What Are the Four Cycles of Irish Mythology?

Why scholars organize Irish myths into four cycles (and why the original Príomh-Scéil and Fo-Scéil classifications are better). Note: You can read a text version of this essay—complete with links to resources and references—over on IrishMyths.com: https://irishmyths.com/2026/01/17/four-cycles-irish-mythology/ Is this an introductory guide to Irish mythology’s most popular classification system? Or is it the rantings of a washed-up folk musician who’s nostalgic for the old ways of Irish storytelling (which he’s never actually experienced)? I think it’s a bit of both. Oh, and I talk about Star Wars. 00:00 A Definition of the Four Cycles of Irish Mythology 01:32 The Original Irish Myth Classification System: Príomh-Scéil vs. Fo-Scéil 02:17 An Example of a Príomh-Scéil: The Cattle-Raid (of Cooley) 02:52 An Example of a Fo-Scéil: The Pursuit (of Gilla Decair and His Horse) 03:13 The Strength of the OG Way of Classifying Irish Myths 05:25 The One Benefit of the Four Cycles: Chronology 06:07 How the Four Cycles of Irish Mythology Are Like the Star Wars Franchise If you enjoyed this video, I think you’ll like the other videos in my Irish mythology 101 playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoBFeQEuiBkw0-IX1kKVOp44B3JS4nDa_&si=eQLr0agcwUjitDpr Books by me, I. E. Kneverday. (Note: I may earn a small affiliate commission if you buy through the links below.) -Neon Druid: An Anthology of Urban Celtic Fantasy: https://amzn.to/3BJE7yc -Saint Patrick in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3ZWMWxG -Irish Monsters in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3SXQgFO -Irish Myths in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Qi5xjg -Samhain in Your Pocket: https://amzn.to/3Bkp2D0 Like the music in the video? That was me! I record under the stage name Bard of Boston: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5B2NU8kCs8y2ImEDOBa7jY?si=vdKYQhh3SE-lyIfYiEIrZA Amazon: https://amazon.com/music/player/artists/B0BLN3LMXG/bard-of-boston?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_V7mbMDBwzslmfaRIdc3TRWKZe Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/bard-of-boston/1653341543 I also have a new musical project, Cottage Songs: https://youtu.be/t--yqDDrVy4?si=wx2p6VFfYlE_XyUL