Category: Joseph Jacobs

by Joseph Jacobs

A woman was sitting at her reel one night; And still she sat, and still she reeled, and still she wished for company.

In came a pair of broad broad soles, and sat down at the fireside;… Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

Once upon a time, a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through the bars, and rolled and bit with rage and grief when he failed.

By chance a poor Brahman … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

This fairy tale is about a young man whose father asked his cousin King Arthur for the hand of a young maiden for his son, Kilhuch. Yes, the “wooing” involves Olwen, and the Eagle of Gwern Abwy. … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

This fairy tale is about a King who, rather than seek revenge for his son’s death, asks for the brown horse of the king of Lochlann so Conall can retrieve the souls of his sons. It is … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

King Hugh Cúrucha lived in Tir Conal, and he had three daughters, whose names were Fair, Brown, and Trembling.

Fair and Brown had new dresses, and went to church every Sunday. Trembling was kept at home to … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

This fairy tale is about a giant’s daughter who bids the birds to watch her Father’s byre (bit of a tough-twister, it is). It is featured in a collection of favorite children’s stories from the Emerald Isle … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

Now at that time the water used to run short at the dry season in a certain pond, not over large, in which there were a good many fish. And a crane thought on seeing the fish:… Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

This fairy tale is about a poor fisherman who promises a sea-maiden his first son after twenty years in exchange for plenty of fish. There’s a wild giant with a sword and a three-headed beast involved. It … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

A sprightly tailor was employed by the great Macdonald, in his castle at Saddell, in order to make the laird a pair of trews, used in olden time. And trews being the vest and breeches united in … Read the rest

by Joseph Jacobs

This fairy tale is about the fairest creature that ever was born in Erin. “Only the birds of the air calling one to the other– there is no home for them here.” It is featured in a … Read the rest