My last blog post of the year is up now and looks at some conflicting chronologies in the Ulster Cycle involving Medb and her family. These kinds of variations are typical of complex mythological systems and offer some interesting opportunities for us to think about how these stories might have been experienced by their original audiences and how modern readers might approach them.
#UlsterCycle #IrishLiterature #Medieval #CelticStudies #Mythology
New blog post! This week I look at how Cú Roí's soul is hidden in a golden apple inside a salmon that only appears every seven years, or, what folklorists call motif E710 External Soul. This turns out to be rare in medieval Irish literature, but more common in later folktales. I look at parallels in the stories of Cano, Cian, Conchobar, Cú Chulainn, and the Greek hero Meleager. #UlsterCycle #Celtic #CelticStudies #Irish #IrishLiterature #Folklore #Mythology #Medieval https://ulstercycle.hcommons.org/2024/11/18/cu-rois-soul-in-a-golden-apple/
Another interesting thing from the version of "The Death of Cú Roí" that I'm currently translating: unlike in the other versions, here Cú Roí's soul is hidden in an apple that is inside of a salmon that only appears every seven years. To kill Cú Roí, the apple must be cut using his own sword. You'll be able to read the story for yourself on my blog "Reading the Ulster Cycle" on Monday! https://ulstercycle.hcommons.org/
#UlsterCycle #IrishLiterature #Mythology #CelticStudies #Celtic #Irish #Blog #Medieval
I'm working on an English translation of "Version 1" of the medieval Irish text "The Death of Cú Roí," as there doesn't seem to be one. Cú Roí is known to be a sorcerer and uses magic to disguise himself in several stories. In this text though he is called "ind ammait" - "the witch/hag." The word is usually thought to be specific to women. More forthcoming on my blog, and the translation will be up Monday! #UlsterCycle #Medieval #IrishLiterature #Irish #Celtic #Blog #Mythology #CelticStudies
If you know anything about the Ulster Cycle, you know about Medb of Connacht. But do you know about her sister Derbriu? The first time I saw a reference to her story I knew nothing about her. I had a lot of fun following up various references to her story, featuring Óengus Mac ind Óc and magic pigs. In my latest blog post I share what I learned. I hope you'll find it as interesting as I did! #UlsterCycle #IrishLiterature #Mythology #Medieval #Celtic #CelticStudies #Blog https://ulstercycle.hcommons.org/2024/10/28/derbriu-and-the-pigs-of-derblinne/
Currently working on an English translation of the early version of The Death of Cú Roí, because there doesn't seem to be one. Right now I'm enjoying the part where the Ulstermen are bothered by three cows grazing their land. They try to trap them but the cows escape and the Ulstermen pursue them. Across the sea. Maybe someone was brining the cows in a boat, but if so the text certainly doesn't mention it! #UlsterCycle #Medieval #IrishLiterature #CelticStudies
The second post on my new blog about the Ulster Cycle is now up! It’s about Talland Étair, one of my favourite texts, and Athirne, one of my least favourite characters. During a siege Athirne hoards and disposes of food. I talk about the hoarding of resources, poets and the hoarding of knowledge, and suggest a thematic connection with stories of monsters who hold back the waters. I hope you enjoy it! #UlsterCycle #CelticStudies #Medieval #Mythology #IrishLiterature https://ulstercycle.hcommons.org/2024/10/21/athirne-and-the-hoarding-of-resources-in-talland-etair/
After years of reading the Ulster Cycle and teaching the Ulster Cycle and talking about the Ulster Cycle and publishing about the Ulster Cycle, I decided I might as well also blog about the Ulster Cycle, so here it is, my blog about the Ulster Cycle! The introductory post went up today and there will be more coming soon. I hope people will find it interesting and useful. #UlsterCycle #CelticStudies #Mythology #IrishLiterature #Medieval #academia #blog https://ulstercycle.hcommons.org/
Celtic studies seminar on the death of Connla:
The Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies is hosting a seminar at the National Library of Wales on 10 October 2024 at 5 pm (also available on Zoom) from Abigail Burnyeat (Sabhal Mòr Ostaig) on ‘Who’s to blame for Connla’s death? Changing causae occidendi from Aided Óenfir Aífe to Bàs Chonnlaoich’.
To register for Zoom:
https://forms.office.com/e/B5pBJXYY5G
Email cawcs@wales.ac.uk to attend in person.
CFP: Ulidia 7 Ulster Cycle conference
Ulidia 7, the Seventh International Conference on the Ulster Cycle, will take place on Ulster University's Belfast campus 25-27 June 2024.
Papers are welcome on any subject related to the Ulster Cycle. Deadline for submissions is 15 January.
Submissions and more info: ulidia7@ulster.ac.uk
#UlsterCycle #medieval #Irish #epic #mythology #archaeology #CelticStudies
CFP: ULIDIA 7: Ulster Cycle conference
ULIDIA 7: Seventh International Conference on the Ulster Cycle of Tales takes place in Belfast 25-27 June 2024. Papers are invited on any aspect of Celtic Studies relating to the Ulster Cycle, including philology, folklore, history and archaeology.
Call for papers opens: 1 November 2023
Deadline for abstracts: 15 January 2024
For more info and updates, send email to ulidia7@ulster.ac.uk
Art for today, of my namesake, from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. 🍀
My mom was 3rd generation New York Irish, and saw Deirdre as a legendary feminist heroine who battled what we now call toxic masculinity from day one of her life. Perhaps she thought the name would empower me to have Deirdre’s strength.
Deirdre of the Sorrows, by John Duncan.
#Deirdre #JohnDuncan #symbolism #IrishMythology #UlsterCycle #names
