Anyone familiar with Celtic fairy lore?

Question

Specifically, I'd like some info on the Sidhe of Scotland and Ireland, descendants of the Tuatha de Danann. Just some nice, basic folk lore that I might not have heard yet.

Answer 1

ooh tuatha is a witch from charmed : D

Answer 2

NO I GOT NOTHING --

Answer 3

From what I understand the Tuatha de Danaan were Greeks.  Read Robert Graves, The Mother Goddess, it is a book on everything you ever wanted to know about.....There is a Sidhe in Scotland that has remained sealed the locals will not allow the archaeologists to excavate, out of respect for the Queen of the Sidhe!  

Answer 4

I found some great folklore on this site, I hope you enjoy it.  I have loved the stories and beings involved with the Fey since I was a child.

http://www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mythology...

Answer 5

I have always been interested in fairy lore (especially Celtic fairy lore!), and have read pretty much everything on that subject.

Here's an account from a Mrs. Stewart, the wife of a minister in Edinburgh whose father once saw the fairies as a small boy on the Isle of Skye:

"He and his sister had been left with their grandmother for the day while their mother went to nurse a sick neighbour. Another little boy was keeping them company. Time went on and the children grew tired and perhaps a little troublesome to the old lady when a friend came in whom they all liked and who was known to have the "sight". She saw how things were and said: 'Come with me and I'll show you something you'll like to see.' She had them hold hands in a chain and led them within view of a hillside. On the hillside, a fire was burning and a circle of "the good people" were dancing round it. They stood watching for a time, then were led back home with a great tale to tell their mother. In the morning they looked for the place where the fire had been, but there was no trace of it."

Many years later, her aunt came back from Canada and confirmed her father's tale, and later still, she actually met the old man (who was the third child there) and he remembered it as if it had been yesterday.

Here are a few classic books that will help to start you off in the right direction:

• An Encyclopedia of Fairies by Katharine Briggs

• The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries by W. Y. Evans-Wentz

• Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland by Lady Augusta Gregory

Answer 6

There was an old guy out in the wilds of Ireland's Mullet Penninsular when my Uncle was young, who supposedly used to entertain a strange visitor for tea and a chat. The Visitor was always polite but would never give his name. He dressed in a long oilskin with the hood up and only his deep blue green eyes could be seen beneath it, they seemed to draw you in like you were drowning, and there was a strange scent about him like a faint hint of the sea. One day as the visitor stood up to leave the man caught a glimpse of his hand. The skin was shimering and translucent and the bones of the hand were clearly visible within. Between the bones and around them were wrapped long strands of seaweed. The old fella was shocked, and demanded to know who was this creature in his house. The Vistor said his name was "MacTonn" then he left. The Old man realised his vistor had been Mannai of the Aes Muir.

Answer 7

You might like this site. It's vaguely in that vein. No fairies though.