Irish Mythology and Folklore in The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers

Turk, Katja (author), Blake, Jason Frederick (mentor), Šporčič, Anamarija (comentor)

This thesis explores references to Irish mythology and folklore in Cartoon Saloon’s trilogy of animated films: The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers. Despite different time settings, the films share thematic and structural elements, intertwining Irish myths with universal themes like friendship, family, and personal growth. Therefore, they appeal to global audiences while showcasing Irish culture. The films were also influenced by Irish history and aim to preserve Irish folklore. Furthermore, they emphasise folklore’s cultural significance and celebrate its deep ties to nature. Each film features a young protagonist interacting with the mythological and the supernatural. Brendan in The Secret of Kells, Ben and Saoirse in Song of the Sea, and Robyn in Wolfwalkers all embark on transformative journeys involving nature, myth, and self-discovery. The films share visual continuity through hand-drawn, 2D animation and recurring symbolic motifs. Nature is depicted as a place of freedom and inspiration, in contrast with restrictive urban settings. The soundtracks blend traditional Irish instruments and include lyrics in Irish, thus enhancing the cultural authenticity. The trilogy also evolves artistically, from The Secret of Kells’ experimental approach to Wolfwalkers’ fusion of visuals and storytelling. The thesis thus highlights the importance of folklore in preserving cultural identity, promoting respect for nature, and connecting past with present. While rooted in Irish traditions, The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea, and Wolfwalkers incorporate modern themes like environmentalism and family, and reimagine folklore for contemporary audiences. This reinvention ensures folklore remains a vital part of Irish heritage.

• Language: English
• Keywords: mythology, folklore, national identity, cultural heritage, nature
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Year: 2025
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-166893
• Publication date in RUL: 30.01.2025

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Irska mitologija in folklora v animiranih filmih Skrivnost iz Kellsa, Pesem morja in Wolfwalkers

Abstract

Magistrsko delo raziskuje irsko mitologijo in folkloro v trilogiji animiranih filmov irskega studia Cartoon Saloon: Skrivnost iz Kellsa (The Secret of Kells), Pesem morja (Song of the Sea) in Wolfwalkers. Kljub temu, da se odvijajo v različnih časovnih obdobjih, filmi delijo tematske in strukturne elemente, ki irske mite prepletajo z univerzalnimi temami, kot so prijateljstvo, družina in osebnostna rast. Tako nagovarjajo globalno občinstvo in hkrati predstavljajo irsko kulturo. Filmi črpajo tudi iz irske zgodovine in si prizadevajo ohranjati irsko folkloro, saj poudarjajo njen kulturni pomen in njeno globoko povezanost z naravo. Protagonisti v vseh treh filmih (Brendan v Skrivnosti iz Kellsa, Ben in Saoirse v Pesmi morja ter Robyn v Wolfwalkers) se podajo na pot osebne transformacije, ki vključuje naravo, mite in samospoznavanje. Vizualno filme povezuje tehnika ročno risane 2D animacije in ponavljajoči se simbolni motivi. Narava je prikazana kot prostor svobode in navdiha, v nasprotju z utesnjenim urbanim okoljem. Glasbene podlage vključujejo tradicionalne irske inštrumente in besedila v irskem jeziku, kar povečuje kulturno avtentičnost. Magistrsko delo tako poudarja vlogo folklore pri ohranjanju kulturne identitete in spodbujanju spoštovanja do narave. Čeprav so filmi Skrivnost iz Kellsa, Pesem morja in Wolfwalkers zakoreninjeni v irski tradiciji, vključujejo sodobne teme, kot sta okoljevarstvo in družina, ter tako predstavijo moderno interpretacijo folklore za sodobno občinstvo. Ta prenova zagotavlja, da folklora ostaja ključen del irske kulturne dediščine.

• Keywords: mitologija, folklora, narodna identiteta, kulturna dediščina, narava