Padraic O'Farrell Livres

A pocket-sized collection of the wit and wisdom found in Ireland's traditional proverbs and sayings.

Do you know why it is considered unlucky to meet a barefooted man? Start a journey on the tenth of November? Get married on a Saturday? Irish country people believed that fairies were always present among them and that around the next corner or in the very next clump of thistles there might well be somebody lurking who would lead them to the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow. Fairies were good to mortals who observed the superstitions, e.g. those which called for leaving them food, not throwing out water without first shouting a warning on them, and so on. Irish Superstitions is a quirky reflection of the Irish customs. Going to work, to sea, to weddings, wakes - at all of these there are fascinating customs to be observed.

The Irish had blessings, toasts and curses for every occasion, this collection reproduces them all in their charming glory.