Audio stories 4: The Pig-keeper poets

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 whose special ability was unique. Meet Conan Maol! Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, think these stories work best in this format. Have fun. Chris

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 in the great Battle of the Bulls, the Táin Bó Cúailnge. Practical bits The story is in two parts Part 2 begins at 11.30 mins For adults: Find out more about the background to this story. Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, think these stories work best in this format. Hsve fun. Chris

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 is works out best for everybody to avoid quarrelling with your neighbours! For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. Have fun. Chris

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 then make up your own mind! For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale. Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events. Youngsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but tales weren't considered as juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, and comradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. Have fun. Chris

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 each other’s throats and send them racing off on adventures throughout Ireland. This story incudes giants, mysterious monsters, killer cats, mad competitions. racing, feasting and wvwn a scary but it-turns-out-fine ending. It has EVERYTHING! Practical bits: The story is told in four sections. Part 2 begins at 14 mins 50 Part 3 begins at 25 mins 13 Part4 begins at 40.26 For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale. (episodes 4-7) Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Younsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but they weren't considered juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. Have fun, Chris

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 mins 35 Part 3 begins at 17 mins 34 For adults: Explore this link for a lot more on the original tale. Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Younsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them, but they weren't considered juvenelia. However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and who demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour. I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have also recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why? Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love audiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. Have fun. Chris

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 and I intend to share further conversations. In the next conversation we would like to share stories originating in the Indian subcontinent. I expect to learn a lot! Story Archaeology Links for this Episode The story of Sinann: podcast episodes and Dindshenchas translations. (You will find access to all this material on one page through this link.) Explore a short video on the 'remarkable meanderings of the Sinann story' Listen to the Podcast: Immrám Brain Mac Febul Find Chris' telling of The Otherworld Apple Branch The Text of Immram Brain Part 1: The Woman's Poem. Translation by Isolde Find out more about Mongan, the hero poet child heralded to Bran by Manannan. Episodes 9 to 11 of Series 4: Rowing Around Immráma cover his stories, including his meeting with Colmcille. External Links for this episode. Explore the life, work and writings of John Morriarty

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 The story of Sinann: podcast episodes and Dindshenchas translations. (You will find access to all this material on one page through this link.) Ralph Kenna and the Arts for Sinann project. (You will be able to explore the way the Sinann story has been given back its relevance and a lot more, through this link.) Explore a short video on the 'remarkable meanderings of the Sinann story' Visit Tamlyn's Website Explore Tamlyn's place-based narrative project. Explore the background to the project Explore Tamlyn's immersive augmented reality Sinann story. Take a glimpse inside the story. Watch out for more information as the project grows and flows!

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 text of the Cath Maige Tuired Explore the Cath Maige Tuired on Story Archaeology : Episodes 1-6 and Episodes 7-12 Explore the story of Gilgamesh. Read a summary of the story or take a deeper dive. Take a look at The Ark Before Noah by Irving Finkel Egyptian Folktales: The Doomed Prince, Explore some of Cú Chulainn’s Bizarre Adventures The heroic biography of Cú Chulainn By Lisa Gibney B.A. Explore the stories from the Táin on Story Archaeology The best full version to read must be the Thomas Kinsella translation.

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 this Episode The Handsomest Hero in Ireland a tale of two halves : Find out more about the paper that Daniel and Mike wrote along with Ralph Kenna. Explore the Rathcroghan visitor Centre OtherWorld: Nine Tales of Early Irish Literature: Lisa Bitel's book contains an excellent telling of the story of Fraích and Findabair A readable version of the story containing a few of the descriptions included in the text (with notes) T