For centuries, Irish communities have relied on the bounty of seas, rivers, and lakes for both physical sustenance and economic survival.

This episode of Blúiríní Béaloidis sees Jonny Dillon and Claire Doohan turn their attention to one of Ireland’s most celebrated aquatic creatures: the noble salmon. Revered in both practical and symbolic terms, the salmon—known as 'the silvery fellow,' 'the king,' and 'the plum of the sea'—has inspired a wealth of lore, customs, and beliefs.

Distinct from its aquatic counterparts, the salmon’s ability to traverse both freshwater rivers and saltwater seas places it in a unique position in Irish tradition. Jonny and Claire explore tales of daring poachers, dangerous plants, superstitious fishermen, and even taboos surrounding the fish’s name. They uncover intriguing 15th-century riddles that persisted into the 20th-century oral tradition, revealing how deeply embedded this creature is in Irish storytelling.

From the mythic Salmon of Life (Bradán na Beatha) to the renowned Salmon of Knowledge, the episode reflects on how these tales intersect with 10th-century Irish-Norse relations and broader Indo-European narrative traditions. Listeners are invited to delve into this rich heritage and uncover the enduring cultural significance of Ireland’s most legendary fish.

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