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<rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/" version="2.0"><channel><title>Deirdre</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/deirdre--7139883</link><description><![CDATA[Delve into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology and tragic romance as "Deirdre" serves as a thematic beacon for this captivating podcast collection. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the profound themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of fate, reminiscent of Deirdre's own heart-wrenching journey. Listeners are invited to experience a diverse range of narratives that echo the emotional depth and cultural significance of this legendary figure, while also showcasing the vibrant storytelling traditions of Ireland. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that illuminate the enduring power of myth and the human condition. With every episode, discover a new book that brings to life the timeless struggles and passions that have resonated through generations, inviting reflection and connection with the past.]]></description><atom:link href="https://www.spreaker.com/show/7139883/episodes/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><language>en</language><category>Books</category><copyright>Copyright Romance Genre</copyright><image><url>https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg</url><title>Deirdre</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/deirdre--7139883</link></image><lastBuildDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:20:55 +0000</lastBuildDate><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Romance Genre</itunes:name><itunes:email>spreaker79@podcastlibrary.org</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:subtitle>Delve into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology and tragic romance as "Deirdre" serves as a thematic beacon for this captivating podcast collection. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the profound themes of love, betrayal,...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[Delve into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology and tragic romance as "Deirdre" serves as a thematic beacon for this captivating podcast collection. Each episode features a new complete audiobook that explores the profound themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of fate, reminiscent of Deirdre's own heart-wrenching journey. Listeners are invited to experience a diverse range of narratives that echo the emotional depth and cultural significance of this legendary figure, while also showcasing the vibrant storytelling traditions of Ireland. This is not a single story but a series of unique explorations that illuminate the enduring power of myth and the human condition. With every episode, discover a new book that brings to life the timeless struggles and passions that have resonated through generations, inviting reflection and connection with the past.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:category text="Arts"><itunes:category text="Books"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Kids &amp; Family"><itunes:category text="Pets &amp; Animals"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Science"><itunes:category text="Nature"/></itunes:category><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><podcast:guid>c3843602-cd5e-5b82-b2c6-e98159f292ee</podcast:guid><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><item><title>Golden Maiden and Other Folk Tales and Fairy Stories Told in Armenia-A. G. Seklemian</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/golden-maiden-and-other-folk-tales-and-fairy-stories-told-in-armenia-a-g-seklemian--74629870</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74629870</guid><pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:03:00 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74629870/13727_golden_maiden_and_other_folk_tales_and_fairy_stories_told_in_armenia_a_g_seklemian.mp3" length="203743535" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>25443</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Tristram and Iseult &amp; Sohrab and Rustum-Matthew Arnold</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/tristram-and-iseult-sohrab-and-rustum-matthew-arnold--74596892</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74596892</guid><pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 09:03:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74596892/tristram_and_iseult_sohrab_and_rustum_matthew_arnold.mp3" length="34379249" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>4293</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Lovers' Vows-Elizabeth Inchbald, August von Kotzebue</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/lovers-vows-elizabeth-inchbald-august-von-kotzebue--74564609</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74564609</guid><pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:02:50 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74564609/lovers_vows_elizabeth_inchbald_august_von_kotzebue.mp3" length="58884165" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>7353</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Cymbeline (Version 2)-William Shakespeare</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/cymbeline-version-2-william-shakespeare--74532874</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74532874</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 09:09:13 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74532874/cymbeline_version_2_william_shakespeare.mp3" length="109982638" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>13734</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Aladdin, Or, The Wonderful Lamp (A Dramatic Poem, in Two Parts)-Adam Oehlenschläger</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/aladdin-or-the-wonderful-lamp-a-dramatic-poem-in-two-parts-adam-oehlenschlager--74501632</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74501632</guid><pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 09:08:47 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74501632/aladdin_or_the_wonderful_lamp_a_dramatic_poem_in_two_parts_adam_oehlenschla_ger.mp3" length="220444185" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>27528</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Havelok the Dane A Legend of Old Grimsby and Lincoln-Charles Watts Whistler</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/havelok-the-dane-a-legend-of-old-grimsby-and-lincoln-charles-watts-whistler--74462502</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74462502</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Aug 2026 09:07:55 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74462502/9992_havelok_the_dane_a_legend_of_old_grimsby_and_lincoln_charles_watts_whistler.mp3" length="257578848" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>32165</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Dramatic Version of Greek Myths and Hero Tales-Fanny Amanda Comstock</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/dramatic-version-of-greek-myths-and-hero-tales-fanny-amanda-comstock--74429694</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74429694</guid><pubDate>Fri, 21 Aug 2026 09:08:42 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74429694/dramatic_version_of_greek_myths_and_hero_tales_fanny_amanda_comstock.mp3" length="135166644" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>16877</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Sunbeams-George Wilbur Peck</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/sunbeams-george-wilbur-peck--74386737</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74386737</guid><pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 12:29:19 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74386737/sunbeams_george_wilbur_peck.mp3" length="161068975" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>20113</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Paolo and Francesca-Stephen Phillips</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/paolo-and-francesca-stephen-phillips--74346111</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74346111</guid><pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 23:08:37 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74346111/paolo_and_francesca_stephen_phillips.mp3" length="50207559" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>6270</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>One-Act Play Collection 016-Various</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/one-act-play-collection-016-various--74203864</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74203864</guid><pubDate>Tue, 18 Aug 2026 09:08:51 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74203864/one_act_play_collection_016_various.mp3" length="184320812" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23017</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Aesop's Fables A New Revised Edition-Aesop</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/aesop-s-fables-a-new-revised-edition-aesop--74157384</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74157384</guid><pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 09:09:21 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74157384/aesop_s_fables_a_new_revised_edition_aesop.mp3" length="99725030" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>12453</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>On an Irish Jaunting-Car through Donegal and Connemara-Samuel Gamble Bayne</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/on-an-irish-jaunting-car-through-donegal-and-connemara-samuel-gamble-bayne--74115224</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/74115224</guid><pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 10:09:52 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74115224/on_an_irish_jaunting_car_through_donegal_and_connemara_samuel_gamble_bayne.mp3" length="92448071" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>11545</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>As I Lay Dying-William Faulkner</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/as-i-lay-dying-william-faulkner--73395331</link><description><![CDATA[As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a profound exploration of family, mortality, and the human condition, encapsulated in the journey of a family as they transport their deceased matriarch to her final resting place. This novel delves into the complexities of individual perspectives and the struggle for meaning in times of grief, making it a timeless reflection on the bonds that tie us together and the anguish that can tear us apart. Faulkner's innovative narrative style and rich characterizations invite listeners to engage deeply with the text, revealing universal truths about love, loss, and the quest for understanding.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73395331</guid><pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:50:01 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/73395331/as_i_lay_dying_william_faulkner.mp3" length="184958715" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a profound exploration of family, mortality, and the human condition, encapsulated in the journey of a family as they transport their deceased matriarch to her final resting place. This novel delves into the...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner is a profound exploration of family, mortality, and the human condition, encapsulated in the journey of a family as they transport their deceased matriarch to her final resting place. This novel delves into the complexities of individual perspectives and the struggle for meaning in times of grief, making it a timeless reflection on the bonds that tie us together and the anguish that can tear us apart. Faulkner's innovative narrative style and rich characterizations invite listeners to engage deeply with the text, revealing universal truths about love, loss, and the quest for understanding.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>23096</itunes:duration><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title>Deirdre - James Stephens</title><link>https://www.spreaker.com/episode/deirdre-james-stephens--72743309</link><description><![CDATA[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.]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72743309</guid><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:21:38 +0000</pubDate><enclosure url="https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/72743309/deirdre_james_stephens.mp3" length="149229853" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:author>James Stephens</itunes:author><itunes:subtitle>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...</itunes:subtitle><itunes:summary><![CDATA[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.]]></itunes:summary><itunes:duration>18654</itunes:duration><itunes:keywords>conachur,deirdre,fergus,ireland,king,maeve,naoise,nessa,stephens,ulster</itunes:keywords><itunes:explicit>false</itunes:explicit><itunes:image href="https://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/a47ebf8696e920279cb7967cfe18607a.jpg"/><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>
