Faery Nights / Óicheanta Sí: Stories On Ancient Irish Festivals

by Micheál Mac Liammóir

These lively stories, written in both Irish and English, tell of the extraordinary goings-on of ancient Ireland's festival nights. Written in the style of the seanchai, this enchanting collection is in the very best tradition of fairy tales.

Genres: Ireland

101 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Micheál Mac Liammhóir (born Alfred Willmore) was an English-born Irish actor, dramatist, impresario, writer, poet and painter. MacLiammóir was born to a Protestant family living in the Kensal Green neighbourhood of London.

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this

[Brian Saul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in June, 2009 — I have a copy to sell/swap, read count: 2
review: I purchased this book years ago- back in the late '80s, I believe- for my classroom library. Well-worn by my students reading it over the years, it's one I decided NOT to donate to the district when I retired, and I'm glad because I'm re-reading it now bilingually to help improve my knowledge of the Irish Gaelic language. The children's stories in this little book-written and illustrated by Mícheál mac Liammóir before he was twenty- are set on the nights of four important old Irish festivals...more I purchased this book years ago- back in the late '80s, I believe- for my classroom library. Well-worn by my students reading it over the years, it's one I decided NOT to donate to the district when I retired, and I'm glad because I'm re-reading it now bilingually to help improve my knowledge of the Irish Gaelic language. The children's stories in this little book-written and illustrated by Mícheál mac Liammóir before he was twenty- are set on the nights of four important old Irish festivals. They describe adventures that befall after darkness, under stars, and feature as well as the Little People, fairies and black toadstools, the mysterious stranger at the bonfire, and a cat that talks. The stories are written with grace and charm and, thankfully, at a level of Irish that I can (almost completely) understand!

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bilingual book about the extraordinary things happening on the four nights of Imbolc, Bealtine, Lughnasadh, and Samhain.

The stories in this edition of the book are written and illustrated by Mícheál Mac Liammóir with the full English story coming first then its translation after.

My only wish was for the english to be on one page and the Irish Gaelic being on the other...but it is still a great read especially for parents trying to bring up their children as Gaeilge or for adults to improve their Irish Gaelic.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series of four stories (English and Irish on facing pages) is about the 4 great seasonal festivals of the Irish year. The author, who became a famed Irish stage actor, was not a native speaker of Irish and wrote this book before he was 20. He uses a lot of adjectives; for this reason alone the book is totally worth reading if you are a beginner in Irish. As soon as I’m done, I’m going to read it again.

[Milea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am rereading this book. I love how the pictures acually go with the stories and the two languages are a plus if you want to learn irish!

[Eamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that the facing pages tell the story in English on one side, and Irish on the other is helpful if you're not great at reading Irish.