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Accepted Paper:

Aesthetics of masculine dwelling in a Galway version of ATU650, 'Strong John'  
Ailbhe Nic Giolla Chomhaill (University of Limerick)

Paper short abstract:

This paper explores Micheál Breathnach's representation of masculinity in ATU650. The enhanced masculinity of the tale's hero is interpreted within the storyteller's own Weltanschauung, showing the clear link between the narrative and the principles of dwelling in such a place at such a time.

Paper long abstract:

The Gaelic folktale 'An Peata a chaith i bhfad ar a Mhaim' ['The Pet who spent a long time on his Mother's Breast] was collected by Éamonn Ó Tuathail in Joyce Country, Co. Galway in September 1937. The storyteller was Mícheál Breathnach, a native of the Maam Valley, whom Séamus Ó Duilearga, founding director of the Irish Folklore Commission, regarded as one of Connacht's best storytellers. A variant of Aarne-Thompson-Uther 650, Strong John, the tale tells of a young boy whose mother suckles him for 21 years. The hero goes on to achieve great affluence and high social standing by combining superhuman strength with cunning shrewdness. He performs astonishing deeds of prowess throughout the tale and cleverly outwits the cruel farmer who tries to have him killed on various occasions. Finally, he returns home to his beloved mother.

This paper explores masculinity in this popular Irish narrative. The transformation from weakling to warrior allows the storyteller to display his linguistic proficiency. To provide a contextual understanding of the tale, the paper draws extensively on Breathnach's autobiographical accounts of his formative life experiences. The enhanced masculinity of the tale's hero is thus interpreted within the storyteller's own Weltanschauung, showing the clear link between the narrative and the principles of dwelling in such a place at such a time.

Panel Body01
Towards an aesthetics of dwelling
  Session 1