Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN, Seán. A Handbook of Irish Folklore.

Introductory note by Séamus Ó Duilearga. Dublin: Folklore Society, 1942. First edition. Octavo. pp. xxxi, 699. Green buckram, title in gilt. Mild fading to boards. A very good copy.

Ireland is one of the oldest kultur-lander in Europe, and in her early literature, as Kuno Meyer puts it is to be found “the earliest voice from the dawn of West-European civilisation”. According to Ó Duilearga this book is an encyclopaedia of Irish tradition: “a treasure-house of fact and fancy, of ritual and observance, custom and belief”. The chapters include: Covering Settlement & Dwelling, Communications & Trade, The Community, Folk Medicine, Local Festivals, Mythological Tradition, Historical Tradition, Religious Tradition, Popular Oral Literature, etc.

[CAT 164]