Morgan Llywelyn’s Finn Mac Cool
In Finn Mac Cool, Llywelyn presents Finn as an opportunist. His magical beginnings/powers are just stories he makes up in the spur of the moment. They become his legend.
The High Deeds of Finn Mac Cool
A discussion of “The High Deeds of Finn Mac Cool” by Rosemary Sutcliff, focusing on Finn, Oisin, Dearmid, and Saba.
Ireland’s Immortals: Part 3
The main focus of Chapter 5 of “Ireland’s Immortals” is early thirteenth century literature, especially the Finn Cycle, where gods decline.
Ireland’s Immortals, Part 2
Part 2 of Ireland’s Immortals discusses the tenth through twelfth centuries, when the Viking Wars ended and the island was politically stable, allowing for scholarship and monastic learning. Centuries’ old writing and stories were revived. Scholars of this period have given us most of what is known of early Irish literature.
Ireland’s Immortals
A discussion of the first chapters of “Ireland’s Immortals: A History of the Gods of Irish Myth” by Mark Williams. How writers recreate gods.
Irish Wonders: Wives, Widows and Old Maids
Many of the tales in Irish Wonders are misogynistic. In this post, we look at Wives, Widows and Old Maids and the bad treatment they get.
Irish Wonders: Pookas and Banshees
A look at Irish wonders, focusing on stories of Pookas and Banshee as well as the behaviors of the spirits of the dead.
Fairyland: Brownies, Boggarts, and Banshees
To prepare for her next novel, the author learns a bit about the personnel of fairyland including brownies, boggarts, and banshees.