Colm O'Regan: It's all Greek with the release of Odysseus but what about the weird myths we loved growing up?
Comedian Colm O'Regan reflects on the enduring cultural impact of Greek mythology, specifically how these stories were introduced to children in 1980s Irish schools. He suggests that Hollywood's recent interest in classics like The Odyssey should prompt a broader look at the myths that shaped a generation.
Why it matters
It highlights the role of early education in shaping cultural literacy and the ongoing influence of classical narratives in modern entertainment.
Matt Damon as Odysseus and Zendaya as Athena in The Odyssey. Picture: Universal Studios.
Colm O'Regan is a comedian, best-selling author, broadcaster and podcaster from Cork.
Now that it’s all Greek to us with the release of The Odyssey, Hollywood must surely turn its big-screen attention to some of the other classics.
If they are wondering which ones to remake, can I recommend a rule of thumb — did it feature in the Folens primary school readers from the 1980s? Somewhere between Stage 2 Book 5 Myth and Magic and Stage 3 Flying Colours or Silver Springs , we small children were agog at the doings of the Greeks.
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