The Royal Irish Academy Library with Barbara McCormack

The Royal Irish Academy Library with Barbara McCormack

Author: The Medieval Irish History Podcast May 16, 2025 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 including some of Ireland's oldest manuscripts the Cathach of Columba and the Stowe Missal. Please visit the library yourself or check out the collections: https://www.ria.ie/library/visiting-the-library/ and https://www.isos.dias.ie/collection/ria.html

Barbara is responsible for the strategic direction of the Library and Archive, the information services provided by the Library, and the curation of the world’s largest collection of manuscripts in the Irish language, as well as numerous other manuscript and archival collections, books and collections in other formats.

You can get tickets to the events Barbara discussed here: https://www.ria.ie/events/

For more on the Stowe Missal see the blog by Lars Nooij here: https://www.ria.ie/blog/bringing-the-stowe-missal-to-life/


Regular episodes every two weeks (on a Friday)

Email: medievalirishhistory@gmail.com

X (formerly Twitter): @EarlyIrishPod

Supported by Maynooth University, especially the International Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage, the Dept of Early Irish, the Dept of Music, the Dept of History, & Taighde Éireann/Research Ireland.

Views expressed are the speakers' own.


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 Listeners will hear discussions that unpack new and exciting research, challenging outdated narratives and bringing fresh perspectives to the forefront.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: 59

The Medieval Irish History Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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…
St Patrick and the joys of Hiberno-Latin with Dr Anthony Harvey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:48
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…
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…
Hagiography with Dr Sarah Waidler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:55
On the podcast this week we explore Niamh's favourite primary source material: hagiography! We are joined by the multilingual Dr Sarah Waidler, of Glucksman Ireland House, NYU, expert in medieval Celtic languages includi…
Gráinne Ní Mháille and Joan Fitzgerald with Emily Little [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:10
We have a special episode today with recent Maynooth graduate Emily Little winner of the NUI Mansion House prize for her BA in Irish history. Emily is currently a secondary school teacher and studying for her Professiona…