Sounds from the Shadows

The Swan with the golden feathers

31 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

CW: Death of a WWII Spy Last story of the year from Noor Inayant Khan's Twenty Jataka Tales. Twenty Jataka Tales https://www.goodreads.com/book/show...

Ep 49. The Juniper Tree

30 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

CW: Child Abuse A favourite story of mine, the very dark, very Grimm, The Juniper Tree. This story has been told before way back in episode 2 about ...

Ep 48, Spider's Webs

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

CW: Second story contains reference to suicide. There will be 3 episodes before the end of the year and this is the first of them! Two stories ab...

The Canterville Ghost

31 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part 3 of 3 Halloween Episodes Oscar Wilde's The Canterville Ghost. Text of The Canterville Ghost https://gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14522/pg14522-i...

Ep 47, Tontlawald

30 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part 2 of 3 Halloween Episodes CW: Child Abuse The second spooky story this October, and Estonian fairytale about a haunted woods, a living doll, a...

Ep 46, The Three Dark Sisters and the Singing Mice

21 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Part One of Three Halloween Episodes. Let us begin with witches, cats, and singing mice. Jenny Nimmo; jennynimmo.me.uk/ThewitchesAndTheSingingMice....

Tackling the Tain ep 9

10 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Includes the Story of the Two Swine Heards. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/fromtheshadows Patreon Patreon www.patreon.com/talesf...

Tackling the Tain ep 8

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

CW: Rape, forced marriage, death of children. Including the return of Fergus's promise, the boys brigade, and Deirdre of the Sorrows. Website www.t...

Tackling the Tain ep 7

25 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CW: Death and Violence Includes Ferdiad at the Ford Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/fromtheshadows Patreon Patreon www.patreon.c...

Tackling the Tain ep 6

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CW; Killing of a child Including Fergus's promise, Cu Chulliann and the Morrigan, and The Morrigan's Child. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-...

Mini Ep 14, Culture night 2021, The Two Naga of the Lake

17 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This culture night the shadows are delighted to be preforming in Ballyroan Library along side and exhibition of work by Ariyana Ahmad. This story is ...

Tackling The Táin ep 5

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 5, including Aillill's Jealousy, and The Fighting at the Ford CW: Blood and Battle Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/...

Tackling The Tain Ep 4

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 4, including the Birth of Cú Chulainn, and How Cú Chulainn got His Name. CW; Weird Pregnancy Stuff, Death of a Dog Website www.talesfrom...

Tackling The Tain Ep 3

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

CW: still-birth Episode 3 includes Fergus and Medb, and The Curse of Macha. Sounds from the Shadows: Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-f...

Tackling the Táin Ep 2

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Second episode of a new series of telling the Irish epic of the Táin. Episode 2 features the Messengers from Connacht, The Story of Nassa, Rise of Co...

Tackling the The Táin Ep 1

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

First episode of a new series of telling the Irish epic of the Táin. Episode 1 features the 'Pillow Talk of Meadh and Ailill' and 'The Children of Cl...

Tackling the Táin ep0

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A new storytelling series were Emily tries to Tackle to Táin. Sounds from the Shadows: Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/fromthes...

mini Ep 13, Little Red and the Hungry One

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A new version of an old story, I hope you enjoy! Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/fromtheshadows Patreon Patreon www.patreon.com/t...

Ep 45, Loathful Ladies

17 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The shadows are back! This time with some stories of Loathful Ladies. Akidwa and FGM https://akidwa.ie/female-genital-mutilation/ Emily's Hair Cut ht...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 12- The Drum

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the twelfth day of Christmas my truelove sent to me twelve drummers drumming. Emily tells about the hall of sleeping heres and the drum that will ...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 11- The Pied Piper

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the eleventh day of Christmas my truelove sent to me eleven pipers piping. CW; Child Abduction, Sad Ending Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 10- The Stone Servant

03 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the tenth day of Christmas my truelove sent to me ten lords a leaping. Emily tells the story of The Stone Servant, the first part of the Story of ...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 9- The Dancing Princesses

02 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the nineth day of christmas my truelove sent to me nine ladies dancing. Emily tells the story of the twelve dancing princesses. Website www.tales...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 8- The Green Cow

01 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On the eighth day of christmas my truelove sent to be eight maids a milking. Emily tells the story of The Green Cow, or The Glas Chaibhleann. CW; Fa...

12 Days of Christmas- Day 7- The Swan Maiden with Red Feathers

31 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the seventh day of Christmas my truelove sent to me seven swans a swimming. Emily tells a story about a Swan Maiden, and who she got her red feath...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 6- The Goose Girl

30 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the sixth day of Christmas my truelove sent to me six geese a laying. Emily tells the story of The Goose Girl. CW: Cruel and Unusual Punishment. ...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 5- The Bronze Ring

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the fifth day of Christmas my truelove sent to me five golden rings. Emily tells a story of a ring worth more than its weight in gold. Website ww...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 4- Snow White

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the fourth day of christmas my truelove sent to me four molly birds. A Colly Bird is a Black Bird. Emily shares the story of snow White. CW for l...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 3- The Hen

27 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the third day of Christmas my truelove sent to me three french hens. Emily brings you a rather short story about an ambitious hen. Website www.ta...

12 Stories of Christmas- Day 2- The Dove

26 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the second day of christmas my truelove sent to me two turtle loves. Emily brings you the story of The Dove. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com ...

12 Stories of Christmas-Day 1- The Girl With No Hands

25 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On the first day of Christmas my true-love sent to me, a partridge in a pear tree. Well, there are no partridges in this story, but it does start wit...

12 Days of Stories- Trailer

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Starting 25th Dec a new series of 12 stories, from a pear tree to drummers, each story will have some link to 'The 12 Days of Christmas'.

Ep 44, The Ballad of Tam Lin

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"I forbid you maidens all that wear gold in your hair, to come or go to Carter Hall, for young Tam Lin is there." Emily retells the famous tale of Ta...

Mini Ep 12 Hansel and Gretel

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Preparing for Halloween Emily revisits a classic tale for children, too many sweets, and a wicked witch. Hullabaloo! Festival; https://www.hullabalo...

Ep 43, Visiting Corpses

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

'Tis the spooky season! And to celebrate Emily tells some stories of visits from beyond the grave. The Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens; https://www.l...

Ep 42, The Banshee

10 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily is joined by storyteller Naoise O'Duinn to discuss on of the most famous and most illusive figures in Irish folklore and legend, the Banshee! N...

Ep 41, Apples

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily and Georgia are going back to the very beginning (at least according to one book) and talking about apples. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com...

ep 40, Bluebeard

31 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily is opening the forbidden door and telling stories about a man with a blue beard and many wives. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi...

Ep 39, Dragons

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily's in a cupboard telling boxes, singing stories, and talking about dragons! Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Ko-Fi ko-fi.com/fromtheshadows ...

Mini episode 12, The Princess and the Pea

04 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From under a pile of blankets Emily shares a story about a pile of mattresses, perfect for bedtime! Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com ko-fi.com/fr...

ep 38, Irish She-Wolves

28 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily coming to you live from the blanket fort with two irish stories about She-Wolves and Shape Shifters. For more on Irish werewolves and shape shi...

Leprechauns, Part 2!

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Bringing you more stories for St. Patrick's Day. This time Sionnán tell us why you should be careful what you wish for, especially when talking to a...

ep 37, Leprechauns, Part 1

15 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily talks about Ireland's favourite folklore creature, the Leprechaun. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com https://ko-fi.com/fromtheshadowsPatreon ...

Mini episode 11 -Birth of Mongon

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sionnán tells the story of the birth of the great king Mongon. There are more first breathing sheep than you might expect.

Ep 37, Wilde Birds

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow gals are talk about birds in the fairytales of Oscar Wilde. Featuring Emily Collins, George Doorley,, and Róisín Finnegan. Wild(e) Tale...

Mini ep 10, Tiamat and Marduk

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Wild(e) Tales as part of Vault 2020 vaultfestival.com/whats-on/wilde-tales/ Sionnon tells the story of how Tiamat and Abzu made the gods and how the g...

Ep 36, Spinning

11 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow gals have a few yarns to spin! From turning straw into gold to dismembering your sister, let them weave you some tales about spinning. Fea...

Mini ep 9 -Conán of the Wooly Back

28 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Deirdre tells the story of how Conán Mac Morna, known affectionately as ' Conán the Bald' became known as 'Conán the Wooly'. Website www.talesfrom...

Ep 35, Belle-Belle and the Proto-Feminist Fairytales of France

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Georgia and Emily travel back in time and to france to look at the creation of Literary Fairytale in the paris salons, and the story of Belle-Belle, o...

Mini ep 8, Night of the Horned Women

30 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Emily tells the story of the Night of the Horned Women Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Patreon www.patreon.com/talesfromtheshadows facebook www.f...

ep 34, Dogs 2

16 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We got more dog stories! From avenging hounds to cuddly lapdogs, we know every dog is a good god. Featuring Emily Collins and Georgia Doorley. Websi...

Mini Episode 7, Bancho Sarayashiki/The Ghost of the Ten Plates

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Here's a spooky mini episode for Halloween! This is a Japanese legend which was adapted into a bunraku play (puppets, no wonder we're drawn to it.) T...

Ep 33, Cinderella part 2

19 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

More talking about the one whom the slipper fits. Featuring Emily Collins, Deirdre Quinn, and Georgia Doorley. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com ...

ep 32, Cinderella part 1

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow gals are back and talking about one of the most well known fairytales, Cinderella and Cinderella-Type tales. Featuring Emily Collins, Deir...

mini episode 6, Children of Lir

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

One of the most well known Irish Myths, the Children of Lir. Website www.talesfromtheshadows.com Patreon www.patreon.com/talesfromtheshadows facebook...

Mini episode 5, The Selfish Giant

06 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We will be taking part in the Monkstown International Puppet Festival on September 21st with a shadow show retelling some of the fairytales of Oscar W...

ep 31, Medb-part 2

23 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

CW; Miscarriage, Death by misadventure, terrible mother-daughter relationship. We're back with more of the Queen of the Friendly Thighs, Queen Medb, ...

ep 30, Medb -part 1

08 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

CW; Incest, Kinslaying, Pissing Lakes. Queen Medb (or Meadhbh or Meave, choose your own spelling.)She was quite a woman. Most famous for her role in...

Mini episode 4, The two pig keepers

26 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sionnán tells the tale of the two pig keepers, Bristle and Grunt, and how a practical joke started what would become the GREATEST EPIC IN ALL OF IREL...

ep 29, Pigs

13 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We're as happy as a pig in muck to talk about pigs and why these clever creatures have got a bit of a bad rap in western folklore. Feature Emily Coll...

Pretty Polly

27 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Mini episode with Emily's version of 'Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight'. This story is known under a number of names, include 'False Sir John', 'Water o...

Ep 28, More Devil Tales

07 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow girls bring you yet more tales about the horny one. There's romance, there's soul selling, and there's a few women how are more than will t...

Ep 27, Food -Irish Folklore

24 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow gals have come together with a cup of tea to share stories about food! They're serving tales of porridge, blood pudding, and salmon. Bon ap...

Ep 26, Gender Non Conforming Tales

10 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Gals talk about tales that go against gender-stereotypes, from a female pope, to a trans-prince, to non-conforming Russian folk heroine. *...

Mini-Episode 2, Tatterhood

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A mini-episode to celebrate the first birthday of the podcast! A story of an unusual birth and an even more unusual Princess, the Norwegian fairytale ...

Ep 25, Devil Stories

12 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Gals sit down for a casual chat about the Devil. The are demonic cats, half remembered bible stories, whiskey, and of course snoring dogs. ...

mini-episode, World Storytelling Day -The Goose Girl

20 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A mini-episode to celebrate Worlds Storytelling Day. Emily tells one of her favourite fairytales, The Goose Girl.

ep 24, Cat II

08 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The cat's have returned (and as you can hear in the background the dogs are non too please by this.) The shadow gals are back talking about cats with ...

ep 23, Animal spouse

22 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Love can take many forms, like a deer or a hedgehog. The Shadow Gals are telling fairytales about Animal Spouse and talking about why you may not actu...

ep 22, Bridget

31 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bridget, Goddess, Saint, and make of wonderful beer. To celebrate the feast day of Bridget and Imbolc, the start of Spring, the Shadow Gals are talk a...

Ep 21, Little Red Riding Hood

18 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the shadow girls are talking about that most famous of fairytales, Little Red Riding Hood and comparing some different versions of the...

ep 20, Baba Yaga

03 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow girls are talking about everyones favourite witch who lives in a chicken-legged house, Baba Yaga, as well as other crone characters like th...

Ep 19, Solstice

21 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On the darkest night the shadow girls get together to share some food, a ghost story, and talk about some of the solstice traditions around the world....

Ep 18, The Cattle-Raid of Fraech

07 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

When is a cattle-raid not a cattle raid? In this episode we're talking about a táin but it's not THE táin. This story involves Fraech the utterly go...

ep 17, Caravaggio at the National Museum of Ireland

15 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Amours musicians, ambitious lizards, armoured giants, and able old women. The shadow girls tell some of the stories they told during the live show at...

ep 16, Cats

02 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow gals are talking about tales of cats! With one gal vey much a dog person, and three pups hurmphing their opinions in the background, will t...

ep, 15 Samhain Halloween

18 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Halloween! In this episode Emily talks a little bit about Halloween and Samhain and tells two seasonly spooky tales. Featuring Emily Collins f...

ep. 13 Blood Suckers

04 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow gals pour a drink and chat about Blood Suckers! Featuring Emily Collins, Orla Devlin, and Georgia May Doorley

ep. 12 Cunning Woman

20 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The shadow gals are looking at the cunning arts and stories of witches and wise women. Featuring Emily Collins, Sionnán Ní Nualláin, Deirdre Quinn...

ep 11 ghost stoires

06 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting longer. Perfect time to start talking about ghosts! The shadow gals talk about some of there favo...

ep 10 Dogs!

23 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Who's a good boy? The Shadow Gals are going barking mad over stories about dogs! From big scary Grims to small snoring ones, we love dogs. Featuring...

ep. 9 Shakespeare and Witches

09 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Gals are gathering around the cauldron to talk about Witches and Shakespeare. Featuring Emily Collins, Sionnán Ní Nualláin, and Kate Ba...

ep. 8 Lughnasa

26 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Gals are celebrating Lughnassa with some stories about the god Lugh while sleeping dogs snore. Featuring Emily Collins, Georgia May Dooley...

ep. 7 -Shakespeare Fairie Magic

12 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

To celebrate the summer we are talking about midsummers, Midsummer Night's Dream and Shakespeare's depiction of Faeries. Featuring Emily Collins, Sio...

ep. 6, Origin Myths - The Book of Invasions

28 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode the shadow gals talk about The Book of Invasions, the sudo-historical myth of the populating of Ireland. Featuring Emily Collins, Orl...

ep. 5 -Resurrection, part 2

15 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Gals are back from the dead with more stories on the topic of resurrection! Featuring Emily Collins, Orla Devlin, and Gráinne Holmes Blum...

ep. 4 Resurrection, part 1

31 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Shadow Girls start digging up stories about resurrections and find so many tales that this will need more than one episode! After a tangent or two...