Imbas Rising - Poetics of Decolonization

A talk by Laura Murphy

St. Patrick’s outlawing of the ancient Irish poetic practice of Imbas Forosnai (433AD) and Queen Elizabeth’s orders “to hang the harpers wherever found and destroy their instruments” (1603) are two harrowing attempts by Church and Empire to disconnect the Irish people from the source of their creative and spiritual power. In this talk, we explore how the remembering, reclamation and revival of Imbas Forosnai, (old Irish for ‘Inspiration that Illuminates’), is a powerful act of decolonization. We trace the mythical and ancient origins of the practice; its influence in the Celtic Revival and Irish Independence; and how it can support the liberation of ourselves and the planet from patriarchal-colonial-capitalist systems of oppression.  

Laura Murphy

Laura Murphy is a poet, activist and healer who works in the ancient Irish tradition of Imbas Forosnai. The Filí (Seer-Poets) of pre-Christian Ireland used this practice to bring wisdom into their beings, truth to power and healing to society. Though Imbas Forosnai was central to how Irish society functioned and flourished, it was banned by St. Patrick and all but written out of history. Since having a spontaneous experience of Imbas Forosnai in 2013, Laura has been working towards reviving this practice within a culturally relevant, modern context.

Laura’s work has been featured in the Abbey Theatre’s critically acclaimed ‘HOME: Part One’, Herstory Light Shows, TG4’s ‘Imeall’, Glastonbury Goddess Conference and RTÉ documentary ‘Finding Brigid’. Laura was the inaugural Poet in Residence at Herstory, the movement illuminating female role-models, she campaigned to make Brigid’s Day a national holiday and is an advocate for Palestine, Ireland’s Mother and Baby Home and Magdalene Laundry survivors.

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