Hero-Tales of Ireland

by Jeremiah Curtin

Overview

Once upon a time all of the legends of Fin MacCool were written down for posterity; Saint Patrick, however, ordered two-thirds of them destroyed so that the people of Erin would do more than simply listen to them. Fortunately, many Fenian tales survive, and this captivating collection features 24 tales of superhuman heroes and their adventures. Compiled by a 19th-century ethnographer from the Smithsonian Institution, this volume abounds in fantastic accounts of bold warriors who battle dragons and giants, outwit sorcerers, and overcome death itself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781023561372
Publisher:	Anson Street Press
Publication date:	03/29/2025
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.62(d)

About the Author

Jeremiah Curtin (1835-1906) was a pioneering American folklorist, linguist, and world traveler with a deep passion for capturing the vanishing voices of ancient cultures. Born to Irish immigrant parents in Wisconsin, Curtin grew up with a fierce connection to the storytelling traditions of his ancestors-a connection that would shape his life's work.Fluent in more than a dozen languages, Curtin journeyed across Ireland in the late 19th century, collecting oral tales directly from native Irish speakers-farmers, fishermen, and storytellers who had inherited legends passed down for generations. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Curtin didn't just transcribe stories-he honored their rhythm, their mystery, and their raw power.Hero-Tales of Ireland is the vivid result of that work: a collection of ancient Irish myths retold with both scholarly respect and narrative flair. Through his efforts, Curtin preserved a priceless piece of Ireland's mythic soul and brought the courage, magic, and wit of Irish heroes to readers around the world.