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Irish Myths and Legends
From the epic Irish legend of Cuchulain to tales of banshees, leprechauns and wizards, these short stories and fables cover a wide range of Ireland's mythology and legends, forming a companion volume to Michael Scott's Irish Folk and Fairy Tales.
314 pages, Paperback
First published April 30, 1992
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About the author
Michael Scott
186 books6,845 followersIrish-born Michael Scott began writing over thirty years ago, and is one of Ireland's most successful and prolific authors, with over one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 4, 2016
The first half of this book tells the legend of Cuchulain, the Hound of Culain.
The second half tells of banshees, leprechauns, wizards ... even the headless horseman puts in an appearance.
Best taken in small doses at bedtime.
The second half tells of banshees, leprechauns, wizards ... even the headless horseman puts in an appearance.
Best taken in small doses at bedtime.
September 18, 2022
Very well written.
I liked all of the extra tales and was surprised by the modern tales.
Cuchailan wasn't gross. I was surprised by his death. My favourite parts were with the warrior elite when the history was given.
I liked all of the extra tales and was surprised by the modern tales.
Cuchailan wasn't gross. I was surprised by his death. My favourite parts were with the warrior elite when the history was given.
May 31, 2012
Gorgeously written. Well-researched. I'll use this text again when I teach an Irish myth class. (However, I'm still confused about Scathach the vampire)
June 20, 2020
English review below the Greek one...
Μερικές φορές το πως δένεται κανείς με ένα βιβλίο είναι κάτι προσωπικό. Το συγκεκριμένο έχει θέση στην καρδιά μου, διότι το πρωτοδιάβασα όταν ήμουν στην Ιρλανδία και διότι μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ το συναίσθημα που βγάζουν οι περισσότερες ιστορίες.
Ο Micheal Scott γύρισε πολλές φορές προς τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του '70 κυρίως τις νοτιοδυτικές επαρχίες της Ιρλανδίας και συνέλεξε πολλές ιστορίες, οι οποίες αποτέλεσαν την βάση για να γράψει πολλά κεφάλαια αυτού του βιβλίου. Άλλα κεφάλαια είναι η αφήγηση πιο γνωστών, "κλασσικών" μύθων και άλλα αγγίζουν πιο πολύ την λαογραφία και τις προλήψεις/πεποιθήσεις τους Ιρλανδικού λαού, πρόσφατες και πιο παλιές. Γενικά το βιβλίο έχει μεγάλη ποικιλία και είναι γραμμένο πολύ παραστατικά και αφήνοντας ένα γλυκόπικρο συναίσθημα. Δεν είναι τυχαίο που ο συγγραφέας έχει γράψει και πολλές επιτυχημένες σειρές φαντασίας. Ένας ωραίος σύγχρονος παραμυθάς!
Well, sometimes our “relations” with books is something very personal. My “relationship” with this book and two others of Michael Scott (they serve as an informal trilogy on Irish Mythology, Folklore and Legends) is a very special one, because I first read them once upon a time, while been in Ireland my shelf.
I've read them all many times during the year and it was a pleasure to delve into this book once again!
The way the author narrates and reforms well-known old myths and stories and unites older with more recent times and beliefs, is on my opinion amazing. He creates a bittersweet ambience and provokes lots of feelings, even if the reader is the most realistic and romantic-less person. Michael Scott has written many other fantasy books and series (which I haven’t read) and successfully manages to draw the reader inside the world he builds every time. He has make research and collected many stories on the spot, yet he doesn’t constrict his writing on a dry transcribing, like unfortunately many other folklorists do. On the contrary, he brings to life his stories, continuing the long tradition of story tellers/bards of his country.
A good part of this book focus on Cuchulain's circle of mythology, while there are many re-tellings of other legends and folklore stories spreading on many different eras.
My review/rating is a very personal one I guess, but in general I think that this is an interesting and easy book.
Μερικές φορές το πως δένεται κανείς με ένα βιβλίο είναι κάτι προσωπικό. Το συγκεκριμένο έχει θέση στην καρδιά μου, διότι το πρωτοδιάβασα όταν ήμουν στην Ιρλανδία και διότι μου άρεσε πάρα πολύ το συναίσθημα που βγάζουν οι περισσότερες ιστορίες.
Ο Micheal Scott γύρισε πολλές φορές προς τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του '70 κυρίως τις νοτιοδυτικές επαρχίες της Ιρλανδίας και συνέλεξε πολλές ιστορίες, οι οποίες αποτέλεσαν την βάση για να γράψει πολλά κεφάλαια αυτού του βιβλίου. Άλλα κεφάλαια είναι η αφήγηση πιο γνωστών, "κλασσικών" μύθων και άλλα αγγίζουν πιο πολύ την λαογραφία και τις προλήψεις/πεποιθήσεις τους Ιρλανδικού λαού, πρόσφατες και πιο παλιές. Γενικά το βιβλίο έχει μεγάλη ποικιλία και είναι γραμμένο πολύ παραστατικά και αφήνοντας ένα γλυκόπικρο συναίσθημα. Δεν είναι τυχαίο που ο συγγραφέας έχει γράψει και πολλές επιτυχημένες σειρές φαντασίας. Ένας ωραίος σύγχρονος παραμυθάς!
Well, sometimes our “relations” with books is something very personal. My “relationship” with this book and two others of Michael Scott (they serve as an informal trilogy on Irish Mythology, Folklore and Legends) is a very special one, because I first read them once upon a time, while been in Ireland my shelf.
I've read them all many times during the year and it was a pleasure to delve into this book once again!
The way the author narrates and reforms well-known old myths and stories and unites older with more recent times and beliefs, is on my opinion amazing. He creates a bittersweet ambience and provokes lots of feelings, even if the reader is the most realistic and romantic-less person. Michael Scott has written many other fantasy books and series (which I haven’t read) and successfully manages to draw the reader inside the world he builds every time. He has make research and collected many stories on the spot, yet he doesn’t constrict his writing on a dry transcribing, like unfortunately many other folklorists do. On the contrary, he brings to life his stories, continuing the long tradition of story tellers/bards of his country.
A good part of this book focus on Cuchulain's circle of mythology, while there are many re-tellings of other legends and folklore stories spreading on many different eras.
My review/rating is a very personal one I guess, but in general I think that this is an interesting and easy book.
January 3, 2012
Irish myths and legends in particular about Cuchulain the Irish hero. The book follows a loose chronological order tracing myths and legends from the beginning of Ireland to the present day.
December 25, 2023
2.5/5
A re-telling of some medieval Irish myths and legends, focusing on the Ulster Cycle with some other stories at the end. It stays relatively close to the source material, however there is some imposing of modern fantasy tropes and characters like vampires. The names are also often written in the English way rather than the modern way Irish people actually spell the name.
Written quite poorly, he loves his descriptions. Why write in one sentence what you can write in a paragraph? This makes lots of sections very boring and hard to focus on, though a few are still exciting.
I'm not opposed to re-telling a more exciting version of the traditional stories, but ideally it would be done better and staying more faithful to Irish culture.
A re-telling of some medieval Irish myths and legends, focusing on the Ulster Cycle with some other stories at the end. It stays relatively close to the source material, however there is some imposing of modern fantasy tropes and characters like vampires. The names are also often written in the English way rather than the modern way Irish people actually spell the name.
Written quite poorly, he loves his descriptions. Why write in one sentence what you can write in a paragraph? This makes lots of sections very boring and hard to focus on, though a few are still exciting.
I'm not opposed to re-telling a more exciting version of the traditional stories, but ideally it would be done better and staying more faithful to Irish culture.
February 7, 2017
I may have to turn my attention to the Irish legends now. These stories are quite interesting - the strife and pain is something different from other cultures. There's a melancholy in the stories that's quite unique.
April 26, 2020
Celtic mythology delivered in a way fantasy enthusiasts deserve.
I have a special place in my heart for all of Michael Scott’s fantasy series ever since a chance reading of his in a Dundrum bookshop when I was 12.
I have a special place in my heart for all of Michael Scott’s fantasy series ever since a chance reading of his in a Dundrum bookshop when I was 12.
April 12, 2019
A really nice read. I especially like the stories in the last section, as they get closer and closer to the modern day.
November 19, 2024
Some tales that I knew, but plenty that were new. And Michael Scott is such a good writer. Definitely going to look into more of his fairy tale books.
February 11, 2010
one of my favorite repeat reads and filled with short stories summarizing core celtic myths. clear language and a fun narrative.
October 5, 2012
It tells its stories and myths pretty well, but due to the writing style, it just seemed to be lacking lustre.
October 26, 2013
very well written . I don't like first chapters, just the last 5 stories
December 16, 2023
Truly magical and absolutely beautiful.
I especially loved there was a Traveller’s story at the end.
I especially loved there was a Traveller’s story at the end.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews