Prof. Ralph Kenna (Coventry University)

Maths Meets Myths: Misappropriation of Mythology in the Midlands

The talk explains how, in the 18th century, a local scientist helped transform our understanding of the physical world while attempts were being made in Dublin to misappropriate our mythological one. These unrelated episodes lay mostly forgotten until recent developments in mathematics united the disciplines. I report on mathematical comparisons of the epic poems of Ossian, the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology and works of Homer. This research massively impacted on public reaction to a new statue erected to represent Athlone’s relationship with the river Shannon. The iconography of the 11ft neo-classical statue hails from the 18th century Custom House in Dublin where it celebrates the flow of commerce from Ireland to the British Empire. In representing the river as a male pseudo-Classical deity the new statue overwrites Irish mythology in a manner akin to the Ossianic controversy 250 years ago – for the river’s authentic deity is Sionann, a goddess whose story warns of the perils of knowledge incorrectly handled.

Athlone on 5 August 2019: “Linking Hands Across the Bridge for Goddess Sionann” was a collaborative art performance celebrating Sionann as the Goddess of the river Shannon. A petition in support of authentic mythology was signed by over 650 people.

Athlone on 22 July 2019: People are holding maths and myths books to demonstrate their desire for an authentic mythological river deity to represent the town instead of a fake colonial one.

After completing his PhD in Austria in 1993, Athlone-born Ralph Kenna held posts in the University of Liverpool and Trinity College before moving to Coventry in 2002 where he established and leads one of the UK’s strongest statistical physics groups. His pioneering mathematical investigations into mythological narratives impacted onto media, industry and public understanding and Ralph has been repeatedly honoured as “Innovator and Trailblazer" of the Irish diaspora.

For more information on the 'Reclaiming Sionann for Athlone' campaign, visit: https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/reclaiming-sionann-for-athlone