eight to adult!
The early Irish stories are epic! They involve heroic, and often impetuous heroes who undertake fantastic feats of skill, or blunder into some very strange adventures indeed. There are eloquent quick thinking women; who are clever poets, healers, problem solvers and warriors. The stories are exciting, funny and unpredictable. So many are just not available in modern tellings, for a younger age-group, I hope this iexpanding collection of stories will help to fill the gap.
Below are a selection, presented as audio stories. Some video stories are also to be found under the Materials for Schools top navigation heading . Watch out for more stories.
A Story to begin with: The underwater aventure of Fergus mac Léite
Fergus mac Léite is a great introduction to the marvelous Irish stories. Fergus isn’t the most famous Ulster king but this is an exciring and entertaining story which is impossible to tell without setting it into the context of pre-Norman Irish society, . So find out:
- How to become, and remain ‘top’ king or queen
- How to discover ‘superhero’ treasure and how fight a Péiste; an Irish water monster.
- What to do sf you meet the Lúchorpáin, possibly .the origininal leprechaun. (no rainbow or crock of gold here but loads of magical treasure.)
Stories of the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Mythological Cycle
The Mythological Cycle of stories is a long continuous narrative tale concerning the the mystrious Tuatha De Danann. The story includes actions of some of the most centrally signidicant,, and likely indigenous, Irish ancestor figures and culture heroes. Here you will find Goibniu the smith, Dagda and his partner, Morrigan, Ogma, Nuada of the ‘siver hand’, Dian Cecht the healer and many more.
- The cycle is available as a series of manageable audio tales. You can access them all through this link.
Stories from the the Ulster Cycle, the Táin Bó Cúailnge and its remscéla
- Bricrius Feast. A starting point for Cú Chulainn and his friends to attempt some crazy adventures just to find out which of them is the best. This is a long story told in four parts.
- The Two Pig Keeper poets: This is an origin tale for the battle of the Two Bulls between Connacht and Ulster. It is a story of time-and-shape shifting but most importantly, a reminder of why it is best not to quarrel with your neighbours!
- Scathach’s Story. So what did Cú Chulainn,get up to as a boy and how did he become such a famous warrior? This story is told by Scathach the woman who trained him how to fight!
- The Adventures of Nera: A story set at a Samhain Rathcroghan feast. Nera goes on a terrifying ‘Otherworld’ journey which has a significant part to play in the Táin Bó Cúailnge. This story is told in two parts.
- Findabhair’s story: One evening Medb’s daughter overhears her mother and Ailill quarrelling over which of them own the most posessions. Findabhair cannot foretell that this disagreement will eventually lead to a destructive war .
Stories of Finn and the Fianna
- :The Gilla Decair and his ugly horse: A hilarious ‘Finn and the Fianna’ story This is a long story told in three parts.
- The dreadful adventure of Conan Maol. Discover a unique hero super-skill!