Articles – Story Archaeology

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 occasionally, danger. Join Chis as she explores its boundaries and...

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. Links for this Episode

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 anticipate a new project inspired by the great river Shannon. In this conversation we discuss images from both Understories...

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! I will be...

Carrowmore visitor centre benefits from €1.5 million upgrade works Reposted from RTÉ website: Wednesday, 1 Apr 2026 By Shane Ó Curraighín North West Correspondent A newly upgraded state-of-the-art visitor centre at the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, showcasing Ireland s oldest megalithic tombs has officially opened following €1.5 million upgrade works. Carrowmore is home to more than 30...

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 archaeological importance but the impact they can still have...

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’ of Irish mythology. If you explore further into...

Stories in the landscape of Uzbekistan .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 Uzbekistan. Links for this episode Thanks Thanks to my wonderful...

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 Cath Maige Tuired...

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. Discover more about the The Cath Maige...

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. Discover more about the The Cath...

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 Cath Maige Tuired Notes...

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 more about...

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 remarkable stranger. But will this...

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, daughter of Balor,...

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 with a deceitful plan involving dark...

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 Miach, Dian Cécht’s son and we meet his sister, Aimed, a...

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 and discover his strange story, 10(ish)...

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 and...

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 happened when they met at the first battle...

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 Normans arrived....

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: Explore this link for more background...

Storytelling in changing times 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 contemplates a neolithic tragedy. Links for this...

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...

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 that will ensure Nera’s role...

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 of why it...

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...

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...

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 For adults:...

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 mythology to the voyages of life. Sana...

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 narrative experience for the viewer. Links for this episode Visit Tamlyn’s Website Explore Tamlyn’s...

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

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 role for this ‘lost’ hero. Links for...

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 into...

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 is happening to our woodlands. Links for this episode

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 Banbha....

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 how their stories may just meander together. Explore a gallery page of images of...

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 collection including its current relevanceand considers whar a similar collecton might look like if...

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 the remarkable story of both neolithic and bronze age Ireland. This is a slightly longer ‘Conversation in the...