Get it on Google Play

St Patrick and the joys of Hiberno-Latin with Dr Anthony Harvey

St Patrick and the joys of Hiberno-Latin with Dr Anthony Harvey

Author: The Medieval Irish History Podcast March 13, 2026 Duration: 53:48
The Medieval Irish History Podcast
History

Happy St Patrick's Festival one and all! Did you know that St Patrick's writings are unique as the only surviving Latin narrative texts of his age to have been composed anywhere outside of Roman imperial territory? This month we bring you a glimpse into the fascinating world of Royal Irish Academy lexicographer Dr Anthony Harvey. It is often thought that linguistics has to be very technical and complicated (it doesn’t), as well as boring (it needn’t be). Dr Harvey explains how linguistics can help the historian and reveals how the Latin language evolved in medieval Ireland. We discuss Flann O'Brien, 'disunderstanding', playing with words, Virgilius Maro Grammaticus, West Brit syndrome and much more.

Please check out out the Royal Irish Academy's confessio.ie website — your one stop shop for all things St Patrick!

Suggested resources:

Anthony Harvey, How Linguistics can help the historian (Dublin, 2021): https://shop.ria.ie/products/how-linguistics-can-help-the-historian

Anthony Harvey, "Frankenstein in the Scriptorium: Bringing Latin to Life in Early Medieval Ireland”, in Code-Switching in Medieval Ireland and England, ed. M. Ó Flaithearta (Bremen, 2018), 105–19

The Dictionary of Medieval Latin from Celtic Sources: https://journals.eeecs.qub.ac.uk/DMLCS/


Regular episodes every month (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 Listeners will hear discussions that unpack new and exciting research, challenging outdated narratives and bringing fresh perspectives to the forefront.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

Official website RSS
spotify
The Medieval Irish History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Musicology with Prof. Karen Desmond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:38
For our last episode in season 3 we are joined by our erudite colleague in the Department of Music, Prof. Karen Desmond to learn how the discipline of musicology contributes to our understanding of medieval history.We ar…
Later medieval Ireland with Dr Sparky Booker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:20
REPEAT. ICYMI. Hope you’re all having a great summer. We didn’t get a chance to record another podcast episode recently and I don’t quite feel ready to call it quits on this season just yet, so we might release a couple…
The Friars in Ireland with Conor McDonough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:04
This week we are back with part two of our mammoth session with Fr Conor McDonough OP, an exceptional Research Ireland funded PhD researcher in Classics, University of Galway. Conor tells us all about the new mendicant o…
Church Reforms and Religious Orders with Conor McDonough [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:42
Welcome back all! This month we are joined by Fr Conor McDonough OP, an exceptional Research Ireland funded PhD researcher in Classics, University of Galway. Conor elucidates the variety of religious life in the Middle A…
Voyage literature and classical myths with Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
This week we are joined by the brilliant Dr Brigid Ehrmantraut, Associate Lecturer in Latin and in the History of the British Isles, c.1100-1500, University of St Andrews, author of Classical Myth in Medieval Ireland. We…
The Ulster Cycle with Prof. Ruairí Ó hUiginn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
This week Prof. Ruairí Ó hUiginn (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies) gives us a masterclass on the Ulster Cycle and all the elements and stories that are part of it, including its most famous tale, Táin Bó Cuailgne (…
Performing Early Irish Poetry — Brigid's Day Bonus Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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. Interpolat…
St Brigid in Continental Europe with Prof. Jean-Michel Picard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:32
Happy St Brigit's day! This year's celebration of Ireland's most beloved female icon comes a bit earlier to the podcast, but keep tuned as we have prepared a surprise for you to be published this weekend!This week we are…

12345»