Animals in Irish History and Myth

Explore the Enduring Role of Animals in Irish Culture

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Online class which explores the multifaceted relationship between humans and animals in Irish history and mythology. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and symbolic roles animals have played in Irish culture.

This class is for you if you have ever wondered about any of the following:

  1. The historical and mythological significance of animals in Ireland.
  2. The economic and social importance of animals in Irish history.
  3. The symbolism of animals in Irish literature and art.
  4. The connection between animals and the Irish concept of the Otherworld.


Taking this class will help a student become more aware of the multifaceted relationship between humans and animals in Irish history and mythology. They will gain insights into interpreting symbolism in art and literature related to animals in Irish culture. Through this course we hope students will grow to appreciate the enduring significance of animals in Irish society and by that develop a richer understanding of Irish culture as a whole.


What Will You Learn?
Cattle Culture in Ireland
  • The centrality of cattle in Irish history and society.
  • Examining the economic impact of cattle raising.
  • Analysing the role of cattle and other important animals in legal codes and social structures.

The Menagerie of Irish Myth

  • Exploring the rich bestiary of Irish mythology.
  • Deciphering the symbolism of animals like the stag, the hare, and the horse.
  • Examining the role of animals in heroic tales.

Unveiling Animal Symbolism

  • Examining the representation of animals in Irish art, such as Celtic La Tène and Insular styles.
  • Exploring the symbolic meaning of animal figures in literature and oral traditions.
  • Investigating the connection between animal imagery and the Otherworld.


Common Questions Answered:

  • Why were cattle so important in Irish history? (We'll explore their economic, social, and even legal significance.)
  • What are the meanings behind the various animals in Irish mythology?
  • How can we interpret animal imagery in Celtic art?
  • What connection do animals have to the Irish concept of the Otherworld?


Misunderstanding the role of animals: This class goes beyond simply seeing animals as livestock or mythical creatures. We'll explore their complex roles as symbols, economic drivers, and even spiritual figures.


The live class and recorded course materials are broken up into these sections, for accessibility and ease of use.

Full transcripts and subtitles are available on all recorded materials, for accessibility and ease of processing.


This Teaching is suitable for beginners, as well as those with more experience in this area, or in other traditions. You do not have to be dedicated to or working with any Irish Gods, Guides, or Guardians to take this class.


WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU ENROLL THIS COURSE?
Your Course access enrollment includes access to:

  • -- Class Presentation Slides
  • -- Class Videos
  • -- Class Audios
  • -- Exercises to complete in your own time
  • -- Interactive Q&A Session with the Teacher (recorded during live class).

You will get the unique perspective of Dr. Gillian Kenny an Hon Research Associate at the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies in Trinity College Dublin. Her specialism is women’s lives in medieval and early modern Ireland and beyond.


This is a completely self-paced online course.

When you are enrolled, join in live if possible, and get the recorded files after for repeated or further study and reference. You decide when you start and when you finish.


The date of this live class is - Sunday 24th November 2024, 9pm Irish Time.

  • If you can't attend the live class, your enrollment now entitles you to access the recorded class files (available by the following Tuesday) at the best value price.


When you enroll in this class, you are receiving lifetime access (with a full 30 day money back guarantee).

Enroll in the course, download the content, learn from the materials... and if you don't like what you've learned just email us and we'll give you all your money back. We're taking a risk by offering this - we can't get the content back, so you could just enroll, then ask for a refund, and rip us off! However, we work on an honour system with our Tuath, as did our ancient ancestors. We trust that you won't do that to us, just like you can trust that we will do our very best to make sure you have a good experience with the Irish Pagan School.

You have a 100% money back Guarantee, for a full 30 days, so you can go ahead and enroll with full confidence.

(see below - HOW TO GET ACCESS TO THIS COURSE)


Your Instructor


Dr. Gillian Kenny
Dr. Gillian Kenny

Dr. Gillian Kenny is an Hon Research Associate at the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies in Trinity College Dublin. Her specialism is women’s lives in medieval and early modern Ireland and beyond. She is also interested in the lives of those considered outsiders in the medieval world and is currently researching that topic. She has taught in both UCD and TCD and has appeared in and written on various historical topics both on TV and in newspapers/magazines as well as working on her own books and papers.


"I came here to learn about my roots. There is a gap in my knowledge that needs to be filled. IPS helps fill the gap with lore and resources, and they do it in a way that makes sense. I also value how Lora and Jon's honesty when trying to place the ancient practices in historical context, and their open mindedness to adapt when new archeological discoveries are made, or when the scholars disagree on a topic. And they do this in a language the rest of us who are not archeology majors can understand."

- Rebecca Mellinger recommends The Irish Pagan School.

Course Curriculum


  Fáilte! Welcome and Orientation
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Your Class Recordings Available Here --> Tuesday 26th November
Available in days
days after you enroll
  Please let us know what you think?
Available in days
days after you enroll

"The Irish Pagan school is an invaluable resource that covers many topics within Irish Paganism. The free classes provide the resources one needs to continue their education, even if one can't afford to move on to the paid classes or purchase other materials. The teachers are well versed in the subjects they cover, from an academic as well as spiritual point. IPS is really one of the few sources regarding Irish Paganism that I trust to, not only teach information free from ideas rooted in colonization/ cultural appropration, but to also direct me to other trustworthy sources."

- Billie Ælfwine recommends The Irish Pagan School.

Frequently Asked Questions


How long do I have to complete this course?
When you enroll in this course, you will be sent information by email (Fáilte - Your Access to the Irish Pagan School), and you can take things at your own pace from there. Your enrolled access after the live session includes all recordings. This makes it a completely self-paced online course - join in live if possible, and get the downloads after for repeated or further study. You decide when you start and when you finish.
How long will my enrollment last for?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this version of the recordings for as long as you remain a member of the Irish Pagan School - across any and all devices you own. So, you can take your time, or get it all done quickly, and revisit it all whenever you want to - it's completely up to you.
What if I enroll, then change my mind?
If you are unsatisfied with your purchase for ANY reason, contact us within the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund, no questions asked. If you do require a refund, please just contact the Irish Pagan School directly, by email. We will deal with your request and refund your money with no problems!
I can't make it to the live class, can I access it afterwards?
Yes, all of our live online classes are recorded, and the recordings are included as a replay with your enrollment... OR available to purchase later (at a slightly higher price point). So, go ahead and enroll now - you won't miss out on anything and you'll be getting it at the best value price! You'll receive a zoom invite to the live class, by email, as soon as you enroll, and you can simply recheck if you need to, and find it it in your Course Curriculum too!
Do I need to have Irish ancestry to study here?
No, absolutely not. We provide authentic connection to Ireland, with native or naturalised Irish teachers, for anyone who wishes to learn from us and is willing to put in the time and effort to do this properly... rather than grab a culturally appropriated quick fix. More Details - https://irishpagan.school/irish-paganism/

"I am loving the courses and meetings. I have looked for knowledge for most of my life and am so relieved I found a place and teachers that are so knowledgeable, kind and ready to share all the wonderful culture, traditions and everything related to Irish Paganism. I highly recommend the IPS for anyone interested in pure, down to earth learning."

- Anna Garcia recommends The Irish Pagan School.

Once you have enrolled for a LIVE online course...

You will receive some emails from Eolas @ IrishPaganSchool.ie.

When you enroll in a course at the Irish Pagan School, you’ll receive a system confirmation email that contains a clickable link to the course. You can use this link to open your course, or you can type the school or course page URL into the address bar of your web browser. (www.IrishPaganSchool.com)

You'll also receive:

  • Fáilte - How to Access your Course at the Irish Pagan School! This tells you how to log in, what to do if you forget your password, and how to join our Students Only facebook group (if you'd like to).
  • Your Live Online Class Zoom Invite. This is the invitation to join our live event. You can also find this in the Course Curriculum, after you log in using the instructions in the email above!


If you can't attend the course teaching live (at 9pm Irish time on the Sunday), don't worry, the recorded files and presentation slides, etc. will be posted into your Course Curriculum by the following Tuesday.


HOW TO GET ACCESS TO THIS COURSE

  • Choose the payment option below that best suits you - pay in Euros with a Credit Card, or pay in US Dollars with a Credit Card or PayPal.
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