Tales of Britain and Ireland

17: Fionn MacCumhaill Part 4: Oh deer (Oisín)

This episode we continue working our way through the origin phase of the Fenian cycle featuring everything you’ve grown to expect from a Fionn story: an evil Sidhe, animal transformations, and blatant overuse of Irish incidental music. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-17-fionn-maccumhaill-part-4-oh-deer-oisin/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends

16. Fionn MacCumhaill Part 3: Bran

Today we're back in the world of mythological Ireland, as we return to the tales of Fionn MacCumhaill. It's backstory time and changes are afoot, not least of strongly held opinions. We'll learn about the dangers of an angry ex, the benefits of signing a pre-nup with your nephew and how a beloved pet really can be one of the family. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-16-fionn-maccumhaill-part-3-bran/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends

15: Christmas Ghosts part 2: The Shadow

The second part in our look at Festive Ghost stories this episode is an unusual one for this podcast, featuring a straight reading of E. Nesbit’s wonderful Ghost Story “The Shadow” featuring no rambling asides, and little incidental music. Suggest listening to our first Christmas Ghost episode first, but if you’re still keen given to then give this a listen afterwards. If you're new to this podcast I probably wouldn't start here! Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-14-15-christmas-ghosts/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends

14: Christmas Ghosts part 1

In this slightly delayed festive (read: spooky) episode we’ve got a number of ghost stories from the British Isles, featuring peculiar Medieval spooks of Yorkshire, toe-curlingingly embarrising attempts at emulating the crypt Keeper, Lovecraftian horrors of Victorian London and the nineteenth century’s most unflappable headmaster. After that there’s also another episode released today featuring a reading of E. Nesbit’s 1910 Ghost Story “The Shadow”. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-14-15-christmas-ghosts/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends

13: The Black Bull of Norroway

A Scottish fairy tale, name checked by none other than J.R.R. Tolkien features a whole lot of threes, an Epic Battle (off camera), a very valuable apple (no Steve Jobs required) and a fast and loose attitude to tying up narrative threads. Musical credits, sources and more at: https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-13-the-black-bull-of-norroway/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends #fairytales

12: Mabinogion Branch 1, Part 2: Rhiannon

Concluding the first Branch of the Mabinogion we pick up again with Pwyll and Rhiannon. This time they'll be contending with legal technicalities, murder most foul, a dark game of horsey, claws encounters and Pwyll's general ineptitude. And I’ll fail to use the pun clawstrophobia. Much to my chagrin. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-11-12-first-branch-of-the-maginogion-pwyll-and-rhiannon/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends #welshmythology

11: Mabinogion, First Branch, Part 1: Pwyll

This episode we begin our look at the renowned collection of medieval Welsh tales, the Mabinogion. Join Pwyll prince of Dyfed on an unusual job swap, featuring a magical horse, some colourful hounds, acts of both uncivility and propriety, and some very dodgy pronunciation. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episodes-11-12-first-branch-of-the-maginogion-pwyll-and-rhiannon/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends #welshmythology

10: The Hand of Glory (Bonus Halloween episode)

With Halloween right around the corner we have a short bonus episode looking at another spooky tale. This story from Kent is not strictly about Halloween but does feature a host of seasonal favourites: Black magic, dismembered body parts, murder and a pug. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-10-the-hand-of-glory/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends

9: The Buried Moon

A creepy Lincolnshire legend features a collection of evil creatures that haunt the darkness, spells to keep them away and a possible moral about knowing your place in the world. Especially if you have got a really important job to do. Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofbritainandireland.com/episode-9-the-buried-moon/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends

8: Origins of Britain Part 2: Brutus

Concluding our look at the mythic origins of Britain we learn about the link between Troy and the founding of London by way of a murder packed cruise around the Mediterranean with everyone’s favourite cuddly hero Brutus (not that Brutus). Musical credits, sources and more at https://talesofthebritishisles.com/episode-8-origins-of-britain-part-2-brutus/ #myth #mythology #folklore #legends