Books with a high number of good stories in their collections, and books that provide insight into Celtic myth and Irish folklore.
1. Irish Folktale : by Henry Glassie (A superb collection of classic Irish stories collected over a hundred years ago alongside with recent tellings of the same or similar tales as recorded by Henry Glassie in his visits to the Ulster countryside.) In Print
2. Fairy and Folktales of Ireland : by William Butler Yeats. 0020556403 (Classic retellings by the great Irish storyteller and poet. Yeats' place and importance in the preservation of Irish folktales and their integration into a revived Irish consciousness is crucial to understanding the "Celtic consciousness" of Ireland today. This is an early collection of Yeats' writings, full of romance and imagination.) In Print
3. Sweeney Astray : by Seamus Heaney. (A poetic retelling of a classic Irish epic by Ireland’s leading poet today. The classic story of King Sweeney and his mad peregrinations across the ancient Irish landscape is powerfully retold by the master of modern Irish poetry.) out-of-print
4. The Aran Islands : by John Millington Synge. (The story of the Islands that “made” Synge into Ireland’s great playwright. These are the Islands where Synge went to learn the Gaelic language and where his gifts as a playwrite became evident. Essential reading for those wishing to enjoy a Theatre production of a Synge Play while visiting Dublin or Galway.) In Print
5. Gods and Fighting Men : by Lady Gregory. (Lady Gregory’s collection of Irish legends told in “Kiltartanese” -- English with Gaelic syntax. Makes for musical reading. Lady Augusta Gregory's playfulness with sounds and words is a delight.) In Print
6. The Year In Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs : by by Kevin Danaher. (The cyle of festivals and seasonal work in old Ireland. Fascinating descriptions of feasts like St. Bridget's Day and a whole calendar of events from January to December.) Out-of-print
7. The Insiders Guide to Connemara, Galway, and the Burren: by Tish Fitzpatrick and Tony Whilde. (The best comprehensive guide to this magnificent part of Ireland. Each of the Three Areas, Connemara, Galway City, and the Burren, deserve a few days of exploration) Out-of-print
8. The Cranskin Bag, Celtic Stories and Poems : by Robin Williamson. (A pan-Celtic collection of classic stories from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The very best of Irish, Scots, and Welsh stories found in one place! Wi lliamson has a knack for choosing the very best stories and then telling them superbly.) Out-of-print
9. Gods and Heroes of the Celts : by Marie-Louise Sjoestedt. (A short but compelling study of Celtic mythology from the earliest times. A very concise and stimulating work on the "meaning" of Irish mythology and folklore.) Out-of-Print
These books, listed by ISBN number for the paperback versions, are all highly recommended.
