Deirdre by James Stephens (1882 - 1950)

About Deirdre by James Stephens (1882 - 1950)

Beautiful, playful young Deirdre, caught in the crosshairs of Ireland's wily, chauvinistic King Conachur, who desires to marry her after his own wife Maeve has escaped his clutches, is one of many prequels to the legend of “The Great Tain”, Ireland's national epic. Sometimes called "The Irish Iliad", this saga of war between rival Irish and Scottish kings, with its many characters, was preserved in oral tradition with many variations, until committed to writing in the Middle Ages. Stephens gives his own interpretation, insights and humor of the Deirdre story as he spins court intrigue, jealousy, subterfuge. Deirdre's innocence, training as a young lady of worth; her escape from Conachur, her love for her husband (murdered at the King's hand), and eventual suicide, are the stuff of Irish legend, riveting throughout, rivaling the romantic tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. (Summary by Michele Fry) List of characters: Conachur mac Nessa - King of Ulster Fergus mac Roy - King of Ulster before Conachur displaced him, married his mother Nessa and became Conachur's step father Felemid - the storyteller Deirdre - daughter of Felemid, raised by Laversham for Conachur Nessa - daughter of Echaid Yellow-Heel, once King of Ulster, mother of Conachur, wife of Cathfa, then Fergus Cathfa - Conachur's father, also poet/seer/magician; Nessa's husband until she left him for Fergus Maeve - daughter of the High King of Ireland, unwilling wife of Conachur, who finally escapes and leaves him lonely, embarrassed and angry Laversham - Conachur's "conversation woman" (confidant), his spy, and Deirdre's foster mother/groomer Naoise - Deirdre's lover and husband, warrior in Conachur’s army, Uisneac's eldest son Ainnle and Ardan - Naoise's younger brothers Uisneac - father of Naoise (Deirdre's husband), Ainnle and Ardan Bricriu - in charge of hospitality, also a poet and troublemaker Fachtna the Mighty - in some legends the son of Og and Nessa's lover; possible father of Conachur, which would make Conachur half mortal/half God Clothru - daughter of the High King of Ireland, wife of Conachur until killed by her sister Maeve Buinne and Iollann, sons of Fergus mac Roy Definitions: featly = nimbly, gracefully findriny = A precious metal often cited in early Irish manuscripts as having a value lower than gold or silver. eric - tribute/penalty/punishment paid in reparation for murder or other major crimes. geasa - obligations or prohibitions, vows, taboos or curses which, if violated, bring dishonor or even death. Conversely, the observing of a geas is empowering.

Publisher

ciesse

Category

arts · fiction

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Feb 2025

Latest episode

10 Feb 2025

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Feb 2025

   X. Book 1, Chapters 22, 23

2. 

   10 Feb 2025

   XVII. Book 2, Chapters 13, 14

3. 

   10 Feb 2025

   XII. Book 2, Chapters 3, 4

4. 

   10 Feb 2025

   XI. Book 2, Chapters 1, 2

5. 

   10 Feb 2025

   XV. Book 2, Chapters 9, 10

6. 

   10 Feb 2025

   VII. Book 1, Chapters 15, 16, 17

7. 

   10 Feb 2025

   VIII. Book 1, Chapters 18, 19

8. 

   10 Feb 2025

   VI. Book 1, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14

9. 

   10 Feb 2025

   XIV. Book 2, Chapters 7, 8

10. 

    10 Feb 2025

    XIX. Book 2, Chapters 17, 18

11. 

    10 Feb 2025

    XVIII. Book 2, Chapters 15, 16

12. 

    10 Feb 2025

    IX. Book 1, Chapter 20, 21

13. 

    10 Feb 2025

    XVI. Book 2, Chapters 11, 12

14. 

    10 Feb 2025

    XIII. Book 2, Chapters 5, 6

15. 

    10 Feb 2025

    IV. Book 1, Chapters 7, 8

16. 

    10 Feb 2025

    I. Book 1, Chapters 1, 2

17. 

    10 Feb 2025

    V. Book 1, Chapters 9, 10

18. 

    10 Feb 2025

    II. Book 1, Chapters 3, 4

19. 

    10 Feb 2025

    III. Book 1, Chapters 5, 6

Podcast Authority Score: 23 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

47

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0

Contact Deirdre by James Stephens (1882 - 1950)

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.