The Enchanted Bay: Tales and Legends from Ernie O’Malley’s Irish Folklore Collection

by Cormac K.H. O'Malley, Patrick J. Mahoney (editor)

It is a little-known fact that Ernie O’Malley, renowned for his role in Ireland’s revolutionary struggle, was also a passionate collector of Irish folklore.

Centred on O’Malley’s native Clew Bay and its environs and transcribed by his son Cormac, The Enchanted Bay is a rich tapestry of tales that showcases the enduring power of the oral tradition in Ireland. From the entertaining exploits of the Gobán Saor, mythical master builder, to the Clare Island man who married a selkie, this collection offers a glimpse into the heart of Irish storytelling.

A testament to O’Malley’s multifaceted legacy, several of the stories in this compilation were gathered while he travelled Ireland as an IRA organiser. The insights he gained through folklore collecting would later inform his ambitious project of recording testimonies from former comrades, solidifying his place as a pivotal figure in the preservation of Irish history and culture.

The tales in these pages maintain the unique voices of local communities, conjuring an arcane, fascinating world that is slipping further from memory.

Genres: Irish Literature

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 25, 2024

Reviews

[Syntaxx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting collection of Irish folklore. Some of the tales don't seem to "go anywhere" or have any apparent pay-off but I think that's characteristic of most Indigenous storytelling traditions. Paula McGloin's illustrations are lovely and the perfect accent to the pages; the seal was my favorite. I especially enjoyed the section on rural life, in particular, the story "The House That Couldn't Keep a Cock" because relatable!

[Lea Hart · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich habe mir irgendwie etwas anderes unter diesem Buch vorgestellt. Ich bin davon ausgegangen, dass in dem Buch irische Märchen und Mythen aufgegriffen werden, aber dies war nicht wirklich der Fall. Ein paar Kurzgeschichten fand ich interessant und es war auch gut das Leben/Lebenssituationen des damaligen Irlands nachzuvollziehen, allerdings haben die meisten Geschichten für mich keinen Sinn gemacht.