Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland by Lady Jane Wilde

(Two Volume Set) Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms and Superstitions of Ireland by Lady Jane Wilde, published in 1887. A landmark collection of Irish folklore by Lady Wilde (“Speranza”), preserving the mythic traditions, supernatural beliefs, and oral narratives of Ireland as they survived in the countryside during the nineteenth century. Drawing upon stories gathered directly from rural storytellers, the work explores a remarkable range of Celtic folk belief, including the Evil Eye, fairy music and fairy dances, the Fairy Race, fairy vengeance, the Horned Woman, leprechauns, changelings, love charms, prophetic omens, the Banshee, Queen Maeve, fairy raths, and the enduring belief in the Sídhe as the hidden inhabitants of the ancient landscape. Lady Wilde further examines seasonal festivals and ritual customs—including Midsummer celebrations, the Baal fires, wakes, funerary traditions, and survivals of pre-Christian religious observance—revealing the complex interplay between Celtic mythology, Christian belief, and popular superstition. Richly preserving traditions of enchantment, second sight, witchcraft, charms, and the Otherworld, the work remains one of the most important nineteenth-century sources for the study of Irish folklore and Celtic mythic tradition. Both volumes hardcover with gilt lettering and light shelfwear. Newer floral endsheet and very light foxing.