Irish fairy stories and folk tales the children of lir. Ireland has a rich history of fairy stories and folk tales. Many irish stories feature leprechauns and their magic, sometimes to comical effect as in the field of boliauns, but sometimes dark and sinister too. Finn maccool fionn mac cumhaill finn mccool was the. Despite subtle differences in the categorizing of fairy tales, folklore, fables, myths, and legends, a modern definition of the fairy tale, as provided by jens tismars monologue in german, is a story that differs from an oral folk tale, written by a single. Ashlimans folktexts, a library of folktales, folklore, fairy tales, and. Tir na nog or land of the young is an otherworldly realm in irish mythology whose inhabitants are gifted with everlasting youth, beauty, health and happiness. The leprechaun is arguably the most famous irish fairy of them all. Irish fairy tales for kids famous irish folk and fairy tales kidsgen. One of the best irish myths and legends has got to be fairies. Leprechauns were originally known as tall fairies that would appear to. The children turned into swans by their evil stepmother.
Even today, children still hear of some of these stories in school or in irish fairytale books. Irelands long history is riddled with ancient mythology and folklore. Like india, ireland has a rich tradition of fairy tales, told over the ages, and passed on down generations. One of the largest anthologies of irish fairy tales is a compilation by w. Leprechauns are known for being extremely small, wearing green clothes and hiding treasure. Irish fairy stories and folk tales ireland calling. Here we have collected some of the most authentic and most popular irish fairy tales. Leprechauns and the search for the elusive crock of gold. Heres a brief summary of the most well known irish folklore stories.
Irish fairy tales for kids famous irish folk and fairy tales. Yeats in his 1888 book fairy and folk tales of the irish peasantry, leprechauns are small, withered old men. Fairy tales of ireland several folktale creatures have their origin in celtic mythology. The children of lir is a well known legend that can be recounted by ay irish school child and most adults too. Stories of warriors with all the knowledge of the world, fairies playing pranks on farm owners and leprechauns hiding their gold at the. They are earth fairies that specialise in shoemaking. Fairy tales are stories that range from those originating in folklore to more modern stories. Irish fairy tales from the emerald isle emerald isle irish and celtic. Top ten stories and figures from irish mythology 1. Most famous, perhaps, among these people were the fairy healers of old. Fairies are the embodiment of something mystical and are strongly rooted in celtic. Fairy tales are stories that range from those originating in folklore to more modern stories defined as literary fairy tales.
Tuiren, the young sister of fionns mother, is famed for her beauty. Jeremiah curtin and william henry frost also researched irish folk tales and authored fairy tale books, which were well received by the public. Irelands ancient societies, the druids and the celtics, believed in the power of magic and many of these beliefs spread to modern day legends told again and again across the country. Weve picked out a few of our favourite irish folklore stories that have been passed down for centuries. Irish fairy tales for kids like india, ireland has a rich tradition of fairy tales, told over the ages, and passed on down generations.
The banshee is a mythical figure from irish folklore that was said to be the sign of a death in the family. Four famous irish folklore stories claddagh design. Remember to share them in your social network like whatsapp and facebook. Little saddleslut greek version of cinderella the boy who became a stone.