April 3, 2020

Meitheal – Stories from Early Medieval Ireland

Spotify

Show Notes

Meitheal – Stories from Early Medieval Ireland Audiobook

The Meitheal – Stories from Early Medieval Ireland audiobook weaves tales based on archaeological discoveries

Meitheal – Stories from Early Medieval Ireland Audiobook

The Meitheal – Stories from Early Medieval Ireland audiobook weaves tales based on archaeological discoveries

Based on archaeological evidence, hear a compelling series of interwoven tales that tell of life and loss in early medieval Ireland with this free audiobook

On a long, low ridge in the small townland of Raystown near Ashbourne in County Meath, archaeologists discovered the remains of a large and complex site that was once part of the ancient kingdom of Brega. The excavations revealed a place where people worked the fields, milled grains, feasted, lived and buried their dead well over a thousand years ago. This large farming settlement was to endure for at least 600 years, and this discovery produced a wealth of new insights into life in Early Medieval Ireland. This audio book weaves a number of fictional tales, informed by the excavation, to help to introduce some of the people who lived at Raystown, and includes references to artefacts that were found during the dig. You’ll meet the lord or flaith of the settlement, his bóaire who managed the farms and mills, a slave, and a wanderer. You’ll enjoy a feast for a King, and hear the aftermath of a raid on a rival settlement.

This free audiobook gives glimpses of life in a large settlement in around the 7th century AD. The stories are based on the results of the archaeological excavation that was carried out at Raystown in 2004 in advance of the construction of the M2 Finglas to Ashbourne Motorway. Many of the details in the tales were inspired by the remarkable discoveries by the archaeologists, and we are indebted to Matthew Seaver and his excavation team for unearthing these glimpses into the past.

An aerial view of the early medieval site at Raystown under excavation (Courtesy of TII) as featured in the Meitheal Stories from Early Medieval Ireland Audiobook

Raystown post-excavation plan showing all phases of activity (From the publicationas featured in the Meitheal Publication, courtesy of TII)

In the early medieval period, around 1,500 years ago, an older woman is buried in a simple earthen grave within the enclosed cemetery at the centre of her settlement. She is laid close to her ancestors, so close her grave disturbs an earlier burial whose bones are carefully gathered and placed on and beside her body ...Artistic imagining of the burial of the older woman (who features as Beibhinn in the story) (artist John G O’Donoghue, as featured in the Meitheal publication courtesy of TII) featured in the Meitheal Stories from Early Medieval Ireland Audiobook

The foundations of an early medieval mill discovered at Raystown (courtesy of TII) as featured in the Meitheal Stories from Early Medieval Ireland Audiobook

The excavation of a large ditch or millrace underway at Raystown (courtesy of TII)

MEITHEAL – STORIES FROM EARLY MEDIEVAL IRELAND AUDIOBOOK

Title: Meitheal – Stories from Early Medieval Ireland Audiobook

Duration: 35 mins.

Summary:
Based on archaeological evidence, this audiobook provides a compelling series of interwoven tales that tell of life and loss in early medieval Ireland. You can enjoy our audiobooks anywhere, from the comfort of your favourite chair, or download to enjoy while you’re out and about. Simply hit play to hear the stories of Ireland.

This Audiobook is an Abarta Heritage Production with Transport Infrastructure Ireland

You can discover more about the incredible archaeological site at Raystown in the publication; Meitheal; The Archaeology of Lives, Labours and Beliefs at Raystown County Meath. For more information please visit TII.ie.

This audiobook is an Abarta Heritage Production on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland. The script was written by Neil Jackman with the specialist insights of Matthew Seaver and Terry O’Hagan. The audiobook was recorded and produced by Róisín Burke and Declan Lonergan, and narrated by Sarah Jane Scott, Sam Lucas Smith and Danny Kehoe.

This audiobook is also available on