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A Treasury of Irish Myth, Legend & Folklore: Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry
ISBN: 051748904X
So wrote William Butler Yeats, in praise of Lady Gregory's Cuchulain of Muirthemne, the second book in this volume. But it applies equally well to his own Folk and Fairy Tales of the Irish Peasantry, the opening work. Here are two milestones of classic myth and folklore by the giants of the Irish Renaissance: Yeats's original groundbreaking anthology of tales of the magic creatures of Ireland, and Lady Gregory's beautiful and poetic retelling of the great epic myth of Ireland's national hero, Cuchulain.
Yeats selected the best tales from the work of many expert writers and from his own research, and he also enriched the collection immeasurably with his musical prose, full of wit, sly irony, and warmth for the Irish people and their tales. He has grouped these stories of supernatural beings by category—trooping fairies, solitary fairies, changelings, ghosts, witches, fairy doctors, the Devil, and giants—and describes their attributes, habits, and customs in wonderful introductory passages to each section. Here is Yeats on trooping fairies:
There is poetry, too, in Lady Gregory's simple but powerful retelling of the Cuchulain legend from the ancient stories of the Ulster cycle of myth. Cuchulain was the chief hero of the House of the Red Branch, a group of warriors similar to the Knights of the Round Table. Like Homer's epics, this tale of Cuchulain's life and death has deeds of bravery, battles, love, adventure, and glory. As Yeats says in his preface to this work: “One will be long forgetting Cuchulain, whose life is vehement and full of pleasure, as though he always remembered that it was to be soon over.”
The intriguing illustrations in this volume have been selected form numerous sources. They represent richly varying views of the Cuchulain myth and several artists' visions of the spry, elfin, and demonic creatures of Irish imagination. Each book includes an appendix of notes, and there is an insightful foreword by Ari Salant.
In short, this anthology should provide long and happy hours of browsing, brooding, and dreaming. To quote the apt Yeats a final time: “Everyone is a visionary if you scratch him deep enough. But the Celt is a visionary without scratching.”
I think this book is the best that has come out of Ireland in my time. Perhaps I should say that it is the best book that has ever come out of Ireland, for the stories which it tells are a chief part of Ireland's gift to the imagination of the world—and it tells them perfectly for the first time.
So wrote William Butler Yeats, in praise of Lady Gregory's Cuchulain of Muirthemne, the second book in this volume. But it applies equally well to his own Folk and Fairy Tales of the Irish Peasantry, the opening work. Here are two milestones of classic myth and folklore by the giants of the Irish Renaissance: Yeats's original groundbreaking anthology of tales of the magic creatures of Ireland, and Lady Gregory's beautiful and poetic retelling of the great epic myth of Ireland's national hero, Cuchulain.
Yeats selected the best tales from the work of many expert writers and from his own research, and he also enriched the collection immeasurably with his musical prose, full of wit, sly irony, and warmth for the Irish people and their tales. He has grouped these stories of supernatural beings by category—trooping fairies, solitary fairies, changelings, ghosts, witches, fairy doctors, the Devil, and giants—and describes their attributes, habits, and customs in wonderful introductory passages to each section. Here is Yeats on trooping fairies:
Do not think the fairies are always little. Everyting is capricious about them, even their size. They seem to take what size or shape pleases them. Their chief occupations are feasting, fighting, and making love, and playing the most beautiful music. They have only one industrious person amongst them, the leprechaun—the shoemaker. Perhaps they wear their shoes out with dancing. Near the village of Ballisodare is a little woman who lived amongst them seven years. When she came home she had no toes—she had danced them off.
There is poetry, too, in Lady Gregory's simple but powerful retelling of the Cuchulain legend from the ancient stories of the Ulster cycle of myth. Cuchulain was the chief hero of the House of the Red Branch, a group of warriors similar to the Knights of the Round Table. Like Homer's epics, this tale of Cuchulain's life and death has deeds of bravery, battles, love, adventure, and glory. As Yeats says in his preface to this work: “One will be long forgetting Cuchulain, whose life is vehement and full of pleasure, as though he always remembered that it was to be soon over.”
The intriguing illustrations in this volume have been selected form numerous sources. They represent richly varying views of the Cuchulain myth and several artists' visions of the spry, elfin, and demonic creatures of Irish imagination. Each book includes an appendix of notes, and there is an insightful foreword by Ari Salant.
In short, this anthology should provide long and happy hours of browsing, brooding, and dreaming. To quote the apt Yeats a final time: “Everyone is a visionary if you scratch him deep enough. But the Celt is a visionary without scratching.”
704 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1899
52 people are currently reading
3568 people want to read
About the author
W.B. Yeats
2,040 books2,580 followersWilliam Butler Yeats was an Irish poet and dramatist, and one of the foremost figures of 20th century literature. A pillar of both the Irish and British literary establishments, in his later years Yeats served as an Irish Senator for two terms. He was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival, and along with Lady Gregory and Edward Martyn founded the Abbey Theatre, serving as its chief during its early years. In 1923 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation." He was the first Irishman so honored. Yeats is generally considered one of the few writers who completed their greatest works after being awarded the Nobel Prize; such works include The Tower (1928) and The Winding Stair and Other Poems (1929).
Yeats was born and educated in Dublin but spent his childhood in County Sligo. He studied poetry in his youth, and from an early age was fascinated by both Irish legends and the occult. Those topics feature in the first phase of his work, which lasted roughly until the turn of the century. His earliest volume of verse was published in 1889, and those slow paced and lyrical poems display debts to Edmund Spenser and Percy Bysshe Shelley, as well as to the Pre-Raphaelite poets. From 1900, Yeats' poetry grew more physical and realistic. He largely renounced the transcendental beliefs of his youth, though he remained preoccupied with physical and spiritual masks, as well as with cyclical theories of life.
--from Wikipedia
Yeats was born and educated in Dublin but spent his childhood in County Sligo. He studied poetry in his youth, and from an early age was fascinated by both Irish legends and the occult. Those topics feature in the first phase of his work, which lasted roughly until the turn of the century. His earliest volume of verse was published in 1889, and those slow paced and lyrical poems display debts to Edmund Spenser and Percy Bysshe Shelley, as well as to the Pre-Raphaelite poets. From 1900, Yeats' poetry grew more physical and realistic. He largely renounced the transcendental beliefs of his youth, though he remained preoccupied with physical and spiritual masks, as well as with cyclical theories of life.
--from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 17, 2023
"In Ireland, storytelling is not just an art form, it is a way of connecting with the soul of a nation, preserving its history, and passing down the wisdom of generations."
An enchanting journey into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology. From mythical heroes to magical creatures, this book captures the essence of Ireland's captivating folklore.
The author skillfully weaves together tales of bravery, love, and adventure, transporting readers to a realm where ancient legends come alive. 🦄
An enchanting journey into the rich tapestry of Irish mythology. From mythical heroes to magical creatures, this book captures the essence of Ireland's captivating folklore.
The author skillfully weaves together tales of bravery, love, and adventure, transporting readers to a realm where ancient legends come alive. 🦄
January 23, 2008
I've had this book for years and still haven't been able to finish it. It seems that every time I try to get back to it, something else intervenes, whether it is schoolwork or my job. However, that fact does not detract from the fact that this is an amazing collection of Irish myths and legends, most of which are short enough to read a few at a time and not suffer for not being able to devote an extended amount of time to reading the entire book.
December 13, 2019
I read over half of this book and enjoyed what I finished. 3 stars will suffice. Still, I'm adding this to my DNF shelf until I get the urge to read some more. These Celtic names are a bitch to pronounce and that's why it has taken me over a year to even read nearly 500 of the 700+ pages. Sue me.
June 14, 2023
So, this is essentially a collection of folklore tales from Ireland which is basically two of my favourite things to read about so, as you can imagine I was very happy to come across this collection. And it was written by W.B. Yeats who happens to be my favourite poet too! Winner winner!
These are short enough that you can read more than one in one sitting, and if you’re like me and you don’t have a lot of work going on at the moment, you might even be able to read the whole thing in one day.
These are short enough that you can read more than one in one sitting, and if you’re like me and you don’t have a lot of work going on at the moment, you might even be able to read the whole thing in one day.
November 25, 2008
Not long after beginning to read Joseph Campbell’s works on comparative mythologies I moved to Northern Ireland to study Irish literature and theatre. I’ve been a tremendous fan of Irish mythology since; it’s such a beautiful, ancient culture steeped in rich tradition and imagination. This book is written by famed scholar, poet, and dramatist William Butler Yeats, a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival whose works are heavily influenced by Irish folklore.
April 8, 2009
Like 1001 Arabian Nights - this book has some shining examples of beautiful lore, prose, imaginative beauty...but some just sound like each other.... My favorites are those with St Patrick - the blending of Roman Catholicism with the Pagan religions are deceptively beautful and show how easily old traditions were eclipsed.
November 29, 2023
This is a good choice for readers who have an interest in the history or mythology of the Irish Celts, or an interest in stories of the fair folk or witchcraft more broadly.
Full review at Lone Star on a Lark
Full review at Lone Star on a Lark
September 16, 2021
An excellent source for Irish folktales and a fair overview of the Ulster Cycle of Irish myth. In both sections, a rhythm unlike our own but not unpleasant is contained in the text. It calls one out of the present and into ages past where heroes rode through fords, witches steal milk, and geese fly in two with silver chains between them.
February 11, 2018
Took longer to get through than I thought it would, but a great collection. 4.5 stars.
July 27, 2023
Man, I tried.....
February 9, 2025
so entertaining to read , never get bored
March 18, 2008
A wonderful collection of Irish short stories - Happy St. Patty's day!
April 8, 2011
A wonderful book filled with magical and mystical tales from the most magical place on earth.
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July 31, 2010Treasury of Irish Myth, Legend & Folklore by William Butler Yeats (1988)
February 1, 2013
Very intriguing book. I truly loved reading it.
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July 23, 2011coolbook
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews