Old Celtic Romances

Step into the world of ancient Ireland and the western isles, where professional storytellers—ollaves, shanachies and bards—once gathered chiefs and neighbors to spin vivid prose and poetry. This collection revives eleven such romances, drawn from centuries‑old manuscripts preserved in Dublin’s great libraries. The tales range from bold battles and daring voyages to wistful courtships and mystic visions, each echoing the rhythm of oral tradition.

The narratives weave legendary figures like Conor Mac Nessa, Finn, and Luga of the Long Arms into adventures that feel both historic and imaginative. Though some stories are rooted in real events, others spring purely from the storytellers’ creativity, offering a rich blend of fact and fantasy. Interspersed verses lift key moments, preserving fragments of ancient poetry that add texture to the prose.

Listeners will experience the lively spirit of Celtic romance, hearing the same themes that once animated medieval feasts. The translations aim for clarity while retaining the original’s lyrical flavor, making the distant past feel immediate and engaging.