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Fireside

HeadStuff Podcasts

Fireside is the Irish Storytelling Podcast. Kevin C. Olohan is your host and Fireside Bard. Every Wednesday, Kevin takes a story from Folklore or Mythology, gives it a fresh retelling, and discusses the story itself and the craft, culture and history of Storytelling. Whether you’re a folklore fanatic, or someone who just enjoys hearing a good yarn, you can always join Kevin by the Fireside.

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25 episodes
weekly
Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 25

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Wednesday · 33 min
Legend of the Faerie Lake
In episode 262 of Fireside, Kevin tells a tale of Welsh mythology- a lake in North Wales is supposedly a portal to another world - but only twelve mortals are allowed to visit each year. Ieuan wants to go to the other world more than anyone, but as always, be careful what you wish for... Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Mist-Magic-Legends-Britain/dp/0712355146 Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 9 · 32 min
Don't Curse the Childher
In episode 261 of Fireside, Kevin tells the tale of an old woman who begins to take out her grief over losing her husband on her own children... until one night, when a door is mysteriously left open and refuses to be shut... Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=uncanny+ireland&adgrpid=186818437095&gad_source=1&hvadid=793401954453&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045888&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=344963261740353442--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=344963261740353442&hvtargid=kwd-2320075622150&hydadcr=24401_2435314_1517&mcid=81be25ed247b3d8b899a76a95fe45908&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_8whx0336vy_e Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
September 2 · 34 min
The Glastonbury Thorn
In episode 260 of Fireside, Kevin tells a foundational myth of Britain - Joseph of Aramathia was a wealthy merchant, imprisoned by the Romans - he is visited in jail and given a seemingly insignificant cup. Have you ever wondered how the Holy Grail ended up in Britain? Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Mist-Magic-Legends-Britain/dp/0712355146 Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 26 · 33 min
The Fisherman's Wife
In episode 259 of Fireside, Kevin tells the tale of those who go to sea, and the one's who are left behind. Kate Browne has been married to Dermot for seventeen years. But one morning as he and their son Benjamin are about to set sail, Kate notices their boat is damaged. But Dermot refuses to heed Kate's advice leading to a night of anxiety and foreboding for the Fisherman's wife... Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=uncanny+ireland&adgrpid=186818437095&gad_source=1&hvadid=793401954453&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045888&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=344963261740353442--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=344963261740353442&hvtargid=kwd-2320075622150&hydadcr=24401_2435314_1517&mcid=81be25ed247b3d8b899a76a95fe45908&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_8whx0336vy_e Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 19 · 33 min
Scota and Scotland
In episode 258 of Fireside, we have a foundational myth of Scotland - a story that stretches back thousands of years, before the Celts, to sands of Egypt and the daughter of a Pharaoh... .Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Mist-Magic-Legends-Britain/dp/0712355146 Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 31 · 31 min
The Spirit of the Hill
In episode 257 of Fireside, Kevin tells a gothic tale of doomed romance, and what obsessive love can drive us toward. Aileen loves Connor, but Connor loves another. So the obsessed Aileen decides to take love into her own hands, and seek out The Spirit of the Hill. But once there, will Aileen find peace, or death> Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=uncanny+ireland&adgrpid=186818437095&gad_source=1&hvadid=793401954453&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045888&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=344963261740353442--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=344963261740353442&hvtargid=kwd-2320075622150&hydadcr=24401_2435314_1517&mcid=81be25ed247b3d8b899a76a95fe45908&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_8whx0336vy_e Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 16 · 31 min
Brutus in Britain
In episode 256 of Fireside, Kevin tells a foundational myth of the island of Britain. Brutus is the great-grandson of Aeneas, Prince of Troy. After their city is destroyed by Agamemnon and his army of free Greeks, it falls to Aeneas, and eventually his descendent Brutus to protect the Trojan people and legacy. Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Land-Mist-Magic-Legends-Britain/dp/0712355146 Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
July 8 · 32 min
Curse of Fire and Shadow
In episode 255 of Fireside, Kevin tells a tale that fuses history and folklore. On July 1st, 1642, Sir Fredrick Hamilton set fire to a church, with all clergymen still inside. But before death, one friar placed a curse on Hamilton and his men - a curse that not even death would release them from. Source: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=uncanny+ireland&adgrpid=186818437095&gad_source=1&hvadid=793401954453&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9045888&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=344963261740353442--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=344963261740353442&hvtargid=kwd-2320075622150&hydadcr=24401_2435314_1517&mcid=81be25ed247b3d8b899a76a95fe45908&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_8whx0336vy_e Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 27 · 32 min
The Snow Queen
In episode 254, Kevin tells the Hans Christian Andersen tale of the Snow Queen - two friends are divided by the shards of an evil mirror. But not even the harshest cold can keep them apart. Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 20 · 33 min
The Evil Eye
In episode 253 of Fireside, Kevin tells the folk superstition of the Evil Eye: That one bad look that gives you bad luck, and how that same anxiety has roots in the foundational Irish myth... Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 14 · 36 min
The Little Mermaid
In episode 251 of Fireside, Kevin tells the world famous tale of The Little Mermaid - a story of desire, identiy and the sacrifices we make for the things we want. *Note* this episode was recorded in December, but only just released. Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 10, 2025 · 32 min
The Milk White Doo
In episode 251 of Fireside, Kevin tells the Scottish folk tale of a wicked stepmother and a young boy who is cooked into a stew, but returns for retribution as a Milk White Doo... Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64665323-celtic-weird Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 3, 2025 · 52 min
Orpheus - 250th Episode Special
its the 250th episode of Fireside, and The Fireside Bard tells of the original and most significant of all bards - Orpheus. The Supreme master of words and music, who dared to defy the gods to retrieve his beloved Eurydice from the depths of Hades. Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64665323-celtic-weird Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 19, 2025 · 35 min
MacPhie's Black Dog
Episode 249 of Fireside, a folk tale from the Hebrides of a rogue named MacPhie who goes hunting with a myserious black hound, only discover that it is true when they say - every dog will have his day... Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64665323-celtic-weird Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 12, 2025 · 34 min
The Devil's Horse
Episode 248 of Fireside - On the northside of the tiny Isle of Man, the locals endeavour to build a church, but when the would-be house of worship is repeatedly torn down, people start to wonder if the devil has other plans... Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64665323-celtic-weird Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 5, 2025 · 40 min
The Werewolves of The Other Side
Episode 247 of Fireside - Gabriel has always been curious about the other side of the river, a place where no one ever goes...and when he hears that's because of werewolves that live there, he wonders, can that possibly be true? Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64665323-celtic-weird Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 31, 2025 · 40 min
The Death Spancel
In episode 246 of Fireside is the Irish tale of a lustful landlord, a dark eyed woman, and a terrible curse that would bind them together forever... Source: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64665323-celtic-weird Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 29, 2025 · 40 min
Stoker: The Wondrous Child
In episode 245 of Fireside, we have the final adaptation from Bram Stoker's collection Under the Sunset: A brother and sister go on a quest to learn where babies come from - they voyage across the endless sea to a strange island of parsley, dragons and a child who may or may not be an angel... Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 27, 2025 · 40 min
Stoker: The Castle of the King
In episode 244 of Fireside, A poet is separated from the love of his life, and goes on an impossible journey to reunite with her. He must journey through the Valley of Darkness, hear the Music of the Spheres, and make his way to the castle of the King of Death. Order Gardensea Paperback: ⁠https://shop.headstuff.org/product/gardensea-by-fireside-host-k-c-olohan-preorder/⁠ Order Gardensea Kindle: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Gardensea-Neo-Myth-K-C-Olohan-ebook/dp/B09M7T184P⁠ Support Fireside: ⁠https://headstuffpodcasts.com/news Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 20, 2024 · 39 min
Introducing | The Greatest Matter
A Victorian Gothic crime tale from HeadStuff Podcasts for fans of Fireside

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