Classes and workshops

Celtic Poetry Workshop

Two weeks of intense dabbling
with Celtic poetry.
This class should give you a better appreciation of early Celtic poetry, plus tools and ideas for writing poetry.
What if you don’t speak any Celtic languages?
The question I’m asked most often about this work is what value it has to those who don’t speak the languages of the original poems. My answer is that it absolutely still has value. Poets who speak these languages have considered it worthwhile to translate their native poetry, and sometimes their own poetry, into English – giving us a window into the soul of that poetry. At the same time, by studying the techniques used by the original poets, we can find much to apply to our own writing.

         Class starts on Thursday, June 22nd.
      Click here for more info and registration.
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This class is currently running.
Registration closed.
In Manannán and Beyond we will explore Manannán mac Lir, the lord of the sea and the otherworld, in His many manifestations in myth, folklore and the landscape.
More info here.

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Hedge teacher?

I sometimes call myself a hedge teacher. That has nothing to do with hedge witches, or anything like that. Instead, it refers to the spirit of the hedge schools of 18th and 19th century Ireland. Schools for ordinary people who cared deeply about learning, but who either couldn’t access education through official channels, or preferred to avoid them. The standard of scholarship was often high, but the regulation was informal, and teachers were supported by the community.  
Recreation of an Irish hedge school

Other classes

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Shapeshifters and Magical Animals
This class is currently running.
Registration closed.


In Shapeshifters and Magical Animals we will explore stories and poems from Britain and Ireland concerning the themes of transformation, wisdom, immortality, and time. Material will be drawn from folklore, myth, early bardic poetry, and relevant modern writers. This class is suitable for students who are new to Celtic material, but should add richness and insight for those who are not.

Women and goddesses in the Mabinogi


A series exploring the treatment of women, the male/female balance of power, mythological background, symbolism, and the possible intent of the compilers of the medieval text.

Participants need to be familiar with the text of The Four Branches, however it is less than 100 pages, total, when printed in standard paperback form, so this should not be a huge burden of reading. Advice will be given ahead of time about good online and printed sources for reading the material.
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Mabon, Modron, and Maponos


This class begins with an historical exploration of Maponos/Mabon and Matrona/Modron. We'll then move on to look at their possible reflexes in Britain, Ireland and beyond. This will include Rhiannon and Pryderi in the Mabinogi and the Irish Óengus Mac ind Óc.

The Celtic Horse Goddesses

This six week class explores the goddesses Epona, Macha, and Rhiannon in detail, as well as looking at the changing relationship between humans and horses.

This class usually runs every November/December
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Tales of the Old North: Hen Ogledd


I love the legends of the Old North. Not the stories of Arthur, which arise later, but that tales of Urien of Rheged and his kin. The poetry of the historical Taliesin, of Aneirin and Llwyarch Hen. The confused tales of Merlin, Lailoken, and Kentigern, which in turn circle back to Owain ap Urien, and find a new native expression in the tales of Owain (and his cousin, Peredur) in the Mabinogion.
Irish-Brythonic Connections
Currently running/registration closed

A fun class covering a wide range of connections between Irish and Welsh/Brythonic mythology and deities.
  • Cognate deities
  • Parallel stories
  • Visiting the neighbours
Celtic Beginnings
A class about Celtic culture, myths, and deities aimed specifically at people interested in Celtic Paganism/Polytheism - especially newcomers.
Are you interested in Celtic Paganism, but don’t know where to turn for good information? Maybe it feels like the topic is impossibly big, or like every time you ask a question you get sent in a different direction.
This course is designed with you in mind!

Meeting the Tuatha Dé Danann in the Cath Maige Tuired

The Cath Maige Tuired (The 2nd Battle of Moytura) is a classic and central part of the Irish "mythological cycle". It is useful for introducing many of the Tuatha Dé Danann in clear characterisations, and tells a good story in the process.

Celtic Myths and Deities

What will you learn?
  • During the course we will take an overview of the main myths of Ireland and Wales, and their deities.
  • We will also study a few myths and deities in more detail.
  • My main goal is to give you the tools to study independently, with confidence, once the course has ended.
  • This is an enormous subject, so a ten-week course can’t cover everything!

I taught this ambitious ten week series several times in 2019 and 2020. It is a full-on "bootcamp" of a course, and I might need some convincing that it is really the best way forward, before I offer it again.