Tales of the Elders of Ireland

By Anonymous

Book Overview

Tales of the Elders of Ireland is the first complete translation of the late Middle-Irish Acallam na Sen rach, the largest literary text surviving from twelfth-century Ireland. It contains the earliest and most comprehensive collection of Fenian stories and poetry, intermingling the contemporary Christian world of Saint Patrick with his scribes; clerics; occasional angels and souls rescued from Hell; the earlier pagan world of the ancient, giant Fenians and Irish kings; and the parallel, timeless Otherworld (peopled by ever-young, shape-shifting fairies). This readable, lucid new translation is based on existing manuscript sources and is richly annotated, complete with an Introduction discussing the place of the Acallam in Irish tradition and the impact of the Fenian or Ossianic tradition on English and European literature.

About the Series: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0199549850
• ISBN13: 9780199549856
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.0" x 7.6"

Customer Reviews

A good reference

This is a translation of 12th century Irish manuscripts, Acallam na Senorach. I purchased it while looking for Acallam Bec, a variant of the same story (although I am beginning to doubt it exists in English). I recommend Tales of the Elders for scholars or serious celtophiles. I found the footnotes and references very helpful. It is a translation, not a dramatization, so if you are looking for entertainment this is probably not what you want.

excellent for research and enjoyment

great little book filled with wonderful stories, a must read for any one studying Celtic folklore or history.