Legends, Charms and Superstitions of Ireland

by Jane Francesca Wilde

Nowhere in the nineteenth century did interest in folklore and mythology have a more thorough revival than in Ireland. There, in 1887, Lady Francesca Speranza Wilde, Oscar Wilde's mother and a well-known author in her own right, compiled this collection of charming, authentic folk tales. Collected from among the peasantry and retaining their original simplicity, the myths and legends reveal delightfully the Irish people's relationship with a spiritual and invisible world populated by fairies, elves, and evil beings. Included in Lady Wilde's collection, among others, are eerie tales of "The Horned Women," "The Holy Well and the Murderer," and "The Bride's Death-Song," as well as beguiling accounts of superstitions concerning the dead, celebrations and rites, animal legends, and ancient charms.
The first book to link Irish folklore with nationalism, Legends illustrates the mythic underpinnings of the Irish character and signals the country's cultural reemergence. It remains, said the Evening Mail, "an important contribution to the literature of Ireland and the world's stock of folklore."

Genres: Folklore, Ireland, Nonfiction, Mythology

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2006

About the author

Jane Francesca Agnes, Lady Wilde (born Jane Francesca Elgee in Dublin) was an Irish poet under the pen name "Speranza" and supporter of the nationalist movement; and had a special interest in Irish Fairy Tales, which she helped to gather. She married Sir William Wilde on 12 November 1851,

Mother of Oscar Wilde.

Reviews

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous research book for those interested in fairies. Use this as a reference for creating fairies for my "Legends of the Fey" show for my Renaissance Acting Guild.
The writing is very victorian, but then, it is over 100 years old. Fabulous collection of legends.

[Andrea Stoddard · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, I must state that my rating would be higher if I read this book and was taking a class. This would be an excellent textbook. There were many parts that I felt a teacher could illuminate.

I was expecting an analogy of stories. There were some but for the most part this book felt like an encyclopedia. It was very difficult to focus because it felt like line after line of "facts" or definitions. Much like reading a dictionary.

I did learn some new things and the overall structure of irish history. I know it is a Victorian text so it would be interesting to read a modern history of Ireland to see, if any, differences in knowledge.

[Dylan Rock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful wity and entertaining look at irish culture while I can not say it's completely historical accurate and many of the anthropological theories it is assumes are correct have been proven wrong or changed ,it is a wonderful read. One can where her famous son Oscar Wilde I herited his legendary wit from.

[October · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, what to say about Lady Wilde's collection.

Personally, I prefer Yeats's own collection for a number of reasons. For one, it's entirely about folklore--this one is not. Lady Wilde likes to dedicate large sections of her book to wild theories about Irish history, some of which is built upon evidence like 'these two words from different languages sound the same--therefore the ancient Irish were Persians!' Another downfalls is that all of the stories are viewed through a thoroughly Christian lens. While it's interesting in its own right, she spends too much time focusing on how faeries are fallen angels, or denouncing old rites as belonging to the Devil.

Unfortunately, you have to spend most of this book reminding yourself that it was A.) A purposefully nationalist work and B.) Written in the 19th Century. However, some of the history she shares actually is accurate and may be useful. Despite the whole railing against horrible pagan-ness, the folktales are charming and offer an interesting comparison to their pre-Christian counterparts--when one can find them, that is.

Still, I strongly encourage you toward Yeats's collection, as it's a much easier read and he doesn't get up on a soapbox to rant and rave.

[Daniela]

За някой, който обича приказките на Андерсен тели легенди и митове, които всъщност представляват древни сказания, няма да му харесат. Поне не и в началото. Човек трябва да прочете една, две, три и да направи пауза от няколко дни дори, за да им позволи да му "проговорят". Определено интереса книга, лейди Уайлд е успяла да запише доста любопитни необработени ирландски предания. Препоръчвам я на всеки, който търси книга-предизвикателство :)

[CJ - It's only a Paper Moon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit 'outdated' in terms of vernacular and social commentary but still very interesting.

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady Wilde was a very silly Victorian, but still well done for recording all of these stories.