Excerpt from Ireland Her Wit, Peculiarities, and Popular Superstitions: With Anecdotes, Legendary and Characteristic Popular Belief among the Peasantry to the Existence of Fairies, Fairy Legends, fairy-stricken People and Cattle; with Charms and Cures against such; Elf-darts, Crystals. Fairy Lore, Enchantment, Witchcraft, the Evil Eye, and Fairy Abduction. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Dáithí Ó hÓgáin, one of Ireland's leading folklorists, gives a lively and informative account of the widespread folk beliefs of Ireland in Irish Superstitions, this popular guide to Irish superstitions, old wives' tales and other spooky stuff from the Irish countryside. Irish Superstitions includes a list of good-luck charms, spells, soothsayings and other irrational but charming and creative folk beliefs. There are stories of leprechauns and sprites, ghosts, the evil eye and wise women's curses. There are also charms and spells to make crops grow, to keep cattle healthy, to ensure safe childbirth, and to fulfil many other longed-for desires. Most of the superstitions are of pagan origin; many were overlaid with popular Christian belief. Irish Superstitions: Table of Contents Foreword — The Mind Engaged - Man the Summation of All Things - The World Around Us - Ourselves and the Others - Rules and Practices of Life

Ireland's beautiful landscapes and rich histories have long moved great writers and poets to capture their glory. Ranging from timeless prose to lyrical poetry, from incisive wit to thoughtful social commentary, these stirring volumes collect the most inspiring praise for our beloved countries.