The Turf-Cutter's Donkey

The Turf-Cutter's Donkey #1

by Patricia Lynch

Patricia Lynch (1898-1972) is widely regarded as one of Ireland's best (and best-loved) children's authors. This book was originally published in 1934 and was the first in a series in which the Irish landscape was lovingly evoked. Lynch has been described as a "master at recapturing the Irish character and landscape" (Irish Literary Supplement). In this story of mystery and adventure we follow the exploits of Seamus and Eileen, who live in a whitewashed cottage at the end of the bog where their father works as a turf-cutter. One day they are befriended by a donkey, who leads them into a series of extraordinary adventures and encounters with strange people. An enchanted teapot, the leprechaun, the little dark man, the golden eagle, the salmon of Knowledge, and Finn and the ancient heroes all appear to share in the great adventure. A classic of children's literature, it remains one of the most magical and exciting of Irish fantasies.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Ireland, Irish Literature

243 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1934

About the author

Patricia Lynch (c. 1894–1972) was an Irish writer of children's literature and a journalist. She was the author of some 48 novels and 200 short stories. She is best known for blending Irish rural life and fantasy fiction. [From wikipedia]

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two young children have a series of magical adventures with some of the great figures of Irish folklore and mythology in this modern children's classic, penned by one of the great writers of 20th-century Irish children's literature. The son and daughter of a turf-cutter, Seamus and Eileen live in a small whitewashed cottage near an Irish bog. One day they meet Long Ears, a magical donkey that leads them into their first fantastical experience, taking them to the wishing pool said to exist at the top of the nearby hill. This is one of many extraordinary incidents, as they rescue the Tinker Chief, gain a long-lost teapot with gold sovereigns, find and lose a leprechaun, and visit the local Fair. Other encounters follow, including a trip across the Road of Dreams, in which the children meet the Fianna, and an episode in which they fall into a storybook and come across everything from the Salmon of Wisdom to the Cauldron of the Dagda...

A wonderfully entertaining, episodic work of fantasy for children, The Turf-Cutter's Donkey was first published in book form in 1934, although it was serialized in The Irish Press from 1931. Beautifully written and beautifully-illustrated - although the original serial publication contained the artwork of G. Altendorf, the illustrations in the book were done by celebrated Irish artist Jack B. Yeats - it was an absolute pleasure to read. The general storyline, in which two Irish children are led into magical adventures by a donkey, and encounter many of the characters of Irish myth, put me strongly in mind of Pat O'Shea's marvelous 1985 fantasy novel, The Hounds of the Morrigan . Lynch's book must surely have served as a template for O'Shea, and I was charmed to discover it, as the O'Shea is one of my favorite works of fantasy. Although long aware of this one, I eventually read it as part of my masters course in children's literature, and I am glad to have done so. At some point I'd like to reread it, and then proceed to the sequels, The Turf-Cutter's Donkey Goes Visiting and The Turf-Cutter's Donkey Kicks Up His Heels . Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys myth-tinged fantasy fiction.

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this while growing up and loved it. A boy and girl in rural Ireland find that the wise little grey donkey Long Ears can take them into adventures with strange people from the Celtic past. The tale is great fun and you absorb a lot of misty myths and details about rural life before telephones and plentiful cars.

Recommended for children or the young at heart. Patricia Lynch is a wonderful storyteller with a beautiful style of writing. Her people and animals become very real. There are more stories of the turf-cutter's donkey and a separate book called The King of The Tinkers.

For a more modern take on a very similar story read The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea, published 1985.

[Regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book my bookseller father ever gave to me.

[Mael Brigde · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book. It’s a little uneven, but nearly all of it is wonderful. I love the imagination of the author and how she draws on Irish folklore and mythology to create endless adventures for the two children, Eileen and Seamus.

The “but“ in the shelf “I love this but“ in this case refers to the portrayal of the travellers – called tinkers – and gypsy woman. They are, ironically, portrayed just as Irish people have so often been portrayed in English children’s books. There is one traveller who is redeemed to some extent, but otherwise they are stock low-lifes. Too bad.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this in decades, but Patricia Lynch was certainly a childhood favourite.

It's fascinating to reread something that you read as a child and come across details that have become part of your subconscious alphabet of images; life-size eagles, dirty, malicious Wise Women, stepping into another world via a book, trying to outfly a furious eagle in a disintegrating cardboard plane...and of course, the eponymous donkey.

A charming if episodic book that mixes myth, magic and everyday life with the most beautiful, evocative illustrations by Jack B Yeats.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book. That's the first thing you should know. But I really do love a good children's adventure story, and that's exactly what this is. It was written in 1932 and is set in Ireland. Children Eileen and Seamus are fearless time travelers, book divers, airplane pilots and leprechaun friend. A few of mythological Irish figures show up for good measure! It is a chapter book, so I would peg the age at probably 8+. If you're in the mood for a good fantasy read, take a day or two and enjoy this one. And learn something about the Irish while you're at it!

[Godowd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming book written in the 1930's but still enjoyable today. A book given to me by my father when I was a child and decided to re-read it - had great fun doing so. It is a mixture of original tales with characters from Irish folklore ..

I think I was around 8 or 9 when I read this first and that would probably be the best age group for this.

It a snapshot of an innocent Ireland of the past..

[Etain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved these books, which depict a way of rural life in Ireland that has long gone.

They serve as a timely reminder of how precious our peatland's are.

If you are lucky enough, to own a 1st edition, keep it somewhere safe. The woodcut illustrations are truly remarkable.

[Geoffrey]

The illustrations were by Jack Yeats, I think.

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story collection from the 1930s, full of magic and folklore. Gave me a good starting point for more fairy tales to look up, too!

[Δx Δp ≥ ½ ħ · Rating 4 out of 5]

dikenal sebagai Hans Christian Andersen-nya Irlandia, sangat disayangkan jika nama Lynch tidak populer di Indonesia karena tidak ada(?) karyanya yang diterjemahkan. artinya? saia harus baca edisi Inggrisnya :D

di sebuah desa yang tenang di pelosok Irlandia, si kakak beradik Seamus dan Eileen di awal tahun 1930-an beradik menganggap kehidupan mereka membosankan. namun, saat mereka menemukan seekor keledai bertelinga panjang, mereka tak pernah menyangka justru itulah awal mula petualangan mereka yang ajaib.

bagi orang dewasa, mungkin kejaiban-keajaiban yg dialami si adik-kakaka ini terlalu absurd, bahkan konyol. tapi ayolah, ini buku anak-anak. buku ini tepat ada di tengah transisi karya Andersen-Burnett-Dahl. penuh dongeng, petualangan liar dan berbahaya...dan yah... keajaiban

buku ini seolah menegaskan bahwa dunia imajinasi tak akan pernah kehilangan pesonanya. melintasi segala zaman, menyatukan orang-orang dari segala usia dan bangsa, hal-hal yang gagal dilakukan oleh poltik, ekonomi, dan apapun itu yang membuat pikiran kita rumit dan kerdil.

[Bryony Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a child - truthfully I read and read it several times. What a wonderful magical book that transported me all the way from Africa to Ireland. I loved it to bits!

[Anna Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's called The Turf-Cutter's Donkey.... but the donkey actually features in very, very few of Seamus and Eileen's adventures?