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…
Tag: Metrical Dindshenchas
A new conversation with Jamie Madden: The Writing of the Takings
The The Lebor Gabála tells of a series of mythical Irish migration stories, which can be traced back to a very early date. Its history is somewhat complex and, although fascinating, it is not an ‘easy read’. So, join Chris and Jamie as they share Jamie’s new telling. ‘The Writing of The Takings’. Jamie has…
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…
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 Professor Patrick Nunn
Patrick Nunn is the Professor of Geography at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. He is a leading climate change scientist, author, and a specialist on how stories from oral traditions may have encoded memories of geological and oceanic change from around seven thousand years ago. Join Chris and Patrick as they…
A Boston Dindshenchas by Jamie Madden
The completely true and absolutely false history of Boston’s annexations.“Why is only this part of Boston officially called Boston?”“Not hard to tell, Ansa… Boston was an English noble. He committed an unspeakable affront to coir and in doing so broke ageis. For this, he was cursed to live alone on a small hill, an island…
Echtrae Standish, or the Story of Merrymount by Jamie Madden
Echtrae Standish, or the Story of Merrymount“Why do they call this part of Quincy ‘Merrymount’? Why not just call it Wollaston after the Tstop?”“Oh, that one’s not hard to tell, my Ansa. Merrymount meant exactly what it said. The firstEnglish colonists had such a good time here that they named this seaside hill the Merry…
The Charles River by Jamie Madden
In the days of dreaming when the Indigenous ones still walked freely among the misty mudflatsand green hills of the Massachusett, there was a well.It was a deep hidden pool, narrowed by points of land boasting nine strong hazel trees1 whosered nuts would drop softly into the deep reflecting mirror of the well.Within its depth…
Pictures for ‘A Conversation with Jamie Madden’
I mage from Nancy Seasholes’ Gaining Ground showing extent of landfill in Boston, compared to sea level rise projection from the City of Boston’s Climate Ready Boston Map Explorer. Note, the Back Bay (the filled area on the south side of the Charles River) is expected to be spared the flooding of harbor-side neighborhoods like…