Déithe na Spéire | Baile | Seinnteoir | TG4

A Science/History documentary from TG4 gives viewers a revolutionary new insight into Ireland's ancient sites: Déithe na Spéire | Baile | Seinnteoir | TG4

Irish Myths: The Children of Lir

Irish Myths: The Children of Lir

Today we have a featured story from The Emerald Isle, and Dee Dee Chainey talks to Ronan Burke, who runs the website – a great place to find stories of Ireland and its legends! - See more at: Folklore Thursday

Today we have a featured story from The Emerald Isle, and Dee Dee Chainey talks to Ronan Burke, who runs the website – a great place to find stories of Ireland and its legends! - See more at: http://folklorethursday.com/myths/the-children-of-lir/#sthash.MoSpAuKi.uDww3Ny2.dpuf

Today we have a featured story from The Emerald Isle, and Dee Dee Chainey talks to Ronan Burke, who runs the website – a great place to find stories of Ireland and its legends! - See more at: Folklore Thursday

Today we have a featured story from The Emerald Isle, and Dee Dee Chainey talks to Ronan Burke, who runs the website – a great place to find stories of Ireland and its legends!

Read it here: Folklore Thursday.

Another Film about Cúchulainn?

Michael Fassbender is to take the lead in a new project written by Ronan Bennett, whose credits include Public Enemies and The Hamburg Cell.

Fassbender will star as Cuchulain, the central hero of the Ulster Myth Cycle in the film (one of the four branches of Irish mythology), which has a working title Irish Myths.

Development funding is already in place for the project which is being produced by Finn McCool Films, the London based production company set up by Fassbender and Bennett.

It is not yet known who will direct the project.

Fassbender is currently in Berlin promoting Haywire. He will next be seen in Prometheus for Ridley Scott.

So says "Screen Daily".

One wonder how this affects the plans for "Hound" being produced by Breakthru Films.

The Curse of Macha: Pilot Feature Film Production

This project is being funded through donations by the general public, using We Fund.  If you're interested in helping, or are just curious, please click here to read more.

Awakened by the onslaught of an invasion, Emer is forced to succumb to the horror of her children missing and the burning flames of her dying village. Rather than accept her fate, she breaks free of the carnage to find another village and a group of warriors willing to take up her cause and find out the truth of this nightmare.


What unfolds is a daring attempt to reach the ancient city of Emain Macha, the stronghold of the Ulaidh (Ulster) Tribes. But with political and religious influences on the struggle for power over the northern territories of Ireland, our heroes our met with overwhelming odds stacked against them. It is with Emer, that the fate of the Ulaidh tribes lays, and through her courage and strength the promise to embrace her children once more.


Many myths and legends have echoed through Ireland's forests, none so infamous than the Táin Bó Cúailgne, an epic tale of greed, lust and pride. 3 deadly sins that have plagued Ireland's shores for an eternity. Our story focuses on one mother’s nightmare and one peoples plight in a land steeped in religious and political turmoil.  Set in the 4th Century AD, Ireland is a land inconstant upheaval. Kings, Queens, Priestess and Warlords battle among themselves for power. All the while the masses struggle to survive daily life in an Ireland that is one dark environment.


The Film is based on the Irish myths of the Táin Bó Cúailgne, our story is an original screenplay by Chris Lennon and Paul Michael.

Cúchulainn on the Big Screen

It would appear that the story of the Irish mythological hero, Cúchulainn, is to be made into a film.  I have seen the odd news item, here and there, announcing it as being in pre-production.  According to the film company, the movie is to be made along the lines of 300, and Beowulf, wherein the actors are real, but everything else is CGI.  The graphics seem okay on the Facebook pages.  If they get it right, it could be a cracking film, and I hope they do get it right, as I would like to see more mythology revived in the minds of the general public.

I imagine it's going to be a long, long wait before we see this film in the cinema, since it is currently in pre-production and there are no details of any sort, just synopses.

Unforgiving

I have to acknowledge that I am an unforgiving person. I have always been so, even growing up within the Catholic faith, forgiveness was a tenet I never understood. Turning the other cheek was something I thought you ought to do when drawing back your fist, or other weapon before striking your enemy down with full force.

I have always felt that when someone wrongs me, I am entitled to compensation of a sort, even if its just an apology, but I'd prefer they suffer as I had. Perhaps this is why the laws of the ancients always appealed: they always extracted a price for wrongdoing. For instance, the price extracted by Lugh from the Sons of Tuireann for the slaughter of Cian. Although Lugh thought the tasks he set might kill them, the Sons of Tuireann return triumphant, and the debt is satisfied. To me that (almost) makes sense.

It has always been a strange thing to me that the male of the species is able to engage in violent, physical combat and, even if one comes out clearly the winner, both can consider the matter which was the catalyst for the fight closed and resume their previous (good) relationship. I acknowledge this is not always the case, but I have seen it occur often enough, and it occurs regularly in the myths. For my own part, I can consider a matter closed, but it will remain on record in my memory banks.

Don't get me wrong: I don't demand compensation for every slight or from every opponent. I am quite happy to debate matters, and will even take an opposing side in order to gain a deeper understanding of another's point of view, or just to play devil's advocate. I rarely take offence during an argument and rarely do I take such things personally; in fact, others have commented on my inability to take personal offence. Provided no personal insults are slung, I see no reason to seek satisfaction.

What I cannot do is forgive anyone, or anything that attacks me, my family or my friends, nor will I forget, which may separate me from the ancients. Just because someone pays the price for their actions against me, it does not necessarily follow I will forget the matter. A trust will have been broken and no compensation can restore trust.

I realised over the weekend, that I have no qualms about being the unforgiving sort. I used to feel (the Catholic) guilt over not being able to forgive, or turn the other cheek, but not anymore. Its how I feel; how I am. I am not inclined to change either.

Cú Chulainn becomes Animated in children’s TV series

Cú Chulainn, one of Ulster's most famous legendary characters, is the hero of this five part cartoon series. In five action filled five-minute programmes we follow his daring deeds from his boyhood to his tragic death.

This bilingual series contributes to a range of learning areas across the Northern Ireland KS1 and KS2 curricula including Language and Literacy, The World Around Us, Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and Art and Design.

English and Irish Language versions of the site and series are available via the English and Gaelige links.