Shows
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E15: Up the WorkersThis episode was originally recorded in August 2025: apologies for the delay on getting it out!Tyler and Saoirse discuss independent freemen, dependent workers, and slaves in medieval Ireland, and things get a wee bit political.Main topics addressed: status and professions for the on-nemed ('noble'/privileged) classes in early medieval Ireland.This episode includes swearing and we discuss connections we perceive between the medieval situation and potentially contentious current world issues including racism, immigration, and fascism.References and Suggested Media:Boyle, Elizabeth. Fierce Appetites (London: Penguin, 2023)CARANTES...
2025-11-102h 30
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E14: Who's your Daddy?Tyler and Saoirse have too much fun questioning the medieval Irish patriarchy.Main topics addressed: patriarchy, misogyny, women, and children in early medieval Ireland.This episode includes sexual references and swearing.References and Suggested Media:‘Debility of the Ultonian Warriors’ in Hull, Eleanor, The Cuchullin Saga in Irish Literature (London: David Nutt, 1898).Fitzsimmons, F. ‘Fosterage and Gossiprid in Late Medieval Ireland: Some New Evidence’ in Duffy, P. J., Edwards, D. and FitzPatrick, E. (eds.) Gaelic Ireland c. 1250-1650: Land, Lordship, and Settlement (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001), pp. 138–149.‘How Cú Chula...
2025-09-012h 09
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E13: The Good, the Bad, & the PoetryWe 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 barThis episode includes sexual references and swearing.References and Suggested Media:Binchy, D. A. ‘The Date and Provenance of Uraicecht Becc’, Ériu 18 (1958), 44-56Breatnach, Liam. Uraicecht na Ríar: The Poetic Grades in Early Irish Law (Dublin: DIAS, 1987).Gwynn, Edward. ‘Sinann I’ and ‘Sinann II’ in The Metrical Dindshenchas v...
2025-06-091h 41
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E12: Law and Order: Royal Victims UnitTyler 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 lawReferences 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 Institutions’, Early Irish Society 8, 52-65Kelly, F. A Guide to Early Irish Law (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2020), pp. 17-26McLeo...
2025-03-1042 min
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E11: Of Kings, Kin, and CowsTyler 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, kinshipTranscript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wm5oW5IHKKLWuq-GPp6wqtpF5zQINkxCrEQyumujzLI/edit?usp=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Best, R. I. ‘The Settling of the Manor of Tara’, Ériu 4 (1910), 121-172.Kelly, F. A Guide to Early Irish Law (Dublin: Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2020).McLeod, N. ‘Kinship’, Ériu 51 (2000), 1-22.
2025-01-2042 min
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E10: Word of LawIn last of three episodes about early Irish writing, Tyler discusses the sources for Early Irish Law (a.k.a Brehon 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)Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_S03Lgi2WFZZ6vWfQZtEI4hGjavHkeCc-GjBqbVRCSc/edit?usp=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Best, R...
2024-12-301h 21
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E09: Words on VellumIn 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, palaeographyTranscript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_S03Lgi2WFZZ6vWfQZtEI4hGjavHkeCc-GjBqbVRCSc/edit?usp=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Helsen, Kate. ‘Codicology’ video lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVDvpfXbOdgHelsen, Kate. ‘Codicology and Palaeography’ video lecture. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r3EQtyYSCwMurray, K...
2024-12-0259 min
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E08: Words in StoneIn 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=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Binchy, D. A. 1961. ‘The Background of Early Irish Literature’, Studia Hibernica 1, 7-18.Carey, John. 2014. ‘Ogmios and the Eternal Word’, Cosmos, 30, 1-35.Celtic Inscribed Stones Project...
2024-08-051h 40
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E07: The Coming of the FaithThis 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 IrelandTranscript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sdX_pAGLVz2pp2YWMYzGkJ20STLtKxjzX8nB6sLMpsE/edit?usp=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Muirchú’s Text in English’. https://confessio.ie/more/muirchu_english# Bieler, L. 2011. ‘Tírechán’s Text in English’. https://confessio.ie/more/tirechan_english# Carey, J. (with O’Loughlin, T.). 20...
2024-07-2240 min
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E06: Interview with a DeityTyler 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=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Bhreathnach, E. (ed.) 2005. The Kingship and Landscape of Tara.Bhreathnach, E. and Newman, C. 1995. Tara.Ca...
2024-07-081h 09
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E05: Incipit Bérla TepideThe 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 historical reality of the development of Irish and the other Celtic languages concludes the episode.Main topics addressed: Iron Age, Irish language, Scholar's Primer, Book...
2024-04-021h 10
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E04: The Enigmatic Iron AgeOur 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.Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YLhg0DDC7mZqkCyB8zFIh00vIPUBb8IXb6ugeO6t5AY/edit?usp=sharingReferences and Suggested Med...
2024-03-181h 14
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 A01: 'Sun Altar' Rediscovered? + Pod NewsThis 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=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:Chatterton, G. Rambles in the South of Ireland During the Year 1838. London: Saunders and Otley, 1839. https://archive.org/details/ramblesinsouthi03chatgoog/mode/2up Davies, E. Mythology and Rites of the British Druids. London: J. Booth, 1809. https://a...
2024-02-2507 min
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E03: Bronze & IronWe 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/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media:An Iron Age bog body and his leather arm ring: http://irisharchaeology.ie/2015/05/treasures-from-the-bog-an-iron-age-leather-arm-ring-from-co-offaly/ Br...
2024-02-111h 12
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E02: Catching the SunTyler 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/12e4aV8oAGNK8BCMSYGJirXXXAyRj96zcon0itKHDWfM/edit?usp=sharing References and Suggested Media:Bergin, O. and Best, R. I. ‘Tochmarc Étaíne’, Ériu, 12 (1938), pp. 142-193. Available on Irish Sagas Online: htt...
2024-01-2845 min
Fabula Celtica: A Celtic Studies PodcastS01 E01: The First Takings of IrelandTyler and Kevin introduce the podcast, themselves, and our first series, 'Ancient Ireland'. We look at medieval legends about the earliest inhabitants of Ireland and compare these to what archaeology tells us about the people who first arrived on the island 10,000 years ago.Note this episode contains sexual references..Main topics addressed: The Book of Invasions, Mesolithic Period, Neolithic Period, Megalithic Tombs.Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WcErp75tLxcO-d_y7-T33edB21wQYFx1bqMZQ509fhw/edit?usp=sharingReferences and Suggested Media:‘Ceide Fields & Downpatrick Head’, Marren's Magi...
2024-01-221h 00