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The Podcast on Irish Travel, Irish Customs and All Things Irish. We take you to some of the best Irish towns and villages. As we explore Ireland's most popular destinations, we offer our suggestions to get you off the tourist trail and in to the "real" Ireland. Sit back, relax and make yourself comfortable at the Irish Fireside, and feel free to use our Episode Guides for maps, destination recaps and links to the sites and topics we discuss.
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Fireside is the Irish Storytelling Podcast. Kevin C. Olohan is your host and Fireside Bard. Every Wednesday, Kevin takes a story from Folklore or Mythology, gives it a fresh retelling, and discusses the story itself and the craft, culture and history of Storytelling. Whether you’re a folklore fanatic, or someone who just enjoys hearing a good yarn, you can always join Kevin by the Fireside.
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In episode 237 of Fireside, Kevin adapts the Grimm Tale of Briar Rose, better known as The Sleeping Beauty. A king and queen are desperate to have a child, but when their blessing arrives, one uninvited guest could threaten to take it all away Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preord…
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In episode 238 of Fireside, Kevin adapts the Grimm Tale of The Frog Prince, a spoiled princess loses her precious golden ball, but when a mysterious frog offers to get it back for her, the princess may get more than she bargained for... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Ord…
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In episode 236 of Fireside, Kevin continues the celebration of the folklore behind Disney, with a story of dress making trees, three day festivals, and brutal self-mutilation...what else but Cinderella? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.a…
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In episode 235 of Fireside, Kevin begins a new chapter of the podcast, celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of Disney, by looking at the folklore origins of some of the company's most iconic movies. First up is the one that started it all - Hair black as ebony, lips red as blood, skin as white as snow...it's Snow White. Order Gardensea Paperba…
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In episode 234, It's the fifth annual Fireside Halloween Special! This year Kevin takes another look at the gothic masterpiece Dracula, reading a segment where Jonathan Harker begins to suspect something is suspicious about his mysterious host Count Dracula... In a second reading, Kevin compares Dracula with the earlier gothic work Jane Eyre by Cha…
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In episode 233 of Fireside, Kevin tells the whimsical tale of a man who wakes up in the middle of the night to discover a party being held in his kitchen. A party of witches, all gearing up for a hell of a night out.... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kind…
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In episode 232 of Fireside, Kevin tells the gruesome tale of a priest's long journey home - the farmer's complain that their cows give no milk...and the priest may have found out why - bringing about a horrific encounter that will make him question everything... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-hos…
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In episode 231 of Fireside, Kevin tells the gothic tale of Charles McCarthy, who lives a hedonistic life of whiskey, wine and women. But when his lifestyle catches up to him, and Charles has a brush with death - what will he do with his second chance? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-oloha…
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In episode 230 of Fireside, Kevin tells a tale of the figure that heralds the death of Irish families...Thomas Connolly is on his way to visit old Biddy Maguire. But when he reaches the old stone bridge he meets a woman who gives him quite the tale to tell... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k…
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In episode 229 of Fireside, Kevin tells the tale of Daniel O'Rourke who drunkenly leaves a party and ends up encountering a bog, an eagle, a whale, a flock of geese, and even the man on the moon...or is it just one shapeshifting faerie? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Ord…
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In episode 228 of Fireside, Kevin tells the tale of the staff of a Dublin townhouse, all of whom begin to hear creaks and clatters in the night. Who has cleaned the kitchen? Was it one of them? Or was it a shapeshifting faerie? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Garden…
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In episode 227 of Fireside, Kevin tells a changeling tale with a twist - Jamie Friel works hard and looks after his mother. But one Halloween he takes a visit up to the ruins of an old castle, to meet the other folk and seek his fortune... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ …
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In episode 226 of Fireside, Kevin tells the bloody tale of Abhartach, a supernatural demon dwarf who terrorised the folk of Derry a long time ago. Abhartach may also have inspired a Dublin writer who would redefine the world of horror... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Or…
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In episode 225 of Fireside, Kevin tells the ghost story of Captain Stewart, who while hunting, gets caught in a storm. After taking refuge in a large country estate, the captain has an encounter that may change the course of his life, and indeed, his death... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k…
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In episode 224, Kevin explores the ghost story of a hard working, honest woman named Grace Connor, whose spirit has unfinished business with the mortal world. Also featuring the poem A Legend of Tyrone by Ellen O'Leary Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindl…
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In episode 223 of Fireside, Kevin weaves the worlds of Myth, Religion and History with the story of Brendan the Navigator, who set out to discover the Isle of the Blessed, and on his way may have discovered a few other lands... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Garden…
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In episode 222 of Fireside, Kevin enters the world of Chinese Mythology with the ancient tale of the Zodiac. How it came about, what it's purpose was, and how its animals were chosen... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Gardens…
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In episode 221 of Fireside, Kevin tells the Irish folk tale, of the tragedy of two lovers, and the vow of a princess to wait for her love, whatever the cost, even if it means spending an eternity as a fish... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https:/…
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In episode 220 or Fireside, Kevin tells the of the voyage of Máel Dúin, who's troubled birth leads him on a sea voyage to find his parents and avenge his father. But how many islands will it take to find his answer? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: …
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In episode 219 of Fireside, Kevin dives into Egyptian Mythology with the epic love story of the goddess Isis and her husband Osiris. The King of all of Egypt is buried alive by his treacherous brother Set, but Isis will not rest until her husband is found - dead, alive...or in pieces... In episode 218 of Fireside, Kevin tells the Irish folk tale of…
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In episode 218 of Fireside, Kevin tells the Irish folk tale of Teig O'Kane - an irresponsible and wandering rover. After his father gives him an ultimatum based on his behaviour, Teig takes a moonlit walk, and runs into twenty faeries carrying a dead body. But by the end of the night, it just might be Teig who is the corpse... Order Gardensea Paper…
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In episode 217 of Fireside, Kevin tells a tale from the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology - Cú Chulainn, The Hound of Ulster does face to face with The Morrigan - the goddess of battle, war and death, and in their encounter, history will be written. In episode 214 of Fireside, Kevin tells another pre-tale of the Ulster Cycle. Queen Maebh of Connaught…
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In episode 216 of Fireside, Kevin delves into the epic origin and framing story of the Arabian Nights - Scheherazade is a learned and gifted storyteller, and her talents may just save an entire kingdom from the wrath of a bitter ruler... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Or…
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In episode 215 of Fireside, Kevin tells of a beautiful but lazy girl who wins the affection of a prince. But to win his heart, the girl must find a way to overcome her sloth, with the aid of three mysterious old women... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kin…
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In episode 214 of Fireside, Kevin tells another pre-tale of the Ulster Cycle. Queen Maebh of Connaught has taken Fergus Mac Roich into her home and into her bed, but in the neighbouring kingdom of Mayo is a another chieftain, who also harbours a lust for Fergus... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-h…
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In episode 213 of Fireside, Kevin tells of Baba Yaga, the wild witch of Slavic Folklore. Two children are banished to the woods by their wicked stepmother, and their they encounter a house that walks on chicken's legs, with a devious evil creature living inside... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-h…
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In episode 212 of Fireside, Kevin tells a tale from Irish folklore of a Dublin Linen Draper who comes into the possession of a Jackdaw - but what will happen when the Jackdaw learns to talk? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Ga…
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In episode 211 of Fireside, Kevin presents a tale of the Ulster Cycle, but a battle between the forces of Connaught and Munster. Victory and Defeat take a physical form to pit three warring chieftains against each other - with disastrous results for mortal men... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-ho…
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In episode 210, Kevin tells of Anansi, the West African trickster God. Anansi was a spider who gave the gift of storytelling to mankind. But where the stories came from, and how he Anansi won them, is quite a tale itself... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea …
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In episode 209 of Fireside, Kevin tells a tale from Irish folklore of a proud princess who finds fault with every one of her prospective suitors. When her father loses patience and marries the girl off to a poor bard - How will the princess live? Can she survive? And is it possible to love a penniless poet?? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.…
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In episode 207 of Fireside, Kevin tells a story from the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology, continuing our look at the other Tain Bó tales: It is Halloween night when the dead walk amongst the living, and King Ailill of Connaught asks one of his warriors to go out and restrain two hanged corpses, lest they should come back to life. But when Nera volu…
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In episode 206 of Fireside, Kevin dips into the chaotic and colossal world of Greek Mythology with a story of the kidnapping of the daughter of the Goddess of the Harvest. Who is to blame? Who is responsible? And what will be the ramifications for mankind? Tickets to A Bard Is a Failed Poet: https://smockalley.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/8736…
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In episode 205 of Fireside, we have a tale of betwitching curses and fairy doctor cures - The Hanlon family has a beloved Kerry cow. but when the daughter of the rival family offers her services, the cow suddenly stops giving milk. So the Hanlon's seek the help of the local wandering soul, who has all the cures for just such an occasion... Order Ga…
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In episode 204 of Fireside, we return to the world of the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology and another precursor tale to The Cattle Raid of Cooley. Queen Maebh needs allies, and her armies need maintenance - Regemon has the most cattle, and so the most wealth. But Regemon also has seven daughters, in love with the seven sons of Maebh. A plan forms..…
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In episode 203 of Fireside, Kevin dives into the world of the Brother's Grimm, with the tale of a boastful miller, who tells the king that his daughter can spin straw into gold. But when the daughter is asked to do so under pain of death, only a mysterious little man can save her...but what does this imp really want. And what is his name again? Ord…
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In episode 202 of Fireside, Kevin tells of an enchanted lake, the faerie kingdom beneath it, and of a poor young boy and his beloved wandering cow.. Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7…
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In the third Fireside Christmas Special, Kevin adapts and reads Christmas masterpiece and ghost story to end al ghost stories - A Christmas Carol. After Kevin discusses adaptation and various interpretations of Dickens' classic. Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Garde…
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It's the 200th episode of Fireside! Kevin reflects on four years of the podcast with an epic lesser known tale from the Ulster Cycle. Queen Medh has declared war on Ulster, and she is in need of champions. Medh has a daughter, in love with the great hero Fráech. But when Fráech makes his way to Cruachan Fort, will Mebh gain a son-in-law or a warrio…
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In episode 199 of Fireside to coincide with Kevin's travels around New Zealand, we meet the great hero of Polynesian Mythology - Maui, demi-god and creator of islands. We learn of Maui's premature birth, how he found his way home, his development into the trickster god, how he got his magical fish hook, and most of all...how he became the creator o…
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In episode 198 of Fireside, We learn of the ancestral burial site of the Castillon family - a graveyard long submerged beneath the sea, and of a mysterious custom that ferries the souls of the dead, to the grave beneath the wave... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Ga…
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In episode 198 of Fireside, A legendary king visits a poor man who is in danger of being thrown out on the streets by his cruel landlord. Will O'Donoghue's Blessing be enough when rent day comes? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.amazon.c…
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In episodes 196 of Fireside, A blacksmith is visited in a dream by a son of a lord, lost for seven years. The young boy charges the smith with his rescue, which involves a quest off the coast at the fabled Giant's Stairs... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea …
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In episode 195, Three princes and three princesses are put through the trials of a seven inch tall man, and the prize is a trinity of crowns... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P…
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In episode 194 of Fireside, a mysterious voice is heard all throughout an old cliffside manor. a voice far away, a voice nearby, and a voice that knows your deepest darkest secrets. But at a dinner party what will be done about the Phantom of the Lee... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olo…
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Episode 193 is the third annual Fireside Halloween Special! Kevin gives readings of The Death Coach - A poem about a headless coach, with headless horses and headless passengers. After that he reads the mother of all headless tales - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, before finally sitting down with W.B. Yeats to summon a few souls from the other world.…
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In episode 192, Charlie Culnane is the best horse rider in Mallow, County Cork. But after making a hasty bet, Charlie starts to doubt his abilities, and he'll need more than riding skills when he has a dark and sinister encounter on his way home from the pub... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host…
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The kind Lord McCarthy can't hold onto his staff. Why? Because none of them will fetch wine from the cellar. So an ambitious young stableboy decides to take the job, but what will he find in The Haunted Cellar? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https…
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In episode 190 of Fireside, Fionn Mac Cumhaill goes out hunting on his own, where he comes to a volcanic lake, and a mysterious woman, and along the way Fionn may have to come to terms with his own mortality... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https…
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In episode 189 of Fireside, A young maidservant recounts her poor family's turn of fortune with the unexpected arrival of a mysterious guest... Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P…
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In episode 188, Osgar, the greatest of the Fianna, faces off against his greatest foe and a formidable blade. What will happen should Osgar fall? What will happen should the honour of the Fianna be called into question? Order Gardensea Paperback: https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/ Order Gardensea Kind…
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