Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland, First Series

This volume opens a vivid doorway into the hidden world of Ireland’s ancient countryside, where the sidhe glide through mist‑cloaked mounds and whisper to mortals from the shadows of stone walls. Their shape‑shifting forms—colourful figures, birds, even barrels—are described with a playful yet reverent tone, hinting at a realm that mirrors our own while remaining forever elusive. The narrative sketches both the benevolent aids they offer—guiding lost cattle, gifting hidden treasure—and the unsettling bargains that can drain a person’s vitality.

Interwoven with the folklore are scholarly notes that place these stories within the lived traditions of western Irish communities. The essays map out how the sidhe’s customs of feasting, music, and hurling echo the daily rhythms of the locals, while also revealing the darker side of their interference in births, deaths, and the uncanny “fool” who can bring ruin. Listeners are invited to wander through a landscape where myth and memory intertwine, leaving a lingering sense of wonder about the unseen forces that once shaped rural life.