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Celtic Folklore
9 sections88 books3 subcategories
Some of these books and texts are translations of Celtic legends and sagas; others are retellings of the material, folklore, or literary works based on Celtic themes. During the 19th and early 20th Century there was a resurgence of interest in the folklore of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This was reflected in a huge amount of literature based on the rich Celtic mythopoetic heritage, most of it very faithful to the original material, some in a more modern voice.
A good number of these files were originally scanned by Phillip Brown for his (now defunct) Celtic Folklore website. These are indicated by [PB].
Ireland
36 booksLady Augusta Gregory was a close collaborator with W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet and mystic. These three books are her retellings of Irish mythology and folklore, and are among the best of the genre.
The Voyage of BranOld Irish saga of a voyage to the pagan Celtic otherworld, with parallel English and Gaelic.- Irish Music -- Midi files
- Malory: Book Thirteen, Part I
- Legends & Sagas - Sacred Texts Collection
- The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired) The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired)This Irish saga, from before the ninth Century A.D., is an account of the epic battle between the mythical Tuatha De Danann and Fomoire for Ireland. It has deep roots in Indo-European mythology, told with Homeric grace and bawdy humor. There are many allusions to ancient pre-Christian Celtic traditions.
The Cattle Raid of CualngeThe core text of the Ulster cycle: the epic tale of Cucchulain, the defender of Ireland.- The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge) The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge)The central epic of the Ulster cycle: the great Irish hero, Cuchulain of Ulster, and his battle against the forces of Queen Medb of Connaught.
- The Destruction of Dá Derga's Hostel
- Heroic Romances of Ireland (2 Vols.) Heroic Romances of Ireland (2 Vols.)The Courtship of Etain, the Boar of Mac Datho, the Sickbed of Cuchulain, and the five "Tains" or Cattle-Forays, including the bizarre Tain bo Regamna, The Apparition of The Great Queen to Cuchulain. This text was contributed to Project Gutenberg. Lady Augusta Gregory was a close collaborator with W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet and mystic. These three books are her retellings of Irish mythology and folklore, and are among the best of the genre.
- A Book of Saints and Wonders
The Celtic TwilightThis short book of essays by Yeats is a must-read.- In The Seven Woods In The Seven WoodsA short book of poetry and a play by Yeats on Irish mythological themes.
- Later Poems Later PoemsSome of Yeats' best known poetry.
Legends and Stories of IrelandAn early 19th century collection of comic Irish short stories.
The Irish Sketch-bookA travelogue of Ireland of the 1840s, not much in the way of folklore, but good background information.- The Ancient Irish Goddess of War
Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of IrelandA volumnious collection of Irish folklore, including folk magic, not all of it authoritative.
Legendary Fictions of the Irish CeltsA huge collection of Irish folklore and legends, up through Christian times.
The Aran IslandsA travelogue of the Aran Islands with beautiful woodcut illustrations.
- Beside the Fire Beside the FireA scholarly collection of Irish folk stories. The Preface of this book reviews many of the books included on this page.
The Crock of GoldA novel based on Irish folklore.- In Wicklow and West Kerry In Wicklow and West KerryA travelogue of rural Ireland at the turn of the 19th Century.
Irish Witchcraft and DemonologyThis is a fascinating study of the witch-persecutions in Ireland, along with accounts of paranormal activity.
True Irish Ghost StoriesBone-chilling tales of Irish ghosts, haunted houses, banshees, poltergeists, and more.
The Druid PathA collection of short stories set in ancient and modern Ireland by an American author.
The Candle of VisionEssays on Celtic mysticism.
Irish Fairy TalesIrish lore retold by a master storyteller.
The Book of KellsA description of the famous manuscript with detailed color plates.
Wales
9 books
The MabinogionA group of Welsh tales from the Red Book of Hergest, a 14th Century manuscript maintained at Jesus College, Oxford.
The Four Ancient Books of WalesThe only available translation of the complete corpus of Welsh Bardic poetry.- Prolegomena to the Study of Old Welsh Poetry
- The Gododdin Poems
British GoblinsDespite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore.
The Welsh Fairy BookA collection of Welsh legends and folktales for young readers.- Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx
Scotland
14 books
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. I
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. II
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. III
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. IV
The Feuds of the ClansThe epic feuds of the Scottish Highlands.
The Celtic Dragon MythThe ur-myth of the struggle with the dragon, told in fine Celtic form with giants, mermaids and sidhe. (English and Gaelic)
The English and Scottish Popular BalladsThe motherlode of ballad collections, including many variations on each ballad.
- Notes on the Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland
The Prophecies of the Brahan SeerThe tale of the famed Scottish clarivoyant and his amazing, and very specific, predictions.
Brittany
2 books- Legends and Romances of Brittany
Cornwall
2 books
Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, (Volume 1)Tales of Cornish Giants, Mermaids, Witches and Fairies; an essential source for the folklore of Cornwall.
Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, (Volume 2)The second volume in Bottrell's collection of Cornish lore and legend.
Manx
3 books
- The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man
- Traces of the Norse Mythology in the Isle of Man
Celtic Fairies
12 booksThese are texts and studies about Celtic fairies, elves, and other supernatural creatures (as opposed to fairytales, which are a different matter altogether). Some of the books listed here are listed elsewhere on this page.
The Secret Common-Wealth of Elves, Fauns and FairiesThis monograph, originally written in 1691, is a classic of Scottish fairy folklore. This etext was scanned from a very rare first printing of the Lang edition.- Fairy Legends and Traditions
- British GoblinsDespite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore.
-
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic CountriesA serious study of Fairy folklore and mythology, with an ethnographic approach. The first book by Evans-Wentz, who later went on to translate many of the books of Tibetean Buddhism.
The Coming of the FairiesA study of the famous Cottingley fairy photographs, by the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
General Studies
9 books
Survivals in Belief Among the CeltsAn extensive review of evidence of pre-Christian beliefs in Celtic culture.
Celtic Myth and LegendA comprehensive treatment of Irish, Welsh, and British mythology, from the ancient pagan pantheons up to the Arthurian legends.
The Religion of the Ancient CeltsAn in-depth study of the pre-Christian Celtic religion.
- More Celtic Fairy Tales
- Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race Myths and Legends of the Celtic RaceA recounting of the Irish Mythological Chronicles
- A Book of Folklore
Links
1 book- CELT, the Corpus of Electronic Texts[External Site] is a scholarly and very comprehensive archive of Celtic texts.
Celtic Folklore
9 sections88 books3 subcategories
Some of these books and texts are translations of Celtic legends and sagas; others are retellings of the material, folklore, or literary works based on Celtic themes. During the 19th and early 20th Century there was a resurgence of interest in the folklore of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This was reflected in a huge amount of literature based on the rich Celtic mythopoetic heritage, most of it very faithful to the original material, some in a more modern voice.
A good number of these files were originally scanned by Phillip Brown for his (now defunct) Celtic Folklore website. These are indicated by [PB].
Ireland
36 booksLady Augusta Gregory was a close collaborator with W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet and mystic. These three books are her retellings of Irish mythology and folklore, and are among the best of the genre.
- The Voyage of BranOld Irish saga of a voyage to the pagan Celtic otherworld, with parallel English and Gaelic.
- Irish Music -- Midi files
- Malory: Book Thirteen, Part I
- Legends & Sagas - Sacred Texts Collection
- The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired) The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired)This Irish saga, from before the ninth Century A.D., is an account of the epic battle between the mythical Tuatha De Danann and Fomoire for Ireland. It has deep roots in Indo-European mythology, told with Homeric grace and bawdy humor. There are many allusions to ancient pre-Christian Celtic traditions.
- The Cattle Raid of CualngeThe core text of the Ulster cycle: the epic tale of Cucchulain, the defender of Ireland.
- The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge) The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge)The central epic of the Ulster cycle: the great Irish hero, Cuchulain of Ulster, and his battle against the forces of Queen Medb of Connaught.
- The Destruction of Dá Derga's Hostel
- Heroic Romances of Ireland (2 Vols.) Heroic Romances of Ireland (2 Vols.)The Courtship of Etain, the Boar of Mac Datho, the Sickbed of Cuchulain, and the five "Tains" or Cattle-Forays, including the bizarre Tain bo Regamna, The Apparition of The Great Queen to Cuchulain. This text was contributed to Project Gutenberg. Lady Augusta Gregory was a close collaborator with W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet and mystic. These three books are her retellings of Irish mythology and folklore, and are among the best of the genre.
-
-
- A Book of Saints and Wonders
-
-
- The Celtic TwilightThis short book of essays by Yeats is a must-read.
- In The Seven Woods In The Seven WoodsA short book of poetry and a play by Yeats on Irish mythological themes.
- Later Poems Later PoemsSome of Yeats' best known poetry.
- Legends and Stories of IrelandAn early 19th century collection of comic Irish short stories.
- The Irish Sketch-bookA travelogue of Ireland of the 1840s, not much in the way of folklore, but good background information.
- The Ancient Irish Goddess of War
- Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of IrelandA volumnious collection of Irish folklore, including folk magic, not all of it authoritative.
-
- Legendary Fictions of the Irish CeltsA huge collection of Irish folklore and legends, up through Christian times.
- The Aran IslandsA travelogue of the Aran Islands with beautiful woodcut illustrations.
-
- Beside the Fire Beside the FireA scholarly collection of Irish folk stories. The Preface of this book reviews many of the books included on this page.
- The Crock of GoldA novel based on Irish folklore.
- In Wicklow and West Kerry In Wicklow and West KerryA travelogue of rural Ireland at the turn of the 19th Century.
- Irish Witchcraft and DemonologyThis is a fascinating study of the witch-persecutions in Ireland, along with accounts of paranormal activity.
- True Irish Ghost StoriesBone-chilling tales of Irish ghosts, haunted houses, banshees, poltergeists, and more.
-
- The Druid PathA collection of short stories set in ancient and modern Ireland by an American author.
- The Candle of VisionEssays on Celtic mysticism.
- Irish Fairy TalesIrish lore retold by a master storyteller.
- The Book of KellsA description of the famous manuscript with detailed color plates.
Wales
9 books- The MabinogionA group of Welsh tales from the Red Book of Hergest, a 14th Century manuscript maintained at Jesus College, Oxford.
- The Four Ancient Books of WalesThe only available translation of the complete corpus of Welsh Bardic poetry.
- Prolegomena to the Study of Old Welsh Poetry
- The Gododdin Poems
- British GoblinsDespite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore.
- The Welsh Fairy BookA collection of Welsh legends and folktales for young readers.
- Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx
-
-
Scotland
14 books-
-
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. I
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. II
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. III
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. IV
- The Feuds of the ClansThe epic feuds of the Scottish Highlands.
- The Celtic Dragon MythThe ur-myth of the struggle with the dragon, told in fine Celtic form with giants, mermaids and sidhe. (English and Gaelic)
- The English and Scottish Popular BalladsThe motherlode of ballad collections, including many variations on each ballad.
-
-
-
- Notes on the Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland
- The Prophecies of the Brahan SeerThe tale of the famed Scottish clarivoyant and his amazing, and very specific, predictions.
Brittany
2 books- Legends and Romances of Brittany
-
Cornwall
2 books- Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, (Volume 1)Tales of Cornish Giants, Mermaids, Witches and Fairies; an essential source for the folklore of Cornwall.
- Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, (Volume 2)The second volume in Bottrell's collection of Cornish lore and legend.
Manx
3 books-
- The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man
- Traces of the Norse Mythology in the Isle of Man
Celtic Fairies
12 booksThese are texts and studies about Celtic fairies, elves, and other supernatural creatures (as opposed to fairytales, which are a different matter altogether). Some of the books listed here are listed elsewhere on this page.
- The Secret Common-Wealth of Elves, Fauns and FairiesThis monograph, originally written in 1691, is a classic of Scottish fairy folklore. This etext was scanned from a very rare first printing of the Lang edition.
- Fairy Legends and Traditions
-
-
- British GoblinsDespite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore.
-
-
-
-
- The Fairy-Faith in Celtic CountriesA serious study of Fairy folklore and mythology, with an ethnographic approach. The first book by Evans-Wentz, who later went on to translate many of the books of Tibetean Buddhism.
-
- The Coming of the FairiesA study of the famous Cottingley fairy photographs, by the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
General Studies
9 books- Survivals in Belief Among the CeltsAn extensive review of evidence of pre-Christian beliefs in Celtic culture.
- Celtic Myth and LegendA comprehensive treatment of Irish, Welsh, and British mythology, from the ancient pagan pantheons up to the Arthurian legends.
- The Religion of the Ancient CeltsAn in-depth study of the pre-Christian Celtic religion.
-
- More Celtic Fairy Tales
- Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race Myths and Legends of the Celtic RaceA recounting of the Irish Mythological Chronicles
-
- A Book of Folklore
-
Links
1 book- CELT, the Corpus of Electronic Texts[External Site] is a scholarly and very comprehensive archive of Celtic texts.
Celtic Folklore
9 sections88 books3 subcategories
Some of these books and texts are translations of Celtic legends and sagas; others are retellings of the material, folklore, or literary works based on Celtic themes. During the 19th and early 20th Century there was a resurgence of interest in the folklore of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. This was reflected in a huge amount of literature based on the rich Celtic mythopoetic heritage, most of it very faithful to the original material, some in a more modern voice.
A good number of these files were originally scanned by Phillip Brown for his (now defunct) Celtic Folklore website. These are indicated by [PB].
Ireland
36 booksLady Augusta Gregory was a close collaborator with W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet and mystic. These three books are her retellings of Irish mythology and folklore, and are among the best of the genre.
- The Voyage of BranOld Irish saga of a voyage to the pagan Celtic otherworld, with parallel English and Gaelic.
- Irish Music -- Midi files
- Malory: Book Thirteen, Part I
- Legends & Sagas - Sacred Texts Collection
- The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired) The Second Battle of Mag Tuired (Cath Maige Tuired)This Irish saga, from before the ninth Century A.D., is an account of the epic battle between the mythical Tuatha De Danann and Fomoire for Ireland. It has deep roots in Indo-European mythology, told with Homeric grace and bawdy humor. There are many allusions to ancient pre-Christian Celtic traditions.
- The Cattle Raid of CualngeThe core text of the Ulster cycle: the epic tale of Cucchulain, the defender of Ireland.
- The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge) The Cattle-Raid of Cooley (Táin Bó Cúailnge)The central epic of the Ulster cycle: the great Irish hero, Cuchulain of Ulster, and his battle against the forces of Queen Medb of Connaught.
- The Destruction of Dá Derga's Hostel
- Heroic Romances of Ireland (2 Vols.) Heroic Romances of Ireland (2 Vols.)The Courtship of Etain, the Boar of Mac Datho, the Sickbed of Cuchulain, and the five "Tains" or Cattle-Forays, including the bizarre Tain bo Regamna, The Apparition of The Great Queen to Cuchulain. This text was contributed to Project Gutenberg. Lady Augusta Gregory was a close collaborator with W.B. Yeats, the Irish poet and mystic. These three books are her retellings of Irish mythology and folklore, and are among the best of the genre.
-
-
- A Book of Saints and Wonders
-
-
- The Celtic TwilightThis short book of essays by Yeats is a must-read.
- In The Seven Woods In The Seven WoodsA short book of poetry and a play by Yeats on Irish mythological themes.
- Later Poems Later PoemsSome of Yeats' best known poetry.
- Legends and Stories of IrelandAn early 19th century collection of comic Irish short stories.
- The Irish Sketch-bookA travelogue of Ireland of the 1840s, not much in the way of folklore, but good background information.
- The Ancient Irish Goddess of War
- Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of IrelandA volumnious collection of Irish folklore, including folk magic, not all of it authoritative.
-
- Legendary Fictions of the Irish CeltsA huge collection of Irish folklore and legends, up through Christian times.
- The Aran IslandsA travelogue of the Aran Islands with beautiful woodcut illustrations.
-
- Beside the Fire Beside the FireA scholarly collection of Irish folk stories. The Preface of this book reviews many of the books included on this page.
- The Crock of GoldA novel based on Irish folklore.
- In Wicklow and West Kerry In Wicklow and West KerryA travelogue of rural Ireland at the turn of the 19th Century.
- Irish Witchcraft and DemonologyThis is a fascinating study of the witch-persecutions in Ireland, along with accounts of paranormal activity.
- True Irish Ghost StoriesBone-chilling tales of Irish ghosts, haunted houses, banshees, poltergeists, and more.
-
- The Druid PathA collection of short stories set in ancient and modern Ireland by an American author.
- The Candle of VisionEssays on Celtic mysticism.
- Irish Fairy TalesIrish lore retold by a master storyteller.
- The Book of KellsA description of the famous manuscript with detailed color plates.
Wales
9 books- The MabinogionA group of Welsh tales from the Red Book of Hergest, a 14th Century manuscript maintained at Jesus College, Oxford.
- The Four Ancient Books of WalesThe only available translation of the complete corpus of Welsh Bardic poetry.
- Prolegomena to the Study of Old Welsh Poetry
- The Gododdin Poems
- British GoblinsDespite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore.
- The Welsh Fairy BookA collection of Welsh legends and folktales for young readers.
- Celtic Folklore: Welsh and Manx
-
-
Scotland
14 books-
-
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. I
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. II
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. III
- Popular Tales of the West Highlands, Vol. IV
- The Feuds of the ClansThe epic feuds of the Scottish Highlands.
- The Celtic Dragon MythThe ur-myth of the struggle with the dragon, told in fine Celtic form with giants, mermaids and sidhe. (English and Gaelic)
- The English and Scottish Popular BalladsThe motherlode of ballad collections, including many variations on each ballad.
-
-
-
- Notes on the Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland
- The Prophecies of the Brahan SeerThe tale of the famed Scottish clarivoyant and his amazing, and very specific, predictions.
Brittany
2 books- Legends and Romances of Brittany
-
Cornwall
2 books- Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, (Volume 1)Tales of Cornish Giants, Mermaids, Witches and Fairies; an essential source for the folklore of Cornwall.
- Traditions and Hearthside Stories of West Cornwall, (Volume 2)The second volume in Bottrell's collection of Cornish lore and legend.
Manx
3 books-
- The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man
- Traces of the Norse Mythology in the Isle of Man
Celtic Fairies
12 booksThese are texts and studies about Celtic fairies, elves, and other supernatural creatures (as opposed to fairytales, which are a different matter altogether). Some of the books listed here are listed elsewhere on this page.
- The Secret Common-Wealth of Elves, Fauns and FairiesThis monograph, originally written in 1691, is a classic of Scottish fairy folklore. This etext was scanned from a very rare first printing of the Lang edition.
- Fairy Legends and Traditions
-
-
- British GoblinsDespite the title, this book is actually a study of Welsh fairy folklore.
-
-
-
-
- The Fairy-Faith in Celtic CountriesA serious study of Fairy folklore and mythology, with an ethnographic approach. The first book by Evans-Wentz, who later went on to translate many of the books of Tibetean Buddhism.
-
- The Coming of the FairiesA study of the famous Cottingley fairy photographs, by the creator of Sherlock Holmes.
General Studies
9 books- Survivals in Belief Among the CeltsAn extensive review of evidence of pre-Christian beliefs in Celtic culture.
- Celtic Myth and LegendA comprehensive treatment of Irish, Welsh, and British mythology, from the ancient pagan pantheons up to the Arthurian legends.
- The Religion of the Ancient CeltsAn in-depth study of the pre-Christian Celtic religion.
-
- More Celtic Fairy Tales
- Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race Myths and Legends of the Celtic RaceA recounting of the Irish Mythological Chronicles
-
- A Book of Folklore
-
Links
1 book- CELT, the Corpus of Electronic Texts[External Site] is a scholarly and very comprehensive archive of Celtic texts.