Worry Work: The Supernatural Labours of Living and Dead Mothers in Irish Folklore.

The author uses collections of Irish folklore dating from 1860 to 1940 to consider accounts of magic, luck, and women, especially mothers, and their labors to avoid supernatural hazards. Topics considered include changelings, fairies, mothering, and dead mothers. An overview of 19th and 20th century Irish history, include Land Acts transferring land ownership to tenants, education and literacy, and Irish independence, is provided.