Education
PhD in Folklore Studies, University College Dublin, 2013
Thesis Title: The Feast of St. Martin in Ireland- Core Beliefs and Customs
Bachelor of Arts Degree, University College Dublin, 2002
Double First-Class Honours in Archaeology and Folklore
Celtic Civilisation and Early and Medieval Irish Language also formed part of the B.A. programme
Foundation Art and Design, Limerick School of Art and Design, 1998
Employment History
2015-Present, Lecturer in Irish Studies, Sacred Heart University Dingle Campus
2009-2018, Lecturer in Irish Studies, University of Limerick.
2008-2017 Lecturer in Irish Studies, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
2010 Researcher, Doegen Records Web Project, Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
2005-2007 Tutor for degree and diploma Irish Folklore students, UCD Delargy Centre for Irish Folklore, University College Dublin
2003-2007 Occasional tutor and demonstrator, School of Archaeology, University College Dublin
Awards
2004 -2007 – Irish Research Council for Humanities and Social Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship
2003 – UCD Postgraduate Scholarship in Folklore
2003 – Máire Mac Neill Scholarship in Irish Folklore
2001 -Patrick Semple Medal for Irish Folklore
Publications
‘Curing Generative AI Hallucinations with Data Provenance’. Jordahl, J., Schwartz, T., Roney, J., Mag Fhloinn, B., Abbireddy, B., and Chaudhari, A., Cambridge, MA: Northeast Decisions Sciences Institute, 2024.
‘Belief Legends of Fishermen from the Schools Folklore Collection’ Lands Sea and Spirit- Proceedings of the 2018 Conference, Sacred Heart University Connecticut Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019.
The Feast of St. Martin in Ireland, Monograph based on the folk beliefs and customs surrounding the historical cult of St. Martin in Ireland, from the early medieval period to the twenty-first century. Folklore Fellows Communications, Helsinki, 2016
‘Sacrificial Magic and the Twofold Ritual Year’, The Ritual Year 10 – Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Ritual Year Working Group Conference, Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck, 2015.
‘Finscéalta Imirceacha i gCiarraí Thiar’, Céiliúradh an Bhlascaoid 15, Cúrsaí Creidimh ar an mBlascaoid (2011) 64-78.
Nótaí Béaloidis This is an extensive analysis of the folkloric content of the material contained in the Doegen Records sound archive, undertaken by the Royal Irish Academy in conjunction with the Digital Humanities Observatory, Royal Irish Academy, http://www.doegen.ie
‘Martinmas Tradition in South-West Co. Clare’, Béaloideas: Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society 75 (2007) 79-108.
‘From Martinmas to St. George’s Day’, Sinsear: the Folklore Journal 9, 2006, 106-123.
‘The Irish Folklore Commission 1935-1970: History, Ideology, Methodology’ – Review Béaloideas 76 (2008) 283-287.
‘The Cult of St. Catherine of Alexandra’-Review, Béaloideas: Journal of Folklore of Ireland Society 75 (2007) 321-323.
‘Journal of Kerry Archaeological and Historical Society – Review’, Béaloideas: Journal of the Folklore of Ireland Society74, 213-215.
‘Kerry Magazine –Review’, Béaloideas: Journal of Folklore of Ireland Society 75, 215-217.
Select Performances/Events/Workshops
An Chraiceann agus a Luach, Music and Poetry performance, Éigse na Brídeoige, Co. Chiarraí, 2024
Ar Thóir Bhríde – Opening Event Scoil Gheimhridh Merriman, An Nás, Co. Chill Dara, 2024
Hallowed Stone Exhibition, 126 Gallery, Galway, 2023.
Clinker Babbage, Performance, Sounds from a Safe Harbour Festival, 2023.
Director and Performer, Pagan Rave, Body and Soul Festival, 2023
Emain Ablach, Poetry Performance, Taibhdhearc Galway and Smock Alley, Dublin, 2023
Old Rituals and New Needs – Performance and Lecture, Atlantic Anthropological Conference, Dingle 2024
Clebran – Performance and Collaboration with Artist Eddie Ladd, Other Voices Wales, Mwldan Theatre and Gallery, Cardigan, 2024
Director and Performer, Pagan Rave, Body and Soul Festival 2024
Director and Performer, Pagan Rave, Féile na Bealtaine, Dingle, 2022 and 2023
Lecture and Workshop, Art and Psyche Symposium, Limerick School of Art and Design 2022
Performance and Lecture, Atlantic Anthopological Conference, Dingle, 2022.
Indigeneity- 6 Month Workshop Series, culminating in performance at Clonmel Applefest, 2021
Panellist for Talk on Festive Arts in Ireland, Arts Council of Ireland Change Makers Conference, University of Limerick, 2020
Ollphéist – Folklore and Digital Arts Exhibition, Ormston House, Limerick, 2020
Lough Gur Spirit of Place Conference, Limerick, 2020
Memory of Water – Art and Cultural Heritage Exhibition, Ormston House, Limerick, 2020
Concert series with Talos, various venues, Ireland, 2019
‘Food and Folklore’ -Workshop delivered as part of FL6801 An Introduction to Irish Food Studies, University College Cork, 2019
Léacht Choimhín Uí Dhanachair/Kevin Danaher Lecture, University College Cork, 2019
Blúiríní Bealoidis Podcast Episode – Samhain, 2019
Béaloidis Chorca Dhuibhne – Presentation, University College Dublin, 2019
Samhain and the Deep Roots of Hallowe’en – Lecture and Workshop, Ormston House, Limerick, 2019
Umha Aois- Prehistoric Metalworking Exhibition, UCD Centre for Experimental Archaeology, 2019
Raving at the Margins, Performance and Presentation, Ireland’s Edge Conference
Other Voices, Dingle, 2018
Blindboy Podcast Episode 2018
Pagan Rave, Paper delivered at the Research in Real Time conference, University College Galway, 2017
Presented a paper at the Société Internationale d’Ethnologie et de Folklore Ritual Year Working Group Conference in The Leopold Franzens University of Innsbruck, entitled ‘Sacrificial Magic and the Twofold Ritual Year’, 2014
Presented a paper at the Lough Gur Spirit of Place Conference entitled ‘Facts, Figments and Fragments: the Nature of Folklore’, 2014
Presented a paper as part of the Old Kilfarboy Historical Society lecture series, entitled ‘St. Martin’s Day in Co. Clare’, 2014
Presented a paper entitled ‘Ceol na mBacach i mBailiúchán na Scol’ at the Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh Spring School in Ionad an Bhlascaoid, Corca Dhuibhne, 2013
Presented a paper entitled ‘Lá Lughnasadh i gCiarraí Thiar’ in Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Corca Dhuibhne, 2013
Presented a paper at the Centre for Applied Language Studies Annual research Conference at the University of Limerick, entitled ‘Facilitating Learner-native Speaker Interaction through Skype: An Exploration of Problem-based Learning in an Irish Language Support Initiative for Adult Learners’, 2013
Presented a paper entitled ‘A Calendar of Saints’ at the France and Ireland in the Public Imagination, La France et l’Irlande dans l’imaginaire collectif, 8th annual conference of AFIS (Association of Franco-Irish Studies), Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, 2013
Presented paper entitled ‘Naomhsheanchas Mhártain i mBailiúchán na Scol’ in Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne, Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, Corca Dhuibhne, 2012
Delivered a lecture entitled ‘Hen’s Blood and Cow’s Milk: Protective Rituals in Irish Calendar Custom’, International Studies Lecture Series, University of Limerick, 2012
Presented a paper entitled “Fínscéalta Imearcacha i gCiarraí Thiar” as part of Éigse an Bhlascaoid 2010.
Lecture entitled ‘An Fhéile Mhártain – Tairseachúlacht agus Deasghnáth’ for Roinn na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Luimní, 2010
Lecture entitled ‘Caoineadh- Traditional Irish Lament for the Dead’ at the Irish World Academy, University of Limerick, 2018
Lecture entitled ‘Holy Well and Sacred Slaughter’ for the Cumann Béaloidis Éireann at University College Dublin 2018
Delivered a paper entitled ‘Irish Martinmas – Feasting and Tragic Consequence’ at the SOFEIR French Society for Irish Studies Conference, in the University of Franche-Comté, Besançon, France, 2006
Seminar entitled ‘Aspects of Martinmas Tradition in Europe and Ireland’ in University College Dublin, as part of the Irish Folklore Postgraduate Seminar Series, 2005
Art
I am the founder and creative director of Pagan Rave, an ongoing, performance-based project which aims to reimagine folk traditions and calendar customs of Ireland. Using as a starting point the costumed figures of Irish and European folk theatre and seasonal festivals, it seeks to operate at the margins of place and mind, and embody the transformative and liberating aspects of masks and music in a ceremonial context. The most recent large-scale event took place at Féile na Bealtaine in Dingle, with a cast of 70. Other events include two performances at Body and Soul festival, a Samhain ritual at Dolan’s in Limerick, and an exhibition and performance at the Art and Psyche symposium at Limerick School of Art and Design in April 2022.
Other related work that has stemmed from Pagan Rave includes co-writing music for the project, and co-directing two music videos, Bealtaine and A Chonaire. I was also a consultant, performer, and creative collaborator in the film Imbas Forasnai, with Crude Films and spoken-word artist Dyrt (Shane Davis).
I will be curating Sounds From A Safe Harbour festival in Cork City in September 2025.
I spoke and performed at Ireland’s Edge, as part of Other Voices in December of 2019. This also involved a group ritual with costume and music. I returned the following year for a collaborative performance with traditional singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh.
I am the Education Officer for Umha Aois, a collective of Irish and international scholars, artists, craft-workers, archaeologists and engineers who collaborate to recreate the prehistoric metalworking techniques of Ireland and western Europe. I have organised the annual symposia for Umha Aois for the past three years, and gave a paper and presentation on prehistoric archaeology at the 9th Experimental Archaeology Conference at University College Dublin in January, 2015. Umha Aois also held a week-long demonstration at the sixth World Archaeological Congress in University College Dublin in 2008. I have exhibited work in the accompanying annual exhibition.
I participated in Project 52, a multidisciplinary year-long art project as part of Féile na Bealtaine in Dingle, and had three sculpture pieces in the final exhibition.
Media
Cultural consultant for Warner Bros. feature film Sinners (2025) directed by Ryan Coogler.
Contributor for Creedon’s Musical Atlas on RTÉ One, 2024.
I have designed and made costumes for screen, including feature films Sunlight (2023) and Joyride (2022) and television series Vikings (2020) Bodkin (2024), and The Burren – Heart of Stone (2021).
Cultural Consultant, Foundation, television series, Apple TV, 2021.
Lead Researcher and On-Screen Contributor for Béaloideas Beo, a 14-part discussion and documentary show about the folklore of Ireland, aired in January-March 2017 on TG4.
On-Screen Contributor for Madraí na hÉireann, documentary series in 2016.
Divisor of Oíche Shamhna, the opening sequence for TG4 Beo XX, a live television broadcast featuring dance, drama, costume and music, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Teilifís na Gaeilge in Ireland.
Lead Researcher and On-Screen Contributor for Béaloideas Beo series 2, Documentary show about the folklore of Ireland, Broadcast October to December 2015 on TG4.
Lead Researcher and On-Screen Contributor for Heroes, a four-part archaeological and historical documentary exploring historical heroes from Ireland’s past. Broadcast December 2014 on RTÉ, the Irish State Broadcast channel.
Lead Researcher and On-Screen Contributor for Béaloideas Beo, Documentary show about the folklore of Ireland. Broadcast October to December 2014 on TG4, the Irish Language State Broadcast channel.
Researcher, contributor and historical consultant for The Four-Thousand-Year-Old Cold Case: The Body in the Bog, a 1 hour archaeological documentary special. Broadcast on BBC in Europe and PBS in the United States.
Researcher, historical advisor and on-screen contributor for There’s Something About Patrick, a 1-hour documentary special on St. Patrick in Ireland.
Broadcast March 2013 on RTÉ, the Irish State Broadcast channel, and winner of a IFTA award for best factual programme.
Researcher, historical advisor and on-screen contributor for The Only Viking in the Village, a two-part documentary special on the Vikings in Ireland. Broadcast September 2012 on RTÉ, the Irish State Broadcast channel, and winner of a for best factual entertainment programme.
Devised, directed, filmed and edited ‘Cúpla Ceist’, an Irish language film series for the University of Limerick.
Archaeological consultant and set designer for ‘Blood of the Irish’, a two part archaeological documentary on the genetic origins of the Irish.
Broadcast May 2010, and winner of an IFTA award for Best Documentary.
Teaching
Teaching is my primary academic passion. I lead a variety of courses at university level, through the medium of both English and Irish languages, in the University of Limerick, and at Sacred Heart University in Dingle, mainly in the field of Irish Studies. Subjects I teach include archaeology, Irish folklore, Early Irish literature, Religion and Ritual. I teach at every level, from introductory courses to Masters, and have served as examiner for Ph.Ds. I have developed and delivered a number of courses for several third level institutions over the years, including modules in Celtic Archaeology, Genealogy and Onomastics, Celtic Religion and Spirituality, Early Irish Literature and Irish Folklore. As well as my work for higher education institutes, I also teach a number of courses for cultural institutions such as Coláiste Chorca Dhuibhne, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, and as a field guide for Cultural Tourism Ireland.
Other
I am an accredited legal solemniser with the Humanist Association of Ireland since 2017, and I officiate legal secular weddings in the Republic of Ireland.
I also work with the Irish Fieldschool of Prehistoric Archaeology, and run annual experimental archaeology and craft courses at the Craggaunowen Project in Quin, Co. Clare.
I have given a number of lectures, workshops and presentations in experimental archaeology at, amongst others, the National Museum of Ireland, The Cavan County Museum, The Irish National Heritage Park, Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne. I also run regular workshops at the UCD centre for Experimental Archaeology.
In 2012, I and another colleague from the University of Limerick spearheaded a language learning initiative aimed at facilitating long distance learning through the use of video conferencing, which paired adult learners of the Irish language with native speakers. A problem-based and later task-based approach was central to the project, and as part of the ongoing scheme, we have facilitated several workshops on the use of problem-based learning in language acquisition.
Additional
I am a fluent Irish speaker, living in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht for several years. I have experience teaching and lecturing through Irish, and possess a high written standard of the language.
My hobbies and interests include playing Irish traditional music, sculpture and astronomy.
Website of Billy Mag Fhloinn 