Irish mythological and hero tales were not originally written for a young audience. No they were intended for an adult audience gathered together at feasts, Óenachs and to mark special events,. Younsters may well have been present, may have enjoyed them but they weren’t considered juvenelia.
However they contain so much that younger audience will enjoy. They are full of adventures and wonders. They have characters, both male and female who show courage, compassion, ans comeradeship and demonstrate a sense of wonder, a sense of purpose, and, most definitely a sense of humour.
Of course there are books for a younger audience available. You can find tales of Cú Chulainn and episodes from the Táin Bó Cúailnge. There are popular stories in circulation such as Fionn and the Salmon of Wisdom or the somewhat depressing Children of Lir, but there are so many brilliant tales which are little known. What about Fergus mac Léte or Athirne the Unsociable; both surprising and hilarious. stories. There are so many more. Bricriu’s feast, for instance, very exciting, or the bizzare tale of the Gilla Decair and his very ugly horse.
I tell all of these stories regularly in schools and libraries. I have recorded them as audio stories and I am happy to share them. Why?
Well first they need to be shared. Second, I love auiobooks. As a story teller, I think these stories work best in this format. And why haven’t I published them? Ahh!
I will, but, if they are out ‘there’ without me than they I want to send them out properly dressed in their best and that means giving them a more authentic voice.
But until them I would love to share them. You can access them below but I will be republishing them as podcast episodes very soon.
1: Let’s start with Bricriu’s feast
When Bricriu decides to hold a party, anyone who is anyone must put in an appearance. But Bricriu has no intention of getting in a few beers and a few bowls of nibbles. No, Bricriu’s feast will set the greatest heroes of Ulster at each other’s throats and send them racing off on adventures throughout Ireland.