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A classic collection of Irish fairy tales and lore by Nobel Peace Prize-winning author and poet W. B. Yeats Originally published as two separate volumes in 1800s, this premier collection of Irish stories edited and compiled W. B. Yeats is the perfect gift for any lover of Irish literature and folklore. The lyrical prose and rich cultural heritage of each tale will captivate and enchant readers of all ages and keep them entertained for hours on end. This volume contains more than seventy classic Irish stories, including timeless characters and mythology passed down for generations such as: The Trooping FairiesChangelingsTir-na-n-ógThe LepracaunThe Kildare PookaHow Thomas Connolly met the BansheeAnd many more!

In The 1930s, Irish schoolchildren were tasked with asking their oldest relatives and neighbours about stories and superstitions from times past so that ordinary people's lives could be preserved and celebrated. What those schoolchildren wrote in their copybooks resulted in the National Folklore Archive's Schools'Collection, and this book contains a selection of its best stories. With chapters on ghost stories, agriculture, forgotten trades, schooling and pastimes, this is a people's history of Ireland. There are incredible stories of self-sufficiency from an era when everything on the table was homemade. Discover how people survived on flour, milk and potatoes, and how fabric, dye, soap and candles were made by hand. There are delightful memories of childhoods spent outdoors, gathering nuts and berries, playing Tig and fishing; while stories of folk remedies reveal how wellbeing in Ireland had long been a heady potion of miraculous medals, doctors, healers, holy wells and pilgrimages. With each chapter introduced and contextualised in John Creedon's inimitable voice, this beautiful treasury of tales is a stunning tribute to ordinary Irish people and how they lived long ago.

Rivers and streams sculpt our landscape, and have connected our communities throughout history, from mountain to estuary and to the wide sea beyond. They give us water and food, trade and transport – yet they have a life-force all of their own. In this collection of traditional folk tales from wild rivers, lakes, and streams, Lisa Schneidau retells old stories of danger and transformation, of river goddesses, ghosts and the mysterious creatures that dwell in the watery arteries of Britain and Ireland.

Once upon a time all of the legends of Fin MacCool, an ancient hero of Gaelic mythology, were written down for posterity. Saint Patrick, however, was obliged to order two-thirds of them destroyed. The tales were so entertaining, said he, that the people of Erin would do nothing but listen to them. Fortunately for us, many Fenian tales survive, as this captivating collection features 24 tales of super-human heroes and their adventures Compiled by an ethnographer from the Smithsonian Institution who traveled Ireland in the late nineteenth century in search of these vanishing folk tales, this volume abounds with fantastic accounts of bold warriors who battle dragons and giants, outwit sorcerers, and with the help of loyal comrades, overcome death itself. This delightful collection represents not only a valuable resource for students of anthropology and aficionados of Celtic lore but also hours of enchanting reading for lovers of folk tales. (Goodreads)

Ireland is an island nation, inextricably linked with and dependent upon the sea which surrounds us. From earliest times, ships from distant lands have brought goods, ideas, invaders, influencers. Our legends, and particularly the imramma or magical Otherworld voyage tales, show how deep our involvement with the ocean goes. Jo Kerrigan has discovered and retold tales from all around the Irish coast of storms, shipwrecks, pirate attacks and smuggling, as well as shipping stories, both of long distance trading and the little boats which took supplies from major harbours to smaller communities. The sea has an enduring fascination: let Jo's tales and Richard Mills'evocative photographs transport you to the coast to rediscover the tales gathered over the centuries by its communities.

Immerse yourself in a world of fairy queens and Celtic warriors in this remarkable collection of Irish folk tales. Set in Medieval Ireland, this collection of 10 stories were gathered in the late 19th and early 20th century by writer James Shepherd, described by James Joyce as'my rival, the latest Irish genius'. The lyricism and humour within these retellings are unequalled and provide wonderful insight into the culture and traditions of Ireland. Drawn from the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology, they include:• The Birth of Bran• The Enchanted Cav of Cesh Corran• Mongan's Frenzy• The Carl of the Drab Coat

Once upon a time, most of Britain and Ireland was covered in woodland. Many of the trees have been cleared, but our connection with the wildwood remains. It is a place of danger, adventure and transformation, where anything could happen.Here is a collection of traditional folk tales of oak, ash and thorn; of hunting forests and rebellion, timber and triumph in battle, wild ghosts and woodwoses. Lisa Schneidau retells some of the old stories and relates them to the trees and forests in the landscape of our islands today.

Carefully selected stories from the celebrated Folk Tales series have been gathered here for this special volume. Herein lies a treasure trove of tales from a wealth of talented storytellers performing in the country today. From banshees, pookas and changelings to rainbows, fairies and leprechauns, this book celebrates the distinct character of Ireland's different customs, beliefs and dialects, and is a treat for all who enjoy a well-told story.

Chios Classics brings literature's greatest works back to life for new generations. All our books contain a linked table of contents. W.B. Yeats was an Irish poet and one of the most prominent authors of the 20th century. One of Yeats'most popular works is his anthology of Irish folklore.

In the four provinces of Ireland there are thirty-two counties. Each county and its people have their own traditions, beliefs and folklore – and each one is also inhabited by the Sidhe: an ancient and magical race. Some believe they are descended from fallen angels, whilst others say they are the progeny of Celtic deities. They go by many names: the good folk, the wee folk, the gentle people and the fey, but are most commonly known as'the fairies'. These are not the whimsical fairies of Victorian and Edwardian picture books. They are feared and revered in equal measure, and even in the twenty-first century are spoken of in hushed tones. The fairies are always listening. Storyteller Steve Lally and his wife singer-songwriter Paula Flynn Lally have compiled this magnificent collection of magical fairy stories from every county in Ireland. Filled with unique illustrations that bring these tales to life, Irish Gothic Fairy Stories will both enthrall and terrify readers for generations to come.

Jeremiah Curtin was an American translator and folklorist. Curtin compiled a collection of famous Irish folk-lore. This edition includes a table of contents.

Few countries can boast such a plentitude of traditional folktales as Ireland. In 1935, the creation of The Irish Folklore Commission set in motion the first organized efforts of collecting and studying a multitude of folktales, both written as well as those of the Irish oral tradition. The Commission has collected well over a million pages of manuscripts. Folktales of Ireland offers chief archivist Sean O'Sullivan's representation of this awe-inspiring collection. These tales represent the first English language collection of Gaelic folktales.'Without doubt the finest group of Irish tales that has yet been published in English.'—The Guardian'O'Sullivan writes out of an intimacy with his subject and an instinctive grasp of the language of the originals. He tells us that his archives contain more than a million and a half pages of manuscript. If Mr. O'Sullivan translates them, I'll read them.'—Seamus Heaney, New Statesman'The stories have an authentic folktale flavor and will satisfy both the student of folklore and the general reader.'—Booklist

In the four provinces of Ireland there are thirty-two counties. Each county and its people have their own traditions, beliefs and folklore – and each one is also inhabited by the Sidhe: an ancient and magical race. Some believe they are descended from fallen angels, whilst others say they are the progeny of Celtic deities. They go by many names: the good folk, the wee folk, the gentle people and the fey, but are most commonly known as ‘the fairies'.These are not the whimsical fairies of Victorian and Edwardian picture books. They are feared and revered in equal measure, and even in the twenty-first century are spoken of in hushed tones.The fairies are always listening.Storyteller Steve Lally and his wife singer-songwriter Paula Flynn Lally have compiled this magnificent collection of magical fairy stories from every county in Ireland. Filled with unique illustrations that bring these tales to life, Irish Gothic Fairy Stories will both enthral and terrify readers for generations to come.

Born and educated in Dublin, Ireland, William Butler Yeats discovered early in his literary career a fascination with Irish folklore and the occult. Later awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923, Yeats produced a vast collection of stories, songs, and poetry of Ireland's historical and legendary past. These writings helped secure for Yeats recognition as a leading proponent of Irish nationalism and Irish cultural independence. Originally published in two separate books near the end of the nineteenth century, “Irish Fairy and Folk Tales” have preserved a rich and charming heritage in an authentic Irish voice. In this volume, extraordinary characters of Irish myth are brought to life through the brilliant poetic voice of W. B. Yeats. These legendary stories of capricious Trooping Fairies, the frightful Banshee, Kings and Queens, Giants, Devils and the ever popular Leprechaun will delight and entertain readers of all ages. This edition includes a biographical afterword.

Also known as The Cattle Raid of Cooley, this ancient Irish legend recounts the heroic feats of Cú Chulainn. The central epic of the eighth-century Ulster cycle, the story is written mostly in prose and set in the pre-Christian era. Scenes of fierce combat, interwoven with instances of earthy humor and wild exaggeration, form an ultimate moral decrying the futility of war and the worthlessness of possessions. The tale begins with an argument between Ailill and his wife Medb, the queen of Connacht, over which of them is richer. The two are evenly matched save for Ailill's possession of a magical bull. Medb determines to obtain the Brown Bull of Cooley from nearby Ulster, where all the warriors are laid low by a curse — save for the teenager Cú Chulainn, who single-handedly fights off the invaders. The Táin abounds in historical interest, and Joseph Dunn's translation is both faithful to the Gaelic original and highly accessible to modern readers.

The spirits of Ireland come alive in this nineteenth-century collection of stories, songs, and poems selected and edited by Nobel Prize winner W. B. Yeats. Lose yourself in these supernatural tales of mischievous fairies, changelings, mysterious merrows, solitary leprechauns, shape-changing pookas, wailing banshees, ghosts, dangerous witches, helpful fairy doctors, and massive giants! W. B. Yeats compiled sixty-four works from numerous Irish authors including William Allingham; Thomas Crofton Croker; William Carleton; Letitia Maclintock; Lady Wilde, mother of Oscar Wilde; and Yeats himself, resulting in a comprehensive and definitive collection. Each section features an introduction from Yeats to enlighten readers on the background of its mythical subjects and their role in Irish life and culture. Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry includes “The Fairies,” “Frank Martin and the Fairies,” “The Priest's Supper,” “The Stolen Child,” “The Soul Cages,” “Far Darrig in Donegal,” “The Piper and the Puca,” “A Lamentation for the Death of Sir Maurice Fitzgerald,” “The Black Lamb,” “The Horned Women,” “The Phantom Isle,” and more. This ebook has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.

For a comparatively small country, Ireland's contributions to the world of literature have been enormous. From the older tradition, Irish writers have inherited a sense of wonder in the face of nature, a narrative style that tends toward the deliberately exaggerated or absurd, a keen sense of the power of satire. These themes carry through the entire canon of Irish literature, up until modern times. Stephen Brennan brings us this collection of classic stories, essays, and fairytales that inform the past and therefore, the present, of our most beloved fiction.This collection of thirty-six stories includes the influential works of Ireland's most treasured authors, including:• Oscar Wilde• Jonathan Swift• James Joyce• W. B. Yeats• And so many more!In Irish Stories and Folklore, the reader can revisit old favorites like Oscar Wilde's short story, “The Canterville Ghost” and discover lesser known treasures such as, “The Orangeman: Or the Honest Boy and the Thief” by Maria Edgeworth. The imaginative stories contained in this volume are sure to engage the mind and delight readers looking to enhance their knowledge of the rich history of Irish literature and folklore.Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

It's an absorbing introduction to the lore of Albion, but readers will also enjoy teasing out similarities between these tales and more familiar ones.'— Publishers WeeklyPerilous quests, true love, and animals that talk: The traditional stories of Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales transport us to the fantastical world of Celtic folklore.• This Celtic mythology book features 16 stores that were translated and transcribed by folklorists in the late 19th and 20th centuries that focus on themes such as Tricksters, The Sea, Quests, and Romance and mythological creatures.• These timeless tales brim with wit and magic, and each one is brought to life with elegant silhouette art in this special illustrated edition• Celtic Tales is an extraordinary collection that conjures forgotten realms and rare magical creatures in vivid proseDiscover the impactful and stunning illustrations by Kate Forrester in this special edition that is sure to impress any true fan of cultural and mythological literature.Discover delightfully entertaining tales such as Master and Man, The Soul Cages, The Red-Etin, and The Witch of Lok Island.Celtic Tales makes an impressive gift for any fan of greek mythology, roman mythology, Chinese mythology, and folklore and cultural studies from around the globe.

Four magical legends from Ireland's Celtic past vividly told - heroic quests, great deeds, fantasy and fun.

'Kissing The Hag is a dark night of the soul, a harrowing trip into the battered heart of the narrator…. Mr. Quigley... brings us through this night, and into the day…with grace, where new life and forgiveness abide.” — Bret Lott, author of Jewel (an Oprah pick) Since the suicide of his younger brother, Julien has burrowed away from life, turning his back on family and friends. His only human contacts are the denizens of a downtown Boston homeless shelter where he works the graveyard shift. One in particular — Rosie, an Irish “hag” — helps guide Julien through a particularly dark night, as he traverses the dim caverns and blind curves of the human spirit. The single night is filled with flashbacks, interactions with shelter transients, and Irish storytelling, that Julien hopes against hope might help him find some kind of resolution and purpose. Timothy Quigley deftly interweaves Celtic mythology, Christian dogma, street smarts, New Age drunk talk and mad men's ravings, to create a deeply compassionate portrait of a jaded, disillusioned man's struggle to get his life back on track.'[Timothy Quigley's fiction]... is wonderful... buoyant and lively and crackling with fascinating energies and tensions.” ~ Dr. James D'Agostino, author of Nude with Anything and Editor of The Chariton Review

On shadowed wings and in raven's call, meet the ancient Irish goddess of war, battle, prophecy, death, sovereignty, and magic. This book is an introduction to the Morrigan and several related goddesses who share the title, including Badb and Macha. It combines solid academic information with personal experience in a way that is intended to dispel the confusion that often surrounds who this goddess was and is. The Morrigan is as active in the world today as she ever was in the past but answering her call means answering the challenge of finding her history and myth in a sea of misinformation, supposition, and hard-to-find ancient texts. Here in one place, all of her basic information has been collected along with personal experiences and advice from a long-time priestess dedicated to a goddess who bears the title Morrigan.

Meath, the ‘Royal County', has a rich heritage of myths and legends which is uniquely captured in this collection of traditional tales from across the county.Here you will find tales of the first occupation of Ireland and the exploits of St Patrick and Colmcille along with stories of witches, hags, ghosts and fairies. As well as the legends of the Hill of Tara, the ancient political capital and enduring spiritual heartland of Ireland.In a vivid journey through Meath's varied landscape, local storyteller Richard Marsh takes the reader to places where legend and landscape are inseparably linked.

A very readable guide which fills the gap between academic analysis and less critical retellings of the myths and legends. Marytn Whittock provides an accessible overview while also assessing the current state of research regarding the origins and significance of the myths. Since all records of the myths first occur in the early medieval period, the focus is on the survival of pre-Christian mythology and the interactions of the early Christian writers with these myths. A wide-ranging and enthralling introduction to Celtic mythology, from the Irish gods before gods, the Fomorians, to the c.

The age-old charm of Irish folklore gives special sparkle to this collection of eight tongue-in-cheek tales. Wicked old hags, clever leprechauns, courageous tailors, evil giants, and other characters come to life in such fanciful yarns as'Hudden and Dudden and Donald O'Neary,''Conal and Donal and Taig,''The Old Hag's Long Leather Bag,''The Field of Boliauns,''The Sprightly Tailor,'“The Giant's Stairs,” “The Bee, the Harp, the Mouse, and the Bum-Clock,” and “The Black Horse.” Reset in large, easy-to-read type, with six illustrations, these beloved stories from the Emerald Isle will delight readers of any age with their warmth, whimsy, and sly humor.

Twenty folk tales representing hundreds of years of the collective Irish imagination transport readers to a world where everything is alive and anything can happen! Vivid descriptions of battles with giants, dead men who come back to life, humans imprisoned in animals'bodies, heroes with incredible strength, and more.

Take a trip through the rich folklore of Ireland in this enchanting volume from author James Stephens. Fairy kings, femmes fatales, bewitched animals, epic feuds -- these action-packed stories traverse a broad spectrum of themes and settings. Folklore fans and readers interested in Gaelic and Celtic culture will appreciate this collection.

Aislinge Meic Conglinne, an anonymous Middle Irish romance, recounts the efforts of the eponymous hero to exchange the hardscrabble life of a clerical scholar for the prestigious life of a poet. Mac Conglinne wins the patronage of Cathal mac Finguine, the king of Munster, after rescuing him from a'demon of gluttony'by reciting a fantastic, food-laden vision of alternate worlds. An accomplished and original eleventh-century satiric narrative poem, Aislinge Meic Conglinne is now available for the first time as a stand-alone translation.

Born and educated in Dublin, Ireland, William Butler Yeats discovered early in his literary career a fascination with Irish folklore and the occult. Later awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923, Yeats produced a vast collection of stories, songs, and poetry of Ireland's historical and legendary past. These writings helped secure for Yeats recognition as a leading proponent of Irish nationalism and Irish cultural independence. Originally published in two separate books near the end of the nineteenth century, these tales have preserved a rich and charming heritage in a charmingly authentic Irish voice. In this volume, extraordinary characters of Irish myth are brought to life through the brilliant poetic voice of W.B. Yeats. These legendary stories of capricious Trooping Fairies, the frightful Banshee, Kings and Queens, Giants, Devils and the ever popular Leprechaun will delight and entertain readers of all ages.

Jeremiah Curtin was an American born translator and folklorist. In'Myths and Folk-Lore of Ireland'Curtin turns his attention to the tales of the island nation of Ireland. In this collection you will find the following tales: The Son of the King of Erin and the Giant of Loch Lein, The Three Daughters of King O'Hara, The Weaver's Don and the Giant of the White Hill, Fair, Brown and Trembling, The King of Erin and the Queen of the Lonesome Island, The Shee an Gannon and the Grugach Gaire, The Three Daughters of the King of the East and the Son of a King in Erin, The Fisherman's Son and the Grugach of Tricks, The Thirteenth Son of the King of Erin, Kil Arthur, Shaking-Head, Birth of Fin MacCumhail, Fin MacCumhail and the Fenians of Erin in the Castle of Fear Dubh, Fin MacCumhail and the Knight of the Full Axe, Gilla na Grakin and Fin MacCumhail, Fin MacCumhail, The Seven Brothers and the King of France, Black, Brown and Gray, Fin MacCumhail and the Son of the King of Alba, Cuculin, and Oisin in Tir Na N-Og.

'The Other Crowd,''The Good People,''The Wee Folk,'and'Them'are a few of the names given to the fairies by the people of Ireland. Honored for their gifts and feared for their wrath, the fairies remind us to respect the world we live in and the forces we cannot see. In these tales of fairy forts, fairy trees, ancient histories, and modern true-life encounters with The Other Crowd, Eddie Lenihan opens our eyes to this invisible world with the passion and bluntness of a seanchai, a true Irish storyteller.

The ghost story holds a special place in Ireland. It provided the raw material for evenings of storytelling that were a common feature of country life up to the 1950s (and frequently beyond). Unexplained psychic phenomena fascinate people from all walks of life. Many are afraid, ashamed and embarrassed to come forward for fear of not being taken seriously. Of course, we can't prove that ghosts exist, we are in a different realm of consciousness when we talk about ghosts. But however strange or unusual the feelings that people experience, the experiences themselves are nonetheless real.

Gathered by the renowned Irish poet, playwright, and essayist William Butler Yeats, the sixty-five tales and poems in this delightful collection uniquely capture the rich heritage of the Celtic imagination. Filled with legends of village ghosts, fairies, demons, witches, priests, and saints, these stories evoke both tender pathos and lighthearted mirth and embody what Yeats describes as “the very voice of the people, the very pulse of life.” “The impact of these tales doesn't stop with Yeats, or Joyce, or Oscar Wilde,” writes Paul Muldoon in his Foreword, “for generations of readers in Ireland and throughout the world have found them flourishing like those persistent fairy thorns.”

The Táin Bó Cuailnge, centre-piece of the eighth-century Ulster cycle of heroic tales, is Ireland's greatest epic. It tells the story of a great cattle-raid, the invasion of Ulster by the armies of Medb and Ailill, queen and king of Connacht, and their allies, seeking to carry off the great Brown Bull of Cuailnge. The hero of the tale is Cuchulainn, the Hound of Ulster, who resists the invaders single-handed while Ulster's warriors lie sick. Thomas Kinsella presents a complete and living version of the story. His translation is based on the partial texts in two medieval manuscripts, with elements from other versions, and adds a group of related stories which prepare for the action of the Táin. Illustrated with brush drawings by Louis le Brocquy, this edition provides a combination of medieval epic and modern art.

Here are 125 magnificent folktales collected from anthologies and journals published from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Beginning with tales of the ancient times and continuing through the arrival of the saints in Ireland in the fifth century, the periods of war and family, the Literary Revival championed by William Butler Yeats, and the contemporary era, these robust and funny, sorrowful and heroic stories of kings, ghosts, fairies, treasures, enchanted nature, and witchcraft are set in cities, villages, fields, and forests from the wild western coast to the modern streets of Dublin and Belfast.Edited by Henry GlassieWith black-and-white illustrations throughoutPart of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library

A fascinating collection of tales from heroic Ireland which have been retold by word of mouth through generations. In an Ireland much changed since giants and heroes strode across it, these tales of the bravery, cunning and heroism of some of Ireland's favourite mythological characters, are much in demand.