Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry (Warbler Classics Annotated Edition)

W. B. Yeats’s Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry is a seminal collection of Irish folklore first published in 1888. This anthology showcases Yeats’s deep fascination with Irish myths and legends, presenting a rich tapestry of stories that capture the essence of Ireland’s cultural heritage. The book is divided into various sections, including “The Trooping Fairies,” “The Solitary Fairies,” “Ghosts,” “Witches, Fairy Doctors,” and “The Devil,” offering readers a comprehensive exploration of the supernatural beings and mystical occurrences that populate Irish folklore. Yeats provides introductions and explanations for the different types of folklore presented. For instance, he offers detailed definitions of creatures like the banshee, along with authentic folktales that illustrate these traditions. The collection also features stories rendered in phonetic English, capturing the musicality and charm of the Irish language. Yeats’s introduction to the book argues that these tales are not just relics of the past but living traditions that continue to shape the Irish imagination. Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry stands as a testament to Yeats’s role as a leading proponent of Irish nationalism and cultural independence. This Warbler Classics Edition features an illuminating afterword that underscores the pivotal role of fairy lore in Gaelic literature and the rich storytelling heritage of Ireland.
William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) was a prominent Irish poet, dramatist, and writer who played a pivotal role in the Irish Literary Revival of the early twentieth century. Born in Dublin to an Anglo-Irish family, Yeats was drawn to Irish legends and folklore from an early age. His dedication to preserving and promoting Irish folklore earned him recognition as one of the foremost figures in twentieth-century literature, culminating in his receipt of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1923. Throughout his career, Yeats continued to draw inspiration from Irish mythology and folklore, incorporating these elements into his poetry and plays, which often explored themes of national identity, spirituality, and the supernatural.