Overview
That the Irish have a rare gift for storytelling is amply illustrated by the ten tales in this book. All favorite folk tales, they epitomize the special charm and enchantment of the Irish imagination — and are certain to delight young readers today as they have for centuries.
Seumas MacManus heard these stories as a boy in Ireland, and in retelling them, captures the distinctive flavor and feeling of old Ireland. One can almost hear the voice of the old shanachie (teller of legends) as MacManus relates the story of Shamus, who must find the “plaisham,” a thing that never was; of Jack, who is helped by the “wee folk” to find the princess with hair black as a crow, skin as white as snow, and lips red as blood; of the rich Donal and his poor brother Jack; of the adventures of Ciad, son of the King of Norway; of “The Bee, the Harp, the Mouse, and the Bum-Clock” (beetle), who together make everyone and everything dance with joy.
The author’s reputation as an Irish writer is well known and Donegal Fairy Stories is generally considered his best work. Frank Verbeck, one of L. Frank Baum’s favorite illustrators, has created 33 full-page drawings and dozens of decorations to enhance the magic of the tales. Parents, teachers, and anyone else who is asked to “read a story” will find them a delightful change from familiar fairy tales.