St Brigid with Prof. Catherine McKenna

St Brigid with Prof. Catherine McKenna

Author: The Medieval Irish History Podcast January 31, 2024 Duration: 52:36

Was Brigit a true feminist icon? Was she even real? Or merely made up by a man to exploit the veneration of a 'pagan' goddess? All this and more in our special St Brigit's Day episode with Prof. Catherine McKenna (Harvard University) to celebrate the Brigit 1500 commemorations in 2024. Happy St Brigit's Day!


Niamh's suggested reading: Since the podcast aired Dr Elva Johnston published an excellent article, available free online, which references all the relevant reading on St Brigit, including my book (The cult of relics in early medieval Ireland) which discusses the relics of Brigit in detail and the glory of Kildare, Prof McKenna's article on Maud Gonne and the development of Brigit the goddess, and the translations of the earliest texts on St Brigit which are online. See Elva Johnston, 'Making St Brigit real in the early middle ages', Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy Vol. 124C (2024), 1–26.


Hosted by Dr Niamh Wycherley.

Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday).

Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com

Twitter X: @EarlyIrishPod

Supported by the Dept of Early Irish, Maynooth University, & Science Foundation Ireland/The Irish Research Council. Views expressed are the speakers' own.

Production: Tiago de Oliveira Veloso Silva.

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 Listeners will hear discussions that unpack new and exciting research, challenging outdated narratives and bringing fresh perspectives to the forefront.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: 60

The Medieval Irish History Podcast
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