Exciting and dramatic, these stories embody the rich culture of the Celts. Written down in the eighth century, the tales had already existed for many hundreds of years. Historically, Celtic stories are generally divided into four groups, one being the Ulster Cycle, of which eight dramatic stories are retold here.

“Presents an insider’s account of the experiences of ten Britons who were prominently involved in the Northern Ireland ‘troubles’ between 1969 and 2000.” —Perspectives on Terrorism The Ulster Tales captures the lives and experiences of ten individuals who were caught up in the Troubles. Each has a very distinct story to tell according to their role and position. Arranged roughly in chronological order, the book covers the media, military, intelligence, police, business, politics, and civil service. The first “tale” is that of Simon Hoggart, the journalist who reported for the Guardian newspaper in Belfast and London from the start. The military angle is covered by the GOC at a critical moment (General Sir Richard Lawson), a Private in The Green Howards from Barnsley, and a widow. A member of MI5 and a key Source Handler represent the Intelligence effort. The politician is Tom King who was Secretary of State at the time of the Anglo-Irish Agreement and narrowly avoided assassination, and we hear of the role of a top civil servant, Sir John Blelloch. “The Policeman’s Tale” is that of a young Met officer who transferred to the RUC. The book is both a tribute to the many who dedicated their lives to the fight against terrorism and an original and interesting way of promoting a better understanding of the complex Northern Ireland situation. “Sheds new light on a long and bloody military campaign. Each is moving and revealing, in varying degree, but all are uniformly absorbing.” —The Times “Veterans of the conflict will probably find the varied perspectives of policemen, businessmen, and civil servants a stimulating contrast to their own experience.” —Terrorism and Political Violence

Randy Lee Eickhoff continues his translation of the Ulster Cycle, often referred to as the Red Branch Cycle, the large corpus of work that is primarily responsible for establishing the cultural identity of today's Ireland. In this collection of Ireland's famous myths, Eickhoff once again proves his mastery of translation and his ability to give these classic tales new life. Here he presents more than twenty stories that reveal ancient Irish culture as it's seldom been seen before. All of the characters of Irish myth receive new life and are presented in vibrant and unique ways. In addition, by providing introductions to the tales, Eickhoff gives insight into the legends that formed the identity of a people. In the pre-Christian era, when warriors fought from chariots, Druids provided the mystical answers to the universe, and men and women believed strongly in magic, these stories begin. Prepare to enter Randy Lee Eickhoff's Ireland. At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Where did the Red Hand, the famous symbol of Ulster, originate? It's the hand of Heremon, a chief so keen to be first to lay claim to the land that he cut his own hand off the threw it from a ship! Not all legends from Ulster are so gory, of course, and in this collection we meet The Great Brown Bull, The Horsemen of Aileach, Paiste, The Great Black Pig, Maeve MacQuillan, Fintán, Febor and Fia and, of course, Colmcille and the Book of Movilla. Evocatively illustrated by Conor Busuttil, this collection of myths from Ireland's northern province will enthrall readers young and old.

Uncover Ulster County's hidden history of unsavory characters and stories of its wicked past. Situated in the scenic Hudson Valley, Ulster County is a lovely location to make a home and raise a family, but it wasn't always so pleasant. Unsavory characters and immoral events have sullied its name. In the 1870s, the Shawangunk Mountains inspired fear rather than awe, as groups like the Lyman Freer and Shawangunk gangs robbed and terrorized locals, descending from the protection of the wooded peaks. Kingston was torched, arson blazed in Kerhonkson and even the Mohonk Mountain House was threatened by flames. In 1909, the Ashokan Slasher's bloody crimes and sensational trial captured headlines across the country. Discover these and other salacious stories buried in Ulster County's history.

Here are 125 magnificent folktales collected from anthologies and journals published from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. Beginning with tales of the ancient times and continuing through the arrival of the saints in Ireland in the fifth century, the periods of war and family, the Literary Revival championed by William Butler Yeats, and the contemporary era, these robust and funny, sorrowful and heroic stories of kings, ghosts, fairies, treasures, enchanted nature, and witchcraft are set in cities, villages, fields, and forests from the wild western coast to the modern streets of Dublin and Belfast. Edited by Henry Glassie With black-and-white illustrations throughout Part of the Pantheon Fairy Tale and Folklore Library

First written down in the eighth century AD, these early Irish stories depict a far older world - part myth, part legend and part history. Rich with magic and achingly beautiful, they speak of a land of heroic battles, intense love and warrior ideals, in which the otherworld is explored and men mingle freely with the gods. From the vivid adventures of the great Celtic hero Cu Chulaind, to the stunning 'Exile of the Sons of Uisliu' - a tale of treachery, honour and romance - these are masterpieces of passion and vitality, and form the foundation for the Irish literary tradition: a mythic legacy that was a powerful influence on the work of Yeats, Synge and Joyce.

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