There's no clear-cut beginning or end between the conclusion of paganism and the beginning of Christianity in Ireland. The old gods lingered, but the Celtic Church was established, thanks to St. Patrick, by the fifth century in Ireland. Stirring Irish tales of demons and banshees, restless dead, and magical beasts were written down by Christian scribes centuries later. Christianity did not lead to happiness on this island, however. Its history has been dominated by its striving for independence from Great Britain. Its beautiful, but bleak, landscape of ruined castles, devastated abbeys, prehistoric stone circles, and foggy bogs contain many vengeful ghosts. Follow the ambitious Irish chiefs and the English kings, the family feuds, and the constant troubles with the English in over 30 spine-tingling tales. Reflect on the rich blend of Celtic myths and legends, and the worlds of fairies and leprechauns. When you read these stories, you will soon appreciate why the Irish have such a belief in the forces of the unknown. AUTHOR: E. Ashley Rooney has written many books about ghosts, legends, and lore of places around the world, including: Haunted London, English Ghosts, Legends, and Lore and Scotland: Ghosts, Legends, and Lore. Ciaran McHugh is a landscape photographer from Sligo in the northwest of Ireland. He has written many of the captions that accompany the images.
