Lí Ban

Mairi recounts the tale of the winter hag who imprisoned the goddess Brighid inside her snow‑capped mountain, sealing her away from the world. A titanic struggle between the forces of winter and the emerging forces of spring erupted, culminating in spring’s triumph as it broke the hag’s hold and freed Brighid.

An Chailleach Bhéara is a programme presented as an episode, falling under the genre of a single‑installment narrative. It is structured around a single storyteller who guides the audience through a mythic episode drawn from Irish tradition. The format is straightforward, allowing the tale to unfold without external subplots or additional characters. The central voice belongs to Mairi, who recounts a winter hag’s act of imprisoning the goddess Brighid within the confines of a snow‑capped mountain. Mairi’s narration frames the hag as a powerful, cold‑bearing figure who traps Brighid, setting the stage for a clash that pits the forces of winter against those of the coming seasons. Within the story, the hag’s icy stronghold becomes the arena for an almighty battle of the elements. The conflict is portrayed as a sweeping struggle, with winter’s chill battling against the opposing forces that seek to free Brighid. The tension builds as the mountain itself seems to echo the clash between the opposing powers. Ultimately, the narrative reaches its resolution when spring emerges victorious, overcoming winter’s grip and liberating Brighid. The triumph of spring signals the end of the harsh winter hold, restoring balance and ushering in a new season of renewal. This conclusion ties the episode together, highlighting the cyclical nature of the elements.