Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies Podcast

Tyler Baxter, Saoirse Ní Dhonnobháin, Michael Frim, Kevin Collins
  • 5.0 (4)
  • HISTORY
  • BIWEEKLY SERIES

https://linktr.ee/fabulaceltica A general Celtic Studies podcast. We cover various topics organised into thematic seasons. Hosted by PhD candidate Tyler Baxter (University of Edinburgh) and MA student Saoirse Ní Dhonnabháin (University College Cork). The podcast aims to be accessible to general audiences, blending storytelling and scholarship. Expect to find mythology and history in equal measure. This podcast is not appropriate for children. Our logo consists of two illustrations, both taken from the Book of Ballymote, folio 2v. Music is by Kevin Collins. Editing for episodes 1-5 is by Kevin Collins and for later episodes by Tyler Baxter. Past Co-Hosts: Kevin Collins, Michael Frim

  1. S01 E01: The First Takings of Ireland

    EPISODE 1

    S01 E01: The First Takings of Ireland

    Tyler and Kevin introduce the podcast, themselves, and our first series, 'Ancient Ireland'. We look at medieval legends about the earliest inhabitants of Ireland and compare these to what archaeology tells us about the people who first arrived on the island 10,000 years ago. Note this episode contains sexual references.. Main topics addressed: The Book of Invasions, Mesolithic Period, Neolithic Period, Megalithic Tombs. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WcErp75tLxcO-d_y7-T33edB21wQYFx1bqMZQ509fhw/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: ‘Ceide Fields & Downpatrick Head’, Marren's Magical Mayo, 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LABxH9VFiTY  Daltun, E. (2022) An Irish Atlantic Rainforest. Dublin: Hachette Books Ireland, pp. 126-129. Macalister, R. A. S. (1939) Lebor Gabála Érenn vol 2. Dublin: Educational Co. of Ireland. pp. 182-195, 210-229, 268-273. 'Mount Sandel, a Mesolithic Campsite', Irish Archaeology. http://irisharchaeology.ie/2013/07/mount-sandel-a-mesolithic-campsite/  ‘Mountsandel Hidden Heritage’, NIEA 2010. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YXXdqCAn38  Snook, J. ‘Ceide Fields’, 9 October 2020, World History Encyclopedia Online. https://www.worldhistory.org/Ceide_Fields/

    1 hr
  2. S01 E02: Catching the Sun

    EPISODE 2

    S01 E02: Catching the Sun

    Tyler and Kevin encounter the divine beings who lurk in the landscape of the Boyne Valley Neolithic burial complex, including the world-famous passage tomb, Newgrange. Note this episode contains references to sex, rape, and incest. Main topics addressed: The Wooing of Étaín, Neolithic passage tombs, the Irish Otherworld, Newgrange, dindshenchas, cultural memory. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12e4aV8oAGNK8BCMSYGJirXXXAyRj96zcon0itKHDWfM/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: Bergin, O. and Best, R. I. ‘Tochmarc Étaíne’, Ériu, 12 (1938), pp. 142-193. Available on Irish Sagas Online: https://iso.ucc.ie/Tochmarc-etaine/Tochmarc-etaine-text.html  Gwynn, E. The Metrical Dindshenchas vol. 3. Dublin: Irish Texts Society Vol 3: ‘Boand II’ and ‘Cnogba’ (Knowth), available on CELT: https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T106500C/index.html Vol 4: ‘Dubad’ (Dowth), available on CELT: https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T106500D/index.html  Koch, J. T. and Carey, J., The Celtic Heroic Age, pp. 144-145 (‘The Origin of Dowth’) O’Kelly, M. J. et al. Newgrange: Archaeology, Art, and Legend (London 1982). Newgrange and the Winter Solstice: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2011/12/newgrange-and-the-winter-solstice/ Stout, G. and Stout, M. Newgrange (Cork, 2008). Timeline of Archaelogical Periods in Ireland:  http://irisharchaeology.ie/work/

    46 min
  3. S01 E03: Bronze & Iron

    EPISODE 3

    S01 E03: Bronze & Iron

    We look at the major features of the Bronze and Iron Age, again drawing upon the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of Invasions) as our legendary touchstone. Note this episode contains reference to violence and sexual topics. Main topics addressed: The Book of Invasions, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Classical propaganda, 'Royal Sites' of Ireland. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JPExwyR2iRlRm9K-SErcv6fBmOwfgdRimqhTzuN9ZZA/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: An Iron Age bog body and his leather arm ring: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2015/05/treasures-from-the-bog-an-iron-age-leather-arm-ring-from-co-offaly/  Bronze Age artefacts: http://irisharchaeology.ie/?s=bronze+age  Fraser, J. ‘The First Battle of Moytura.’ Ériu 8 (1915), pp. 1-63. Koch, J. and Carey, J (eds.). The Celtic Heroic Age 4th ed. Aberystwyth: Celtic Studies Publications, 2003. Macalister, R. A. S. Lebor Gabála Érenn vol 3. Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1940. O’Toole, F., ‘Bronze Age Dugout Canoe, Circa 2200 BC’, The Irish Times (2011).

    1h 13m
  4. S01 E04: The Enigmatic Iron Age

    EPISODE 4

    S01 E04: The Enigmatic Iron Age

    Our new co-host Michael joins Tyler in exploring just what makes the Iron Age so mysterious. The enigmatic quality of the period is exemplified by the archaeology of the 'royal site' of Ulster, Emain Macha (Navan Fort) and a lesser-known site known as Corlea Trackway. Note this episode contains reference to violence and sexual topics. Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Navan Fort (Emain Macha), Corlea Trackway, La Tène. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YLhg0DDC7mZqkCyB8zFIh00vIPUBb8IXb6ugeO6t5AY/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: A Barbary Ape Skull from Navan Fort, Co. Armagh: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2014/05/a-barbary-ape-skull-from-navan-fort-co-armagh/  Aerial Views of Ireland’s Ancient Royal Sites: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2014/10/aerial-views-of-irelands-ancient-royal-sites/  Bergin, O. and Best, R. I. Tochmarc Étaíne electronic ed, Cork: CELT, 2005, §3.8 https://iso.ucc.ie/Tochmarc-etaine/Tochmarc-etaine-text.html Best, R. I., Bergin, O. and O'Brien, M. A. (eds). 2008. Book of Leinster vol 1 electronic ed. Cork: CELT, Section 2 (pp. 79-80) https://celt.ucc.ie/published/G800011A/index.html  Gosling, P. ‘Placing Names in Táin Bó Cúailnge: “Findabair Chúailnge” and “Findabair Sléibe”’, Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society 28(3) (2015), 309-325. Gwynn, E. The Metrical Dindshenchas vol 4. Dublin: Irish Texts Society, pp. 3-9, 125-131, 309-311. Available electronically at https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T106500D/index.html James, S. Exploring the World of the Celts. London: Thames & Hudson, 1993. Keating, G. (2002, 2010) The History Of Ireland vol 2 electronic ed. Cork: CELT, pp. 153-157 (Sec 28), https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T100054/index.html O'Donovan, J. (trans) The Annals of the Four Masters electronic ed. Cork: CELT, M4470.0-M4546.1 https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T100005A/index.html  O'Sullivan, A. ‘Exploring past people's interactions with wetland environments in Ireland’, in Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 107 (2007), 147–203. Twist, C., Raferty, B., et al. Philip's Atlas of the Celts. Dublin: George Philip Limited, 2001. ‘Visit Armagh’ website on Navan Fort/Emhain Mhacha: https://visitarmagh.com/places-to-explore/navan-centre-fort/  Wooding, J. M. ‘The Idea Of The Celt’ in Atherton, M. (ed) Celts And Christians. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 39-59.

    1h 15m
  5. S01 E05: Incipit Bérla Tepide

    EPISODE 5

    S01 E05: Incipit Bérla Tepide

    The episode title is in Latin (Incipit) and Old Irish, and translates to 'The Selected Language Begins'. Tyler and Michael discuss the legendary origins of the Irish language according to Auraicept na nÉces (The Scholar's Primer) and the Lebor Gabála (The Book of Invasions), finally concluding our overview of the Book of Invasions with the fifth and final taking of Ireland by the Sons of Míl. An overview of the historical reality of the development of Irish and the other Celtic languages concludes the episode. Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Irish language, Scholar's Primer, Book of Invasions, Sons of Míl, poets and poetry. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dV3Wovl92aqXdrFQvsHiaDfrJ7MFokcJnpohULT9-ng/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: Calder, G. Auraicept na nÉces: The Scholar’s Primer. Edinburgh: John Grant, 1917. James, S. Exploring the World of the Celts (London: Thames & Hudson, 2005), pp. 152-163. Macalister, R. A. S. Lebor Gabála Érenn vol 5. Dublin: Irish Texts Society, 1956. Twist, C., Raferty, B., et al. Philip's Atlas of the Celts. Dublin: George Philip Limited, 2001, pp. 14-17.

    1h 11m
  6. S01 E06: Interview with a Deity

    EPISODE 6

    S01 E06: Interview with a Deity

    Tyler and Michael discuss the Hill of Tara and the legendary high kingship associated with it, alongside the actual history and archaeology of the site. Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Tara, sacred kingship, sovereignty goddesses, and rather odd job requirements. This episode contains references to alcohol, sex, and nudity. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l7tgf2gkqBgVRw8D-awpWCYyDY3M9v0RUkmiNOrghXE/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: Bhreathnach, E. (ed.) 2005. The Kingship and Landscape of Tara. Bhreathnach, E. and Newman, C. 1995. Tara. Carey, J. 2005. ‘Tara and the Supernatural’ in The Kingship and Landscape of Tara, ed. by E. Bhreathnach (Dublin: Four Courts Press), 32-48. Dillon, M. 1946. ‘Baile in Scáil: The Phantom's Frenzy’ in The Cycle of Kings, electronic ed. https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/phantom.html Grogan, E. 2009. The Rath of the Synods, Tara, Co. Meath: Excavations by Seán P. Ó Ríordáin. Gwynn, L. ‘De Síl Chonairi Móir’ in Ériu 6 (1912), 130-143 (pp. 138-141). Herbert, M. 1992. Goddess and King: The Sacred Marriage in Early Ireland in Women and Sovereignty ed by L. Fradenburg. Hull, V. ‘Geneamuin Chormaic’ in Ériu 16 (1952), 79-85 (§10); available at Irish Sagas Online: https://iso.ucc.ie/Geneamuin-chormaic/Geneamuin-chormaic-text.html#Section_10  Koch, J. and Carey, J. (eds). 2003. The Celtic Heroic Age 4th edn: ‘Echtra Mac nEchach’ (The Adventures of the Sons of Eochaid Mugmedón), pp. 203-208 and ‘Togail Bruidne Da Derga’ (The Destruction of Da Derga’s Hostel), pp. 166-169 (§1-15). Newman, C. ‘Procession and Symbolism at Tara: Analysis of Tech Midchúarta (the “Banqueting Hall”) in the context of the sacral campus’ in  OJA 26/4 (Nov. 2007), 415–438. Ó Bróin, T. ‘Lia Fáil: Fact and Fiction in the Tradition’ Celtica 21 (1990), pp. 393-401. O’Sullivan, A. and Kinsella, J. 2013. ‘Living with a sacred landscape: interpreting the early medieval archaeology of the Hill of Tara and its environs, AD 400-1100.’ in M. O’Sullivan (ed.) Tara: from the past to the future, pp 321-344. Stokes, W. The Rennes Dindshenchas https://www.ucd.ie/tlh/trans/ws.rc.15.001.t.text.html Wadell, J. 2022. The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland new edn, Ch.9. What the Folklore? (comedy podcast) https://www.wtfolklorepodcast.com/

    1h 10m
  7. S01 E07: The Coming of the Faith

    EPISODE 7

    S01 E07: The Coming of the Faith

    This episode surveys the earliest texts written by and about Saint Patrick, the man credited with Christianising Ireland. But is it really that simple? Main topics addressed: Saint Patrick, hagiography, Christianity, paganism, early medieval Ireland Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdX_pAGLVz2pp2YWMYzGkJ20STLtKxjzX8nB6sLMpsE/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Muirchú’s Text in English’.  https://confessio.ie/more/muirchu_english#  Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Tírechán’s Text in English’. https://confessio.ie/more/tirechan_english#  Carey, J. (with O’Loughlin, T.). 2006. ‘Christianity, Celtic’ in Celtic Culture: A Historical Encyclopedia vol 2, ed. by Koch, J. T. McCarthy, P. 2011. ‘Confession’. https://confessio.ie/etexts/confessio_english#  Wycherley, N. The Medieval Irish History Podcast, https://x.com/EarlyIrishPod

    41 min
  8. S01 E08: Words in Stone

    EPISODE 8

    S01 E08: Words in Stone

    In the first of three episodes about early Irish writing, we explore the fascinating myths, enigmatic history, and linguistic quirks of the stone markings known as ogam or ogham. Main topics addressed: Irish language, Latin, ogam (ogham), Ogma, early medieval Ireland. Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gg2THDqf5Tm0JpaIus2zgpSzKA7-1oaOhbGndYL1wA0/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media: Binchy, D. A. 1961. ‘The Background of Early Irish Literature’, Studia Hibernica 1, 7-18. Carey, John. 2014. ‘Ogmios and the Eternal Word’, Cosmos, 30, 1-35. Celtic Inscribed Stones Project (CISP) http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/cisp/database/  Charles-Edwards, T. 1995. ‘Language and Society Among the Insular Celts, AD 400-1000’, in The Celtic World, ed. M.J. Green, 703-736. Clinton, Mark. 2001. Souterrains of Ireland (Wordwell Ltd). Gutiérrez, Verónica A. 2019. ‘A Procession Through the Milpas: Indigenous-Christian ritual in Cholula, Pueblo, Mexico’, Fides et Historia 51(1), 105-123. Harvey, A. 1987. ‘Early Literacy in Ireland: The Evidence from Ogam’, Cambridge Medieval Celtic Studies 14, 1-15. Macalister, R. A. S. 1945. Corpus inscriptionum Insularum Celticarum, 2 vols, vol. 1 (Dublin: Stationery Office). Mac Cana, P. 1970. ‘The Three Languages and the Three Laws’, Studia Celtica 5, 62-78; 62-66. MacNeill, E. 1908-1909. ‘Notes on the distribution, history, grammar and import of the Irish Ogham Inscriptions’, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 27C, 329-70: 329-34. MacNeill, E. 1922. ‘A Pioneer of Nations’, Studies 11, 13-28, 435-46. MacNeill, E. 1931. ‘Beginnings of the Latin Culture in Ireland’, Studies 20, 39-48. McManus, D. 1991. A Guide to Ogam, Maynooth Monographs 4. Ogam in 3D http://ogham.celt.dias.ie/  Russel, James R. Zoroastrianism in Armenia (Thesis, University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies). Stevenson, J. 1989. ‘The Beginnings of Literacy in Ireland’, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 89C, 127-65. Thesaurus Indogermanischer Text- und Sprachmaterialien (TITUS) http://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/ogam/frame/htm  Thomas, Charles. 1994. And Shall These Mute Stones Speak? Post-Roman Inscriptions in Western Britain (University of Wales Press). Waddell, John. 2014. “The cave of Crúachain and the Otherworld”, in: Jacqueline Borsje, Ann Dooley, Séamus Mac Mathúna, and Gregory Toner (eds), Celtic cosmology: perspectives from Ireland and Scotland 26 (Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies), 77–92.

    1h 40m
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About

https://linktr.ee/fabulaceltica A general Celtic Studies podcast. We cover various topics organised into thematic seasons. Hosted by PhD candidate Tyler Baxter (University of Edinburgh) and MA student Saoirse Ní Dhonnabháin (University College Cork). The podcast aims to be accessible to general audiences, blending storytelling and scholarship. Expect to find mythology and history in equal measure. This podcast is not appropriate for children. Our logo consists of two illustrations, both taken from the Book of Ballymote, folio 2v. Music is by Kevin Collins. Editing for episodes 1-5 is by Kevin Collins and for later episodes by Tyler Baxter. Past Co-Hosts: Kevin Collins, Michael Frim

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