Death has always been a mournful time. The transition from one world into another. In Ireland, the rituals and practices that surrounded a funeral and burial were both grand and precise. There was a respect there for the spirit of the dead person, and care was taken to ensure their passing was a marked event, grounded in both grief and celebration. The wake, the dressing of the body, and the digging of the grave all followed a line of tradition that allowed the community to experience their sorrow and protect the souls of the departed on their journey onwards. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tell Me A Story with Eddie Lenihan

Episode 20 : The Care Of The Dead

This month, Eddie continues his study of the old trades of Ireland. Things back then were made to last, where as things today are made to wear out. There was a dignity and quality behind the work, tools and utensils crafted to the highest standard by skilled trades people. The harness maker, the tinker, the hatter, the cooper, the potter, the basket-maker; Eddie explains how each trade was so necessary within the local communities. If you enjoy the stories in this podcast, you can support us through the donations page, or purchase books directly from Eddie through his online store. https://eddielenihan.weebly.com/store.htmlSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 19 : Trades Part 2

Trades-people formed the backbone of society in traditional Ireland, supplying the public with hand-made tools and services. This month, Eddie looks at some of the important trades that influenced old Irish life, and the folklore tales that accompanied them. Eddie speaks on the role of the blacksmith, the thatcher, the wheel maker, the tailor and the dress maker. Part 1 of a 2 part series. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

episode 18 : Trades Part 1

Ireland has a wide variety of native birds, full of colour and character. This month, Eddie discusses the superstitions and symbolic relevance that birds have played in Irish tradition and beliefs. From the crow, to the wren, to the robin - Eddie explores how each bird has it's own unique personality traits, and how we can learn to read their behaviour as harbingers and predictions of what may lie in the future. If you like the podcast and wish to contribute a donation, please visit out supporter page. https://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihanYou can purchase Eddie's folklore books through his website, and all copies are signed personally. https://eddielenihan.weebly.com/store.htmlSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 17 : Birds

Eddie continues his discussion of roads in Ireland, this time reflecting on some of the stranger aspects of our routes and byways. He speaks of the significance of the public road, and how it acts as a symbol of safety to those who encounter the darker elements of the night. He mentions what happens to those who stand on the stray sod when out walking, and the confusion that ensues when alcohol is involved. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 16 : Roads Pt.2

This month, Eddie takes a historic look at the role that roads play in Ireland in all their complexity, beauty and ugliness. The windy and straight, the good and the bad, the up and the down. Eddie explores why certain roads in Co. Clare exist and what purpose they served both long ago in the past and in the present now. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 15 : Roads Pt.1

The Long Dark Winter Nights. An eerie time of the year, where those other things might be closer to us than we think. They take many forms, and often appear to us on a cold, dark road in Ireland. This month, Eddie recounts the eight types of spirits and supernatural creatures that one might meet, and give examples of stories where poor ordinary folk had encounters with the otherworldly. If you enjoy the stories on this podcast, you can support us through the donations page, or purchase books directly from Eddie through his online store. https://eddielenihan.weebly.com/store.htmlSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 14 : The Long Dark Winter Nights

This month, Eddie speaks about Christmas customs and traditions in Ireland in the olden days. A time for preparations, rituals and feasts. The point of midnight on Christmas Eve is a special time, a moment when magic can happen. It's said that animals have the gift of speech, but make sure you don't listen in on their conversations. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 13 : Christmas

We're back at last. This month, Eddie speaks about the great trees of Ireland, and why they held such a profound spiritual power over the native Irish people - from druids, to saints and farmers. He discusses the traditions and folklore that surround Irish trees, and how the Irish translation of their names give us an important insight into the geography and history of the island of Ireland. This episode is proudly part of the 'Whose Woods These Are' festival taking place from the 17th - 20th of December. 'Whose Woods These Are' is a four day celebration of trees in music, art, film, talks and story presented by Natalia Beylis and Eimear Reidy in association with The Dock Arts Centre. For more information, visit https://www.thedock.ie/whats-on/whose-woods-these-areSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 12 : Trees

*Low quality audio* With Covid lockdown restrictions, recording in person with Eddie is impossible. But Eddie still wants to get some Samhain stories out to the people on such an important date. Samhain is the one night in Ireland when the veil is lifted, and the fairies are closer to us than usual. Eddie discusses some of the traditions associated with it. You might bless your cattle with holy water or find yourself victim of a piseog. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Samhain special via Zoom

A quick memory revisited by Eddie about the old custom of offering a blessing when you stepped inside the home of someone else. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Blessing (Snippet)

This month, Eddie recounts his experiences of talking and conversing with the old people around Ireland. Through documenting their stories and experiences, Eddie has developed a rare insight into the beliefs and customs that came to define old traditional life in Ireland. He also reads some of the surreal writing of one patient named Jimmy who Eddie used to visit over the years in Our Lady's hospital in Ennis.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 11 : The Old People

This month, Eddie tells us of a man named Sean O'Connor who came from Sliabh Luachra. The kind of man who didn't quite fit in. Sean's fiddle playing was a point of mockery in the local community, and he was chased out of the local parish dances because of it. Until one night, after a chance encounter with the other crowd, he gets given the gift of fairy music. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 10 : Music and the Fairies Part 2

This month, Eddie tells a story from his own parish of Brosna in Co.Kerry about two cruiteacháns - local hunchbacks known as Ned Murt and Pat Mickey Seán. On a dark night, a chance meeting with the fairies and the ensuing singsong showed how na daoine uaisle have the ability to heal certain afflictions. But make sure you sing the song correctly, or you might find yourself worse off than before.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 9 : Music and the Fairies Part 1

This month, Eddie tells a number of tales about the curious power of cures. Eddie relays a number of cures that Biddy Early prescribed to various people throughout the county. Cures for illness, cures for animals, and cures for the fairies. As the stories show, you had to follow the cure's warning exactly, or else!  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/tell-me-a-story-with-eddie-lenihan. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 8 : The Cure

Eddie Lenihan is Ireland’s most well known storyteller. He has been telling tales for over 35 years. As a cultural preservationist, Eddie has amassed the largest collection of folk stories and tales in Ireland. His dedication to the tradition has seen him collect and compile stories from all across the country, particularly those that deal with the themes of the supernatural, fairies and Irish lore. Each month, Eddie will share Irish wisdom and stories from the past on the Tell Me A Story with Eddie Lenihan podcast. Produced and recorded by Philip Murphy and John Lillis. Music by Clare Sands.Photography by Valerie O’Sullivan.

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Tell Me A Story with Eddie Lenihan

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