Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Patrick Kennedy's *Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts* preserves a rich tapestry of folklore featuring fairies, changelings, and enchanted animals. This captivating collection draws from oral traditions to present tales of household adventures, witchcraft, and Celtic saints, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Ireland's cultural heritage before the fading of its storytellers.

Summary up to 500 words

In this collection, Patrick Kennedy gathers tales originally told by Irish storytellers to fireside audiences, aiming to preserve legends that might otherwise be lost to emigration and changing tastes. The volume is divided into sections covering household stories, legends of the 'Good People' (fairies), witchcraft and ghosts, Ossianic legends, and Celtic saints. The narrative begins with 'Household Stories,' which Kennedy notes are shared across Celtic, Teutonic, and Slavonic cultures. A prominent tale features Jack, a young man seeking his fortune, who travels with an ass, a dog, a cat, and a cock. Their journey involves rescuing a trapped ass, scaring away bullies, and recovering a stolen rooster from a fox. Eventually, they encounter a band of robbers feasting in a hollow; the animal companions stack atop one another to form a ladder, allowing Jack to attack and defeat the thieves. Another section details the 'Misfortunes of Barrett,' a piper who loses his skill and seeks restoration in the 'Black North.' He stays in a cabin where he is repeatedly transported to surreal locations: first to a tree with crows, then to a riverbank with mad dogs, and finally to a pot-rack, before being cured by his son's recitation of the Lord's Prayer. This illustrates the theme of possession by 'Lianan' or familiar spirits, where mortals suffer misery unless a substitute is found. The book also recounts encounters with supernatural entities. Pat Gill drives his car through a crossroads and is followed by a woman in white who seems to pass through the vehicle's shaft, a classic encounter with a fairy or spirit. In 'The Queen's County Ghost,' the spirit of a disreputable squire haunts his former home, visible only to one person at a time, often appearing as a black dog or boar. A ball held by neighbors ends abruptly when the ghost becomes visible to a young woman, causing her to faint. Further tales include a ghostly lady appearing to a servant girl in Graigue, and various notes on the nature of fairies, who are sometimes called by the names of the families they haunt. Kennedy explains that under Paganism, connections with these beings were not seen as unnatural, but under Christianity, they bring horror and slavery to the possessed. The collection concludes with legends of Celtic saints, noting the transition from Paganism to Christianity and the miracles associated with figures like St. Eligius and St. Patrick. Throughout, Kennedy emphasizes the sincerity of the rural storytellers and the value of these 'light' fictions for understanding the social usages and history of the Irish people.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/patrick-kennedy_legendary-fictions-of-the-irish-celts.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Legends
• Celtic Literature