By the Barrow River, and Other Stories

These twelve stories gather the vivid imagination of an Irish writer whose life was as lively as his prose. A devoted patriot and gentle soul, his foreword recalls a man who never lost his youthful idealism, even as illness weakened his body. The collection brings together fairy‑tale sparkle, frontier humor, and a touch of the supernatural, all filtered through a voice that feels both scholarly and warmly conversational. Readers will hear the same heartfelt devotion to Ireland that animated his public speeches, now turned into narrative form.

The opening tale places us in a stone‑walled fortress where a soldier, reputed to hear the whispers of the Sidhe, is challenged by his comrades. From that tense, myth‑laden moment the book drifts through haunted ravens, mischievous spectres of Barcelona, and a sly French con‑artist, each story rich with local color and a dash of wit. Whether it’s a quiet night with the Rapparees or a daring courtroom ruse, the narratives balance suspense with tender humor, making them ideal for a listening audience who enjoys both folklore and human drama.