In a new blog post fantasy author Rick Riordan told fans about his MA in Gaelic literature, and his plans to on write about Irish mythology.
News of Rick Riordan’s latest endeavor came out during an interview in the Irish radio station RTE1. In the past two years the fantasy author dedicated his time studying for an MA in Gaelic literature at Cork University College. Eventually said Riordan he plans to write about Irish mythology, but in order to do that he first wanted to do his best to fill in gaps in his knowledge of that lore, and to make sure he will do justice to these wonderful stories. After all, they are part of his ancestral heritage, and he wanted to approach this mythology with dignity and humility. UCC’s program, according to Riordan, “has been absolutely wonderful.”
So if you too are busy finishing up your Master’s thesis, at least you can find consolation in knowing you are in good company. Instead—or, considering it’s Riordan—he is busy writing his thesis on the god Lugh, one of the main gods in the Irish mythology, and a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is described as a king, a savior, a warrior and a master craftsman.
“I have learned so much,” the author recounts. “The great thing about the UCC program is that you can study from anywhere, and I got to interact with students from all over the world.”
In addition to courses in mythology, folklore, and the history of the Irish language,” Riordan also got to start his own journey into learning Irish.
It will be quite a while before my own take on Irish myth is ready. I have to write it first. I know, details, details! But I will keep you posted.
