Ó SÚILLEABHÁIN, Seán. A Handbook of Irish Folklore (SIGNED PRESENTATION COPY FROM THE AUTHOR)

Introductory note by Séamus Ó Duilearga. Dublin: Folklore Society, 1942. First edition. pp. xxxi, 699. Green buckram, title in gilt on evenly faded spine. Signed presentation copy from the author to Desmond, dated Xmas, 1942, on front free endpaper. A very good copy. Rare signed 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 and Dwelling, Communications and Trade, The Community, Folk Medicine, Local Festivals, Mythological Tradition, Historical Tradition, Religious Tradition, Popular Oral Literature, etc.

[L3 3G]