Conversations on the Shannon- The fluid backbone of Ireland
This page opens a new Story Archaeology chapter.
The first ever episode on Story Archaeology concerned the ‘origin’ story of the Shannon and the ancesress figure from Irish Mythology, Sinann. Many Story Archaeology friends will know I became absorbed by the mthological figure os Sinann and her story when I first transferred to Ireland. Her story inspired me and yet, I felt that there was far more to be discovered. It didn’t quite ‘fit’. S.A .friends will also know the story of how, with the expert involvement of my plilologist and early Irish specialist colleague, Isolde , we uncovered the meandering manner inwhich the story of Sinann has been presented over time from the ancient Dinshenchas poetry to the 19th Century blending of river stories by Eugene O’Curry, and even recentt descriptions of her story on the internet. Sinann according to certain tellings has taken over Finn’s action of catching and eating the salmon of wisdom. Well, there maybe some connection with her and Finn, himself, but that is yet another story. However, it was Isolde’s fresh translation of the Dindshenchas began to open vistas for us both. In many ways Story Archaeology was first envisaged because of this story.
It was also the story that inspired Professor Ralph Kenna, who grew up in Athlone to set up the international Arts for Sinann competition. His final paper, ‘The Extraordinary Journey of Sinann‘, in which I and other ÉIRÍ members closely collacorated has established and published this journey.
But the story of a river never stops flowing. So this new tributary of Story Archaeology will include articles and conversations with people who have specific interests in this most central feature of Ireland and its continuing ever-flowing story Their approach may be, environmental, educational, artistic or just personal picture postcards. Let the river flow free. Who knows where it may take us.
The Rider on the River
This audio-article is inspired 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.
Conversation with Phillipa Klaiber
Join Chris and Phillipa as they explore two of Phillipa’s photographic projects, Understories and Vorest, and anticipate a new project inspired by the great river Shannon.
Information and news concerning the controversial proposed Shannon pipeline.
I am hoping that this controversial project to pipe water from the Shannon right across the country to support the requirements of proposed new data centres will shortly be the topic of a new ‘Stories in the Landscape’ conversation.
Update: July 26
An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) has put back making a decision for up to one year on Uisce Éireann’s contentious plans to extract over 300 million litres of water a day from the River Shannon, to boost supply to the east of the country.
The “Proposed Water Supply Project for the Eastern and Midlands Region” is the largest ever water project in Irish history.
ACP was due to make a decision on Uisce Éireann’s Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) application on July 2 but has written to all parties to say that “the Commission now intends to determine this application before July 2 2027”.
From RTE July26