In making my selection, and in all doubtful points of treatment, I have had resource to the wide knowledge of my friend Mr. Alfred Nutt in all branches of Celtic folk-lore. If this volume does anything to represent to English children the vision and colour, the magic and charm, of the Celtic folk-imagination, this is due in large measure to the care with which Mr. Nutt has watched its inception and progress. With him by my side I could venture into regions where the non-Celt wanders at his own risk.

Lastly, I have again to rejoice in the co-operation of my friend, Mr. J. D. Batten, in giving form to the creations of the folk-fancy. He has endeavoured in his illustrations to retain as much as possible of Celtic ornamentation; for all details of Celtic archaeology he has authority. Yet both he and I have striven to give Celtic things as they appear to, and attract, the English mind, rather than attempt the hopeless task of representing them as they are to Celts. The fate of the Celt in the British Empire bids fair to resemble that of the Greeks among the Romans. "They went forth to battle, but they always fell," yet the captive Celt has enslaved his captor in the realm of imagination. The present volume attempts to begin the pleasant captivity from the earliest years. If it could succeed in giving a common fund of imaginative wealth to the Celtic and the Saxon children of these isles, it might do more for a true union of hearts than all your politics.

JOSEPH JACOBS.

CONTENTS

I. CONNLA AND THE FAIRY MAIDEN

II. GULEESH

III. THE FIELD OF BOLIAUNS

IV. THE HORNED WOMEN

V. CONAL YELLOWCLAW

VI. HUDDEN AND DUDDEN AND DONALD O'NEARY

VII. THE SHEPHERD OF MYDDVAI

VIII. THE SPRIGHTLY TAILOR

IX. THE STORY OF DEIRDRE

X. MUNACHAR AND MANACHAR

XI. GOLD-TREE AND SILVER-TREE

XII. KING O'TOOLE AND HIS GOOSE

XIII. THE WOOING OF OLWEN

XIV. JACK AND HIS COMRADES

XV. THE SHEE AN GANNON AND THE GRUAGACH GAIRE

XVI. THE STORY-TELLER AT FAULT

XVII. THE SEA-MAIDEN

XVIII. A LEGEND OF KNOCKMANY

XIX. FAIR, BROWN, AND TREMBLING

XX. JACK AND HIS MASTER

XXI. BETH GELLERT

XXII. THE TALE OF IVAN

XXIII. ANDREW COFFEY

XXIV. THE BATTLE OF THE BIRDS

XXV. BREWERY OF EGGSHELLS

XXVI. THE LAD WITH THE GOAT-SKIN

NOTES AND REFERENCES

CONNLA AND THE FAIRY MAIDEN

Connla of the Fiery Hair was son of Conn of the Hundred Fights. One day as he stood by the side of his father on the height of Usna, he saw a maiden clad in strange attire coming towards him.

"Whence comest thou, maiden?" said Connla.