Author: Story Archaeologists

Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody are The Story Archaeologists, and have been working together since 1998. They began exchanging letters about Irish stories after Isolde read an article on Macha Chris had written for a magazine. However, it was only when Chris sent Isolde a cassette tape of her story versions that Isolde discovered that Chris was female, not male! And when they finally met in person, Chris realised that Isolde was in her early twenties, not her late forties. However, they were soon sharing their mutual interests in stories and conversation, which has since developed into their peculiar art-form. When they met, Chris was running workshops based on Celtic mythology, and Isolde quickly became integral to their organisation and delivery, even moving west from Dublin to Leitrim, to facilitate the process. Later, when Chris established a performance arts company, Hit and Myth, Isolde held a central role both in the creation and performance of shows, becoming, we believe, Ireland’s only blind fire-dancer. They also reckon we are the only company ever to have turned the Lebor Gabála, “The Book of Invasions”, into a theatre production. This show called, “Once Upon A Time... In The West - The Approximately Five Invasions of Ireland”, toured Ireland in the summers of 2002 -3. This was one of several shows based on Irish myth and legend they created. Although Hit and Myth, as a company, later broke up, Chris still gives heritage storytelling shows for families: “Wizards and Warriors” and “Heroes and Superheroes” are current titles. One of their most pivotal projects was the recreation of the mythical Battle of Moytura at the story’s location in South County Sligo. This included, not only the battle pageant itself, but also a full retelling of the saga by candlelight, and the creation of a cross-border children’s play and art project, “Strength in Everyone” based on the two prophecies of the Morrigan that conclude the saga. It was the undertaking of this project that led them to consideration of Irish story as archaeology. It was exploration of the original Irish texts, required to create the script for the re-enactment, which began to illuminate, for them, the rich artefact-packed strata of significance and meaning in the ancient saga of Cath Maige Tuired. The festival of Moytura 2000 was an experience in itself, but sin scéal eile.... They have been exploring the concept of story as archaeology ever since. In fact, they had long been trying to compile their discoveries into book form. In an archaeological dig, no trench, no site can ever be considered to be completely explored. There is always more to discover. So it is with the stories. Every time we return to them, we open a fresh line of enquiry. Eventually, they realised that a podcast and a supporting blog would allow them the open-ended, ongoing process they required. Here is a book they can keep growing and changing. As they have always done, Chris and Isolde are happy to give talks, host discussions and facilitate workshops inspired by Irish mythology, and other connected topics. Feel free to contact the Story Archaeologists for further details.