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Irish Ghosts and Hauntings
What is it about Ireland’s past that so haunts the imagination? More than one answer can be found in Michael Scotts’s powerful new collection of 29 tales. To start with, in a newly Christianized Ireland, monks do battle with a devilish monster that has killed a river. All the water in this collection, from rivers to lakes, conceal dangers that men and women would best avoid.
Ready to tempt Ireland’s new conquerors — humankind— supernatural forces hide beneath waves, in bogs, in the very land, waiting. With his usual inventiveness, Michael Scott juxtaposes the old and the new, the ancient and modern, showing that in everyday situations, the curses of Ireland’s mythic past lie imp–like, threatening destruction.
Ready to tempt Ireland’s new conquerors — humankind— supernatural forces hide beneath waves, in bogs, in the very land, waiting. With his usual inventiveness, Michael Scott juxtaposes the old and the new, the ancient and modern, showing that in everyday situations, the curses of Ireland’s mythic past lie imp–like, threatening destruction.
280 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
10 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Michael Scott
186 books6,849 followersIrish-born Michael Scott began writing over thirty years ago, and is one of Ireland's most successful and prolific authors, with over one hundred titles to his credit, spanning a
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”
variety of genres, including Fantasy, Science Fiction and Folklore.
He writes for both adults and young adults and is published in thirty-seven countries, in over twenty languages.
Praised for his “unparalleled contribution to children’s literature,” by the Guide to Children’s
Books, Michael Scott was the Writer in Residence during Dublin’s tenure as European City of Culture in 1991, and was featured in the 2006 edition of Who’s Who in Ireland as one of the 1000
most “significant Irish.”
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 10, 2022
Certainly scary. Very well told tales.
October 13, 2019
DNF. Well-written, but just not what I expected. Leans heavily on Christianity and that take on good vs evil, which isn’t my thing and is very far from the paganism I was hoping for.
December 28, 2019
English review below the Greek one...
Καμια φορά η σχέση μας με τα βιβλία είναι πολύ προσωπική υπόθεση. Η σχέση μου με το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο καθώς και άλλα δύο του συγγραφέα, που αποτελούν μία άτυπη τριλογία σχετικά με την Ιρλανδική Μυθολογία και Φολκλόρ, είναι πολύ ιδιαίτερη επειδή τα πρωτοδιάβασα πριν πολλά χρόνια στην ίδια την Ιρλανδία.
Είναι εξαιρετικός ο τρόπος που διηγείται ή αναπλάθει γνωστούς μύθους και ιστορίες και ενώνει παλιότερες εποχές με πιο νέες. Κυριαρχεί ένα γλυκόπικρο συναίσθημα για εποχές και θρύλους που χάθηκαν, ακόμα κι αν ο αναγνώστης είναι ιδιαίτερα ρεαλιστής και το άκρως αντίθετου του ρομαντικού χαρακτήρα. Ο Michael Scott έχει γράψει και πάρα πολλά βιβλία και σειρές φαντασίας (τα οποία δεν έχω διαβάσει) και καταφέρνει να απορροφήσει τον αναγνώστη στον κόσμο που δημιουργεί κάθε φορά. Ενώ έχει κάνει έρευνα και έχει συλλέξει ο ίδιος τις ιστορίες, δεν μένει σε κάποιες ξερές καταγραφές όπως κάνουν πολύ ιστορικοί, λαογράφοι κτλ. Καταφέρνει να ζωντανεύει τις ιστορίες του, συνεχίζοντας της μακρά παράδοση βάρδων/παραμυθάδων της χώρας του.
Όποιος περιμένει μία κλασσική συλλογή ιστοριών με φαντάσματα και στοιχειωμένα σπίτια, ίσως απογοητευτεί λίγο. Υπάρχουν κάποιες ιστορίες πιο κοντά σε αυτό που έχουμε στο μυαλό μας βάση του τίτλου του βιβλίου, ωστόσο το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του βιβλίου έχει να κάνει πιο πολύ με μυθολογία, ιστορία και τα πλάσματα που κυριαρχούν στο συλλογικό ασυνείδητο και στις προκαταλήψεις των Ιρλανδών… Προς το τέλος του βιβλίου υπάρχουν και κάποιες ιστορίες του συγγραφέα πιο κοντά σε αυτό που ονομάζουμε σύγχρονες ιστορίες τρόμου- αν και δεν νομίζω ότι ο τρόπος αφήγησης τις κάνει πραγματικά τρομακτικές…
Για όποιον είναι γνώστης άλλων έργων του συγγραφέα, υπάρχει μία ιστορία με τον αρχετυπικό χαρακτήρα της σοφής γυναίκας/καλής μάγισσας, την αγαπημένη Nano Hayes, καθώς και δύο με τον Michael Casside/Morand που συναντήσαμε σε άλλο βιβλίο και βλέπουμε την συνέχεια της ιστορίας του. – Όποιοι δεν έχουν ιδέα για τι πράγμα μιλάω, μη φοβού! Όλες οι ιστορίες του βιβλίου διαβάζονται αυτόνομα.
Η βαθμολογία/κριτική είναι πολύ προσωπική εδώ, ωστόσο νομίζω ότι γενικά είναι ένα ενδιαφέρον και ευανάγνωστο βιβλίο και καθόλου κουραστικό.
Well, sometimes our “relations” with books is something very personal. My “relationship” with this book and two others of Michael Scott (that serve as an informal trilogy on Irish Mythology, Folklore and Legends) is a very special one, because I first read them once upon a time, while been in Ireland my shelf.
The way the author narrates and reforms well-known old myths and stories and unites older with more recent times and beliefs, is on my opinion amazing. He creates a bittersweet ambience and provokes lots of feelings, even if the reader is the most realistic and romantic-less person. The author has written many other fantasy books and series (which I haven’t read) and successfully manages to draw the reader inside the world he builds every time. He has make research and collected many stories on the spot, yet he doesn’t constrict his writing on a dry transcribing, like unfortunately many other folklorists do. On the contrary, he brings to life his stories, continuing the long tradition of story tellers/bards on his country.
Whoever expects a “classic” collection of haunted houses and ghosts might be a bit disappointed here. There are some stories closer to what one might expect judging by the book’s title, but the larger part of the book has to do with myths, history and creatures that star on Irish collective unconscious mind and superstitions…Towards the end of the book, Michael Scott has added some stories closer to what we many call modern horror writing, but I don’t think the narration style makes them really chilling.
In case you are familiar with the author’s previous folklore collections, here there is one story featuring the beloved archetypical wise woman Nano Hayes and two stories starring Michael Cassidy/Morand who we met on another book and we learn what happened to him next. – In case you have no idea what I;m talking about, Don’t you worry! All stories stand alone fine.
My review/rating is a very personal one I guess, but in general I think that this is an interesting, easy to read and not-tiring at all book!
Καμια φορά η σχέση μας με τα βιβλία είναι πολύ προσωπική υπόθεση. Η σχέση μου με το συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο καθώς και άλλα δύο του συγγραφέα, που αποτελούν μία άτυπη τριλογία σχετικά με την Ιρλανδική Μυθολογία και Φολκλόρ, είναι πολύ ιδιαίτερη επειδή τα πρωτοδιάβασα πριν πολλά χρόνια στην ίδια την Ιρλανδία.
Είναι εξαιρετικός ο τρόπος που διηγείται ή αναπλάθει γνωστούς μύθους και ιστορίες και ενώνει παλιότερες εποχές με πιο νέες. Κυριαρχεί ένα γλυκόπικρο συναίσθημα για εποχές και θρύλους που χάθηκαν, ακόμα κι αν ο αναγνώστης είναι ιδιαίτερα ρεαλιστής και το άκρως αντίθετου του ρομαντικού χαρακτήρα. Ο Michael Scott έχει γράψει και πάρα πολλά βιβλία και σειρές φαντασίας (τα οποία δεν έχω διαβάσει) και καταφέρνει να απορροφήσει τον αναγνώστη στον κόσμο που δημιουργεί κάθε φορά. Ενώ έχει κάνει έρευνα και έχει συλλέξει ο ίδιος τις ιστορίες, δεν μένει σε κάποιες ξερές καταγραφές όπως κάνουν πολύ ιστορικοί, λαογράφοι κτλ. Καταφέρνει να ζωντανεύει τις ιστορίες του, συνεχίζοντας της μακρά παράδοση βάρδων/παραμυθάδων της χώρας του.
Όποιος περιμένει μία κλασσική συλλογή ιστοριών με φαντάσματα και στοιχειωμένα σπίτια, ίσως απογοητευτεί λίγο. Υπάρχουν κάποιες ιστορίες πιο κοντά σε αυτό που έχουμε στο μυαλό μας βάση του τίτλου του βιβλίου, ωστόσο το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του βιβλίου έχει να κάνει πιο πολύ με μυθολογία, ιστορία και τα πλάσματα που κυριαρχούν στο συλλογικό ασυνείδητο και στις προκαταλήψεις των Ιρλανδών… Προς το τέλος του βιβλίου υπάρχουν και κάποιες ιστορίες του συγγραφέα πιο κοντά σε αυτό που ονομάζουμε σύγχρονες ιστορίες τρόμου- αν και δεν νομίζω ότι ο τρόπος αφήγησης τις κάνει πραγματικά τρομακτικές…
Για όποιον είναι γνώστης άλλων έργων του συγγραφέα, υπάρχει μία ιστορία με τον αρχετυπικό χαρακτήρα της σοφής γυναίκας/καλής μάγισσας, την αγαπημένη Nano Hayes, καθώς και δύο με τον Michael Casside/Morand που συναντήσαμε σε άλλο βιβλίο και βλέπουμε την συνέχεια της ιστορίας του. – Όποιοι δεν έχουν ιδέα για τι πράγμα μιλάω, μη φοβού! Όλες οι ιστορίες του βιβλίου διαβάζονται αυτόνομα.
Η βαθμολογία/κριτική είναι πολύ προσωπική εδώ, ωστόσο νομίζω ότι γενικά είναι ένα ενδιαφέρον και ευανάγνωστο βιβλίο και καθόλου κουραστικό.
Well, sometimes our “relations” with books is something very personal. My “relationship” with this book and two others of Michael Scott (that serve as an informal trilogy on Irish Mythology, Folklore and Legends) is a very special one, because I first read them once upon a time, while been in Ireland my shelf.
The way the author narrates and reforms well-known old myths and stories and unites older with more recent times and beliefs, is on my opinion amazing. He creates a bittersweet ambience and provokes lots of feelings, even if the reader is the most realistic and romantic-less person. The author has written many other fantasy books and series (which I haven’t read) and successfully manages to draw the reader inside the world he builds every time. He has make research and collected many stories on the spot, yet he doesn’t constrict his writing on a dry transcribing, like unfortunately many other folklorists do. On the contrary, he brings to life his stories, continuing the long tradition of story tellers/bards on his country.
Whoever expects a “classic” collection of haunted houses and ghosts might be a bit disappointed here. There are some stories closer to what one might expect judging by the book’s title, but the larger part of the book has to do with myths, history and creatures that star on Irish collective unconscious mind and superstitions…Towards the end of the book, Michael Scott has added some stories closer to what we many call modern horror writing, but I don’t think the narration style makes them really chilling.
In case you are familiar with the author’s previous folklore collections, here there is one story featuring the beloved archetypical wise woman Nano Hayes and two stories starring Michael Cassidy/Morand who we met on another book and we learn what happened to him next. – In case you have no idea what I;m talking about, Don’t you worry! All stories stand alone fine.
My review/rating is a very personal one I guess, but in general I think that this is an interesting, easy to read and not-tiring at all book!
December 16, 2017
The Saint and the Devil's Mother ~ ★★★
The Crow Goddess ~ ★★★
The Legend of the Banshee ~ ★★★
The Wolf Reared ~ ★★★
The Merrow ~ ★★★★
The Beasts of Ossory ~ ★★★★
Beneath the Lake ~ ★★★
The Seventh Husband ~ ★★★★
The Black Dog ~ ★★★
A Curse on the Sea ~ ★★★
The Hungry Grass ~ ★★★★
The Standing Stone ~ ★★★
The Bog Road ~ ★★★
Summer Solstice ~ ★★★
The Priest ~ ★★★★
Red Aoife and the Kilkenny Cow ~ ★★★★
May Day ~ ★★★
A Certain Small Hotel ~ ★★★
The Most Haunted House in Ireland ~ ★★★
First Communion ~ ★★★
After the Ball ~ ★★★
The Brothers ~ ★★★★
The Fairy Forts ~ ★★★
On Craglea ~ ★★★★
Samhain ~ ★★★
St Brigid's Day ~ ★★★
Sun Day ~ ★★★★
The O'Sullivan Bear ~ ★★★
The Hitch-hiker ~ ★★★
The Crow Goddess ~ ★★★
The Legend of the Banshee ~ ★★★
The Wolf Reared ~ ★★★
The Merrow ~ ★★★★
The Beasts of Ossory ~ ★★★★
Beneath the Lake ~ ★★★
The Seventh Husband ~ ★★★★
The Black Dog ~ ★★★
A Curse on the Sea ~ ★★★
The Hungry Grass ~ ★★★★
The Standing Stone ~ ★★★
The Bog Road ~ ★★★
Summer Solstice ~ ★★★
The Priest ~ ★★★★
Red Aoife and the Kilkenny Cow ~ ★★★★
May Day ~ ★★★
A Certain Small Hotel ~ ★★★
The Most Haunted House in Ireland ~ ★★★
First Communion ~ ★★★
After the Ball ~ ★★★
The Brothers ~ ★★★★
The Fairy Forts ~ ★★★
On Craglea ~ ★★★★
Samhain ~ ★★★
St Brigid's Day ~ ★★★
Sun Day ~ ★★★★
The O'Sullivan Bear ~ ★★★
The Hitch-hiker ~ ★★★
December 1, 2017
Irish ghosts and hauntings is a really good book . However some of the stories in this book did not really catch my attention like” the standing stone” ch. Twelve this might have been because the first thing that I saw was the title and who would want to read a story about a stone? But it is a good book I say this because for instance “I know these are the Devil’s children…” this brings up many questions in the beginning . I also enjoy the cover it gives of a type of unexplainable vibe like there is mixed feelings or something. I recommend this book to whomever wants to feel chilled or a vibe of mystery.
January 8, 2019
This is a compostition of Ghost stories and folk tales from Ireland. They span from around the year 1000AD to present time. There are a lot of stories about banshees, mermaids, witches, and more.
I would like to say more, but there isn't much I can say. Each story is very different, but they aren't that good. They are random, not really scary, and many just....end. They don't wrap up many of the stories. Many of the stories left me for wanting more.
There were a few that were good. Not enough to make this book recommendable, but I enjoyed some. It was a quick read - finished it in 2 days. But that is about where the positives end.
I would like to say more, but there isn't much I can say. Each story is very different, but they aren't that good. They are random, not really scary, and many just....end. They don't wrap up many of the stories. Many of the stories left me for wanting more.
There were a few that were good. Not enough to make this book recommendable, but I enjoyed some. It was a quick read - finished it in 2 days. But that is about where the positives end.
May 29, 2018
This collection of short stories was a fun and quick read. But man, does Irish has some really messed up folk tales.
May 12, 2020
This book is an absolute gem, snap it up while you can. No one can get under your skin like Michael Scott. And those excellent covers by Brian Froud!
November 16, 2010
This book was better than I thought it would be. The title is kind of deceiving because the stories, while definitely scary/eerie, are more about Irish folklore and superstition. However, the writing was actually quite good and the stories definitely send a chill down your spine. Definitely worth reading.
February 11, 2010
i usually read this when i read irish myths and legends . the stories have the same smooth flow as in the other book but are a shade creepier because of the subject matter.
June 11, 2015
What a nice set of stories, I really enjoyed it. Scott is a master of Irish (and worldwide) folklore. A solid recommendation if you like short stories and Celtic, Pagan or Christian lore legends.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews