Effects of Christian Colonization on Celtic Mythology from Ancient Ireland to Contemporary Paganism

Advisor(s)

Olivia Zolciak 

Confirmation

1

Document Type

Paper

Location

ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom

Start Date

21-4-2026 2:45 PM

End Date

21-4-2026 3:00 PM

Abstract

Christian colonization played a critical role in reshaping Celtic mythology, yet the extent to which these transformations continue to influence modern perceptions of paganism remains underexamined. This study investigates how the transcription of originally oral Celtic traditions by Christian monks altered the preservation of myth through reinterpretation and ideological influence. Drawing on historical and mythological sources, it analyzes key examples, including the transformation of the goddess Brigid into Saint Brigid, and the reclassification of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Aos Sí into folkloric or demonic figures. These cases demonstrate that the recording of myth was not a neutral process but one shaped by Christian efforts of assimilation and conversion. The findings suggest that such reinterpretations contributed to the long-term distortion and marginalization of pagan belief systems, while the reliance on Christian-authored sources limits full access to pre-colonial perspectives. This study shows that Christian colonization did not simply preserve Celtic mythology but fundamentally restructured it, with lasting effects that continue to shape contemporary religious discourse and modern understandings of pagan traditions.

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Apr 21st, 2:45 PM Apr 21st, 3:00 PM

Effects of Christian Colonization on Celtic Mythology from Ancient Ireland to Contemporary Paganism

ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom

Christian colonization played a critical role in reshaping Celtic mythology, yet the extent to which these transformations continue to influence modern perceptions of paganism remains underexamined. This study investigates how the transcription of originally oral Celtic traditions by Christian monks altered the preservation of myth through reinterpretation and ideological influence. Drawing on historical and mythological sources, it analyzes key examples, including the transformation of the goddess Brigid into Saint Brigid, and the reclassification of the Tuatha Dé Danann and Aos Sí into folkloric or demonic figures. These cases demonstrate that the recording of myth was not a neutral process but one shaped by Christian efforts of assimilation and conversion. The findings suggest that such reinterpretations contributed to the long-term distortion and marginalization of pagan belief systems, while the reliance on Christian-authored sources limits full access to pre-colonial perspectives. This study shows that Christian colonization did not simply preserve Celtic mythology but fundamentally restructured it, with lasting effects that continue to shape contemporary religious discourse and modern understandings of pagan traditions.