National Leprechaun Museum Talking Stories Podcasty

Its Episode 58 and today Paudie and Mark sit down and scratch their heads as Fáin delivers the kind of oddity that only Fáin can. Sometimes things are best left where you find them, thankfully this story was made to share!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at…

To Celebrate this Lúnasa we have Paudie to take you to a very special time, the birth of Lugh, late comer to the Tuatha de Danann but the man whos love for his Step Mother is so intertwined with this great festival! Mark and Molly are back but with very little they can add to this most epic of tales.If you have any question you'd like us to answer,…

Now its Brendan's turn to tell us a story with their signature enthusiasm and buoyancy! If that wasnt enough of a treat Mark is joined by our newest Storyteller Molly for some colourful commentary and insight as we hear how a young Fionn carve out his destiny.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stor…

Join Storytellers Naoise and Mark as they sit down this month for a new old tale from the one and (thankfully "only") Paudie. Even the great Warriors of Ireland deserve a day off .... but unfortunately for them it seems there really is no rest for the wicked!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stori…

Join Storytellers Jade and Mark as they sit down this month for a true feast of a tales from the delightful Dee. Its a story of Na Fianna .... but not one you'd hear all too often growing up in Ireland.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie with…

Its Mark and the Museum's newest Storyteller Ceecee as they sit down together to break bread and listen to the mysterious tale of The Dark Rider as told by Naoise, a strangely familiar story. Its a cautionary tale and as we well know, those who dont heed warnings usually end up being the stories we tell in the future!If you have any question you'd …

Naoise and Mark sit themselves down to listen to the haunting story of The Swam Maiden told by Deirdre, told as only she can. Connections are made, comparisons are drawn and at the end of the day its a story with a message.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us a…

This Episode Paudie and Mark are taken on a journey to Donegal with Lenny at the storytelling wheel. The mysterious waters of Loch Derg are explored and of course treasures and topics are uncovered!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie with #As…

Join the dynamic duo Paudie and Lenny as they explore the tale of one of Ireland's greatest warriors. How Cuchulainn Got His Name is an Irish classic and its a story Mark has been telling since the museum open back in 2010. We look at villians and heroes, and who decides which is which. Of course Lenny cant do a podcast with talking about dogs but …

In today's episode Lenny tells the story of the Dagda's Harp, while Paudie and Mark discuss the story, Brighid, the Dagda and family!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie with #AskAStoryteller or find us on Instagram @leprechaunmuseum.Featuring…

Jade is back but this time to tell us a story! The tale of the Lady of Gollerus is one of those classic tragic Irish tales that Jade was born to tell. Deirdre and Mark listen to and discuss the twists and turns this story takes, how stories from our past can help us to talk about topic such as consent and entitlement.If you have any question you'd …

The wonderful Deirdre tells us a story that skirts at the edge of creepy in a way that only she can! The man in this story is clearly suspicious of any woman who is independently wealthy.Mark is joined by Storyteller Jade (who's own podcast AboutABook is a joy to the ears), as they discuss the mysteries of the sea as they long for a day at the beac…

In todays episode Stiofáin tells the story of the Piper of Knockfierna. Mark takes a look at how, while this story seems quite fantastical, really its handled in such an every day way. He also thinks back to the field trip back in February 2020 when the museum's Storytellers scaled Knockfierna and immersed themselves in the stories!If you have any …

In todays episode Paudie tells the story of Bicriu's Feast. Mark and Brendan discuss the story, in Brendan's debut episode of the podcast!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie with #AskAStoryteller or find us on Instagram @leprechaunmuseum.Feat…

In todays episode Mark tells the story of The Rathcoffey Púca. Paudie and Jade discuss the story, in Jades debut episode of the podcast!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie with #AskAStoryteller or find us on Instagram @leprechaunmuseum.Featur…

Naoise tells the story of Daniel Crowley and the Corpse, affectionately referred to in the museum as the Corpse Disco. Mark and Paudie discuss the story, how a story can have many different endings and if they all exist within the one universe.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like u…

In anticipation of spooky season just around the corner, Naoise brings us the classic Samhain tale of Taig O'Kane. Join Deirdre and Tara as they listen and discuss the idea of running from your responsibilities and the consequences you could face on a dark Irish road, how traveling alone at night is never a good thing, and how important the strange…

Mark is back in the Storytelling seat to bring us the tale of The Three Geese. Paudie and Deirdre listen to and discuss the twists and turns this story takes, from how far you can take a lovers quarrel, an Irish funeral, and how much trouble a goose can cause in ones life.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to dis…

Paudie returns to the podcast today to bring us The Great Potato, the captivating story of a woman who puts her skills in exaggeration and embellishment to the test... But to what end?Mark is joined by podcast-newcomer Tara, as they discuss the history and uses of the potato in Ireland and Irish folklore, and their own personal relationship with wh…

Museum director Tom returns as a Storyteller to bring us one of the museum's most beloved stories, the Legend of Knockgrafton. Mark and Eleanor delight in Tom's unique telling, as well as discuss the beautiful but poisonous foxglove plant, the enduring and unusual appeal of Lusmore as a folkloric protagonist, and Mark wonders: what if Lusmore was q…

Eleanor has a wide-ranging conversation with museum director Tom O'Rahilly about the power of live oral storytelling, the state of storytelling in Europe, and where the idea for the National Leprechaun Museum came from. And they listen to a story! Deirdre tells a story of two lads in Cork who give some rich folks more than they bargained for, liter…

Eleanor goes from co-host to Storyteller in this episode, telling a story of two brothers from Donegal who fight over a woman and lose nearly everything in the process. Mark is joined by Lenny to discuss the ferocity of sibling rivalry, how to talk to animals, and Lenny's dislike of the sea and all she holds in her.If you have any question you'd li…

In Paudie's story, Fionn Mac Cumhail and the merry men of the Fianna are trapped by Conaran of the Tuatha Dé Danann and his three daughters who are as hairy as they are wicked, and their only hope lies in the hands of the man who killed Fionn's father... Mark and Eleanor relish this tale, as well as reminisce on the museum's recent beach day out, M…

Deirdre brings a tale more commonly associated with the Brothers Grimm - seven little goats are tricked by a wolf and swallowed whole, but their mother has a trick up her sleeve... Mark and Eleanor discuss how this could have possibly been told as a children's story (!), how storytellers can portray animals using only their voices, and Eleanor desc…

Diarmuid, the Fianna's most handsome warrior (thanks to that love spot), shows kindness to a cailleach hag on a stormy night, and wakes up the next morning with a beautiful new wife, an enormous new house, and three wonderful greyhound puppies - life couldn't be better! Paudie tells us how Diarmuid ends up making a mess of it all. Eleanor and Mark …

Would you marry Cúchulainn? Emer did, against her father's wishes, but it's not easy being the wife of Ireland's greatest hero. Deirdre tells us the story of Emer, Cúchulainn's wife, and Paudie and Mark discuss Celtic Ireland's attitudes towards marriage, Fearghail's efforts to prevent his daughter marrying the Hound of Ulster, and how their views …

Ahead of Saint Brendan's feast day on 16 May, Eleanor and Paudie are transported to Tom's retelling of St. Brendan's Voyage, on which Ireland's third saint could have sailed to America a thousand years before Christopher Columbus (and a little before the Vikings too)! Tom O'Rahilly, Director of the National Leprechaun Museum, shares his first story…

Paudie shares the surreal and magical love story of Midir and Etain, two star-crossed lovers who navigate time, space, and games of Irish chess to be together. Mark and Deirdre discuss the story along with Midir and Etain's happy and unhappy endings, if blame and fault are helpful when discussing a story, and encountering lads like Midir on Tinder.…

Lenny brings us a Dublin tale from the coastal village of Baldoyle, a story of a shipwreck by Ireland's Eye and the hunt for its bounty. Mark and Paudie discuss the storyteller's physical approach to building characters, old Irish death customs, and the beautiful county of Kerry.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us…

Mark tells the darkly funny tale of Hudden, Dudden, and Donal O'Leary, three farmers in a battle of wits for their livelihoods and their very lives. Deirdre and Eleanor discuss this twisted story along with sharing a story of a museum-wide game of Hide and Seek, and explain the common Irish terms "cute hoor", "gobshite", and "acting the maggot".If …

March is the month of St. Patrick's Day, a perfect time for a leprechaun story! Paudie introduces us to the first leprechaun story, recorded in the 8th century from the Saga of Fergus Mac Léti, starring a feisty leprechaun queen, a porridge-mad king, and leprechaun assassins! Mark and Eleanor also discuss why we shouldn't make "leprechaun traps", t…

Eleanor and Deirdre (no, not that Deirdre) explore the tragic love story Deirdre of the Sorrows told by Naoise (no, not THAT Naoise either...) Along the way they discuss J. M. Synge's play adaptation which had its own tragedy, Naoise as the Snow White of men in Irish mythology, and wonder if Deirdre's sorrow could have been averted?If you have any …

Did you know that the Irish people originally came from the north of Spain? Mark and Eleanor follow the path of the Sons of Mil as Paudie tells the story of how they took Ireland from the Tuatha De Danann. Along the way they wonder what the appeal of Ireland actually was for foreign invaders, Mark notes the impact of our mythology on Irish revoluti…

Mark and Eleanor listen to Stephen's take on The Birth of Oisín, and discuss the importance of exploring classic or well-known stories from different perspectives, explore Sadbh's dilemmas, and thoroughly enjoy Stephen's storytelling!If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell,…

The bold and precocious Mark and Eleanor listen to Andy's telling of How Fionn Mac Cumhaill Became Leader of the Fianna, the noble band of Irish warriors, and discuss what the Fenian Cycle could have in common with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, how to become a leader of warriors or storytellers, and the awkward situation of working with the guy wh…

In Episode 23 of Talking Stories, Paudie and Lenny dive into The Magic Spring, told by Sarah, and discuss the importance of water and wells in Irish folklore, dying of embarrassment as a teenager, and the dangers with leaders keeping precious resources to themselves.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, …

CW: mentions of capital punishment, murderDeirdre and Stephen dive into the true tale of Lady Betty, the hangwoman of Roscommon Jail in the 18th century, and discuss the possible motivations behind taking up executing as a career, folk medicine as folklore, and the harsh life that Betty herself lived.If you have any question you'd like us to answer…

Eleanor and Tom (Director of the National Leprechaun Museum) examine the story of The Pig-Faced Woman of Dublin and discuss other stories of pig-faced woman, how this story could have become a part of Dublin folklore, and wonder at an evolving Dublin city over the centuries.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to d…

Eleanor and Mark explore Stephen's story of Poor Man's Bridge near the town of Abbeyleix, Co. Laois, and discuss the Poor Man himself, the "Bacach Ruadh" or Red Beggarman, dying a wealthy miser, and possible leprechauns in Brazilian folklore?If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us …

Mark (the Abrasive) and Eleanor (the Measured) are talking stories - specifically a story called The Cave of the Cats, set in Rathcroghan Co. Roscommon, a gateway to the Otherworld. They take this story of diplomacy and terrifying cats told by Emily, and discuss Queen Maeve, navigating old stories when history is written by the victors, and the fra…

In this episode Eleanor and Alice are talking stories! They take a well-known story The Piper and the Pooka, told by museum storyteller Deirdre, and discuss púcas in rural Ireland, ask if Mothman could be a Púca(!), and the importance of practice and perseverance for learning your craft.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd…

In our October episode Eleanor and Tom (Director of the National Leprechaun Museum) finally tackle Samhain, the most important festival in the Celtic calendar and the roots of Halloween. We explore what Samhain meant in old Ireland, Irish Halloween and Samhain customs and games, and ask how can we celebrate and enjoy Halloween safely in 2020? Plus,…

The National Leprechaun Museum Podcast returns after a few months break, and it's great to talk to you again! In this episode Mark and Paudie take a deep dive into some of their favourite characters in Irish stories, and ask why we love baddies, why all-powerful heroes can be a bit boring, and should we judge characters from thousands of years ago …

In this episode Stephen leads us on a journey exploring the themes of Fools and Foolishness in Irish Folklore. Is the Fool in Ireland different to the Fool in other cultures and who is the biggest Fool?If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie #Ask…

It's Tolkien Reading Day! (March 25th)So this week Eleanor and Paudie are talking about the work of the master World Builder and linguist J.R.R. Tolkien. Were the Sídhe an influence on Middle Earth? Is Gollum secretly from Co. Clare? Who knows? But it's a lot of fun to speculate about.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd l…

In this episode Mark and Paudie talk about the importance of storytelling and storytellers, tell some stories themselves, and even have a nice chat about Saint Patrick's Day.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like us to discuss, or stories you'd like us to tell, tweet us at @leprechaun_ie #AskAStorytellerFeaturing Paudie…

Naoise and Stephen spend a lovely (only slightly stormy) winter evening discussing that cheeriest of topics, Death.But maybe that's not as sarcastic as it sounds. Irish myth has an oddly sunny attitude towards death, which is just as well seeing as how much it permeates our culture.If you have any question you'd like us to answer, topics you'd like…

In this episode our storytellers discuss the importance of dreams and visions in Irish myth and legend. Do our dreams influence our folklore or does our folklore influence our dreams? Or is it both? Or all three? In this episode you'll hear stories of Oisín, Cormac Mac Art, Tír na nÓg with guest appearances by Saint Brigid and Baby Yoda.If you have…

In this dark and dreary winter, we're dreaming of pastures new. This month our storytellers gather to discuss Exploring - is exploring in the nature of Irish people? Who's our favourite explorers? How do the museum storytellers get to go on adventures? We also get to hear stories of exploration, from Tír na nÓg, to the north of Spain, to the Land o…

A church yard under the see where the ghosts and the merrows play, a tower of glass where a lonely princess dreams, and a caravan where a priest does maths for NASA. All places have a story to tell, and the storytellers in the museum are about to reveal a few!If you have any question you'd like to answer or topics you'd like us to discuss, feel fre…