Elizabeth Boyle

@thecelticist

Historian/writer • @maynoothuniversity.ie • executive committee @mediumaevum.bsky.social • deputy chair of board @dublinnorthwest.bsky.social • Fierce Appetites (Penguin, 2022) • rep'd by Robert Caskie • extreme metal fan • she/her

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Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· 29d

Can't believe that I am the mother of a 20 year old! 😱 Happiest of birthdays to my beautiful Nora!

A photo of me & my daughter taken 20 years ago today, a few hours after she was born. We are in a hospital bed and I am holding her tiny hand.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 21

Remembering my dad on Father's Day. I miss him.

A black and white photo of my father as a young man (c. mid 1960s) in a football kit, kneeling, holding a football and surrounded by teammates.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 18

So grateful for the hospitality of the people of St Mullins for my talk last night at their Heritage Centre in the medieval monastic enclosure. We might not know much about the historic St Mo Ling, but his medieval evolution as literary figure is faascinating. #MedievalSky #Spéirghorm #Speirgorm

The remains of a medieval inscribed cross at St Mullins.

The remains of one of the twelfth- or thirteenth-century ecclesiastical buildings at St Mullins, Carlow.

The remains of the tenth-century round tower at St Mullins, Carlow, with the graveyard in the background.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 17

Yesterday we celebrated the new Garraí na Gaeilge @ceilteachomn.bsky.social @maynoothuniversity.ie, which features two objects made by contemporary craftspeople: an ogham stone, inscribed "Maynooth University" and "School of Celtic Studies"; & a traditionally-made currach. #Speirgorm #Spéirghorm

Members of the School of Celtic Studies at Maynooth University gather around a traditional currach.

Professor David Stifter gesticulates at a modern ogham stone while members of the School of Celtic Studies look on.

Members of the School of Celtic Studies look on as Dr Stiofán Ó Briain recites a poem.

A Maynooth University student plays an Irish harp.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 14

I am chronically overdue with publication deadlines atm, but just managed to submit the post-peer-review corrected version of my chapter on "Middle Irish Theories of Cognition" for a volume on Irish Platonisms, edited by Daniel Watson & Isabelle Torrance. Phew! 📚🥳 #MedievalSky

A laptop screen showing the opening few lines of an article entitled Middle Irish Theories of Cognition by Elizabeth Boyle (Maynooth University). It begins by quoting the Liber de ordine creaturarum on how faith should be believed rather than analysed because it cannot be known through "secular discernment".

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 8

Seen on my walk yesterday: two of the (eleventh- or twelfth-century?) Fassaroe crosses - pics 1 and 2 are the cross at Shankill, pics 3 and 4 are the cross at Rathmichael. Possibly the work of the same mason, or at least produced at the same centre in S. Dublin/N. Wicklow. #MedievalSky #Spéirghorm

Front of a so-called Fassaroe inscribed cross, in the churchyard at Shankill, South Dublin.

Back of the cross at Shankill, South Dublin, showing a human face.

Front of a so-called Fassaroe cross at Rathmichael, South Dublin.

Back of the cross at Rathmichael, South Dublin.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 7

My first time there, astonishingly. Also my first time at the disused nineteenth-century lead mine at Carrickgollogan!

The view from inside the chimney of a disused nineteenth-century lead mine at Carrickgollogan, South Dublin, showing the stonework and the light at the top of the chimney.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 7

Hopped a fence earlier into a field to see remains of the church and round tower at Rathmichael, South Dublin. The round tower is now more of a stump, apparently called the "Skull Hole" because disturbed human remains were dumped in it. Cool Hiberno-Norse stones too. #MedievalSky #Spéirghorm

Remains of the (twelfth- or thirteenth-century?) church at Rathmichael, South Dublin.

Stone carved in a distinctive Hiberno-Norse style, perhaps of eleventh or twelfth century, on the wall of the old church at Rathmichael, South Dublin.

Remains of the tenth-century round tower at Rathmichael, South Dublin. It's now more of a stump than a tower, less than a metre tall.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 6

Needless to say, the moment I heard that @andreawulf.bsky.social had a new book out, I immediately had to run out and buy a copy. Can't wait to read this!

A copy of Andrea Wulf, The Traveller: the Revolutionary Life of George Forster and his Search for Humanity, published by Allen Lane.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Jun 2

Went to William Blake: the Age of Romantic Fantasy @nationalgalleryirl.bsky.social. I was lowkey obsessed with Blake and his circle when I was an undergraduate, so this felt like a reunion with old friends, albeit friends who have consumed too much laudanum.

William Blake, The Inscription Over The Gate (1824-6).

William Blake, The Fall of Satan (1825, reprinted 1875).

William Blake, The Body of Abel found by Adam and Eve (c. 1826).

William Blake, The First Book of Urizen: "Is the female death"; "become new life".

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 30

Whatever happened tonight - & I have opinions about various referee's decisions that changed the direction of the game - I love these guys forever. Thank you, thank you, thank you. So proud. #Arsenal

Bukayo Saka, looking proud - as he should - in his Arsenal shirt.

Declan Rice, looking either leader-ish or exasperated, it's hard to say. Either way, I love him.

Eze from behind - he is only showing his number 10 shirt and his hair. He remains utterly brilliant.

Havertz, with his back to the photo, showing his number 29. He did what was required of him. What a brilliant young man.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 30

Absolutely heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Jack. He was a much-loved member of our family and will be greatly missed. Born feral, rescued as a kitten, adopted by us a decade ago, gone too soon as a result of thrombosis. Goodbye, handsome boy. 💔💔💔

A handsome black cat with a moody and seductive stare, posing with a kind of Burt Reynolds vibe.

Aforementioned handsome black cat, stretched out, asleep, belly being hit by sunbeams, on a bright red blanket.

The handsomest black cat in the world, curled up, asleep, and hopefully dreaming happy dreams.

A younger version of the handsome black cat, in a cat tunnel, looking nervous about the concept of play.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 25

Beautiful day on campus today! 🌞 @maynoothuniversity.ie

St Joseph's Square, Maynooth, with clear blue skies, ivy-clad walls and lush green trees and bushes in the square.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 22

This evening I attended the launch of the brilliant @sallyhayd.bsky.social's new book, This Is Also A Love Story, which tells how romantic, familial, platonic & altruistic love has seen people through the worst of circumstances in Syria, Uganda, Rwanda, Iraq, Ukraine, Lebanon, Japan & beyond. 📚

The editor of the Irish Times, Ruadhán Mac Cormaic, at a podium in Hodges Figgis bookshop in Dublin. A large seated audience is watching him.

Sally Hayden, journalist and author, speaking at a podium in Hodges Figgis bookshop in Dublin, watched by a large seated audience.

A copy of Sally Hayden, This is also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 9

Recently finished - & very much enjoyed - Caitríona Lally's memoir of combining a writer's life with her work as a cleaner at Trinity College Dublin. Compelling & often very funny prose, which reflects sharply on the material circumstances required to write, & society's view of the work of cleaners.

A copy of Home Economics by Caitríona Lally.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 8

I have given my final lecture until September. End of the semester! 🥳

The spire of the chapel at Maynooth University visible in the distance, framed by trees, bushes, grass and wild flowers.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 4

Subsequently the book was the property of the Irish Central Library for Students. Thanks to Ulysses Rare Books for keeping this aside for me until I could stop in and buy it, and to my PhD student, River, who spotted that Ulysses had it in the first place! #MedievalSky #Spéirghorm #speirgorm 3/3

Some handwritten notes in French by Henri Gaidoz on the Félire Óengusso and Stokes's edition thereof, pasted into the front of Gaidoz's copy of the book.

An article by Whitley Stokes recording extensive addenda and corrigenda to his edition of the Félire Óengusso, pasted into Gaidoz's copy of the edition.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 4

... some notes by Gaidoz; Henri d'Arbois de Jubainville's published review of the book; a hand-written letter by Stokes to Gaidoz taking issue with some of d'Arbois de Jubainville's review; Zimmer's published review of the book; and Stokes's published corrigenda to his edition. 2/3

The first page of a review by Henri d'Arbois de Jubainville of Whitley Stokes's edition of the Félire Óengusso, pasted into a copy of the edition itself.

A handwritten note (which has been cut up and pasted together) by Whitley Stokes to Henri Gaidoz, referring to d'Arbois de Jubainville's review of Stokes's edition. The note is pasted into Gaidoz's copy of the edition.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 4

My recent acquisition (pen in first picture for scale). This is Whitley Stokes's 1880 edition for the Royal Irish Academy Manuscript Series of the Félire Óengusso. More interestingly, this particular copy belonged to Henri Gaidoz (1842-1932), founder of Revue celtique. Pasted into the book are: 1/3

The exterior of the red binding and boards of a nineteenth-century book. A pen to the left shows the considerable size of the book, which is 32cm x 25cm.

Frontispiece of Whitley Stokes, ed. and trans. On The Calendar of Oengus (Royal Irish Academy, 1880) stamped with a mark of ownership by the Irish Central Library for Students.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· May 1

Fantastic lecture @scs-dias.bsky.social last night by Dr Ben Guy of @department-asnc.bsky.social on the Historia Brittonum, followed by the launch of his & Patrick Wadden's excellent new volume History & Propaganda in the Medieval Celtic Lands, published by DIAS 📚 #MedievalSky #Spéirghorm #Speirgorm

Dr Patrick Wadden (DCU) on the left and Dr Ben Guy (Cambridge) on the right. Each is holding a glass of wine, and Patrick is also holding a copy of their new publication, Propaganda and History in the Medieval Celtic Lands: Interrogating a Paradigm (Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 2026).

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 26

Finished reading an advance copy of the new book by @sallyhayd.bsky.social, This Is Also A Love Story (out on 21st May). Drawing together stories from Ghana, Ukraine, Syria, Rwanda, Lebanon & elsewhere, this powerful hopeful book shows what people will do for love, even (or perhaps especially) 1/2

A proof copy of Sally Hayden, This is Also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World, which will be published on 21st May.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 24

The students asked great questions about writing processes & publishing practicalities & it was lovely to meet such intelligent & engaged ECRs. Thanks to Dr Lindsay Ann Reid at Galway for inviting me & Dr Catherine Emerson for the wonderful photo of some of the PhD students examining my book! 📚 3/3

A group of PhD students looking at a copy of Elizabeth Boyle, Fierce Appetites. Photo credit: Dr Catherine Emerson.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 24

I was talking about my own experience of publishing my book, Fierce Appetites, which is the only non-academic book I have written. I talked about the differences between academic & non-academic publishing, & the process from getting an agent & signing a contract to dealing with PR. 2/3

A paperback copy of Elizabeth Boyle, Fierce Appetites: Lessons from my Year of Untamed Thinking.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 24

Today I was in Galway, talking about writing for non-academic audiences. My own audience today was a lovely group of PhD students from across Europe, all part of a Marie Curie Doctoral Network on late medieval & early modern book history. #MedievalSky 1/3

A photo of Galway city showing the River Corrib and the Salmon Weir Bridge, and - at the other side of the river - the cathedral. It is a sunny day and the sky is blue.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 18

Ireland's 1926 census records are available to search online from today! (The photo here is of my family's entry - head of household was my great-grandfather, whose occupation is listed as a chef at the Kildare St Club). #Spéirghorm #Speirgorm nationalarchives.ie/collections/...

Census return for my great-grandfather's household in Carleton Road, Marino, Dublin, listing Reginald White and his wife, Catherine White, and their six children: Louisa, Margaret, Ernest (my grandfather), Gladys, Kathleen and Eileen.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 17

Talked about vikings a lot in my lecture this afternoon. Happy Friday, everyone!

A cartoon showing a viking building a large ship from Lego. Two other vikings are standing in front of the ship-in-progress, one of whom is saying "I tell you, Lego Legosson, your method of building will never catch on".

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 9

Just listened to fascinating discussion by three ECRs on the process of turning their TCD History PhD theses into monographs - illuminating insights on practicalities, funding landscape, psychological barriers & publication process. Thank you, @leafandstream.bsky.social, Ronan & Niall! #MedievalSky

A screenshot of the covers of three academic monographs: Michel Summer, Willibrotd Between Ireland, Britain and Merovingian Francia (690-739): Beyond Mission; Ronan Mulhaire, Irish Kingship in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries: Approaches to the Study of Power; Niall Ó Súilleabháin, Social Élites in Medieval France: Status, Wealth and Power in the Loire Valley, c. 850-1150.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Apr 1

This evening, my brilliant friend @sallyhayd.bsky.social spoke at @maynoothuniversity.ie about her recent reporting from Lebanon & beyond. We were moved by her insightful & powerful account of recent events. I was also fortunate to receive a copy of her forthcoming book: This is also a Love Story.

Poster for tonight's Maynooth University event entitled "In conversation with Sally Hayden: Reporting from Lebanon, Syria & beyond in turbulent times", with a subheading "Join us for an evening of insights from the frontlines of international journalism". The event was hosted by Maynooth University Social Sciences Institute and the Department of Law & Criminology.

A proof copy of Sally Hayden, This is also a Love Story: Searching for Good in a Divided World. This book will be published in May 2026 by 4th Estate.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Mar 28

Right now in Atlanta (courtesy of my partner, who is there). #NoKings

A large crowd of people protesting against Trump's incessant gobshitery outside the Georgia State Capitol building in Atlanta. It's a sunny day with a cloudless blue sky - perfect for fighting back against the rise of fascism.

Elizabeth Boyle@thecelticist· Mar 14

Made it to the mid-semester break (phew!). Weekend reading - something astonishingly powerful, precise and beautiful.