Episode 60: The woman who went to Hell

My version of an Irish folk tale with everything – a spoilerific title, weddings, funerals, cabbages, amazing abs and a very special guest.

There’s quite a few versions of this story knocking around – I’ve made my own my combining versions to give one that makes the most sense to me.

I still spend most of the episode going “what, that doesn’t make any sense!” and “Why?” and things like that.

I’m not sure if it’s what my audience want but it’s certainly what they’re getting, and I hope by now they’re used to it.

Discussion section involves raging at the ATU and Peig Sayers.

It’s a hell of a ride (sorry)!

Peig Sayers

This discussion section features some detail about the life and folk tales of Peig Sayers – probably the most well known traditional Oral Storyteller in either Britain or Ireland.

If you’re interested in more about this wonderful woman I recommend you start with this podcast episode. And probably not with her autobiography given its reputation (sorry Peig).

Selected Sources

• West Irish Folk-Tales and Romances – William Larminie, 1893 – One of the main sources that I used for my version
• Folktales of Ireland Seán Ó Súilleabháin – The key version I used is here. Unfortunately you will have to buy this book if you want to read it.
• Scéalta on Mblascaod – Kenneth Jackson – Collection of stories from Peig Sayers in Irish (English summaries at the end)
• An Bhean a Bhí Seacht mBliana in Ifreann – another version from the Dúchas schools collection
• Scéalta Cráiḃṫeaċa – another Irish language version here