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"Stories of the Supernatural, based on Irish country folklore, from one of the greatest poets of our age" ... Read more

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The Story of Tuan Mac Cairill from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens.In Irish mythology Tuan mac Cairill was a follower of Partholon who alone survived the plague that killed the rest of his people. Through a series of animal transformations he survived into Christian times, and told the story of his people to St. Finnian. ... Read more

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Celtic lore holds a wealth of colorful characters beyond the famed leprechaun.And this gathering of late 19th century traditional folk tales brings together the best of the Emerald Isle's fabled denizens. The Banshee, Satan's Cloven Hoof, The Henpecked Giant, and—of course—The Leprechaun, all weave their spellbinding magic in the classic tradition of Irish storytelling in the pages of enchanting treasury.Illustrated throughout with 65 beautiful pen-and-ink drawings.240 pages. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Good for the illustrations
I love all things Irish!However, this book is useless. The vast majority of the book is written, as one reviewer put it, like the Irish speak. This makes the book completely unreadable- I tried a few chapters and gave up. It took so much concentration to figure out what the words were, that I couldn't string them together to form a logical thought. This may have well been written in Gaelic. If this book gets translated into proper English, I'll be the first in line to buy it. Until then, I'll enjoy the pretty pictures...

Great Stories... But... Hard To Follow
I gave this book 4 stars because I enjoyed reading it.. but the languagewas something I hadn't expected.. It is written exactly like Irishmentalk.. for an example: Tipperary, whos father was a farmer there, an' had ashmart bit av land wid no end av shape grazin' on it, an' the Tipperary boywas n't bad at all, only as shtupid as a donkey.This was taken from thestory "The Rock of Cashel.. So if you buy this book.. be prepared toover look the obvious spelling/language problems but the stories are justas interesting. (I feel this pook should be given 3 and a half stars but Iwill go up a number instead of down. The book is interesting)

Charming folktales from old Ireland.
(The book I read was a 1977 reprint of the original 1888 edition, and some of the things I mention here might not apply to later editions.)

This charming book contains many folktales collected around Ireland before theclose of the Nineteenth Century. As the title says, there are tales aboutghosts, giants, pookas, the devil, etc. A distinctive feature of this bookis that the author records not just the tale, but records it in the dialectof the teller!

However, I use the word "charming" because the stories arehumorous, but rarely terribly interesting. Also, the author's use of thevernacular, while an interesting feature, requires the reader to payparticular attention when reading, and to be familiar with certain Irishwords (e.g. shebeen, poteen, omadhawn, etc.).

As such, I would not callthis a great book, but it is a good one - a charming one.

Charming folktales from old Ireland.
(The book I read was a 1977 reprint of the original 1888 edition, and some of the things I mention here might not apply to later editions.)

This charming book contains many folktales collected around Ireland before theclose of the Nineteenth Century. As the title says, there are tales aboutghosts, giants, pookas, the devil, etc. A distinctive feature of this bookis that the author records not just the tale, but records it in the dialectof the teller!

However, I use the word "charming" because the stories arehumorous, but rarely terribly interesting. Also, the author's use of thevernacular, while an interesting feature, requires the reader to payparticular attention when reading, and to be familiar with certain Irishwords (e.g. shebeen, poteen, omadhawn, etc.).

As such, I would not callthis a great book, but it is a good one - a charming one.

Great entertainment
Great stories of Irish legend and folklore, written mostly as told by Irish peasantry in their native dialect. ... Read more

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The Carl of the Drab Coat is an exciting tale from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephen. ... Read more

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Mongan's Frenzy is a deliightful tale from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens. ... Read more

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The Enchanted Cave of Cesh Corran is an delightful tale from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens. ... Read more

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Ten stories from Irish folklore, retold by James Stephens (February 9, 1882-December 26, 1950), a noteworthy Irish poet and author. The book was first published in 1920. Besides his humorous and beautifully-crafted versions of Irish myths and fairy tales, Stephens wrote three novels with roots in the realm of faery: The Crock of Gold, Etched in Moonlight, and Demi-Gods. His most popular work is The Crock of Gold, which has been reprinted many times since 1912. ... Read more

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The wit and wisdom of the Gael is tightly packed in the proverb, this book contends. It also argues that Irish is no mere folksy language full of quaint expressions, but actually has the oldest, most sophisticated literature in western Europe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Authentically Irish
Padraic Colum's wonderful compendium of all things Irish was my first introduction to my Irish Heritage.I could not have found a better.Under one cover, Colum draws from Irish history, folklore, myth, song and legend to introduce the reader, in a mere 613 pages, to the best of authentic Ireland.
First printed in 1944, this volume captures an Ireland that has long since faded into memory.Today, there are no more clay cottages roofed in thatch, except, perhaps, for the tourists.The Shenache (Irish storyteller) has largely been replaced by the television and the internet.But, before the incursions of electric entertainments, Column preserved that Ireland for us with great charm and energy.
Colum begins by describing what he calls the "Irish Edge," that bit of bite in the humor that is typically Irish:If ...[those girls] were hanged for their beauty, they'd die innocent."Or this:"A man who has a face that looks like somebody threw it at him in anger always marries before he's old enough to vote."
The Editor then takes the reader through a tour of Irish myth, which may or may not be history, the Heroes of Old, then into recorded history, Irish customs, ways and traditions, and into the New World with the wit and wisdom of the Irish Americans.
The collection of Irish stories is, by itself, worth the price of the book.
In short, if you want an introduction to the Irish character, what makes the Irish what they are, you can do far worse than this volume of authentic Irish Folklore by perhaps one of the last of the great Shenaches, Padraic Colum.

greatest collection of Irish folklore information out there
Whether you are Irish by blood, or just wish you were, A Treasury of Irish Folklore is the book for you. Everything from Irish myths, superstitions, and even songs of Ireland are included. From blessings, to spells, this book is chocked full of info, ready for you to crack the cover. Check it out, I promise you, you won't be dissappointed ... Read more

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The Wooing of Becfola is one of a group of stories from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens. ... Read more

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This is part 5 of Lebor Gabala Erenn, the story of the taking of Ireland, as published by the Irish Texts Society. This volume was published in 1956. ... Read more

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In the great oral tradition, of Ireland sharp-witted proverbs have been passed on for generations. This collection of over 200 proverbs recalls the experiences of Irish men and women in the cities, out in the country, and by the sea. Country Sligo native Fergus Lyons adds style and humour with 35 clever illustrations. ... Read more

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There are a million of Irish proverbs, old and new, which distil the folk wisdom and popular opinions of ordinary Irish men and women down through the ages. Laurence Flanagan has made a wide-ranging collection of these proverbs, some well known, some obscure, and has provided both Irish and English text for them. Other books by Laurence Flanagan Ancient Ireland Favourite Irish Names for Children: top 200 Irish Place Names. ... Read more

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Oisin's Mother is a wonderful tale from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens. ... Read more

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The Little Brawl at Allen is a wonderful story from Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Fighting Irish in Mythology!
A great Irish party here with plenty of singing and fighting!At a grand party with the kings and queens of Ireland present, Fergus sang wonderful songs to praise the deeds of Fionn and his ancestors.Then Fergus sang poems of praise to Goll and his ancestors.Both Fionn and Goll heaped golden rewards on Fergus, but Goll's rewards to Fergus were much more generous.This displeased Fionn.Fionn then goads Goll into an argument over old battles and even older disputes.Soon others join in the argument and there begins a giant brawl:"The banqueting hall was in tumult. In every part of it men were giving and taking blows. Here two champions with their arms round each other's necks were stamping round and round in a slow, sad dance. Here were two crouching against each other, looking for a soft place to hit. Yonder a big-shouldered person lifted another man in his arms and threw him at a small group that charged him. In a retired corner a gentleman stood in a thoughtful attitude while he tried to pull out a tooth that had been knocked loose."Finally, Fergus, or "True Lips" as he was known, gathered together all the poets and singers to surround the fighters and drown out their anger with poetry and song.Thus, peace was restored. ... Read more