.  This is because I first read about the poem in his excellent article, ‘Téacsanna draíochta in Éirinn sa mheánaois luath’ [‘Magical texts in early medieval Ireland’] (translated into Irish by Pádraig Ó Fiannachta), Léachtaí Cholm Cille 30 (2000) 98-117; presented at Léachtaí Cholm Cille, Dingle, 10 April 1999.  It is also in this article that I read about the charms calling for the help of Goibniu and Dían Cécht, which I discussed in "How to Get Help from a Craftsman". Carey points out that Nuall Fer Fio is cited in a medieval text as an example of a cétnad, "hundred-poem"; a quasi-metrical verse form containing 100 stressed syllables.  He also cites Liam Breathnach's observation that the poem contains those hundred syllables if the Latin coda is omitted. This coda calls for the blessings of God and Christ.  I have omitted this section below, but you can read it in full, with a translation of the Latin by Mary Jones, on her Celtic Literature Collective.  I have made a few amendations to Meyer's translation. You can listen to the Old Irish, read by Isolde   Nuall Fer Fio Ed. by Kuno Meyer from two MSS (Laud 610 and Book of Ballymote). "Miscellany presented to John Macdonald Mackay". Liverpool, 1914. Ad-muiniur secht n-ingena trethan I call on the seven daughters of the sea, dolbtae snáithi macc n-áesmar. who shape the threads of long-lived children. Tri bás flaimm ro-ucaiter, Three deaths be taken from me, tri áes dom do-rataiter, three ages be given to me, secht tonna tocaid dom do-ra-dáilter! seven waves [of plenty] poured for me. Ním chollet messe fom chúairt May I not be molested on my journey i llúrig Lasréin cen léiniud! in my radiant breastplate / Breastplate of Lasrén without stain. Ní nassar mo chlú ar chel! May my name not be pledged in vain; dom-í-áes; May I have long life; nim thi bás comba sen! may death not come to me until I am old. Ad-muiniur m’Argetnia I call on my Silver Champion, nád bá nád bebe; who has not died and will not die; amser dom do-r-indnastar may time be granted to me findruini febe! of the quality of bronze. Ro orthar mo richt, May my double be slain ro saerthar mo recht, may my law be ennobled, ro mórthar mo nert, may my strength be increased, nip ellam mo lecht, may my tomb not be readied, nim thí bás for fecht, may I not die on my journey, ro firthar mo thecht! may my return be ensured to me. Ním ragba nathair díchonn, May the two-headed serpent not attack me, ná dorb dúrglass, nor the hard pale worm, ná doel díchuinn! nor the senseless beetle. Ním millither téol, May no thief attack me, ná cuire ban, nor a company of women, ná cuire buiden! nor a company of warriors. Dom-i urchar n-aimsire May I have increase of time ó Rig inna n-uile! from the king of all. Ad-muiniur Senach sechtaimserach I call on Senach of the seven ages, con-altatar mná side whom fairy women reared far bruinnib búais. on the breasts of good fortune. Ní báitter mo shechtchaindel! May my seven candles not be quenched. Am dun díthagail, I am an invincible fortress, am all anscuichthe, I am an immovable rock, am ha lógmar, I am a precious stone, am sen sechtmainech. I am the symbol of seven treasures. Roba chétach May I be [the man of] hundreds [of possessions], cétbliadnach, hundreds of years,   cach cét diib ar úair. each hundred in its [proper] time.

From 2012 until 2020 Chris and Isolde worked together creating six series of 'Conversations on Irish Mythology' combining Isolde's linguistic expertise in early Irish and Chris' knowledge of the wider context of world mythology, oral tradion and a life-long passionate interest in history and archaeology. The pandemic brought about many changes and also new, unexpected opportunities. This was certainly true for the 'Story Archaeologists. Isolde has gone on to work with, for example, on-line theatre and wheelchair dance, remote creative writibg events and she has also returned to another of her main concerns, disability politics. Chris has been designing projects for Irish Schools, in conjunction with the Tain March Project and other arts initiatives. The pandemic has also brought about exciting possibilities, allowing her to develop extensive on-line presentations, on the old stories, for schools and libraries, finding ways to break the Zoom 'fourth wall' so that drama in the classroom can still be included. Click here for further information Chis has also been working with a number of international Arts Projects which are connected with storyarchaeology.com There will be more to come. Click here for futher information The 'Conversations on Mythology' podcasts are continuing as well. There will be new regular episodes with interesting and highly knowledgable partners who have much to share about their 'Stories in the Landscape. The first of these conversations will be publishe in early March 2022 The Story Archaeology Archive The whole archive of past episodes is complete and easily accessible through the site 'Top Navigation or through this link. So enjoy the archived work and look out for the new 'Stories in the Landscape'. Listen to the original introduction to Story Archaeology. Welcome to StoryArchaeology.com, uncovering the layers of Irish Mythology.  On this site, you will find a regular podcast and articles about Irish Mythology by the Story Archaeologists, Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody.  To find out what Story Archaeology is, and how we apply this method to the exploration of Irish stories, listen to this introductory mini-episode. To subscribe to the podcast, point your podcatcher of choice at feeds.feedburner.com/StoryArchaeology. By The Story Archaeologists. Music: "Tam Lin" by Gian Castello.