Nowhere in the nineteenth century did interest in folklore and mythology have a more thorough revival than in Ireland. There, in 1887, Lady Francesca Speranza Wilde, Oscar Wilde's mother and a well-known author in her own right, compiled this collection of charming, authentic folk tales. Collected from among the peasantry and retaining their original simplicity, the myths and legends reveal delightfully the Irish people's relationship with a spiritual and invisible world populated by fairies, elves, and evil beings. Included in Lady Wilde's collection, among others, are eerie tales of "The Horned Women," "The Holy Well and the Murderer," and "The Bride's Death-Song," as well as beguiling accounts of superstitions concerning the dead, celebrations and rites, animal legends, and ancient charms.The first book to link Irish folklore with nationalism, Legends illustrates the mythic underpinnings of the Irish character and signals the country's cultural reemergence. It remains, said the Evening Mail, "an important contribution to the literature of Ireland and the world's stock of folklore."

IntroductionThe Horned WomenThe Legend of Ballytowtas CastleA Wolf StoryThe Evil EyeThe Stolen BrideFairy MusicThe Fairy DanceFairy JusticeThe Priest's SoulThe Fairy RaceThe Trial by FireThe Lady WitchEthna the BrideThe Fairies' RevengeFairy Help--the PhoukaThe Farmer PunishedThe Farmer's WifeThe Midnight RideThe LeprehaunThe Legends of the Western IslandsThe Bride's Death-SongThe Child's DreamThe Fairy ChildThe DoomThe Clearing from GuiltThe Holy Well and the MurdererLegends of Innis-Sark--a Woman's CurseLegends of the Dead in the Western IslandsSuperstitions concerning the DeadThe Fatal Love-CharmThe Fenian KnightsRathlin IslandThe Strange GuestsThe Dead SoldierThe Three GiftsThe Fairies as Fallen AngelsThe Fairy ChangelingFairy WilesShaun-MorThe Cave FairiesEvil SpellsAn Irish Adept of the IslandsThe May FestivalMay-Day SuperstitionsFestivalsNovember SpellsNovember EveA Terrible RevengeMidsummerMarriage RitesThe DeadThe Wake OrgiesThe Ancient MysteriesThe Power of the WordThe Poet and the KingThe Sidhe RaceMusicPoet Inspiration--Eodain the PoetessThe BansheeQueen MaeveDeath SignsSuperstitionsThe Fairy RathFairy NatureIrish NatureConcerning DogsConcerning CatsSeanchan the Bard and the King of the CatsThe BardsKing Arthur and the CatConcerning CowsThe Dead HandThe Wicked WidowThe Butter MysteryConcerning BirdsConcerning Living CreaturesThe Properties of Herbs and their Use in MedicineMedical Superstitions and Ancient CharmsVarious Superstitions and CuresOmens and SuperstitionsSuperstitions of the IslandsLegends of the Saints St. Patrick St. Ciaron St. Martin St. Bridget St. Kieran St. Kevin Christian Legends Swearing Stones and RelicsMysteries of Fairy Power The Evil Stroke The Changeling The Fairy Doctor The Poet's Spell Charm for the Fairy Stroke The Farmer's Fate The Fairy RathThe Holy Wells The Holy WElls St. Augustine's Well The Grilled Trout Legend of Neal-mor St. John's Well The Well of Fionn Ma-Coul St. Seenan's Well Kil-na-Greina The Well of Worship The Bride's Well The Irish Fakir Sacred Trees Tober-na-Dara Lough Neagh The Doctor and the Fairy Princess A Holy Well A Sacred Island The Lake of Revenge Scenes at a Holy Well Lough Foyle The Hen's Castle Sliabh-Mish, County Kerry The Skelligs of KerryPopular Nations Concerning the Sidhe Race The Sidhe Race The Hurling Match The Ride with the Fairies The Fairy Spy The Dark Horseman Sheela-na-Skean Captain Webb, the Robber Chief The Mayo Captain and Feenish the MareSketches of the Irish Past The Bardic Race The Ancient Race The Antiquities of Ireland Early Irish Art Our Ancient CapitalSir William Wilde on "The Ancient Races of Ireland"