The Importance Of Irish Mythology In Irish Literature

Irish mythology is a slew of history and myth, blurring the lines of understandable and reliable Irish history (Dersin, 16; Kinniburgh). This unique literature, demonstrates the Celtic peoples sense of the connection between the natural and supernatural realms (Dersin, 15). In Irish myth, the Tuatha de Danaan are the human like gods that reside in the Otherworld after being fought off by the first Irish people when they came from Spain (Dersin, 16). They are immortal beings with shape-shifting abilities and control much of the natural world with their powers (Dersin, 16). These Irish myths were first recorded by the Christian monks recorded them after Saint Patrick brought a de-Romanized Christianity to Ireland to replace paganism (Cahill,

In Irish literature as a whole, Irish mythology inspired the “Irish Literary Renaissance” (Marcus, 67). The rediscovery of irish heroic legends was one of the major inspirations for the renaissance. These legends gave Irish writers a new source of inspiration and allowed them to stray for the usual tradition of following in English writer’s footsteps, therefore creating genuinely Irish literature (Marcus, 67). The land of Narnia, known from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe as well as the Chronicles of Narnia, has roots in Irish mythology (“C.S. Lewis and the Real Narnia”). C. S. Lewis grew up in Belfast, Ireland and was fascinated with Irish mythology as a child, and from it emerged his creation of Narnia (“C.S. Lewis…”). His book, now a major motion picture, includes local landscapes reflective of Irish mythology (“C.S. Lewis…”). Lewis studied at Oxford University, where he met J.R.R. Tolkien, another author influenced by Irish mythology (“C.S. Lewis...”). Tolkien is the author of Lord of the Rings, another work of literature influenced by Irish mythology. Dr. Campbell stated that, “An unexpected body of evidence is beginning to emerge that unmasks Ireland, the Burren in particular, as a significant influence of Tolkien’s creative imagination” (Walsh). There is also evidence that the Irish demigods, the Tuatha de Danann, are the inspiration for Tolkien’s Elves, the Noldor, in his work of literature (Walsh, Kinniburgh). Campbell argues that Irish landscape and mythological influence are present in both Tolkien’s original concept, as well as later revisions, of the Middle-earth portrayed in Lord of the Rings (Walsh). These works of literature, and others, owe their existence partially to Irish