Armagh Folk Tales

Folk Tales

by Frances Quinn

County Armagh, the Orchard County, abounds in folk tales, myths and legends and a selection of the best, drawn from historical sources and newly recorded local reminiscences, have been brought to life here by local storyteller Frances Quinn.Armagh is the place where, legend has it, the warrior king Conor Mac Nessa once ruled and where Deirdre of the Sorrows met her lover Naoise. It is where St Mochua’s Well was said by some to curse as well as cure and where evidence of St Patrick’s disagreement with a bull can still be seen. And it is where Mrs Lester was rudely awakened in her grave. It is also said to be the home of a plethora of strange and magical creatures and stories abound of encounters with fairies, ghosts, dragons, witches and even a giant pig. From age-old legends and fantastical myths to amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales, this collection is a heady mix of bloodthirsty, funny, passionate and moving stories. It will take you into a remarkable world where you can let your imagination run wild.

Genres: Fiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2014

About the author

Frances has a large repertoire of Irish and multicultural stories as well as original material, verse and dramatic monologues. She also performs The Cúchulainn Saga as a one-person show or with a musician.

Her Armagh Folk Tales was published by the History Press in 2014 and she made a CD of The Cúchulainn Saga in 2003.

Is de bhunadh Ard Mhacha Frances, ach tá sí lonnaithe i mBéal Feirste faoi láthair. Tá suim ar leith aici i seanscéalta na hÉireann. Ar a bharr sin tá dhá chlár de scéalta idirnáisiúnta aici atá fóirsteanach don dá leibhéal bunscoilíochta. Tá scéalta agus dánta aici chomh maith atá fóirsteanach do dhaltaí mheánscoile agus do dhaoine fásta. Is féidir iad a dhéanamh go dhátheangach fosta.

Frances has a teaching and acting background. She has told at the major storytelling festivals in Ireland and to an extensive range of audiences in settings both formal and informal. She performed The Cúchulainn Saga in London, in 10 states in the USA and in many venues in Ireland. Frances has a keen interest in the use of Storytelling in Education.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of fun stuff in here, but it doesn’t make the transition from oral to written accounts well at all. I’m attempting to be true to the original material, the writing comes across as sloppy, and some of it just doesn’t make much sense on the page. Reads as though it could have done with a bit of editing.