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Paper short abstract

This paper explores the in-tale of the griffin in the ‘Conall Gulban’ story. This is a humorous interlude in an otherwise intense and violent narrative. It portrays both nature and quasi-magical beings in a comical way, broadening our understanding of the role of the natural world in folktales.

Paper long abstract

‘Conall Gulban’ is a standalone heroic narrative which was very popular with nineteenth- and twentieth-century Irish and Scottish storytellers. The Conall story is full of travel, adventure and encounters with the natural and supernatural world. A discussion of the importance of seafaring in this story, and its connections with men’s identity, has recently been published by the author. However, the lighter side of the sea and its environs, as depicted in the tale, is also worth highlighting. The comic in-tale of a secondary character’s encounter with the taloned griffin appears in many versions. This incident takes place in the sea, in a bird's nest on the side of a cliff and sometimes includes a beach scene as well. The wild setting of the interlude makes for an interesting contrast to the royal court where the in-tale is recounted and its light humorous tone makes for significant comic relief in a narrative which is often intense and sometimes very violent. The inclusion of this interlude – with its flashback element – adds to the structural complexity of the narrative, and gives it depth and variety. Conall’s relationship with secondary characters, who often start as enemies and end up being recruited by him, is also of interest. By looking at different versions of the in-tale, the paper discusses how this part of the story demonstrates that the natural world and the marvelous beings which inhabit it can function as a source of humor, while maintaining a richness of imagery and atmosphere.