Mythical tales, linguistic archaeology and the wisdom of Irish lore
This is a belated thank you and farewell post to a good friend and colleague. I would have welcomed the opportunity to upload this tribute earlier but, so sadly, Manchán died the day I left for a trip to Uzbekistan. Unfortunately, I have been ill since I returned, yet, this delay has given me time to reflect on Manchán’s many achievements before committing my thoughts to writing.
Manchán and I were certainly friends even though we never met in person. Over the years we were in contact and were always aware and appreciative of each other’s work. Manchán frequently referred people to me and I, of course, always recommended his books and podcasts. I have, so often gifted, been gifted, and purchased his books; ‘Listen to the Land Speak’, ’32 Words for fields’, and so many others; always a delight. and an inspiration.
I had hoped that we would be able to collaborate on a joint project, very soon, and, over the summer was preparing a possible project. So, when I got in contact with him at the beginning of September, I was shocked and saddened to discover that his illness had become so serious.
Stories in the Landscape
The sub-title of Story Archaeology has always been ‘Exploring Stories in the Landscape’ but this is concept is equally deeply embedded at the heart all of Manchan’s writing and podcasts and I am sure his voice and endearing wisdom will continue to resonate with everyone and anyone wanting to explore Ireland’s narrative-rich landscapes.
But, just for now, I want to focus on my favourite of Manchán’s podcast series: Home Stories Perhaps the best way to describe this series is to quote directly from its description.
Ireland has been gifted with an influx of people from a range of fascinating cultures in recent years. Most of them were fleeing some form of trauma and are now making their way (slowly) through the Direct Provision system. These new members of our communities offer us an opportunity to get to know different parts of the world and different cultures and the hopes and dreams these new Irish residents have for their future in Ireland.
Home Stories with Manchán Magan
This ‘Home Stories’ audio project is, in its way, as important a social history record as the 1937-39 Schools Collection part of the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. But, more than that, it does illustrate the nature of stories in the Irish Landscape. From the earliest times, from the arrival of the Neolithic Anatolian Farmers, the Orkney seaway travellers, the Bronze Age cattle-lord adventurers, The Viking Settlement founders, their stories and ways of life have been absorbed, and under the influence of out Island culture, become distinctive and unique. And, indeed, centuries of attempts to belittle this unique distinctiveness have failed (Don’t get me talking of Giraldis Cambrensis!)
I think a lot of this lies in the status, long given, to those early medieval poets and storytellers whose words ‘spoke truth to power’ even back then. They truly understood how new themes new ideas could enrich and strengthen the justice of the Land.
I honour and mourn the early loss of one of our prominent poet story tellers. His voice will continue to be heard in the land and he will be long remembered.
Just a brief further note
I last spoke with Manchán about ten days before he passed and he told me of some research that he had wanted to complete but had run out of time. With the support of an archivist friend, I have been following up on his request and am looking forward to seeing where this path leads. I will publish the results, here, when I am ready.