ARTS Clare Island hosts Bard Summer School

Myths made modern at bardic festival on Clare Island


Áine Ryan

IS ENOUGH as good as a feast? A pithy question in the grey post-Celtic Tiger days of economic doom and gloom. Explore this complex notion through the ancient Celtic mythology around The TΡin and the conclusions could bring the questioner to intellectual and imaginative places unknown.
The Bard Summer School, held annually on Clare Island, will in its unique way, tackle this very topical subject over the coming days (July 6 to 10).
Organiser Sandy Dunlop says that The TΡin – with its plethora of universally enduring themes –  is replete with passages that will help address this subject.
Mr Dunlop, along with the Bard Team, has hosted this gathering since 1995, which celebrates myths and songs, folklore and mysticism, ceol agus craic, in the evocative surroundings of scenic Clare Island.
He cites an opening passage of the TΡin which focuses on ‘the destructive effect of greed’.   
“The TΡin begins with ‘pillow talk’ between an extremely wealthy couple, Medb and Ailill. Because one has possessions marginally more than another, a chain of events is set in place that effectively has the whole country fighting each other,” explains Sandy Dunlop.
He also refers to ‘the heroic code’ elicited in this epic story. While these heroes literally put their heads on the line for their communities, the handsome rewards were the spoils of battle – this often included women who had been captured. In contemporary times, the modern day warrior is perhaps the football star who is paid more money in one week than an entire family would need for a year.
Sandy also cites ‘the beheading test’ and explains that warrior Cú Chullain was the only one to turn up for the test. Giant Cú Roi had agreed to be beheaded if such brave warriors as Laoighaire, Conall and Cú Chulainn returned the following day to ‘put their necks on the line’. When the moment of truth arrived after our modern-day economy crashed, how many promise-making politicians, or bankers, put their heads on the line and took responsibility?
Over the years, The Bard Summer School – attended by such luminaries as the late authors and mystics, John Moriarty and John O’Donoghue – has unravelled key passages from our rich store of myths to discuss a broad range of subjects affecting present-day society.
Of course, with such a spectacular natural amphitheatre, the annual school also indulges in the rich history, archaeology and culture of Clare Island.
This year’s busy programme includes a guided walk, an Islanders’ Night and a poetry reading by Galway poet, Mary O’Malley. There is also the opening feast in McCabes’ Granuaile House and the big Féasta at the Bayview Hotel.
A Children’s Bard School will also be held this year in tandem with the main event.
The Bard Summer School is a journey through poetry and feast. It will run from tomorrow, Wednesday July 6 to Sunday 10.   Full programme: www.bard.ie

The myth of The TΡin
TÁIN Bó Cualigne – the driving off of the cows of Cooley – is a legendary tale from early Irish literature.
It relates an epic story about a war against Ulster by Medb, Queen of Connacht, and her husband Ailil. They intend to steal the stud bull, Donn, and are opposed only by the teenage Ulster hero, Cú Chullain.