Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies Podcast

Tyler and Kevin encounter the divine beings who lurk in the landscape of the Boyne Valley Neolithic burial complex, including the world-famous passage tomb, Newgrange.

Note this episode contains references to sex, rape, and incest.

Main topics addressed: The Wooing of Étaín, Neolithic passage tombs, the Irish Otherworld, Newgrange, dindshenchas, cultural memory.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12e4aV8oAGNK8BCMSYGJirXXXA...

We look at the major features of the Bronze and Iron Age, again drawing upon the Lebor Gabála Érenn (The Book of Invasions) as our legendary touchstone.

Note this episode contains reference to violence and sexual topics.

Main topics addressed: The Book of Invasions, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Classical propaganda, 'Royal Sites' of Ireland.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JPExwyR2iRlRm9K-SErcv6fBmOwfgdRimqhTzuN9ZZA/...

This is a short news and announcements episode explaining upcoming changes to the podcast and when you can expect full episodes to resume (spoiler: mid-March!)

Main topics addressed: solar myth theory, podcast schedule and format.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xdtnXBSQWZbO-Nursb4yZ_uUDP6LFqRL-ONVrVoRDTM/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Chatterton, G. Rambles in the South of Ireland ...

Our new co-host Michael joins Tyler in exploring just what makes the Iron Age so mysterious. The enigmatic quality of the period is exemplified by the archaeology of the 'royal site' of Ulster, Emain Macha (Navan Fort) and a lesser-known site known as Corlea Trackway.

Note this episode contains reference to violence and sexual topics.

Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Navan Fort (Emain Macha), Corlea Trackway, La Tène.

Transcri...

The episode title is in Latin (Incipit) and Old Irish, and translates to 'The Selected Language Begins'. Tyler and Michael discuss the legendary origins of the Irish language according to Auraicept na nÉces (The Scholar's Primer) and the Lebor Gabála (The Book of Invasions), finally concluding our overview of the Book of Invasions with the fifth and final taking of Ireland by the Sons of Míl. An overview of the historic...

Tyler and Michael discuss the Hill of Tara and the legendary high kingship associated with it, alongside the actual history and archaeology of the site.

Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Tara, sacred kingship, sovereignty goddesses, and rather odd job requirements.

This episode contains references to alcohol, sex, and nudity.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l7tgf2gkqBgVRw8D-awpWCYyDY3M9v0RUkmiNOrghXE/edit?usp=sharing

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This episode surveys the earliest texts written by and about Saint Patrick, the man credited with Christianising Ireland. But is it really that simple?

Main topics addressed: Saint Patrick, hagiography, Christianity, paganism, early medieval Ireland

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdX_pAGLVz2pp2YWMYzGkJ20STLtKxjzX8nB6sLMpsE/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Muirchú’s Text in...

In the first of three episodes about early Irish writing, we explore the fascinating myths, enigmatic history, and linguistic quirks of the stone markings known as ogam or ogham.

Main topics addressed: Irish language, Latin, ogam (ogham), Ogma, early medieval Ireland.

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1gg2THDqf5Tm0JpaIus2zgpSzKA7-1oaOhbGndYL1wA0/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Binchy, D. A. 1...

In the second of three episodes about early Irish writing, we explore the nature of Ireland's earlies medieval manuscripts, including who wrote them, how they put them together, and the variety of content they contained.

Main topics addressed: manuscripts, codicology, palaeography

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_S03Lgi2WFZZ6vWfQZtEI4hGjavHkeCc-GjBqbVRCSc/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Helse...

In last of three episodes about early Irish writing, Tyler discusses the sources for Early Irish Law (a.k.a Breton law). He emphasises the importance of tradition, Christian influences, and the nature of manuscript culture in how these sources have come down to us. The law texts will serve as an important lens through which we can understand medieval Irish society.

Main topics addressed: manuscripts, Early Irish Law (Brehon Law)

Tran...

Tyler provides an overview of early medieval Irish society, discussing D. A. Binchy's description of that society as "tribal, rural, hierarchical, and familiar".

Main topics addressed: Irish petty kingdoms, cow-based currency, the social (and legal) hierarchy, kinship

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wm5oW5IHKKLWuq-GPp6wqtpF5zQINkxCrEQyumujzLI/edit?usp=sharing

References and Suggested Media:

Bes...

Tyler attempts to untangle the relationship between kingship and early Irish law through depictions of crime and compensation in The Saga of Fergus Mac Léti.

Main topics addressed: kingship, early Irish law

References and Suggested Media:

The additional music is ‘The Theme of Law & Order’ by Mike Post, 1990.

Binchy, D. A. 1952. ‘The Saga of Fergus Mac Léti’, Ériu 16, 33-48 (pp. 39-44)

Binchy, D. A. 1954. ‘Secular Instit...

We introduce a new co-host and chat about one of the most fascinating (and powerful) figures in medieval Irish society: the fili, or poet.

Main topics addressed: poets, seers, praise poetry, satire, ominous background characters, working in a bar

This episode includes sexual references and swearing.

References and Suggested Media:

Binchy, D. A. ‘The Date and Provenance of Uraicecht Becc’, Ériu 18...