Performing Early Irish Poetry — Brigid's Day Bonus Episode

Performing Early Irish Poetry — Brigid's Day Bonus Episode

Author: The Medieval Irish History Podcast January 30, 2026 Duration: 34:54

In addition to our regular episode (on St Brigid abroad with Prof. Jean-Michel Picard) we have a little extra treat! Starring Prof. David Stifter performing some gorgeous early Irish poetry praising St Brigit. Interpolated with the English translations recited by Dr Niamh Wycherley. Big thanks to Tiago Veloso Silva for editing and co-writing the intro.

You can find our regular full length episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Bl4kPloLBBPIZyteEjsBY?si=epXhUJXlRomyBe-xAItDyw


Suggested reading:

'How Brigit continues to inspire poets, writers and artists' https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/research/spotlight-research/how-brigit-continues-inspire-poets-writers-and-artists


The poetry has been edited and translated by Whitley Stokes and John Strachan (eds), Thesaurus palaeohibernicus, a collection of Old-Irish glosses, scholia, prose, and verse, ii (Cambridge, 1903), pp 325-349: https://archive.org/details/thesauruspalaeoh02stokuoft/page/324/mode/2up


Bethu Brigte edited and translated by Donncha Ó hAodha (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1978) https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T201002/


Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday)

Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com

Producer: Tiago Veloso Silva

Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University & Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.

Views expressed are the speakers' own.

Logo design: Matheus de Paula Costa

Music: Lexin_Music


For anyone curious about the centuries often summarized as simply "Vikings and monks," The Medieval Irish History Podcast offers a far richer and more nuanced journey. Hosted by Dr. Niamh Wycherley, this series moves beyond the stereotypes to reveal a complex, dynamic, and surprisingly vibrant world. Each episode is built around a lively and engaging conversation with a leading expert, delving into specific aspects of a period that is frequently evoked yet deeply misunderstood. Listeners will hear discussions that unpack new and exciting research, challenging outdated narratives and bringing fresh perspectives to the forefront. The podcast serves as a direct line to the latest academic insights, exploring everything from politics and religion to daily life and material culture, all grounded in the landscape of medieval Ireland. It’s an invitation to reconsider what you think you know, presented through accessible and thoughtful dialogue. This podcast is supported by the Department of Early Irish at Maynooth University and Taighde Éireann, ensuring a foundation of scholarly rigor while remaining genuinely engaging for anyone with an interest in the past. The views expressed within each episode belong to the individual speakers, contributing to a multifaceted and authentic exploration of history.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Medieval Irish History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
The Royal Irish Academy Library with Barbara McCormack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:09
In this episode, we chat about the incredible academic and public resource that is the Library in the Royal Irish Academy. Academy Librarian Barbara McCormack tells us all about the collection of medieval manuscripts inc…
Castles in Medieval Ireland with Dr Victoria McAlister [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:21
Dr Victoria McAlister from Towson University, Maryland, on everything you ever wanted to know about castles! Featuring all the big hits, Maynooth Castle, Bunratty, Blarney, Trim, the Rock of Dunamase, Clonard castle, Fer…
Slavery in Medieval Ireland with Dr Janel Fontaine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:39
Apologies for the poor sound quality in this episode! This week Dr Janel Fontaine (Treasure Trove Officer, National Museums Scotland) talks us through some of the evidence for slavery in medieval Ireland. From the accoun…
The 'Story' of St Patrick with Dr Elizabeth Dawson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:50
It's time for our annual discussion of the man responsible for our national holiday in Ireland, Fáilte Ireland's global greening campaign and J. D. Vance wearing shamrock socks in the White House! Dr Elizabeth Dawson (Ca…
Women's Power and Patronage with Tiago Veloso Silva [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:43
Due to popular demand our podcast producer Tiago de Oliveira Veloso Silva has finally come on to the other side of the mic as one of our expert guests! We chat ‘soft power’, definitions of patronage, Agnes Ní Máelsechlai…
Isabel de Clare (d.1220) with Dr John Marshall [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:48
"I have no claim to anything here save through her". These are the reputed words of one of the most famous knights in English history, William Marshal, describing his wife Isabel, daughter of Aoife and Strongbow. In hono…
1169: The English Conquest of Ireland with Dr Colin Veach [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:22
Happy St Brigit's weekend! (For links to Brigit content see below). Instead of Brigit we were eager to release an episode we recorded just before Christmas with the brilliant Dr Colin Veach, from the University of Hull,…