Kerry Folk Tales

Kerry Folk Tales brings together myths, legends, fables and local reminiscences from across County Kerry. Gary Branigan and Luke Eastwood draw on historical sources and stories passed through generations of local storytellers, preserving accounts of old customs, superstitions and inherited beliefs. Alongside age-old material, the collection reflects the continuing Irish tradition of the seanchaí and spoken storytelling.

The book also places Kerry’s folklore within a broader historical sweep, ranging from pre-Norman times and the Geraldines to the Famine and Civil War. More recent stories extend that timeline into modern memory, including Charlie Chaplin’s visits to Waterville. The result is a varied portrait of Kerry’s storytelling culture, where legendary figures, cautionary traditions and local historical recollections stand side by side.