The Crock of Gold is a fairy tale, which, like a winding Irish country road, wanders through a charming landscape of creatures little and large, mysterious and plain, mortal and immortal; each with his, her or its own opinion on which way the world spins and to what end.

The lore of ancient Ireland comes to life in this collection of classic folk tales retold for modern readers written by James Stephens and published in 1920.

Irish Fairy Tales is a retelling of ten Irish folktales by the Irish author James Stephens. The English illustrator Arthur Rackham provided interior artwork, including numerous black and white illustrations and sixteen color plates. The stories are set in a wooded, Medieval Ireland filled with larger-than-life hunters, warriors, kings, and fairies. Many stories concern the Fianna and their captain, Fionn mac Uail, from the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology.

"Finnian, the Abbott of Moville, went southwards and eastwards in great haste. News had come to him in Donegal that there were yet people in his own province who believed in gods that he did not approve of, and the gods that we do not approve of are treated scurvily, even by saintly men. He was told of a powerful gentleman who observed neither Saint's day nor Sunday. "A powerful person!" said Finnian. "All that," was the reply. "We shall try this person's power," said Finnian. "He is reput...

"The Demi-gods" is a novel set in a fantastical version of ancient Ireland. The story revolves around a group of demi-gods, mythical beings who are part human and part divine. These characters navigate a world filled with magic, adventure, and intrigue.The novel is celebrated for its rich, lyrical prose and its blending of myth and reality. Stephens weaves a narrative that combines elements of Irish folklore with his own creative twists, resulting in a unique and captivating story. The dem...

Sixteen-year-old Mary Makebelieve shares a small room with her mother, a charwoman, in the tenements of early twentieth-century Dublin. While Mrs. Makebelieve is at work cleaning the houses of the wealthy, Mary wanders around the city and its parks absorbed in daydreams. Her encounter with a policeman who appears to signal romantic interest in her is the beginning of Mary's coming-of-age story, which combines elements of folk- or fairytale with a complex vision of human psychology and the ...

The bookshelves of European literature are incredible collections that have gathered together centuries of very talented authors. From this continent their fame spread and whilst among their number many are now forgotten or neglected their talents endure. Among them is James Stephens.

"Here Are Ladies" is a one-act play that explores themes of love, relationships, and human interaction. The title suggests that the play revolves around the presence and portrayal of women, and it may involve interactions between male and female characters in various social situations.As with much of James Stephens' work, "Here Are Ladies" likely contains elements of wit, humor, and insightful observation of human behavior. The play may offer commentary on societal norms, gender roles, and...

Set amid early-twentieth-century Dublin's tenements, The Charwoman's Daughter follows Mary Makebelieve, a charwoman's child whose dutiful love for her mother and tentative romance awaken a fierce, imaginative resilience. Stephens blends fable and urban realism: the streets seem animate, yet the material pressures of hunger, work, and respectability remain palpable. Situated between the Celtic Twilight and the emerging documentary impulse of Dubliners, the novel's musical sentences, gentle ...

This collection of short stories, retold by Irish author James Stephens, focuses mainly on the adventures of legendary hunter-warrior Fionn mac Uail and his companions in the Fianna. The stories often feature the magical people of the Shí (fairies) and their interactions with the residents of medieval Ireland.Perfect for readers who love Celtic mythology and enchanting folklore, these timeless tales bring the magical world of ancient Ireland vividly to life. Stephens masterfully we...

The Crock of Gold (1912) is a rich blend of Irish mythology, philosophy, and fantasy. The novel follows several eccentric characters, including two philosophers and a goddess, as they navigate a world where magic and reality coexist. The story weaves together humorous and satirical elements, allegorical reflections on life and society, and whimsical Irish folklore.James Stephens (9 February 1880 – 26 December 1950) was an Irish novelist and poet.

Patsy Mac Cann spends his days wandering rural Ireland with his daughter Mary Mac Cann and their donkey. They set up camp for the night and are surprised by the appearance of three demi-gods. The demi-gods, strangers to humanity and in need of guidance, decide to follow the Mac Canns. The group begins their adventure on the winding Irish roads, encountering locals-each with their own story to tell.In The Demi-Gods James Stephens takes us on a journey of storytelling, weavi...