An Acallam na nÉces Samhain Special In this seasonal special, the Story Archaeologists compare two stories of Samhain. But what could such stories tell us about life 100 or even 1,000 years ago? Find out as the Story Archaeologists, Chrus and Isolde, go digging one dark night. I am reposting this episode, one of my…
Category: Specials
Exploring Samhain: A glimpse into the past
The festival of Samhain, is one that has been celebrated, in one form or another, for a very long time. In the early Irish stories it was a time for gatherings and feasting. But how has it changed in more recent times? Join Chris as she explores The ‘Schools’ Folklore collection” finding some fascinating Halloween…
Chris Ramble 9: An Irish Winter Solstice Journey
Grianstad an Gheimhridh, the winter solstice is that special moment when the year turns and the hours of daylight, begin slowly to increase. This time of year has long been a cause for reflection and celebration. So, join Chris on yet another ramble, as she explores an Irish Winter Solstice journey. Links for this episode…
Extolling the Holly ~ revisited
Season’s Greetings / Happy Holidays / A Joyful Solstice …. or just here comes 2024!!! Whicherver suits you best I do want to send my very best seasonal wishes to all listeners, readers, or discovers of, or to, Story Archaeology. I was unexpectdly busy through November and most of December. Also, for a variety of…
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…
The Dagda’s Cauldron ~ A home-brew supplemental
In the audio article ‘The Dadga’s Cauldron’ I was speculating, in a somewhat lighthearted moment, that the transformative element of the Dagda’s wonderful cooking pot from which no-one went away unsatisfied might have been connected to memories of early fermentation processes, i.e. the brewing of beer. There has been plenty of evidence for feasting at…
The Dagda’s Cauldron ~ A Seasonal Special!
The Dagda with his cauldron of abundance, from which none leave unsatisfied, epitomises the deep and ancient yearning we feel for mid-winter indulgence and good company. It may be that the cauldron had more to offer than just a solid meal. Join Chris, from the Story Archaeologists, as she dips into this extravagant cooking pot….
Some questions answered by The Story Archaeologists
We regularly receive questions from listeners and readers. We try to answer them as soon as we can but many are well worth exploring in more detail. Here we discuss just three. Firstly there is the problem of ‘coir’, a word that we use regularly in episodes to express an important but complex concept. Another…
The Mysteries of Midir: a Samhain Special
What did happen to Midir? Why does he appear in so few stories? It is a mystery. A murder mystery? Could be. Certainly Midir’s reputation was usurped and he, himself, seems to have been, effectively, ‘disappeared! For a more ‘in depth’ examination of this topic go to: In Search of Midir or In Search of…
The Otherworld and How to Get There!
So many of the old Irish stories tell of an Otherworld that lies so close to our own. If you want to discover what the stories have to say about getting there, what you might find when you arrive, and when, or if, you might return, then join Chris in this audio-article exploration. Apologies for…