Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry

"Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry" by W. B. Yeats is a collection of enchanting stories that delve into the mystical world of Irish folklore. From encounters with fairies and banshees to tales of supernatural beings and magical quests, the book immerses readers in the rich tradition of Irish storytelling. Through captivating narratives filled with mystery and emotion, Yeats weaves a tapestry of legends that reflect the essence of Irish culture and beliefs. Each story unfolds with a blend of wonder and intrigue, offering a glimpse into a realm where the ordinary meets the extraordinary.

From the Back Cover

Fearing the loss of Celtic myth and mystery in his native Ireland, W.B. Yeats compiled and edited these tales of fairies, ghosts, banshees, witches and queens. Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry is a treasure trove of stories taken straight from the Irish oral tradition and preserved for generations of readers, enthusiasts, and believers alike.

About the Author

W.B. Yeats (1865-1939) was an Irish poet. Born in Sandymount, Yeats was raised between Sligo, England, and Dublin by John Butler Yeats, a prominent painter, and Susan Mary Pollexfen, the daughter of a wealthy merchant family. He began writing poetry around the age of seventeen, influenced by the Romantics and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, but soon turned to Irish folklore and the mystical writings of William Blake for inspiration. As a young man he joined and founded several occult societies, including the Dublin Hermetic Order and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, participating in séances and rituals as well as acting as a recruiter. While these interests continued throughout Yeats’ life, the poet dedicated much of his middle years to the struggle for Irish independence. In 1904, alongside John Millington Synge, Florence Farr, the Fay brothers, and Annie Horniman, Yeats founded the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, which opened with his play Cathleen ni Houlihan and Lady Gregory’s Spreading the News and remains Ireland’s premier venue for the dramatic arts to this day. Although he was an Irish Nationalist, and despite his work toward establishing a distinctly Irish movement in the arts, Yeats―as is evident in his poem “Easter, 1916”―struggled to identify his idealism with the sectarian violence that emerged with the Easter Rising in 1916. Following the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922, however, Yeats was appointed to the role of Senator and served two terms in the position. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923, and continued to write and publish poetry, philosophical and occult writings, and plays until his death in 1939.

Reviews

News