Irish Myths StoryTime

Get your fire extinguishers ready: things are about to get heated.Muirchú’s account of St. Patrick’s contest of miracles with the druid at Tara, as detailed in the 7th-century Vita sancti Patricii (Life of Saint Patrick)00:00 Teaser00:21 Introduction03:39 Your story: The Contest of Miracles09:05 End creditsWant to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that:  https://irishmyths.com/Might I recommend my article “Was St. Patrick a Murderer? Why Did He Write His Confession?”: https://irishmyths.com/2022/03/13/was-st-patrick-a-murderer/More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videosGiven the subject of this story, you might be interested in the following:-“The Pagan Origins of St. Patrick’s Day”: https://youtu.be/yHdKmjWFGsM?si=uwZNQyi4YvnroFHS-“St. Patrick vs. Crom Cruach: Destroying a Celtic Idol”: https://youtu.be/MM2beTEExnw?si=XN14D4Onp-eaSUAf-“Was St. Patrick Really Kidnapped by Pirates?”: https://youtu.be/cBacOzjuuAc?si=1HWUutFw_hNotIUG-“Was St. Patrick a Murderer?”: https://youtu.be/dXGhhbmLE8w?si=BwcmwZYUQCZ19tp_Books by me, I. E. Kneverday:(Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.)-Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc-Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg-Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0-Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO-Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG-The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0vMusic by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston)Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcTAmazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132\

This medieval Irish poem is like a nursery rhyme. Only it doesn’t rhyme. And it’s not for children.  Prepare to contemplate your own impermanence as you uncover the inner life of an old woman preparing for death. 00:00 Teaser 00:16 Introduction 02:39 Your story: The Lament of the Hag of Beara 08:04 End credits Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that:  https://irishmyths.com/ Might I recommend my article “Who Is the Celtic Goddess of Winter? The Cailleach Explained”: https://irishmyths.com/2025/01/28/cailleach/ More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in the following: -“Irish Goddess of Winter? The Cailleach Explained: https://youtu.be/MwTrinm1A1U?si=r0N2iCM3XPxl8sXt -“The Holly King & Oak King Explained”: https://youtu.be/EWq0c5UhXgU?si=pbiEblLQgnFEk0VK -”How Many Celtic Otherworlds Are There?”: https://youtu.be/BFVoqVAxP_s?si=agcMlxxfwMPqMq4S -“What Is a Banshee?”: https://youtu.be/Bua82CdZA4I?si=yTJT9dhvR3kDC59E -“Celtic Sacred Trees (in Ireland and Beyond)”: https://youtu.be/9m0iiEVL-TY?si=DTKp6HZB-RY71fcA -“Differences Between Myths, Legends, Folktales, and Fairytales”: https://youtu.be/kpLqEKLrxnc?si=ZOkzkHqdY13w7p4K Books by me, I. E. Kneverday: (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2 Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132\

A tall tale about greed, love, and the changing of the seasons, penned by one of Ireland’s most famous writers, Oscar Wilde. Sneak through that hole in the garden wall and shimmy up a tree. It’s time for The Selfish Giant. 00:00 Teaser 00:23 Introduction 03:12 Your story: The Selfish Giant 11:42 End credits Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that:  https://irishmyths.com/ Might I recommend my article “They Might Be Giants: 10 Colossal Celts of Irish Myth & Legend”: https://irishmyths.com/2022/09/20/giants/ More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in the following: -“The Holly King & Oak King Explained”: https://youtu.be/EWq0c5UhXgU?si=pbiEblLQgnFEk0VK -“Celtic Sacred Trees (in Ireland and Beyond)”: https://youtu.be/9m0iiEVL-TY?si=DTKp6HZB-RY71fcA -“Differences Between Myths, Legends, Folktales, and Fairytales”: https://youtu.be/kpLqEKLrxnc?si=ZOkzkHqdY13w7p4K Books by me, I. E. Kneverday: (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2 Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132\

A sweet song. A silver bough. An epic expedition that puts our protagonist face-to-face with the Irish god of the sea. That places him on the shores of the Land of Women. Ready the oars. It’s time for The Voyage of Bran. 00:00 Teaser 00:19 Introduction 03:22 Your story: The Voyage of Bran 11:23 End credits Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that: https://irishmyths.com/ More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in the following: -“Did the Celts Reach the Americas Before the Vikings?”: https://youtu.be/XVR50Ol65hw?si=yrc4TzcSOU47cx2_ -“Manannán mac Lir: God, Merchant, or Three-Legged Monster?”: https://youtu.be/nzPQrHLJTYA?si=t4otv9JV7uz7YQMe -“How Many Celtic Otherworlds Are There?”: https://youtu.be/BFVoqVAxP_s?si=NThWh29LupGmIjU- -“Differences Between Myths, Legends, Folktales, and Fairytales”: https://youtu.be/kpLqEKLrxnc?si=ZOkzkHqdY13w7p4K Books by me, I. E. Kneverday: (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132

A scorcher of a story, perfectly suited for (and set during) the spookiest time of year. Listen—if you dare—to The Enchantment of Tara, a.k.a. The Coming of Finn, which comes from the medieval narrative Macgnímartha Finn (The Boyhood Deeds of Fionn). 00:00 Teaser 00:25 Introduction 03:01 Your story: The Samhain Burner 07:28 End credits Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that: https://irishmyths.com/ More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in the following: -5 Dragons From Irish Myth & Legend: https://youtu.be/r-8qutRNExU?si=mblLBlQiA1bkY5Na -10 Wondrous Weapons From Irish Mythology: https://youtu.be/WLVQ4KJmOoI?si=-eK6MBAHVsTHiC4R -Who Is the Greatest Hero From Irish Mythology? https://youtu.be/Vie2rXM9nOQ?si=4LxBzfPTUTpqwMlr -Samhain Explained: Halloween’s Celtic Origins: https://youtu.be/AxX1SZVpCd0?si=oX4zW8KrDad1jR4I -The Celtic Cult of the Head: https://youtu.be/Z4uEkzNLX_E?si=q4NbMyZcwtKdrCl5 -Who Is the Irish God of Music? (The 7 Most Mesmerizing Musicians From Irish Mythology): https://irishmyths.com/2021/03/15/irish-god-of-music/ Books by me, I. E. Kneverday: (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2 Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132

It’s the story of a hog, a dog, and a king who reluctantly takes his wife’s advice. Will it pay off? There’s only one way to find out. Originally titled The Tale of Mac Da Thó's Pig (Scéla Muicce Meicc Da Thó), this is T. W. Rolleston’s retelling of the famed tale, which recounts a banquet brawl between two of Ireland’s greatest kingdoms: Connacht and Ulster. 00:00 Teaser 00:22 Introduction 02:35 Your story: The Carving of Mac Datho’s Boar 16:27 End credits Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that: https://irishmyths.com/ More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in my video on the Green Knight’s Irish origins: https://youtu.be/xqlbAe_zv5w Books by me, I. E. Kneverday: (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston) Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2 Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132

The High King of Ireland has a secret. One unlucky lad is tasked with keeping it…but will he be able to? Welp, he better. Because his life hangs in the balance. A druid hatches a plan that *might* be able to help. Arboreal spoiler alert: The plan involves a willow tree. 00:00 Meet your host: I. E. Kneverday 01:42 What’s this podcast all about? 02:20 Intro 04:14 Your story: The Secret of Labra 07:57 End credits Want to plumb the depths of Irish and Celtic mythology and folklore? There’s a website for that: https://irishmyths.com/ More of an audio-visual learner? My explainer videos on the IrishMyths YouTube channel have got you covered: https://www.youtube.com/@irishmyths/videos Given the subject of this story, you might be interested in my video Celtic sacred trees: https://youtu.be/9m0iiEVL-TY?si=Lc8v2kI-gZdztc9j Books by me, I. E. Kneverday: (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -The Woburn Chronicles: A Trio of Supernatural Tales Set in New England’s Most Mysterious City https://amzn.to/4e8JU0v Music by me (under my stage name Bard of Boston) -Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3ID5N3zxA7tR1zdvabCmcT -Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0CTJ86DH2 -Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/album/celtic-grab-bag/1728992132