Live Irish Myths & Legends: a new series from Anthony Murphy
To counteract the negativity and anxiety around the Covid-19 (coronavirus) outbreak here in Ireland, I have started a new series of live broadcasts featuring readings and discussion of Irish myths and legends.
Episode 1: The Tuatha Dé Danann, Fomorians, Fir Bolgs and more
Episode 2: the coming of the sun-god (Lugh) and the story of the Children of Tuireann
Episode 3: Scáthach and her training of the warrior Cúchulainn
Episode 4: The Dagda, chief of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Episode 5: The Second Battle of Moytura
Episode 6: Saint Patrick in the Boyne Valley
Episode 7: Saint Sheelah, wife of Saint Patrick?
Episode 8: The Cailleach of Loughcrew
Episode 9: Aislinge Oengusso, The Dream Vision of Oengus Óg
Episode 10: Manannán mac Lir
Episode 11: Oisín in the land of Tír na nÓg
Episode 12: The High Man
Episode 13: Cesair, the first woman in Ireland
Episode 14: The Fate of the Children of Lir (part 1)
Episode 15: The Fate of the Children of Lir (part 2)
Episode 16: Bóinn, goddess of the river Boyne
Episode 17: The Coming of Finn
Episode 18: Finn's dogs, Bran and Sceolan
Episode 19: The Druids, an introduction
Episode 20: The Mórrían and Moytura
Episode 21: The Wooing of Étaín part 1
Episode 22: The Wooing of Étaín parts 2 & 3
Episode 23: Manannán mac Lir continued
Episode 24: Crom Dubh & Crom Crúaich
Episode 25: The mythology of Knowth and Dowth
Episode 26: Is Dronehenge mentioned in myth?
Episode 27: The Irish Druids, part 2
Episode 28: Niall of the Nine Hostages and kissing the hag
Episode 29: Tour of Mythical Ireland library (part 1)
Episode 30: Animals and creatures in Celtic mythology
Episode 31: The birth of Setanta/Cúchulainn
Episode 32: Cúchulainn's boyhood deeds
Episode 33: Place-name myths and legends – an introduction
Episode 34: Irish place-name myths & legends, part 2
Episode 35: Irish place-name myths & legends, part 3
Episode 36: The Best Men of the Fianna
Episode 37: The mysterious island of Hy-Brasil
Episode 38: Submerged and phantom cities
Episode 39: Brigid – goddess and saint
Episode 40: Brigid's Way, an ancient alignment
Episode 41: The Milky Way in Irish myth and legend
Episode 42: Deirdre & the Sons of Uisneach part 1
Episode 43: Deirdre & the Sons of Uisneach part 2
Episode 44: Deirdre & the Sons of Uisneach part 3
Episode 45: Synchronicity, serendipity and spontaneity
Episode 46: Open House – a chat around the hearth
Episode 47: Lebor Gabála and the arrival of the Tuatha Dé Danann
Episode 48: Lebor Gabála - Tuatha Dé Danann, redactions 2 & 3
Episode 49: Áine - Otherworld Woman
Episode 50: Onomasticon Goedelicum
Episode 51: Queen Medb
Episode 52: Early Irish Society and Brehon Laws
Episode 53: Oenach Tailteann: the Irish Olympic Games
Episode 54: May Day and the celebration of Bealtaine
Episode 55: Uisneach: Sacred Centre of Ireland
Episode 56: Ériu, Guardian Goddess of Ireland
Episode 57: Bealtaine and May Day celebrations part 2
Episode 58: Bealtaine and May Day celebrations part 3
Episode 59: Lebor Gabála - the arrival of the Fir Bolg
Episode 60: Astronomical alignments of ancient sites
Episode 61: The Cygnus Enigma
Episode 62: Orion in Irish Mythology part 1
Episode 63: Orion in Irish mythology part 2
Episode 64: Is Fourknocks mentioned in Irish myth
Episode 65: Baltray – Myths & Megaliths
Episode 66: Knowth kerb 52 - The Calendar Stone
Episode 67: The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel part 1
Episode 68: The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel part 2
Episode 69: The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel part 3
Episode 70: The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel part 4
Episode 71: Ireland's lost Stonehenge – an astronomer's circle
Episode 72: The Settling of the Manor of Tara
Episode 73: Mythical Ireland library tour part 2
Episode 74: Newgrange – The Test of Time
Episode 75: Newgrange - Tomb or Womb?
Episode 76: Newgrange, Lecc Benn and The Mata
Episode 77: Newgrange: cooperation or enforced labour?
More Blog Sections
Ancient Sites
Enter the ‘Ancient Sites’ section of this blog for a fascinating and wide-ranging exploration of the megalithic and sacred sites of Ireland. Find out all about the Stone Age and prehistoric ruins and learn more about the possible functions and alignments of these sites. Visit the great temples of Brú na Bóinne, the Hill of Tara, the ancient cairns of Loughcrew among many others.
Myths & Legends
Explore the ancient myths, legends and folklore of Ireland and their meaning. Read the epic Táin Bó Cuailnge, or the place-name myths in the Dindshenchas. Learn about how the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Milesians came to Ireland and how the early texts describe various invasions of prehistoric Éire. Hear about Fionn and the Fianna, and discover how some myths might contain information about astronomy and the stars.
Astronomy & the Sky
There is no doubt that the ancient megalith builders had a substantial knowledge of the movements of the sun, moon, planets and stars through the heavens. Learn more about just how complex and impressive this knowledge was. There is evidence that the people of the Neolithic knew about the 19-year Metonic cycle of the moon, as well as being able to predict eclipses.
Videos and films
Videos featuring Anthony Murphy/Mythical Ireland or relating to the many diverse topics explored on the website.
My Books
Information and posts about Anthony Murphy's books. These include Island of the Setting Sun: In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers, Newgrange: Monument to Immortality, Land of the Ever-Living Ones, The Cry of the Sebac and Mythical Ireland: New Light on the Ancient Past.