This book beckons you into a world where the veil between the mundane and the magical is whisper-thin, where the landscapes of Ireland are not just settings but also active participants in tales of heroism, love, and betrayal.
Within these pages lies the heart of Irish identity—a rich heritage of storytelling that has been passed down through the generations, from the mysterious Druids and the formidable Tuatha Dé Danann to legendary heroes whose deeds are still sung. Meet the awe-inspiring gods and goddesses who wielded power over life and death and shaped the destiny of Ireland itself. Tread softly through fairy-ringed forests, where the Otherworld teems just beneath the surface, waiting to ensnare the unwary.
As you journey through this collection, you’ll 🌌 Creation Myths - Discover the origins of the cosmos according to Irish lore, in which ancient deities shaped the land and gave life to people.⚡Gods and Goddesses - Meet the pantheon of Irish divine beings, from the mighty Dagda to the enchanting Mórrígan, each wielding power over aspects of life, death, and nature.🗡️The Heroic Sagas - Follow the epic adventures of legendary heroes such as Cú Chulainn and Fionn mac Cumhaill, whose deeds of bravery and strength are immortalized in the annals of Irish history.🌀 The Otherworld - Venture into the ethereal realms of Tír na nÓg and the mysterious sidhe, where time flows differently and the fae hold court.📖 Folktales and Legends - Delve into the rich tapestry of Irish folk stories, full of wit, wisdom, and whimsy, that have been passed down through generations.🐉 Mythological Creatures - Encounter the fantastical beings that roam the Irish landscape, from the fearsome banshee to the mischievous leprechaun.🍀 Cultural Impact and Legacy - Understand how these stories reflect the values, struggles, and aspirations of the Irish people, influencing everything from literature and art to modern cultural identity. The misty hills of Ireland are calling. Scroll up and “click the add” cart button to begin learning about Irish mythology!
I listened to this as an audiobook. It should have been an opportunity to enhance the overall book experince through hearing it with an Irish lilt. It could have offered a chance to hear Irish words said properly, since they are not pronounced as they would be if you were to apply the rules of English phonics to the words. But this went the other direction, and disastrously so.
The gentleman narrarator, of South African descent and with a nod to Sir David Attenborough's style of speaking, was promising at first with rich tones and good diction. But his mispronunciation of Irish words was grating from the get-go. I'm not a native Irish speaker, but they stood out to me like sore thumbs. "Samhin" is pronounced SOW-win (like female pig sow) or SAW-win, but most certainly not "Sam-HAIN". Saint Brigid is normally "BRIDGE-id" , not "Brigg-EED". When he started stringing together mispronounced words and names, I had to stop listening.
It would have been better read by a native Irish speaker; but at the very least the editors should have employed an Irish speaking coach to help the narrarator pronounce words correctly.
In terms of content, it was OK but the amount I listened to was broad strokes and a bit disjointed. A lot of the start was a love letter to Irish mythology without substance as to what the mythology was. It could have had better cohesion.
I like mythology but have never really checked out Irish Mythology. I think this book was a really good introduction for me. I found the balance of information, context and the actual stories really good. I didn't feel like either component was dragging on. It is very short, you could read it one day for sure. I liked the chapter that linked it to its significance today and almost wish it dived a little deeper. The whole book could've gone a little deeper but that is why it was an excellent taster/introduction to Irish Mythology in my opinion, I definitely want to know more.
I also liked when he explained how this Mythology has influenced so many things like the three witches in Macbeth and Marvel comics, which I knew had been influenced by Norse Mythology but hadn't realised the connection to Irish Mythology.
A nice mix of some of the basic tales and legends with some foundation information to get started. Irish Mythology is a difficult, diverse and expansive theme so when I consider that I find the book good in gathering a good basic knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. As a born Irish woman I am probably biased and more critical so harsher outlook and perspective, so for me it is a good basic and started book to give you a taster that may wet your appetite to seek deeper and more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book on Irish mythology and the ties it has to both the past and the present world. I'm always a sucker for myths and legends. Reading myths from each cycle of Irish lore was fascinating and fun, and it really helped to understand why such stories are so important to the Irish people. I appreciated the help with pronunciation with the Gaelic words and names throughout the book.
The book provides insights into ancient Irish mythology and beliefs. The telling of the tales are a bit brief and can be challenging to follow. Longer narratives would have been helpful as well as a genealogy chart of the gods, goddesses and their descendants.
This book is rich in Irish tall tales; the book is full of the stories told for centuries regarding this rich culture. I would recommend this book for folders to read!
An easy to read ,informative and captivating toe dip into the amazing world of Irish Mythology. If you are looking for an insight into what it is to be Irish,this is the book for you. A very well written book this.
Really enjoyable read . So many stories that I had been told and forgotten half of more of them so many years ago . Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy the stories fully again .
Absolutely ruined by an audiobook narrator who mangled the pronunciation of some of the biggest names in Irish Mythology. 1 ⭐️ is solely for the fact it would have probably been an interesting round up of Mythology if read in physical format
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked learning about the Irish mythology. Most of the tales I didn't know or not all parts of them.