Wexford Folk Tales

Wexford has a rich heritage of myths and legends which is uniquely captured in this collection of traditional tales from across the county.Discover the remarkable story of the 140-year-old-man who died a premature death, the arrival of the antichrists (six of them) in Wexford and the dangers of love potions, together with tales of lurechan mischief, mermaids, grave robbing and buried treasure.Their origins are lost in the mists of time, but these stories, illustrated with twenty line drawings, bring to life Wexford’s dramatic landscape and are sure to appeal to both locals and tourists alike.

This book is an anthology of lore from the archives of the Department of Irish Folklore, University College, Dublin. -- Publisher description.

Wicklow is full of stories, from the farmer returned from market to find he was dead and buried, to the mysterious bird who turned into a beautiful wife long missing from the glens. In this rich collection of tales from the county, you may find the cure for baldness, or learn if it is wise to leave a sleeping army lie in Rathdrum. You will find smugglers in Bray, and a maiden who set her cap at a saint in the making in Glendalough. Wicklow has as many stories as there are people travelling its roads, and a wealth of them are gathered together here in this unique volume.

The Little Book of Wexford is a compendium of fascinating information about the town, past and present. Here you will find out about Wexford's trade and industry, crime and punishment, music and literature, clubs and societies, and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. It covers not only the famous elements in Wexford's history but also focuses on the details of the everyday man in the street, recording facts that could so easily have been forgotten. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, the secrets and the enduring fascination of this ancient county. It is essential reading for visitors and locals alike.

Over the years trades, streets, buildings, shops and a myriad of other items have gone from Wexford's landscape. However, this book recalls not only these physical losses but also includes the many items of culture, local lore and other ephemeral heritage that disappears by the week. With chapters on industry, religious practices, entertainment and Wexford characters, this fascinating compendium this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this maritime town.

Waterford harbour has centuries of tradition based on its extensive fishery and maritime trade. Steeped in history, customs and an enviable spirit, it was there that Andrew Doherty was born and raised amongst a treasure chest of stories spun by the fishermen, sailors and their families. As an adult he began to research these accounts and, to his surprise, found many were based on fact. In this book, Doherty will take you on a fascinating journey along the harbour, introduce you to some of its most important sites and people, the area's history, and some of its most fantastic tales. Dreaded press gangs who raided whole communities for crew, the search for buried gold and a ship seized by pirates, the horror of a German bombing of the rural idyll during the Second World War – on every page of this incredible account you will learn something of the maritime community of Waterford Harbour.

Who stole the Irish crown jewels? Is there a secret tunnel in O’Connell Street? And did the word ‘quiz’ originate in Dublin as the result of a bet?Urban legends are the funny and frightening folklore people share today. Just like the early folk tales that came before them, these tales are formed from reactions to events in the modern world, and reflect our current values. For the first time, Brendan Nolan explores the power of Dublin’s urban legend – murky stories whispered in classrooms and back streets, and ripping yarns passed on across the bar. Urban legends may be just exaggerated rumours, but they embed themselves into local folklore. The real question is, what truth lies behind them?

Is there a secret tunnel in O'Connell Street? Who stole the Irish crown jewels? And did the word 'quiz' originate in Dublin as the result of a bet? Urban legends are the funny and frightening folklore people share today. Just like the early folk tales that came before them, these stories are formed from reactions to events in the modern world, and are often a window into our current values. For the first time, Brendan Nolan explores the power of Dublin's urban legends – murky stories whispered in classrooms and backstreets, and ripping yarns passed on across the bar. Urban legends may sometimes just be the best of rumours, but the real question is about the truth that lies behind them?