New Book on Irish Folklore

NEW BOOK ON IRISH 

FOLKLORE WELCOMED:

This book, a welcome addition to publications on Irish Folklore is well illustrated and has two music CD's included with a fine collection of music and songs related to the theme of the Irish "Otherworld" or supernatural beliefs and superstitions of the Irish culture from many generations. Belief in the existence of a parallel world and in otherworldly phenomena is a long established Irish tradition and elements of this belief continue to be found in contemporary Irish society. The "Sluagh Sídhe", the Host of the Sídhe is the principal element of this tradition, often misnamed "fairies" by writers in English, they were the inhabitants of a parallel world associated with ancient grave sites and mounds of the pre-Celtic period and later incorporated in the local aspects of the Celtic Christianity which became established in Ireland in the 5th Century.

 A pre-historic tomb site in Co Clare, Ireland, which sites were often connected with the "Sluagh Sídhe" of

Irish folklore.

The book, "The Otherworld" has been compiled and edited by Rionach uí Ógáin and Tom Sherlock. Comhairle Bhéaloideas Éireann is the publisher.

The material contained in the book is from the National Folklore Collection/Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann in University College Dublin. The National Folklore Collection UCD is the largest in the world and has been developed from the founding of the Folklore of Ireland Society in 1926 which led to the establishment of the Irish Folklore Institute (1930-1935) and, subsequently, the  successful Irish Folklore Commission (1935-1971). The work begun then continues today under the auspices of the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.

 The "Beansídhe" as envisioned by Disney Studio's animators in "Darby O'Gill and the Little People"(1959).

Prof. Ríonach uí Ógáin is Director of the National Folklore Collection/Cnuasach Bhéaloideas Éireann, University College Dublin. She has published numerous articles on traditional song and music and has lectured widely on the subject.

Tom Sherlock is a music business manager and consultant with wide experience in the promotion of traditional music. He has worked as a production manager with Claddagh Records, an artist manager and agent, a promoter and producer, a festival programmer and as a writer and commentator on Irish music and culture.

Paperback 220pp; ills. November 2012 | ISBN: 978-0-9565628-3-8
Catalogue Price: €25.00 | Web Price: €22.50

"The Otherworld" is available for purchase from Four Courts Press