Story Archaeology
Story Archaeology combines the knowledge and skills of the storyteller with academic exploration of ancient texts. The main focus is the Irish tradition but at https://storyarchaeology.com, you will find an archive of podcast articles, stories and translations as well as new podcast conversations with people from around the world who have ‘Stories in the Landscape’ to share.
- Update frequency
- every 25 days
- Average duration
- 60 minutes
- Episodes
- 141
- Years Active
- 2012 - 2025
The Battle of Moytura 09: The Children of Tuirenn 1 – The King of Bling (Part 1)
Jim Fitzpatrick's spectacular Lugh
In the Early Modern Irish tale, "The Fate of the Children of Tuirenn", Lugh prepares to take on the might of the Fomoire hosts, seemingly single-handed. But he wil…
00:40:54 |
Tue 12 Mar 2013
The Battle of Moytura 08: A Journey Through Moytura – Stories in the Landscape
Photo by Martin Byrne
When we listen to stories of the Túatha Dé Danann and their exploits, it can be hard to remember that they are set in real physical locations. Can a landscape story-archaeology…
01:01:46 |
Wed 20 Feb 2013
The Battle of Moytura 07: Reflections of Moytura – The Landscape of a Story (Part 2)
Heapstown Cairn / Ochtriallach's Cairn
Now that we have the entire saga before us, we can take a step back and see what shapes and patterns emerge. Is the saga a patchwork of tales with unnecessary…
00:41:54 |
Thu 07 Feb 2013
The Battle of Moytura 07: Reflections of Moytura – The Landscape of a Story (Part 1)
Heapstown Cairn / Ochtriallach's Cairn
Now that we have the entire saga before us, we can take a step back and see what shapes and patterns emerge. Is the saga a patchwork of tales with unnecessary…
00:46:57 |
Thu 07 Feb 2013
The Battle of Moytura 06: Amarc na Mór Rígna – The Morrigan’s View (Part 2)
"What is there about the Lightest Light and the Darkest Dark" by Iwaski
As the last sections of our saga are revealed, the overall picture of the Battle of Moytura emerges. The Morrigan, the poet an…
00:44:29 |
Thu 24 Jan 2013
The Battle of Moytura 06: Amarc na Mór Rígna – The Morrigan’s View (Part 1)
"What is there about the Lightest Light and the Darkest Dark" by Iwaski
As the last sections of our saga are revealed, the overall picture of the Battle of Moytura emerges. The Morrigan, the poet an…
00:44:39 |
Thu 24 Jan 2013
The Battle of Moytura 05: Inna Cethóir Cerdi – The Four Craftsmen
The technology of Dían Cécht, Goibniu, Luchta and Creidne Cerd is pivotal in the Battle of Moytura. As People of Craft, the Túatha Dé Danann treasure the skills of their makers and shapers.
The Sto…
01:38:01 |
Thu 10 Jan 2013
The Battle of Moytura 04: Ar Shlicht in Dagdae – On the Track of the Dagda
"The Dagda Cup" - ceramic, made by Chris Thompson
The Dagda is one of our most enduring mythological characters. He strides through the tale of Moytura as craftsman and clown, but how much of the…
01:58:11 |
Thu 20 Dec 2012
The Battle of Moytura 03: Techt Lugo – The Coming of Lug
"Lugh, lord of all crafts" - a ceramic sculpture by Daniel Cullen
Lug Lámfhada has a Long Arm indeed, stretching all the way from Continental Celts to the Insular Isles. His role is central to Cath…
01:40:31 |
Thu 06 Dec 2012
The Battle of Moytura 02: Echtrae Breis – The Adventures of Bres
Bres by Jim Fitzpatrick
Bres the Beautiful, the Half-Blood Prince of the Túatha Dé Danann, fared little better than his modern literary counterpart. As the Battle of Moytura draws near, we explore…
01:24:30 |
Thu 22 Nov 2012
The Battle of Moytura 01: Echtrae Nuadat – The Adventures of Nuada
The Labby Rock in County Sligo: the traditional burial site of Nuada
Nuada Láim Argait, the merchant king with the Silver Arm, leads his people in wisdom and strategy for much of the saga of the Sec…
01:01:49 |
Thu 08 Nov 2012
Samhain Special: Corpse Carrying For Beginners
An Acallam na nÉces Samhain Special
In this seasonal special, the Story Archaeologists compare two stories of Samhain. It's a time for ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night... bu…
01:22:14 |
Fri 19 Oct 2012
Special: Tales of Sheebeg
The cairn-mound on Sheebeg (Sídh Beag)
An Acallam na nÉces Special
In the West of Ireland, every hill is a hollow hill, and every well is a source. But the hill we live on has many legends.
…
00:58:06 |
Thu 04 Oct 2012
Special: Trees and Ogham – When is a tree not a tree?
Ogham scripts from the Book of Ballymote
An Acallam na nÉces Special
Many people are familiar with the "Tree Alphabet" or even "Tree Calendar" derived from the ancient Irish Ogham script. But…
01:01:17 |
Thu 20 Sep 2012
Mythical Women 06: Encountering the Morrigan
Ua na gCait - The Cave of the Cat at Crúachán
Battle-hag. Nightmare. Phantom Queen. The Morrigan has been called all of these. But is the battle-cry her only anthem?
Uncover the evidence in con…
01:09:46 |
Wed 29 Aug 2012
Mythical Women 05: The Search for Brigid
St. Brigid's Well at Fochard Bríde
Brigid: the much-loved irish saint and the revered Celtic tribal ancestress. But is there a connection between the two?
Sift through the strata of her story in c…
01:21:30 |
Fri 17 Aug 2012
Mythical Women 04: The Story of Airmed
Ceramic on glass by Chris Thompson
Airmed is the daughter of the great Dé Danann physician, Dían Cécht. Together, they created the healling well of Sláine, which restored injured warriors at the Se…
00:37:22 |
Wed 01 Aug 2012
Mythical Women 03: Tales of Eithliu
"Hope" - Clay sculpture & paint by Chris Thompson
The oral tradition provides vital pieces missing from the Irish manuscripts. "The Birth of Lugh" is a prime example. Reconstruct the story-seed of…
00:40:25 |
Wed 18 Jul 2012
Mythical Women 02: The Story of Macha
Bog yew sculpture by Davy Paton
Macha gives her name to Emain Macha (Navan Fort, the seat of the Ulster kings) and to Armagh. She is also remembered for racing the king’s horses and cursing the Uls…
00:57:35 |
Wed 04 Jul 2012
Mythical Women 01: The Story of Sinann
From a painting by Chris Thompson
Sinann is the mythological source of the river Shannon, the longest river in Ireland. But who is she, and how far back does her story go? Was she a wayward girl…
00:48:16 |
Wed 20 Jun 2012
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are the property of Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody. This content is not affiliated with or endorsed by eachpod.com.