What is so special about Mongán? Mongán is no longer a well-known figure in Irish mythology; and yet we have found ourselves giving three full podcast episodes to exploring his stories. In the Irish annals (3.1), Mongán was referenced as a king who died in 625 CE. There is also an existing prose text and…
Author: Chris Thompson
Colmcille and the Youth at Carn Eolairg
The Colloquy of Colmcille and the Youth at Carn Eolairg As it might have been reported by the most insignificant and junior of the sainted man’s monks Some say it was Mongán, son of Fiachna, who spoke to Colmcille that Thursday morning. They had conversed all day, they had – and all night too. Some of…
The Humiliation of Eochu Rígéigeas
Eochu, chief poet of Ireland seethed furiously, shame diffusing his face into red rage. To make a fool of him, to humiliate him in public – it was an unforgivable insult to a man of his status. But for a young man, hardly more than a child, to be the cause, the origin of his discomfiture;…
Extolling the Holly
Poetry specifically describing the properties of different woods is not all that common, although I know of a couple of poems that gives Ash prime place. This poem, in keeping with the season, places the holly as the best of winter woods, It also favours the fragrant honeysuckle, the woodbine. The poem is part of the story of …
Rhiannon, meet Dubh Lacha – You have a lot in common!
The Prequel to the wedding of Pwyll and Rhiannon; from Mabinogi Pwyll Pwyll Peneuic, Lord of seven Cantrefs of Dyfed, goes hunting at Glyn Cuch and becomes separated from his companions. He hears the cries of a pack of hounds chasing a stag, but it is not his own hounds he hears. This pack is…
Manannán’s Prophecy of Mongán
From the poem of Manannán Mac Lír in Immrám Bran: Manannán speaks: You see me here. I stand before you As I approach the mortal world. I will come to the woman who waits in Moy-linney; I will come, at last, to her own home. For I, Manannán of the line of Lír, Will take…
The Instructions of King Cormac
“O Cormac, grandson of Conn,” said Cairbre, “what are the dues of a chief and of an ale-house?” “Not hard to tell,” said Cormac. “Good behaviour around a good chief Lights to lamps Exerting oneself for the company A proper settlement of seats Liberality of dispensers A nimble hand at distributing Attentive service Music in…
The Island of Sheep
They had been two weeks away from land now, fourteen days and fourteen nights on the undulating, heaving, breathing waves. They were here together, in a vessel that had appeared so strong and stalwart on the good earth. It now seemed no more than a fragile cockle shell adrift on the lucid illimitable sea. Tadhg smiled wryly…
Please be patient. Two new episodes are on their way
Hi to all Story Archaeology friends. Chris here. I just wanted to apologise for the delay in publishing our next podcast episodes. Two were recorded in August and are awaiting editing. The first is the very exciting Immráma style journey of Tadhg, son of Cian. This, little known text proved to be an unexpected literary gem…
On the Seas of Time ~ Immráma in a Broader Mythological Context.
How to define an Immrám Series Four of Acallam na nÉces has been exploring the tale type, Immráma, that is ‘Voyages’. Immráma appear in the tale list which sets out the curriculum for the qualification of poets. This list sets out the five times fifty prime stories that any self-respecting bard should have ready, as well as the twice fifty…