The tale of the Salmon of Knowledge is one of the most famous and well-loved stories of Irish in mythology. It’s a story about becoming – of a hero before he was a hero. Everyone in Ireland knows the story. But you might be surprised by its roots!

Read the Podcast Script

Sources and Further Reading

The Salmon of Knowledge Variants

• Salmon of Knowledge
• The Boyish Exploits of Finn – translated by John O’Donovan
• “Had I but eaten of the salmon of knowledge…” Cath Mhuighe Léana translated by Eugene O’Curry (p97)
• The High Deeds of Finn and other Bardic Romances – T. W. Rolleston
• My previous episode featuring Fintan mac Bóchra

Fionn / Enchanted Water Stories

• Fionn and Cúldub – translated by Kuno Meyer
• The Fountain of the Moon – edited by Nicholas Kearney

Sigurd and Taliesen

• Sigurd
• Hanes Taliesen, Taliesen, Ceridwen
• Intervention and Disruption in the Myths of Finn and Sigurd – Joseph Falaky Nagy
• Abstract Narrative in Ireland – R. Mark Scowcroft
• Reviewed Work: The Thumb of Knowledge in Legends of Finn, Sigurd, and Taliesin– Robert D. Scott (Review by: G. M.)

Sinnan and Boand

• Revue Celtique (Sinnan) – translated by Whitley Stokes
• Revue Celtique (Boand) – translated by Whitley Stokes
• On the Manners and Customs of the Ancient Celts – Eugene O’Curry
• The Well of Faery – translated by Kuno Meyer
• The Metrichal Dindsenchas – translated by Edward Gwynn

Music

• The Butterfly – Sláinte
• The Crosses of Annagh. The Humors of Tulla. The Cup of Tea – Sláinte
• Jig of Slurs. Dublin Reel – Merry Blacksmith. The Mountain Road – Sláinte
• Things you never known – Lobo Loco
• Relaxing Piano Music – Kevin MacLeod
• By the Wind – Sergey Cheremisinov
• Ladies Choice – Dance Hall – Lobo Loco