The Call: Peadar Ó Guilín, Irish Fantasy and the Nature of Fairy Stories

Ireland is one of the world’s greatest fantasy hot spots. Join Irish fantasy writer Peadar Ó Guilín and Julia Golding as they embark on an exploration of Ireland’s rich storytelling tradition and its influence on Peadar’s work.

Discover how ancient tales of invasion gave rise to the Sidhe, and why the folk of the Mounds have it in for us. The Call features a brutal competition where they get their revenge—what might that tell us about the world Peadar grew up in and the themes emerging from his work? The conversation turns to The Sword Garden, his new book, which takes inspiration from Irish legend to begin a new tale of sci-fi fantasy world collisions. Be sure to stay to the end to hear Peadar and Julia pick the best place to take part in a magical contest—though most may be best avoided for health and safety reasons…

To dive deeper into Peadar’s various works, visit https://www.peadar.org/

(00:00) Introduction and Guest Overview
(01:40) Language Evolution and Writing Systems
(04:00) Ireland’s Influence on Fantasy Storytelling
(06:00) Reimagining Fairies: The Aas Sídhe Explained
(07:40) Irish Mythology and the Book of Invasions
(11:40) Themes of History, Class, and Conflict in Fantasy
(15:50) Irish Folklore Traditions and Story Cycles
(18:20) Local Legends and Landscape-Based Storytelling
(21:00) Stereotypes of Irish Writers and Global Perception
(23:00) Preserving Folklore: Monks, Records, and Oral History
(29:20) Tolkien, Fairy Stories, and Audience Perception
(34:40) Favourite Fantasy Worlds and Final Reflections

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Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!