As many friends of Story Archaeology will now have heard, Professor Ralph Kenna passed away and left the world we know, last Thursday. I received the sad news from his wife, Claire, last Friday. It is so very sad that it has taken me a few days to feel ready to write this post. I…
Category: Articles
Supporting articles, texts and translations and related materials for each episode
Chris’ Ramble 7: What’s in a Name?
Culture heroes, ancestor figures, genii loci, gods and godesses … Can all, or indeed, any of these terms be useful in defining some favourite characters in Irish mythology, Join Chris as she takes a walk throuh a forest of stories on a light hearted search for hidden identities. Links for this episode I have referenced…
International Association for Comparative Mythology Conference
The Conference, in late August 2023. took place at the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Roscommon. A number of attendees came from all around the world with many more participating virtually. The event was focussed but well organised and very friendly. A big, and well deserved, ‘thank you’ to the conference organisers. There was plenty of…
Rising seas and a great southern star
Aboriginal oral traditions stretch back more than 12,000 years The archaeology of orality: Dating Tasmanian Aboriginal oral traditions to the Late Pleistocene I shared a conversation with Professor Patrick Nunn from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, on longevity of stories and the memories they hold, just last year. Patrick Nunn is the author of…
The extraordinary story of Sinann: A New Paper
The inspirational figure who gave her name to Ireland longest river Great News! A new paper on the story of Sinann and the restoration of her story is now available, as a pre-print prior to publication. It is available to read here The paper has been the work of Professor Ralph Kenna with the support…
A Conversation with ÉIRÍ winner, Louise Shine
Meet Louise Shine, one of the seven adult winners of the ÉIRÍ art competition and project. So, join Chris and Ruth as they discuss, the importance of creativity in art and education, explore art and technology as well as the way in which women from Irish mythology can still speak powerfully to current issues. This…
Chris’ Ramble 6: Just how old are Irish Stories?
So how old are the Irish stories? Come to think of it what exactly is meant by old, or medieval or any of the other terms so frequently used to describe mythological stories, and… does it matter? Join Chris as she follows a familiar route and sets up a few indicative, and hopefully useful, signposts…
The Torres Strait 8: A Landmark decision
Maluw Adhil Urngu Padanu Mamuy Moesik (Legends from the deep sitting peacefully on the waters) Clare’s installation, ‘A Well at the Bottom of Sea’ formed a part of an exhibition presented by a group of artists from the Sydney Biennale, 2022: rīvus rīvus will enable aqueous beings – rivers, wetlands and other salt and freshwater…
Stories from the Southern Hemisphere
I have just returned from a journey that I used to undertake for a month each year before the pandemic changed things. I have just arrived back from Brisbane, Queensland and a month of hot sunshine, sometimes just a bit too hot! It has, of course been so good to be able to give real…
Walking with Sheela-na-gigs: a gallery
I thought I might add a few images connected to ‘Chris Ramble 4: Walking with Sheela-na-gigs’.