Stories and Places
of
Irish Myth and Legend
Story-teller Richard Marsh leads groups to prehistoric,
historical and legendary sites to tell stories of magic and mystery, heroic
deeds and monumental folly, cunning tricks and black humour from the most
vibrant traditional literature of Europe. (About the Legendary
Tours T-shirt)
Irish myth
and legend come to life in a special way "on location" at Stone Age
passage tombs, Bronze Age stone circles and dolmens, Iron Age hill forts and
ring forts, standing stones, ogham stones, earthworks and raths.
The passage tomb at Seefin (left) in the
Wicklow Hills is one of the "re-birthing chambers" or Sidhe (fairy)
mounds visited on some of the Tours.
Each of the four one-day Tours goes
to an area near Dublin and features one branch of the four traditional story
cycles:
- County
Meath -- Mythological Cycle: the Tuatha Dé Danaan
- Counties
Louth and Armagh -- Ulster Cycle: Cúchulainn and the Cattle
Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cuailnge )
- Northwest
County Wicklow -- Fionn mac Cumhaill Cycle
- Southwest
County Wicklow -- Historical or Kings Cycles (cycles of legends
based on historical kings)
Also included are local tales such as the
Púca, Hempenstall the Walking Gallows and fairy trees, and stories of
Saints Kevin, Patrick, Mo Ling, Colmcille, Brigit and others.
Unsolicited testimonials from repeat tour
clients:
"I have raved about your tours ever
since to any of my friends that were considering a trip to Ireland!"
"We often recount our exploits with you
to others (the climbing over stonewalls, stepping in cow piles, scrambles up
mottes and down baileys....and especially the lovely stories)."
[Note: stepping in cow-piles is optional.]
These
are non-scheduled custom tours.
See Prices and Arrangements for booking
details.
THE
STORIES ON TOUR
For those who can't come to the places in Ireland,
Richard travels to other countries to tell the stories.
Here is a
list of recommended books for your
background reading.
Dates in Irish Myth and Legend
Links to other sites of Irish/Celtic interest
Richard's
Storytelling Sessions
Richard's
Storytelling Tapes and CDs
Richard's Books
The Legendary Tours website has
received a
as "one of the best on the Internet when reviewed for quality, accuracy of content, presentation and usability".