A lecture on ancient Irish star names, origin legends and popular star beliefs at UCC tonight at 6pm.
A public lecture at University College Cork will delve into the ancient Irish understanding of the night sky, showcasing a distinct celestial world that prevailed long before modern zodiac signs became popular.
RTÉ and TG4 journalist Seán Mac an tSithigh will give a talk on old Irish star names, origin legends and popular star beliefs at UCC tonight, Thursday 24 August at 6pm in Boole 1. In Celestial Echoes: The Night Sky in Irish Folklore, Mac an tSíthigh will draw on ancient manuscripts and his own fieldwork to explore aspects of the night sky in Irish folklore.
Although Greek and Roman traditions dominate our interpretation of the constellations today, the Irish once had their own understanding of the sky. During this lecture, ancient Irish star names, origin legends and popular star beliefs will be revealed, providing an imaginative depiction of the night sky and its forgotten lore.
The conference is part of the Irish National Astronomy Meeting 2023 (INAM 2023) to be hosted by the UCC School of Physics on August 24-25.
Speaking ahead of the event, Seán Mac an tSithigh commented: “Much of the knowledge I will be presenting was gathered from the Irish regions of Ireland during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. era of electrification, with a generation that retained an intimate relationship with the night sky, as well as a rich oral culture.
“In the manuscripts of the Irish Folklore Commission we find that the stars have practical functions but also have a deeper cosmological significance. Whether used as weather signs, omens of doom, or messengers of superstition during childbirth, it is clear that astronomical movements played a central role in how communities understood their immediate surroundings and imagined their future.
“Although a living tradition has been almost completely lost, ancient star names and surviving traditions can help us discover the beauty of the Irish night sky, revealing a colorful mosaic of personalities and images, and offering us, hopefully an opportunity to revive and reclaim an indigenous tradition,” he said.
Professor Paul Callanan, Director of the UCC School of Physics, added: “We are indebted to Seán and his efforts to record Ireland’s oral heritage of the night sky, thereby preserving cultural traditions that would otherwise be lost. over time. Everyone is welcome to what will be a unique and enlightening presentation by Seán. »
Topics will include galactic cosmic rays, habitable planets, massive black holes and the astronomical observatories of Ireland. Participation in Seán Mac an tSithigh’s conference is free and open to the public.
