The Devil is an Irishman

by Eddie Lenihan

Four Stories of Encounters with the Devil

Genres: Fantasy, Folklore

141 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

Probably the best known Seanachai (storyteller) in Ireland. He inspired the character of Ferry Dan/The Great Seanachai in award winning animation Song Of Sea.

Reviews

[Patrick Ellard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly written book of Irish tales. Some definitely better than others but all entertaining. However the second from last story, entitled Jack O' the Lantern and the longest in the collection, is a particular stand out.

[Mbuye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of light hearted stories about the Irish and their strange, almost proprietary relationship with the Devil. “An odd fact, but one not entirely to be wondered at, is that Devil stories far outnumber tales about his opposite number – God – in Irish tradition. Can it be that we Irish are in some fallen way more comfortable with the infernal than with the celestial?” (From Lenihan’s Introduction.)

Some of the stories merely match wits, the Irishman usually winning by virtue of his superior low cunning; some have the Devil shrieking in eldritch triumph as he drags the greedy Irishman off to the nether regions, and some have a touch of Dunsanian eeriness, but all are eminently readable, enjoyable, and very, very funny.

[Conor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb and title might lead you to believe this is a scary book, but the tales are fairly lighthearted—more humorous, with only hints of spookiness here and there. It's an enjoyable and quick read; however, Eddie's stories always come across better when told aloud by the man himself rather than read off a page. I found the stories in the second half stronger than the first two, with the final story, 'Seán Ó Duinnín and the Devil', being my personal favorite.