Limerick Folk Tales

About this book

Limerick Folk Tales gathers stories rooted in the folklore of County Limerick, moving between fairy lore, legendary figures, local characters and tales shaped by the county’s landscape. Ruth Marshall recounts the story of Donn Fírinne, said to be king of the Munster fairies, alongside Sionainn, carried away by the River Shannon, and Áine, the fairy queen linked with Lough Gur.

The collection also brings together Finn MacCool and the Fianna, the wise woman Joan Grogan and her ingenious cures, the foolish Tadhg’s encounter with thieves, and Gearóid Iarla, a poet-magician riding a horse with silver shoes. Kings and commoners, music, poetry and drama all have their place in these locally rooted tales.