Best Ruth Colcombe Podcasts (2025)

1
Seal Skins & Sea Spray CMP SP44 1:16:41

4+ y ago1:16:41

1:16:41

The Seals and Selkies of Celtic Folklore This is a huge show all about that magical seal-people of Celtic myth, the Sekies. You'll hear five fantastic pieces of music, two old stories, and one lovely modern story from the Faerytale Apothecary. It also includes some fascinating Selkie folklore from Morgan Daimler's New Dictionary of Fairies. Full sh…

1
The Assembly of the Wondrous Head CMP054 22:14

5y ago22:14

22:14

The Saga of Branwen reaches its conclusion The Saga of Branwen reaches its conclusion in the company of the Head of Bran on the mystical island of Gwales. This time out of time is known as the Assembly of the Wondrous Head. This episode is the 12th and final episode of the Second Branch of the Mabinogi. Full Show-notes, with sources and credits, ca…

1
The Bed of Branwen CMP053 29:51

5y ago29:51

29:51

Sorrow upon sorrow as the seven lonely knights return to Anglesey with their dying King... After a great tragedy, the last surviving Seven Men go on towards Harlech in deep sorrow only to discover that the realm of Caradawg has suffered injury while they were away. They hear of the Battle of the Dancing Sword at which many nobles died. This episode…

1
Betrayal and Redemption CMP052 34:48

5y ago34:48

34:48

The gift of the Great House goes horribly wrong and war breaks out between the Irish and the Welsh. Efnissien comes to an important decision and war breaks out amongst the celebrants in the Great House. The war between the Irish and the Welsh takes on a drastic turn as the Irish use the mystic Cauldron of Regeneration to bolster their numbers. This…

1
The Two Temptations CMP051 29:33

5y ago29:33

29:33

Brân receives a very tempting offer from the Irish King, Matholwch. Matholwch offers to build Brân the Blessed a house large enough to house him and offers him loyalty in exchange for peace. As a Client King of Brân's, Brân would become the King of the Two Islands. This episode is the 9th episode of the Second Branch of the Mabinogi. Full Show-note…

1
The Hosting of the Island of the Mighty CMP050 33:16

5y ago33:16

33:16

Brân receives some startling news and goes on a trip with his brothers to the green fields of Erin... King Brân gets some very disturbing news about Branwen and gathers the Host of Prydein to avenge the insults done to his sister. A long and bloody war ensues but will Branwen be rescued? This episode is the 8th episode of the Second Branch of the M…

1
Of Kitchens and Kings CMP049 31:09

5y ago31:09

31:09

Branwen goes to reland with her husband but her new bed of roses reveals a few sharp thorns. Matholwch and Branwen set up home in Ireland and a son is born to them. After a while, the King hears whispers from his people and Branwen suffers a terrible fate. This episode is the 7th episode of the Second Branch of the Mabinogi. Full Show-notes, with s…

1
The Cauldron of Rebirth CMP048 28:13

5y ago28:13

28:13

The High King Bran makes an unparalleled offer to recompense the Irish King's great injury Matholwch accepts the honour price that Bran offers him but Bran soon realises that the Irish King is still not truly happy. The Welsh King comes up with an honour price higher than any ever paid before to ease the heart of the Irish King. This episode is the…

1
Blood on the Land CMP047 30:57

5y ago30:57

30:57

A hideous and horrific act occurs and the Irish High King suffers a grave insult.. Nissien and Efnissien arrive home from Rome and Efnissien discovers that the marriage between Branwen and the Irish King Matholwch has been arranged without his knowledge or presence. He feels he has suffered a great insult and exacts a most horrific revenge. This ep…

1
The Price of Peace CMP046 33:35

5y ago33:35

33:35

Bran the Blessed and the Irish High King Matholwch sit down to discuss the terms of Branwen's arranged marriage. Is Matholwch going to be the right husband for Branwen? Will Bran and Matholwch agree on a policy of mutual aid should either the Kingdom of Erin or the Island of the Mighty be invaded? And if they do, will Branwen be happy and what exac…

1
Dreaming the Crow CMP045 34:39

5y ago34:39

34:39

A huge Irish fleet arrives on the shores of Wales with an interesting proposal for Bran, the Welsh High King. Matholwch, the Irish High King, arrives on the shores of Wales with a proposition for Bran the Blessed, the High King of Wales. He suggests a marriage between the two islands: the Emerald Isle and the Island of the Mighty by arranging a mar…

1
The Eagle Strikes CMP044 44:50

5y ago44:50

44:50

Llyr and Penarddun are married with a huge wedding feast, but their joy is short-lived. The great King Llyr marries Penarddun in a great feast attended by the High King, who has a special plan for him. Their marriage is full of joy but sadly interrupted by a terrible tragedy. Penarddun faces a horribe decision. This episode is the second episode of…

1
The Fostering of Pryderi CMP043 38:49

5y ago38:49

38:49

The young Pryderi is to be sent away from his parents. Part 1 of the Second Branch of the Mabinogion story. Dyfed's chief Druid, Pendaran has some serious news for Pwyll and Rhiannon. Their young boy Pryderi has to be sent away to be fostered in the the court of Bran the Blessed. Running Order: Intro 0:37 Recap 3:01 Story 5:29 Listener Feedback - R…

1
Celtic Myth Podshow Promo Long 1:24

5y ago1:24

1:24

Grab this promo if you are looking for a slightly longer (1m 23s) version of our promo. Email us at [email protected] if you would like WAV versions of our promos.

1
Celtic Myth Podshow Promo Short 0:31

5y ago0:31

0:31

Grab this promo if you are looking for a short 30-second promo for the Celtic Myth Podshow

1
CMP Special 43 Sussex Celts, Fairies & Folklore 1:50:32

8y ago1:50:32

1:50:32

Folklore, Fairies, Cold Iron of Sussex and Puck of Pook's Hill This is our biggest show ever! A real MONSTER of a show with an excerpt from the fascinating book, British Witch Legends of Sussex which you can get hold of from the publisher Country Books, a great story by Rudyard Kipling all about that tricky Fey, Puck and six pieces of great Fairy-i…

1
CMP Special 42 2016 News Update Show 1:03:38

9y ago1:03:38

1:03:38

Music and News about what we have been doing! We bring you a Special music show and some news about what we have been doing while we were away, what our plans are as well as 6 amazing pieces of music and a superb piece by Professor Roland Rotherham about St. Nectan, the Cornish saint. Running Order: Blanche Rowen & Mike Gulston 2:26 Katie Nicholas …

1
CMP042 A Mother's Worry, A Mother's Pride 35:57

9+ y ago35:57

35:57

What really happened to Pwyll & Rhiannon's child? Part 13 and the final episode of the First Branch of the Mabinogion story. Pwyll's long-time friend, Teyrnon has beaten off the Monster from the Deeps and has discovered a beautiful baby boy wrapped in silks left in its wake. He and his wife decide to rear the child, but what of the misery of Rhiann…

1
CMP Special 41 A Pint and a Chat with Spiral Dance 1:45:53

10y ago1:45:53

1:45:53

We go to the Pub with the fantastic Australian band - Spiral Dance! This is the first of an irregular series of informal interviews that we'll be holding as the opportunities arise, and our first is a superb, epic Show with the fabulous Australian band, Spiral Dance. In this show, we all meet up at the pub and talk about where they have come from, …

1
CMP041 Of Sea-Monsters and Golden Hair 27:39

10y ago27:39

27:39

A Prize Mare suffers a horrific fate every May Eve! Part 12 of the First Branch of the Mabinogion. We shift our attention now to the Kingdom of Gwent and its' Lord, Teyrnon, who has a terrible problem with his Prize Mare. At the same time as young Pwyll and his Bride, Rhiannon, are being punished for the 'alleged' crime that Rhiannon has committed,…

1
CMP040 Betrayal in the Nursery 43:34

10y ago43:34

43:34

Can Pwyll & Rhiannon provide an heir to the Kingdom? Part 11 of the First Branch of the Mabinogion. Doubt begins to enter the minds of the people of Dyfed as their Lord and his Lady show no signs of producing an heir. The High Council of Druids put pressure on Pwyll to divorce his Fairy Bride and take a more 'fruitful' woman to his bed! This episod…

1
CMP039 Prophecy of the Druid 37:33

10+ y ago37:33

37:33

When the happy couple return to Dyfed, they hear an unexpected prophecy! Part 10 of the First Branch of the Mabinogion story. Pwyll and Rhiannon are finally married and enjoying the feasting in the Halls of the Otherworld. It is not too long before Pwyll and his Companions get homesick for the land of their Birth. Pwyll and Rhiannon decide to head …

1
CMP Special 40 Druid Special #2 1:41:27

11y ago1:41:27

1:41:27

Part 2 of our Interview with Philip Shallcrass, Head of the British Druid Order In the second of our unique Druid Interviews, we bring you the second half of our interview with the Head of the British Druid Order, Philip Shallcrass, aka Greywolf. He talks about Druidry, the BDO's Distance Learning Courses, the Ogham, the World Drum and much more. T…

1
CMP Special 39 Druid Special #1 1:02:17

11y ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Part 1 of our Interview with Philip Shallcrass, Head of the British Druid Order In a ground-breaking show for us, we bring you the first part of an interview with the Head of the British Druid Order, Philip Shallcrass, aka Greywolf. He talks about Druidry, the Order, how he discovered his Path and he even tells us how he got the name 'Greywolf'. Th…

1
CMP038 Apple Orchards and Wedding Feasts 30:14

11y ago30:14

30:14

Can Pwyll regain his Faerie Bride? Part 9 of the First Branch of the Mabinogion story. Having been tricked at his own wedding feast, Pwyll returns to Dyfed in deep depression. There he has to wait for a year before he can return to the Otherworld. Only then will he see whether Rhiannon's plan will work and he can regain his Faerie Bride. But tricki…

1
CMP Special 38 Winter Music Special 2013 1:08:34

11+ y ago1:08:34

1:08:34

Holiday Special Music Show for Winter 2013 For our holiday treat this year we have an astounding 11 wonderful pieces of music! We might even manage to slide a quick poem into the show, you never know! From the time of Samhuin to the Winter Solstice, the time of deepest dark, winter just seems to go on and on. We hope to bring you some warmth and go…

1
CMP037 Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace! 33:40

11+ y ago33:40

33:40

Can Pwyll regain his True Love? After a magical meeting with the beautiful and mysterious Rhiannon, a magical Lady riding a powerful White Horse, Pwyll falls deeply in love. They arrange to marry after a courtship lasting a year-and-a-day in the Otherworld Palace of her father, Hevaydd Hen. Hevaydd the Ancient, first ruler of Dyfed and now a powerf…

1
CMP036 To Ride A White Horse 35:34

11+ y ago35:34

35:34

Pwyll meets a mysterious Lady In the first episode of the second half of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed we find out that it has been three long and glorious years since Pwyll journeyed to Annwn and became firm friends with Annwn and his own kingdom is just beginning to shown signs of strain. It has been hot with fine weather for so long that the possibilit…

1
CMP Special 37 2013 Faerie Festival Special 1:27:42

11+ y ago1:27:42

1:27:42

Come with us to Fairyland as we go to our first Fairy Festival This is the first Special Report that we have ever made after going to a Faerie Festival. We camped for three days with some lovely people, saw some incredible bands and browsed among some really great market stalls. In this show, we are going to try and bring you a taste of that Festiv…

1
CMP035 Of Kings, Friends and Magic Pigs 29:55

11+ y ago29:55

29:55

Will Pwyll survive his encounter in the Land of the Dead? In the final episode of the first half of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed we tie up all the loose ends and find out whether Pwyll has fulfilled his promise to Arawn or whether Arawn still has a trick or two up his sleeve. We find out what happens when Pwyll returns to his homeland, the beautiful Dyfe…

1
CMP Special 36 2013 Spring Equinox Show Pt.2 1:05:30

12y ago1:05:30

1:05:30

Music, fairies and Celtic Maidens! This is the second half of our super show celebrating the Spring Equinox and Ostara! We've got another 4 great pieces of music, a charming piece from a book by W.B. Yeats called Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (and published in 1888!) about the Fairies and a man called Frank Martin who has 'The Sight' …

1
CMP Special 35 2013 Spring Equinox Show Pt.1 1:21:46

12y ago1:21:46

1:21:46

Stones in Ireland align to the Spring Equinox This is the first half of our MONSTER show celebrating the Spring Equinox and Ostara! Be prepared for 4 super pieces of music, a fascinating piece about the Loughcrew Passage Tomb that shows that the Iron Age Celts regarded the Spring Equinox as significant, a wonderful Ostara piece by our resident bard…

1
CMP034 A Debt is Repaid 26:23

12y ago26:23

26:23

Pwyll prepares to enter a battle to the death! In the last episode, Pwyll had started his battle training with Arawn's Knights, defended the Kingdom of Annwn from strange, Brutish invaders and learned a valuable lesson from Arawn's beautiful Queen. In this episode, after a year of preparation and waiting, he gathers his forces and travels to the Fo…

1
CMP033 Courting A Favour 34:16

12y ago34:16

34:16

Our hero enters the Land of the Dead and meets its Queen In the last episode, Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed, wearing the shape of Arawn, sees many strange marvels and finally gets to meet the Great Queen herself. In this episode, he starts his battle training with Arawn's Knights, defends the Kingdom of Annwn from invaders and is forced to seek a favour f…

1
CMP Special 34 2013 Imbolg Brighid Show 1:09:41

12y ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Welcome in the Springtime with us in this unique Holiday Special dedicated to Brighid. We dedicate this show to the Goddess and Saint Bridget with 8 fantastic pieces of music, along with a wonderful Prayer to Brighid from our resident bard, Chris Joliffe. We've got a fantastic piece about Oimelc (Imbolg) by Ellen Evert Hopman from her book, Scottis…

1
CMP Special 33 2013 New Year Party Show 1:14:35

12+ y ago1:14:35

1:14:35

Let's rock in the New Year in style with our Show Friends! What a party! We rock in the New Year with an amazing party show! All of the music for the show has been provided by more of the Show Friends that you can find on the Friends of the Show page. You'll hear seven great pieces of music, a short piece by our resident bard, Chris Joliffe and a s…

1
CMP Special 32 2012 Yuletide Party Show 1:06:58

12+ y ago1:06:58

1:06:58

Great story, 'The Shee', and more music from our Friends! We celebrate the Holidays with a party attended by some of our amazing friends. All of the music for the show has been provided by folks on the Friends of the Show page. You'll hear seven great pieces of music, a short poem by our resident bard, Chris Joliffe and a wonderful section from the…

1
CMP032 Faerie Days and Faerie Knights 34:09

12+ y ago34:09

34:09

Pwyll goes to the Otherworld and meets the Dread Lord's Queen! In the last episode, Pwyll, the Welsh Prince of Dyfed, strikes a bargain with the Grey Lord, Death Himself - Arawn, Lord of Annwn. To make up for his great insult, he agrees to enter into single combat and fight a mighty King in the Otherworld on Arawn's behalf. Arawn uses his magic to …

1
CMP Special 31 Flag Fen Competition Special 2012 24:21

13y ago24:21

24:21

We bring you the best archaeological competition ever! The most amazing competition we've ever run! A chance of a lifetime! Flag Fen is a lakeside Celtic site which has become revealed as the years have taken all the water away. Now is your chance to take part in the incredible Flag Fen Lives project! It is estimated that a large part of the site w…

1
CMP031 Face to Face with Death 32:23

13y ago32:23

32:23

The ashen face of Death turns his gaze upon our hero! In the last episode, Pwyll had gone hunting in the Woods of Glyn Cuch and had been beaten to the kill by a stranger pack comprising even stranger dogs. Having decided that the kill was rightfully his, he had driven off the other pack and set his own dogs upon the prey. It was at that moment that…

1
CMP Special 30 Beltane/Spirit of Albion Interview Show 52:58

13y ago52:58

52:58

We interview the Director of The Spirit of Albion movie In this show, we hope to bring you the second of our special features about the mythic film, The Spirit of Albion: the Movie and celebrate Beltane along the way! We meet Damh the Bard, who created the songs used in the films and Gary Andrews, the Director, Author and Editor for the film. We ma…

1
CMP030 Restless Dreams 23:32

13y ago23:32

23:32

Pwyll, the Prince of Dyfed, goes hunting with unexpected results! We start with the First Branch, which tells the tale of Pwyll, Prince of Dyfed and his encounter with a strange other-worldy being. In this episode, our Lord is touring his lands and stays awhile at his favourite Court at Arberth. One of his favourite pastimes is hunting, and he and …

1
CMP Special 29 Spirit of Albion the Movie 1:29:18

13y ago1:29:18

1:29:18

On the Set of The Spirit of Albion: the Movie! In this show, we hope to bring you a wonderful gift for Ostara, or Easter, with our first ever documentary show. Starting from conception as a play performed by young actors to a film about to hit our screens, the Spirit of Albion Movie promises to bring the Celtic Gods to the World of Film for possibl…

1
CMP Special 28 Spring Holiday Special 2012 1:16:42

13y ago1:16:42

1:16:42

Saint Bridget, a story from The Druid's Isle and 5 great pieces of music! In this show, released on St. Patrick's Day, we follow the birth of the young Spring Maiden with some fascinating information about the Irish Saint Brigit and the Goddess Bride, as well as a beautiful section from The Druid Isle by Ellen Evert Hopman which is a follow-on from…

1
CMP Special 27 New Year 2012 1:03:59

13+ y ago1:03:59

1:03:59

On the trail of the Wild Hunt! In this show, we follow the trail of the Wild Hunt as it leads through 5 fantastic pieces of music, through a poem and discussion of the Yule Log, via a wonderful story by our Bard, Chris Joliffe, about Midwinter and on into the origins of the Wild Hunt. You can hear the amazing sounds of Jennifer Cutting, Damh the Ba…

1
CMP Special 26 Samhain Holiday Special 2011 1:18:46

13+ y ago1:18:46

1:18:46

Hallowe'en traditions though the years In this Hallowe'en or Samhain Holiday Special we bring you two fascinating accounts of Samhain traditions: one modern and one Victorian, and an amazing story by a talented story-teller, Chris Joliffe - and we hope to be hearing more from Chris in the future - and 5 of the best pieces of music we reckon you'll …

1
CMP Special 25b Irish Mythological Cycle Summary Pt 2 1:09:19

13+ y ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Second half of our summary of the Irish Mythological Cycle In this show, we finish off our summary of the Irish Mythological Cycle as we've met it so far in the first 29 story episodes. Not only is this show finishing off a whole branch of Celtic Mythology, but it also celebrates the Autumn Equinox for 2011, so we've made it a real cracker and spli…

1
CMP Special 25a Irish Mythological Cycle Summary Pt 1 45:53

13+ y ago45:53

45:53

First half of our summary of the Irish Mythological Cycle In this show, we start to summarise the Irish Mythological Cycle as we've met it so far in the first 29 story episodes. Not only is this show finishing off a whole branch of Celtic Mythology, but it also celebrates the Autumn Equinox for 2011, so we've made it a real cracker and split it int…

1
CMP Special 24 The Chatterbox Show 55:39

14y ago55:39

55:39

Catch up with all our latest news in the Chatterbox Show This is the Chatterbox Show. We've got so much to talk about, so much to tell you that we thought instead of bringing you dribs and drabs here and there that we'd bring you a different type of show. This one is an informal chat where we talk about some of the national news that's going on aro…

1
CMP Special 23 Spring Equinox Holiday Special 2011 1:07:58

14y ago1:07:58

1:07:58

We tell the Dryad story and bring you even more music This is our Spring Holiday special for 2011. We start off with a plan, and finally bring you the Dryad story that we have been promising since Autumn last year! You can also hear 4 great pieces of music - one of which is a highly sought after preview from the Dolmen's forth-coming album 'Storm'.…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ruth Colcombe Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen