Book cover of Irish Fairy Tales

Book description

James Stephens' collection of Irish Fairy Tales is presented in this beautiful volume alongside gorgeous illustrations by Arthur Rackham.

James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet, and his retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales combine humour and lyricism, making them light and fun reads. This edition of Irish…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Irish Fairy Tales as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

There are more accurate translations and better selections, but I love this collection for two reasons. First, Stephens was a Dublin-born, Irish-speaking novelist, poet, and eyewitness to the Easter Rising of 1916. His stories of ancient heroes and Otherworldly folk salute a proudly Celtic past. Stephens was part of the nationalist literary revival that harnessed Irish myths to an independent future. A friend to politicians and intellectuals, he claimed (untruthfully) to have the same birthday as his friend James Joyce. Stephens cleaned up the old stories for tender ears, but his early 20th-century language casts an antiquarian sheen on his…

From Lisa's list on lead to the otherworld.

If you love Irish Fairy Tales...

Ad

Book cover of Those That Wake

Those That Wake by Jesse Karp,

Mal's older brother has disappeared into thin air. Laura's parents went away for the weekend and when she gives them a call, they have no idea who she is. In pursuit of answers, the teens become entangled with two others similarly targeted by a force they don't understand and now,…

Want books like Irish Fairy Tales?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 89 books like Irish Fairy Tales.

Browse books like Irish Fairy Tales

Book cover of Tales of the Elders of Ireland
Book cover of The Celtic Twilight
Book cover of The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,277

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Irish Fairy Tales, you might also like...

Book cover of Zara the Zebu

Zara the Zebu by Adelaide Bauman,

Zeni lives in the Flint Hills of Southeast Kansas. This tale begins with her dream of befriending a miniature zebu calf coming true and follows Zeni as she works to befriend Zara. Enjoy full-color illustrations and a story filled with whimsy and plenty of opportunity for discussions around the perspectives…

Book cover of From Cells to Ourselves: The Story of Evolution

From Cells to Ourselves by Gill Arbuthnott,

4.5 billion years ago, Earth was forming - but nothing could have survived there…

From Cells to Ourselves is the incredible story of how life on earth started and how it gradually evolved from the first simple cells to the abundance of life around us today. Walk with dinosaurs, analyse…

5 book lists we think you will like!