Why The Moon Travels

by Oein DeBharduin, Leanne McDonagh (Illustrator)

Why the moon travels is a haunting collection of twenty tales rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community. Brave vixens, prophetic owls and stalwart horses live alongside the human characters as guides, protectors, friends and foes while spirits, giants and fairies blur the lines between this world and the otherworld. Collected by Oein DeBhairduin throughout his childhood, retold in his lyrical style, and beautifully illustrated by Leanne McDonagh.

Genres: Fiction, Irish Literature, Short Stories, Folklore, Ireland, College, School

155 pages, Hardcover

First published September 9, 2020

Reviews

[Stiofán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saothar iontach álainn a roinneann saibhreas thraidisiún an Luchta shiúil. Scéalta pleisiúrtha taitneamhnacha - cúpla ceann scanrúil - i reacaireacht dheas éasca. Scéalta béil a mhíníonn an domhan ach a léiríonn a dhraíocht leis.

[Aine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Each time I have heard this storyC the teller has brought and lost elements. It has stretched and shrunk more times than the tides on the sandy beaches of memory. Stories are how we explain the world around us to others and ourselves. It is a way to find mirrors and roadmaps, sense and silliness, as well as to fill evenings and mornings and all the hours between with adventures and connections. Each story passes messages to us, some clear, some oblique, but always speaking to us when we choose to listen.”

The type of book we need right now - beautifully told, with a personal context for each story, and an insight into the lives we so often live beside but not with. Would definitely share this book with a friend.

“Many who speak about us do not know us. What is mostly known are the issues the community faces, such as access to accommodation. And educational pathways, barriers to employment, and mental health challenges. While we do experience these challenges to a highly disproportionate degree, they are not us nor the weight of us.”

[Elizabeth McConnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished: 14.03.2021
Genre: folklore tales
Rating: B++
#ReadingIrelandMonth21
Conclusion:
Delightful read
....to cleanse the palate!

Shortlist for the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards 2021

My Thoughts

[Joanne Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of a kind. Gentle stories from the Irish Traveller tradition, beautifully told. I loved how the introduction to each story gives an insight into the author’s daily life as a child. These stories are also suitable for reading out loud to children ( or just to yourself!)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely little book of folk tales from the Irish Traveller community, lovingly curated and written down by one of their own, and framed by Debharduin's own memories, experiences and ideas.

I got this in an independent bookshop in County Galway (to be specific, Books at One in Letterfrack, that now also has a few copies of my own book for sale), and it was extra special and magical to be reading this while I was travelling around the same area in which these stories are said to have taken place.

I found it beautiful, thoughtful and magical, stirring both heart and imagination, and would recommend it for anyone with an interest in storytelling, folk tales and/or myths. I'll definitely be revisiting this in years to come.

[Hillary Paulino · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really important book written by a Traveller man and illustrated by a Traveller woman that shares with the world their folk tales passed from generation to generation.


I thought the prose was absolutely beautiful and some of the stories had me smiling at the book in wonder. It’s really interesting to see as well how much of Irish every day slang comes from their language, Gammon.

[Sarah Talbot · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning book. Loved every story. Brought back memories of listening to old stories told by family around a table late at night.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this one🤭

[Em Weatherall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written. Such lovely, sometimes spooky, heart warming visuals- so nice to hear directly from Irish traveler’s and their tales.

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely selection of traditional stories, suitable for folklore fans of any age.

[Áine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful compilation of short stories that showcase the culture of the travelling community in ireland. Written with beautiful prose and nostalgic of the authors childhood.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

nicely collated series of short stories from Irish traveller tradition - touching folklore and community

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oein DeBhairduin retells a short stories, mostly parables, in succinct and enjoyable prose. Each is told without wasted words, delivered in print as it might be told around a fire, with clear language and poetic descriptions. The stories are all from the Mincéirí/Traveller community in Ireland, some blended with other Irish folklore, and wonderfully illustrated with ink drawings by Leanne McDonagh.

Why The Moon Travels is then both an important documentation of an oral tradition, as well as an enjoyable and insightful book of stories. The tales are variously dark, funny, silly, sharp, and moralistic or satirical as suits the specific telling. They are also largely concerned with nature, from the nomadic eye. The only qualm is that they could have been longer, with more illustrations, to bite into the meat of each even more. But this is a small complaint in a great book.

[Sarah Fitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely superb collection of tales from the Irish Traveller Community, brimming with compassion, empathy and a deeply-rooted connection to nature. Told with a masterful display of knowledge, wisdom and intimate contextualisation, Oein DeBhairduin shows incredible talent throughout each tale. Accompanying each story is a selection of beautiful illustrations by the talented, creative Leanne McDonagh. A must read for children and adults alike!

- Winner of the Judges Special Award and Eilis Dillon Award at the KPMG Childrens Books Ireland Awards 2021

❤️

[MJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with this book- it took some time to arrive from Ireland, but it has not left my side since. I grew up listening to these myths at the knees of the elders of my community and we whispered them to one another as we played. I have been disconnected from my own culture for many years now, and this book brought my heart back home. I am so grateful for the careful and heartfelt telling of these wild, ancient stories (and for the foreward before each one giving some additional wisdom and context.)

Thank you. So few books have meant so much to me.

[Csenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

An instant classic, and a charming, fascinating read. A book of Irish Traveller folktales recorded from living oral tradition by a Traveller storyteller and illustrated by a Traveller artist - a first of its kind. I read it slowly, and fell in love with each tale in turn. Even though there is reality, darkness, and grief in some of the stories, each one is kind and gentle, and gives the reader a lot to think about. I especially loved the kindness these tales extended to animals, who were portrayed as helpful, important, and respected in many of them.
I loved every page of this book. It became a touchstone to measure other folktale publications to.

[Erin Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a charming and refreshing read.
Getting to learn more about the mythology and stories from the Travelling community was truly intriguing.

Even though these stories were written I think Eoin DeBhairduin did a fantastic job of keeping the oral lyricism and rhythm throughout all these retellings.
Beautifully poetic and steeped in wonderful natural imagery.

It's hard to pick a favourite but I think "A Fox's Cry" holds a special place for me.

[kj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of Irish folklore, collected and told with care. Each story is preceded by a short introduction, often a short story from the authors own life, to help contextualize tale. Most stories are followed by a quick paragraph, usually reflecting on the moral or essence of the story. It’s a lovely book to learn traditional tales from the Irish Traveller community, eloquently written with beautiful prose.

[Philipp Sorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tolle Sammlung von Geschichten der Irish Traveller Community.

“Each time I have heard this story, the teller has brought and lost elements. It has stretched and shrunk more times than the tides on the sandy beaches of memory. Stories are how we explain the world around us to others and ourselves. It is a way to find mirrors and roadmaps, sense and silliness, as well as to fill evenings and mornings and all the hours between with adventures and connections. Each story passes messages to us, some clear, some oblique, but always speaking to us when we choose to listen.”

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Loved this library copy so much I'll be buying my own, and some for like-minded friends. Beautifully written, these are tales of folklore that I've never heard before, so it was a joy to read. It also introduced me to a part of traveller culture I wasn't aware of. Hope it receives to recognition it deserves. Lovely graphics and tactile hard cover also, well done to Skein press.

[Setanta H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I studied this book for my English course this year and it remains my favourite of the reading list. I personally love learning of different folklore and different cultures, especially about cultures like the irish travellers that often get overshadowed by political issues in our society. These stories are highly entertaining and fascinating.

[Maleia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little collection! The stories are perfect for reading aloud. I appreciated the short glossary but it would have been nice to have a pronunciation guide included so that I might come close when using the Shelta or Irish words heavily sprinkled through its prose.

[Nellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many things that I will never look at quite the same way again: dandelions, magpies, badgers, wells, midges, yew trees. All brought into new light by these wonderful stories, so well collected and told by Oein DeBharduin and his beautiful way with words.

[Mr. Dale]

Really lovely collection of etiological myths. DeBharduin has a very precise way of writing that could be seen as artificial, but I think it really matches the magic of the fairytales he is detailing.

[jente · Rating 5 out of 5]

it's a shame i had a deadline for reading this because i wish i could sit with every story for awhile. i love how simple the language is yet it's so poetic too. will be rereading (gelezen voor Contemporary Irish Lit)

[Doireann O'B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting collection of stories, which were well told. I also liked the insights into Traveller culture such as the occasional use of gammon and the stories about the author's childhood.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly engaging set of previously undocumented (by a Mincéir writer) stories from the Irish Traveller community. Beautifully written and illustrated, this is a landmark book. A real joy.

[AnneMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lyrical and poetic folklore tales from a community underserved and misunderstood. A beauty of a book, timeless enough to keep on your shelves forever.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything from the magical and gentle stories to the English language mixed with Gammon and to the parallel storytelling of the author's childhood. A true celebration of Traveller culture.