Previous Ulidia (Ulster Cycle) conferences have taken place at Queen's University, Belfast (1994), Maynooth University (2005 & 2016), University of Ulster, Coleraine (2009), Queen's University, Belfast (2013). Previous Fíanaigecht (Finn Cycle) conferences have been held at the University of Cambridge (2009) and University of Glasgow (2014).
For the first time, the two conferences will come together for a joint meeting in 2018, organised by the Scottish Celtic departments at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and the University of the Highlands and Islands, and held at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (University of the Highlands and Islands) in the Isle of Skye from 13-17 June 2018.
Our plenary speakers will be:
- Dr Joanne Findon (Trent University) on otherworld women in the Ulster and Finn Cycles
- Prof. William Gillies (University of Edinburgh) on the Ulster Cycle and Finn Cycle ballads in the Book of the Dean of Lismore
- Dr Barbara Hillers (University College, Dublin) on the Ulster and Finn Cycles from a folklore perspective
- Prof Ruairí Ó hUiginn (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies) on the Cú Chulainn cycle in mediaeval and modern Ireland and Scotland
- Prof Erich Poppe (Philipps-Universität, Marburg) on the formation of cycles in medieval literatures.
It is hoped that this joint meeting will facilitate exploration of
- the concept of the 'cycle' as a classificatory model
- the relationships between place, landscape and story in Ireland and Scotland
- the antecedents and legacy of Macpherson’s Ossian within Gaelic tradition
- the reception of both Ulster and Finn Cycle texts in visual art, music and theatre
- contemporary responses to the Ulster Cycle and Finn Cycle characters and traditions (in scholarship, literature including children’s literature, school curricula, art, marketing, tourism/hospitality)
The call for papers is now closed; please contact UlidiaFinn2018@uhi.ac.uk with any queries.
