Steve Lally – författare

In the four provinces of Ireland there are thirty-two counties. Each county and its people have their own traditions, beliefs and folklore – and each one is also inhabited by the Sidhe: an ancient and magical race. Some believe they are descended from fallen angels, whilst others say they are the progeny of Celtic deities. They go by many names: the good folk, the wee folk, the gentle people and the fey, but are most commonly known as ‘the fairies’.These are not the whimsical fairies of Victorian and Edwardian picture books. They are feared and revered in equal measure, and even in the twenty-first century are spoken of in hushed tones.The fairies are always listening.Storyteller Steve Lally and his wife singer-songwriter Paula Flynn Lally have compiled this magnificent collection of magical fairy stories from every county in Ireland. Filled with unique illustrations that bring these tales to life, Irish Gothic Fairy Stories will both enthral and terrify readers for generations to come.

Welcome to County Monaghan, a place full of ancient secrets, uncanny stories and unforgettable characters. Visit the majestic Castle Leslie with its haunted rooms and fairy folk, hear the piercing cry of the lonesome banshee at Rossmore Castle. Stop off to share a tune with the Bragan Ghost before joining the diabolical Skelton at his eerie inn. And don’t forget to avoid the gaze of the Graveyard Bride as you pass through Errigal Truagh Cemetery. Join author and professional storyteller Steve Lally as he brings together stories from one of Ireland’s most magical places. Accompanied by original, often haunting illustrations, these enchanting folk tales are sure to be enjoyed and shared time and again.

County Down, where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, has a rich heritage of myths and legends which is uniquely captured in this collection of tales by local storyteller Steve Lally. Discover the trails were the outlaw Redmond O’Halon was said to once roam, the road where you might come across the Ghost Girl of Ballymullan, and the cliffs from which a young girl called Maggie once made a desperate and death-defying leap. Along with the tales of the changeling of Glascar, the Giant of Lisburn and the visit old Auld Nick once paid to an old woman in Downpatrick. These stores, illustrated with twenty-five line drawings, bring alive the counties dramatic landscape and is sure to appeal to both residents and tourists alike.