A Dictionary of Irish Mythology (Oxford Quick Reference) - Softcover

Ellis, Peter Berresford

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0192828711 ISBN 13: 9780192828712

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1992

Synopsis

Ireland boasts one of the Europe's oldest and most vibrant mythologies, a tradition as powerful and compelling as that of ancient Greece. This dictionary, the latest addition to the Oxford Reference series, offers hundreds of fascinating entries covering everything from legendary beings, events, and places to topics and concepts of historical importance. They range from brief definitions of words such as "Fé" (an aspen rod used for measuring corpses and graves) to multi-page explanations of terms like "Druid" and "Celt."
Between the covers of this book we meet some of the most celebrated of Irish heroes and heroines, such as Fionn Mac Cumhail (Finn MacCool in English) and the beautiful and tragic Deirdre of the Sorrows. We visit Fec's Pool (where dwelt the Salmon of Knowledge), witness the Battle of Tailltinn, feel the awesome power of the ocean-god Lir, and find ourselves lost in a wonderful world of fairies, dragons, magical weapons, and mystical charms. We learn too about the Fenian Cycl (a group of tales that achieved great popularity in the Middle Ages), the practice of ancient Irish medicine, and the poets thought to have composed many of the surviving myths (such as Neide, a bard whose poetry was reputedly revealed to him by talking waves at the seaside).
A Dictionary of Irish Mythology also includes an invaluable introduction that places the subject in historical context, tracing the influence of Irish mythology through the ages. From the attempts of early Christians to make it conform to New Testament tenets, through the revival of interest among the Romantics of the early 19th century, to the poems of W.B. Yeats a century later and the fantasy literature still popular today ("Conan the Barbarian" is a direct descendant of the Irish tradition), Ellis reveals Irish mythology in all of its rich and varied manifestations.
With its lively and absorbing entries, its easy accessibility, and its abundant cross-referencing, this guide offers readers an immediate reference to the many aspects of Irish mythology that make it as as enjoyable and exciting today as it was in the Irish Dark Ages.

About this title

About the Author:

About the Author:
Peter Berresford Ellis, an historian and novelist, is the author of several books on Celtic history and culture, including The Cornish Language and its Literature (1974) and Celtic Inheritance (1985).

Review:

"A who's who and what's what of irish legends and myths....The writing is entertaining and informative....The contents of this book suggest a thorough mastery of the subject."--Preview

"The entries are concise and knowledgeable....No other reference work seems to attempt to do what Ellis' does: present to the lay English reader a window to one of Europe's oldest mythologies in a dictionary format....A useful companion."--Reference Quarterly

"Readable and informative....Ellis has done his work well....A good ancillary to Irish and Celtic studies."--Choice

"A well-researched and readable dictionary."--The Book Report

"Succinctly identifies the role and exploits of each character as well as his or her relationship to others in Celtic cosmology....Dispels the mystery enshrouding the little-known heroes of Irish mythology....A fine complement to the many dictionaries of classical mythology."--Wilson Library Bulletin

"[Offers an] extensive and valuable introduction....His annotations are valuable contributions to the study of Ireland's epic sagas."--American Bookman

"Excellent reference for course in Celtic myth."--Jan Anderson, Clackamas Community College

"This is an excellent ancillary text for Celtic studies. It helps make sense out of the seeming chaos of unfamiliar material."--Jan Anderson, Clackamas Community College

About this edition

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1992
• ISBN 10: 0192828711
• ISBN 13: 9780192828712
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240