First-ever Mythical Ireland One-Day Introduction to Ireland's Myths & Legends a success
The inaugural Mythical Ireland One-Day Introduction to Ireland's Myths & Legends course was held at Glebe House, Dowth, last Saturday (7th March 2026).
I had been planning to do something like this for years. I have given probably several hundred public and private talks over the years. I gave my first one in the summer of the year 2000. I'm also a tour guide, leading visitors around the ancient sites of the Boyne Valley region, talking all about their myths and legends, their incredible archaeology and in many cases their astronomical alignments.
But last Saturday was a first! In summer 2023 I pulled back from full-time journalism work. I had worked in newspapers since I left school in 1993. In January of this year (2026), I decided to give up my part-time newspaper work to concentrate on Mythical Ireland. That decision gave me extra time and energy to plan new events for Mythical Ireland, and courses on subjects like myths and legends, archaeology and prehistory, and ancient astronomy, beckon!
There are going to be some nerves the first time you ever do something. I'm not generally nervous speaking in front of people. I've spoken to groups and crowds for years. The biggest one numbered several hundred. But here was an event - a one-day introduction to Irish myth - which, although I have good knowledge of the subject matter, I had never organised before.
I need not have worried. Fourteen lovely people turned up. Men and women, younger and older. Some came all the way from Galway to Meath for the day. One lady who lives in Scotland is originally from Missouri in the USA.
The plan was to lead this group through a one-day course in multiple sessions (punctuated by regular tea/coffee breaks!), giving them as broad and as comprehensive an overview to Irish mythology as is possible in eight hours!
Immediately after they had their lunch, we left Glebe House to walk to the great megalithic passage-tomb of Dowth, which is literally next door! There, I gave the group a tour of the monument and its mythology, archaeology and astronomy. We were blessed with a superb spring day. The sun shone and the sky was mostly blue.
The last session of the day was a questions and answer session and general discussion. That turned out to be a great idea, since there was a lovely broad range of topics covered, and everyone got a chance to ask questions and give input.
By the time the day finished, just after 6pm, the participants left with smiles on their faces. And I was both delighted and relieved.
If you would like to participate in this course, I am hosting it again at Glebe House on Saturday 4th April. Book your place now to avoid disappointment.
If you want to hear what last Saturday's participants thought of the day, look no further than Google Reviews. Here are some highlights:
I spent an amazing day last Saturday at the inaugural Mythical Ireland – One-Day Introduction course on Irish myths and legends with Anthony Murphy. It’s one of the best overviews of the importance of Irish myth and archaeology you could attend. Although Anthony mentioned at the start that it was his first time hosting a full-day course and that he felt a little nervous, he needn’t have worried. His expert knowledge and natural charisma shone through all day. He kept more than a dozen people truly mesmerised as he wove together ancient Irish myth, history and archaeology with many other fascinating aspects of Ireland’s past. He has the erudition of an experienced professor combined with the enthusiasm of a schoolboy. It was also wonderful to hear the perspectives of the other diverse participants during the discussions. In the afternoon we enjoyed a guided tour of Dowth megalithic tomb beside the beautiful Glebe House and Gardens where the course took place. Some of Anthony’s family members were also on hand and did a stellar job making sure everything ran smoothly, with plenty of good snacks and coffee throughout. A fantastic and memorable day. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Irish mythology, history or archaeology. - Arnold Hensman
The course was very well presented, the notes were comprehensive, thoroughly referenced and Anthony struck a lovely balance between going down rabbit holes to answer questions with associated additional extra intriguing information and delivering on the overall overview of the topics under discussion. It was scholarly but not stuffy and was accessible to the lay person/ first timer. For me the talk also struck a nice balance of being open minded to the meaning and impact of mythology without tipping into the wackier, mystical, end of things. I would highly recommend and it has definitely whetted my appetite to delve deeper. - Paul Hurley
Anthony’s level of knowledge combined with his passion for this vast topic of Irish mythology is astounding and he did an outstanding presentation to our group of participants with varying levels of background, everyone walked away with a tremendous new understanding and deeper appreciation of Irelands mythology. - Rucksack Foodie
Online course
If you are unable to get to Glebe House for the in-person course, you'll be glad to hear that I am hosting a four-week online version! Beginning on Tuesday 24th March, it will run for four consecutive Tuesdays from 8pm to 9.30pm Irish time.
