catherine cox

It is a special experience when you stand upon the Ha'Penny Bridge in Dublin. The waters of the Liffey River have the power to calm your soul, especially during the dusk. That beautiful moment when the sky turns purple, the lights of the streets, the shops, the houses start flickering, and the fellowship tries to decide which pub will accomodate us for the evening. I found myself there a few years ago, standing upon the bridge, breathing the history, this Dublin atmosphere that is very special to me for several reasons. However, even as an objective overlooker, you cannot help but get carried away by Dublin and by the Dubliners' personality and hospitality. This collection of folk tales is equally unique.

Brendan Nolan has created something special. No, it is not the ONLY collection of folk tales for this outstanding city, but it is written in such a way that wins you over immediately. There are stories about weird-looking women and famous bandits. About the ruscals that used to retrieve dead bodies from cemeteries and wondrous relics. There are supernatural stories of ghostly bishops, haunted fields, spirits that demand from the living to keep their promise. There are banshees (naturally!) and black animals of woe. The national figure of Molly Malone will pay us a visit. Even the late Pope John Paul II finds his way in these pages, in a hilarious anecdote. And all these stories are told in such an immediate way that you feel as if you're sitting in a cozy-lit pub, listening to a gifted Irish story-teller. In this collection, we don't have old fables exclusively, but also anecdotal stories from the 40s and the 70s.

So, an excellent read and a great continuation to the series of Folk Tales from Britain and Ireland. Here's to you, Dublin. Thank you for the memories. I can't wait to see you again soon...… (mer)