
Step into a world where myth and memory intertwine, as the book paints a vivid picture of Ireland’s earliest epochs. It opens with a storyteller’s bold claims about vanished peoples—the Nemidians, the Firbolgs, and the humble laborers who once tilled the land—setting a tone that blends humor with reverent curiosity. The prose invites listeners to imagine a time when love, not law, guided communities, and when legends were still being whispered around firelit circles.
The heart of the collection follows the legendary Goban Saor, a master craftsman whose skill spans sixteen trades. Through witty dialogues and clever riddles, his adventures reveal a philosophy that talent can outshine formal learning, while also showcasing the cleverness of those around him, especially his resourceful wife. These episodic tales sparkle with humor, clever wordplay, and subtle moral reflections on ingenuity and humility.
Interwoven with short plays, heroic epics, and reverent accounts of saints, the work offers a mosaic of Ireland’s cultural heritage. Listeners will encounter larger-than-life characters, from wandering poets to daring warriors, each voiced in a lively, conversational style. The result is an engaging journey through folklore that feels both ancient and refreshingly human.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (67K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Garrett Alley, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2004-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1852–1932
A driving force behind Ireland’s literary revival, this playwright and folklorist helped found the Abbey Theatre and brought Irish legend, country speech, and sharp comedy to the stage. Her work sits at the meeting point of folklore, nationalism, and modern drama.
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