In this collection of predominantly Irish – with some English – essays spanning the length of his career, renowned Irish folklore scholar Pádraig Ó Héalaí addresses diverse aspects of Irish tradition and folklore – fascinating, often long-forgotten beliefs and practices, which formed the bedrock of traditions for multiple generations. The analysis is based on source material in the National Folklore Collection, and on writings from the Blaskets and on the author’s personal fieldwork.

While some essays deal exclusively with material pertaining to the Blasket community, most address topics relevant to traditional communities in many other parts of Ireland. The essays cover a range of topics – pregnancy and childbirth on the Great Blasket, parents’ grief on the death of their children, the role of magic in traditional medicine, Traveller prejudice in Irish legends and many others, adding to a rich overview of the role and interplay of folklore and beliefs in everyday traditional Irish life.

Each Irish essay includes an abstract in English by the scholar Dr Tracey Ní Mhaonaigh of Maynooth University, making this collection accessible to a whole new readership, Irish and non-Irish-speakers alike.

Published in association with Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann and the University of Galway.