Irish mythology has inspired countless artists, authors, and everyday people. Its four cycles each emphasize different virtues, from courage to wit. In this six-week course, we will explore the four cycles through a combination of medieval texts, more modern retellings, and exceptional summaries to deeply understand the mythology and how these mythologies have affected Ireland through the centuries. We will learn more about iconic characters like Fionn Mac Cumhaill, Cú Chulainn, Oisín, Deirdre, and Niamh. We will also learn about Irish gods and goddesses like the Dagda and Morrígan. Our instructor Delaney McCormack née Reddell, teaching via Zoom directly from Ireland, will tell their stories and help us understand why they inspire so many.

CLASS DATES & DESCRIPTIONS BY WEEK

		Week 1 [05/28/2023]: Intro to Irish Myths and Cycles The Irish Mythological System is complex yet beautiful in its structure and methods. In the first week of this course, we will learn more about the system, why it exists, and how we have access to these mythologies today. We will also discuss the sources and how the cycles have changed.
		Week 2 [06/04/2023]: Gods, Goddesses, and the Fae: The Mythological Cycle In Week 2, we will begin our look into each cycle. Starting with the Mythological Cycle, we will explore the origins and ploys of the Tuatha dé Dannan. We will spend time discussing the gods and goddesses of Ireland and their roles throughout the rest of Irish mythology.
		Week 3 [06/11/2023]: Cú Chulainn and his Comrades: The Ulster Cycle THIS CLASS WAS POSTPONED DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES AND RESCHEDULED TO JUNE 25TH (See Below).
		– NO CLASS SCHEDULED ON JUNE 18, 2023 – HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
		Week 3 [06/25/2023]: Cú Chulainn and his Comrades: The Ulster Cycle The Ulster Cycle takes place in the northern part of Ireland, with the Irish hero Cú Chulainn as the main hero. We will discuss Cú Chulainn's adventures, focusing on The Cattle Raid of Cooley tale. We will also cover other popular stories like Deidre of the Sorrows.
		Week 4 [07/2/2023]: The Adventures of Fionn MacCumhaill: The Fenian Cycle Fionn Mac Cumhaill may be Irish mythology's most beloved character. In Week 4, we will learn about him and his gang of warrior-hunters, the Fianna. We will cover iconic stories, like the salmon of knowledge, with some lesser-known gems.
		Week 5 [07/09/2023]: The Dynasties of Ireland: The Kings' Cycle While the three previous cycles covered tales of myths and fancy, the Kings' Cycle discusses many of the true kings of Ireland. It provides a myth-embellished history of the island. We will explore these tales as we
		Week 6 [07/16/2023]: Where Myth and Folklore Meet We often discuss Irish folklore and Irish mythology as separate entities. In many ways, they do operate in their spheres. However, there are crossovers and ways history has melded them together, particularly the Tuatha dé Dannan. We will discuss the melding of the myths with the folktales to gain a complete view of everything we discussed in previous weeks.

UPDATED CLASS DATES:
Sundays, May 28 – July 16, 2023
ONLINE via ZOOM

TUITION/COST:
Entire Six-Week Course:
$40 for Celtic Arts Center Members / $55 for non-members
Individual, Single Class Rates:
$8 for Celtic Arts Center Members / $11 for non-members

PLEASE REGISTER AT LEAST 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE.

Payment Details: Credit card payments can be processed through PayPal at
http://paypal.me/delaneyreddell
To pay by check, please make payment arrangements with the instructor via email at dreddell35@gmail.com
All payments must be received by 10 AM on the morning of the class.

Zoom Details: For online security, a unique Zoom meeting invite link will be emailed to registered students prior to each class meeting.

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See you ONLINE!