Our own Geraldine Parsons @gparsons.bsky.social will discuss the important new book "Heroes of the Gael: A History of Fionn and the Fianna" by Natasha Sumner (@princetonupress.bsky.social), next week in Boston @bc-irish-studies.bsky.social.
events.bc.edu/event/heroes...
I'm very excited to be involved in this event, marking the publication of a very significant new contribution to the study of Finn Cycle literature - and, as it demonstrates, therefore to pan-Gaelic culture - if you are in anywhere near Boston, we'd love to see you there!
A book symposium for Natasha Sumner's new publication, Heroes of the Gael: A History of Fionn and the Fianna We're celebrating Natasha Sumner's (Harvard University) new work, Heroes of the Gael: A History of Fionn and the Fianna (Princeton University Press, 2026). Joining Sumner for a discussion of Irish folklore are Geraldine Parsons (University of Glasgow), Ciara Ní Riain (Harvard University), and Ray Cashman (Indiana University Bloomington). Natasha Sumner's research focuses on the Gaelic narrative corpus about the hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill, with particular regard for Fenian folklore. She is interested in the historical development of the corpus and the conditions for the transmission and narration of folklore. She has also worked on intertextuality in eighteenth-century Scottish Gaelic literature. Geraldine Prasons works primarily on the literature and language of the medieval and early modern Gaelic-speaking world, with a particular interest in the material centered on the legendary hero Finn mac Cumaill (later Finn/Fionn Mac Cumhaill/McCool), known as fíanaigecht literature. Her research often focuses on the major Middle Irish text at the heart of that corpus, Acallam na Senórach (The Colloquy of the Ancients). Ciara Ní Riain's research focuses on Irish language and literature on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly from the seventeenth century to the present day. These interests are linked by a shared concern with nationalism, culture, and identity. She has also worked on post-medieval manuscript transmission and preservation, as well as biographical narratives on the history of the American West. Ray Cashman is Provost Professor of Folklore at Indiana University Bloomington. he is the author of two prize-winning books: Storytelling on the Northern Irish Border: Characters and Community (2008) and Packy Jim: Folklore and Worldview on the Irish Border (2016), as well as numerous articles and essays. Elected a fellow and board member of the American Folklore Society, Cashman has served as editor of the Journal of Folklore Research and series editor for two book series published by Indiana University Press.
Our own Geraldine Parsons @gparsons.bsky.social will discuss the important new book "Heroes of the Gael: A History of Fionn and the Fianna" by Natasha Sumner (@princetonupress.bsky.social), next week in Boston @bc-irish-studies.bsky.social.
events.bc.edu/event/heroes...
The Disappearing Text Project
Geraldine Parsons
🗓️ Cuirigí na dátaí sin sa dialann!
Tionólfar comhdháil ar Acallam na Senórach ar an 21-22 Lúnasa 2026 i gColáiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh. Beidh an clár agus clárúchán ar fáil go luath! 👀
🗓️ Save these dates!
We are organising a two-day conference on all aspects of the Acallam text and tradition, 21-22 August 2026 in UCC. Programme & registration are coming very soon! 👀
➡️ www.ucc.ie/en/disappear...
The PI of the Disappearing Text project, Prof. Kevin Murray, was recently elected to the Royal Irish Academy (pictured on the right below). Táimid an-bhródúil as!
Our own Prof. Kevin Murray is speaking at this online book-launch *today, 22nd April* alongside our dear colleague Dr Síle Ní Mhurchú @silenimhurchu.bsky.social. Looking forward to the event!
Registration & details below.
Great news! The Society’s multitalented, multitasking Hon. Secretary, Kevin Murray, has been appointed co-editor of Éigse.
www.nui.ie/what-we-do/n...
Tá an tOllamh Regina Uí Chollatáin (UCD) agus an tOllamh Caoimhín Ó Muirigh (UCC), ceaptha ina gcomheagarthóirí ar Éigse: A Journal of Irish Studies.
Congratulations to Prof. Regina Uí Chollatáin (UCD) and Prof. Kevin Murray (UCC), appointed the new co-editors of Éigse.
www.nui.ie/what-we-do/n...
A book symposium for Natasha Sumner's new publication, Heroes of the Gael: A History of Fionn and the Fianna We're celebrating Natasha Sumner's (Harvard University) new work, Heroes of the Gael: A History of Fionn and the Fianna (Princeton University Press, 2026). Joining Sumner for a discussion of Irish folklore are Geraldine Parsons (University of Glasgow), Ciara Ní Riain (Harvard University), and Ray Cashman (Indiana University Bloomington). Natasha Sumner's research focuses on the Gaelic narrative corpus about the hero Fionn Mac Cumhaill, with particular regard for Fenian folklore. She is interested in the historical development of the corpus and the conditions for the transmission and narration of folklore. She has also worked on intertextuality in eighteenth-century Scottish Gaelic literature. Geraldine Prasons works primarily on the literature and language of the medieval and early modern Gaelic-speaking world, with a particular interest in the material centered on the legendary hero Finn mac Cumaill (later Finn/Fionn Mac Cumhaill/McCool), known as fíanaigecht literature. Her research often focuses on the major Middle Irish text at the heart of that corpus, Acallam na Senórach (The Colloquy of the Ancients). Ciara Ní Riain's research focuses on Irish language and literature on both sides of the Atlantic, particularly from the seventeenth century to the present day. These interests are linked by a shared concern with nationalism, culture, and identity. She has also worked on post-medieval manuscript transmission and preservation, as well as biographical narratives on the history of the American West. Ray Cashman is Provost Professor of Folklore at Indiana University Bloomington. he is the author of two prize-winning books: Storytelling on the Northern Irish Border: Characters and Community (2008) and Packy Jim: Folklore and Worldview on the Irish Border (2016), as well as numerous articles and essays. Elected a fellow and board member of the American Folklore Society, Cashman has served as editor of the Journal of Folklore Research and series editor for two book series published by Indiana University Press.
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
Learn, Study and Research in UCC, Ireland's first 5 star university. Our tradition of independent thinking will prepare you for the world and the workplace in a vibrant, modern, green campus.
The Chancellor of the National University of Ireland, Professor Michael Murphy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin (College Principal and Dean of the College of A...
The Chancellor of the National University of Ireland, Professor Michael Murphy, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Regina Uí Chollatáin (College Principal and Dean of the College of A...
I had a lovely time in Aarhus for the 41st Narrative Conference of the International Society for the Study of Narrative! I presented my research on Irish frame-narratives, including Acallam na Senórach @disappearingtext.bsky.social.
The Disappearing Text Project
Societas Celtologica Europaea
Read more about Admittance Day 2026 on the RIA website: www.ria.ie/2026/05/22/2...
📸 Image: 28 de na baill nua, in éineacht leis an tOllamh Daniel Carey, Uachtarán, Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann / 28 of the new members pictured with Professor Daniel Carey, President, Royal Irish Academy
Yesterday evening, we were pleased to welcome four members to the RIA to sign the Members’ Roll Book.
All members were formally admitted and signed the Member's Roll Book.
There's still time to register for tomorrow's online book launch party for Natasha Sumner's "Heroes of the Gael." 1:30 PM EST / 6:30 Ireland
Dr Nina Cnockaert-Guillou
www.ria.ie
29 new members have been admitted to the Royal Irish Academy for their exceptional contribution to the sciences, humanities and social sciences as well as to public service. Election to membership of ...
