Latest News & Updates

Christmas break!
Thursday, 4 December 2008

Hey all, it seems that the Christmas break is already upon us! Many thanks to everyone who turned up to lectures over the term. We have more lecturers lined up for new year including Professor Kim McCone and Dr. Paul Russell, plus more to be annouced. So be sure and keep an eye on the events page for more details!

We are also planning a trip to Navan Fort in the new year so if you are interested please e-mail us and let us know. The date for this is yet to be confirmed and we'll keep you posted via e-mail and the website.

So that's it for this term. Again, thanks to everyone who made it to lectures so far and we look forward to seeing you in the New Year. In the meantime hope you all have a great Christmas break!

Regards,
The Early Irish Society

Powerful Words of St. Patrick: Curses, Blessings and Spell
Monday, 24 November 2008

Hi all, We have another lecture taking place this week. Tomorrow night Tuesday 25th November at 5pm Jacqueline Borjse will be joining us to give a lecture on the Powerful Words of St. Patrick: Curses, Blessings and Spells. The lecture will take place in Room 2041A on the ground floor of the Arts Building.

Dr. Borsje's research project The Power of Words in Medieval Ireland proposes to study medieval Irish 'words of power' words with which one believed to be able to influence and transform reality. These words were uttered for good or for evil: for example, to protect, to harm, to exert power, to heal and to inflict diseases. Such words are commonly known as e.g. curses, blessings, spells, charms, incantations, and prayers.

The aim of this project is to supply a survey and analysis of medieval Irish forms of 'words of power', by way of philological, diachronic and multidisciplinary study. A sample of the various forms, based on medieval Irish classifications, will be analysed with regard to 1) the contemporary use and context of the words; and 2) the ideology involved in world-views reflected in the texts and in the terminology used. Two sub-projects are envisaged: 1) on the words themselves; 2) on the users of the words.

Medieval Irish words of power have been neglected in modern studies of medieval European 'magic'. Within Celtic Studies they form a challenge from the early years of the discipline but thus far not yet taken up. Celtic Studies was first dominated by an 'oral/pre-Christian orthodoxy' (c.1940-c.1970), followed by a new 'literate-Christian orthodoxy' (c.1980-present). These ambiguous verbal expressions, however, challenge the dichotomies designed by modern research. They cannot be classified as either pre-Christian or Christian; they are often seen as a popular phenomenon and yet, the elite preserved them in manuscripts. Because they usually are an intricate mix of religious elements, they cannot simply be seen as 'reconstructions of the pre-Christian past' either. A fresh study of this fascinating material is needed for the full picture of the diversity in belief and the complexity of the literary inheritance of medieval Ireland; the results will contribute to our knowledge of medieval European culture.

Hope to see you there!
The Early Irish Society

The Rule of Mochuta
Monday, 17 November 2008

Dear all, Just a quick reminder that our first guest speaker of the year will be with us this week. Nora White will be speaking to us on Wednesday 19th November at 6pm in the Ui Chadhain theatre.

The lecture will focus on The Rule of Mochuta, a monastic rule in verse of probable Old Irish date, which is long overdue a full critical edition. This paper will be an introduction to Dr. White's work on such an edition and will outline her findings so far. Among these are previously unidentified quatrains from the Yellow Book of Lecan and a number of additional manuscript witnesses, which may prove to be invaluable. It promises to be a thoroughly interesting evening so hope to see you all there!

Regards,
The Early Irish Society

Oíche Shamhna: Drinks, tales and ancient music!
Tuesday, 28 October 2008

One Samain Ailill and Medb were in Rath Cruachan with their whole household. They set about cooking food. Two captives has been hanged by them the day before. Then Ailill said: "He who would put a withe round the foot of either of the two captives that are on the gallows, shall have a prize for it from me, as he may choose." Great was the darkness of that night and its horror, and demons would appear on that night always...
- extract from 'Echtra Nerai' ('The Adventure of Nera')

Yes, it's Halloween week! And to celebrate the Early Irish Society is having a pub night this Wednesday 29th October in the Duke (on Duke Street) at 8pm! As always all are welcome (costumes are optional). So hope to see you there!

Also on the same day the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street is holding a number of Samhain based events including a lunch time lecture on Samhain, some spooky Samhain stories and the sound of ancient music - fancy! For more details click on the link [dead]

Until next time,
The Early Irish Society

Hey all, For all returning students, welcome back! For all those new students, welcome to Trinity! Hope you're all settling in and are revving up for the year ahead! The society has been busy planning a range of upcoming events and lectures. Some of the guest lectures who are lined up over the course of the year are Jacqueline Borsje, Nora White, Kim McCone, Séamus Mac Mathúna and Paul Russell, among others. We also have a number of trips planned so it looks like being another eventful year!

But before any lectures take place we would like to invite you all to an Introduction to the Society Meeting taking place on Wednesday 22nd October in Room 5033 of the Arts block. This will be a short meeting for those who wish to sign up to the society or just want to find out some details on what we're all about. The committee members will be in attendance to fill you in on upcoming events and afterwards we will be heading to our usual spot in the Duke for a few drinks! All are welcome so please feel free to join us!

Also, as of today the site has offically begun to be updated for the year and will be continually updated with any news or notices! In the meantime enjoy settling in and we hope to see you on the 22nd!

Regards,
The Early Irish Society