Observed over the past 1,000 years, St. Patrick’s Day has surpassed its origins as the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint to become a celebration of the Emerald Isle itself. And the festivities aren’t isolated to Ireland — far from it! St. Patrick’s Day hoopla can be found throughout the world from North America to Singapore. Whether you’re celebrating today by donning the color green, decorating with images of shamrocks or blasting Celtic music, it’s clear that the day has worked its way into society at large.
This St. Patrick’s Day, however, we’re taking things back to the source. Ireland is known as a place for storytelling, stemming all the way back to the compelling tales of Irish mythology. These legends have provided abundant inspiration for many authors and pieces of these tales can be found in countless novels. Today, we’re exploring seven unique worlds of fantasy influenced by Irish myth that capture the island’s extraordinary magic.
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The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)
“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.”
With this haunting first line, renowned author Maggie Stiefvater lures readers into the violent and beautiful world of Thisby, a small island on the Irish coast. Every November the island hosts a legendary horse race that brings thousands of tourists flocking to catch a glimpse. But this race is no Kentucky Derby — rather than riding thoroughbreds, the jockeys of Thisby ride water horses.
Based on the Irish legends of the each-uisce (better known by their Scottish name of the kelpie), these ethereal creatures emerge from the ocean every year to charge through the race with supernatural speed. But in their power lies a danger — these beasts may turn on their riders at a moment’s notice and devolve into a frenzy of bloodlust. It takes a skilled hand to ride the water horses, but even then, survival is far from certain.
This is the predicament our two main characters find themselves in: Sean, the returning champion looking to triumph once again, and Puck, a novice rider and the first girl to ever participate in the race. With atmospheric prose and heart-pounding tension, Stiefvater’s writing is just as otherworldly as the story she crafts.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
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A Far Wilder Magic
by Allison Saft (Wednesday Books)
In the small town of Wickdon, dark academia and magic collide as a common goal brings two unlikely souls together. Whenever the legendary hala — the world’s last known mythical creature — is spotted, the Halfmoon Hunt will surely follow. Margaret Welty and Weston Winters are two social outcasts of Wickdon, desperate to claim the event’s prize. Despite an unpleasant first meeting, the two begrudgingly agree to register as a team for the Halfmoon Hunt in the hopes of succeeding against all odds.
The tournament bears a striking resemblance to The Wild Hunt, a staple feature of mythology that stretches across Northwest Europe from Germany to Ireland. The supernatural hunt endangers the lives of any humans who witness it — similar to the hala, whose mere presence invokes great danger for any hunter caught in its vicinity. But between Maggie’s skills as a sharpshooter and Wes’s alchemy, the two hope to have a shot at winning the prize and gaining acceptance.
Author Allison Saft crafts spellbinding imagery and a compelling romance while also discussing difficult topics like religious persecution and complicated family dynamics. Altogether, A Far Wilder Magic is a multifaceted and captivating read with a magic all its own.
Read our full review of A Far Wilder Magic here.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
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Fionn: Defence of Ráth Bládhma
by Brian O’Sullivan (Irish Imbas Books)
Fionn mac Cumhaill — also known as Finn McCool to us English-speakers — is a truly legendary character in Irish mythology. His tales of heroism are so beloved that The Fenian Cycle, one of the key groupings of ancient Irish legends, is dedicated solely to him and his loyal warriors. This stockpile of stories provides rich inspiration for Brian O’Sullivan’s historical fantasy novel. His reimagining of the ancient legend, however, starts before Fionn’s rise to greatness. In 192 A.D., the Emerald Isle is awash with bloodshed as neighboring clans battle over territory and raiders strike innocent villages.
One tucked-away village, Ráth Bládhma, has managed to avoid the worst of the fighting. It’s in no small part to Bodhmhall, the druid and leader of the community, as well as her lover, the woman warrior Liath Luachra. But the two can only protect the town from the inevitable for so long — and when an unexpected figure comes seeking shelter, the women have no idea that they are harboring one of Ireland’s most formidable and dangerous fighters.
Through his tireless dedication to depicting the plights of the ancient Irish, Brian O’Sullivan has created an authentic look into the lives of the ancient Celts — with an added touch of magic, of course. The result is a vivid look into Iron Age Ireland and the people who withstood adversity against all odds.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
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Sweet Black Waves
by Kristina Pérez (Square Fish Books)
Long before Romeo and Juliet, there was another tragic love story that ancient people loved to lament over. The story of Tristan and Eseult features two star-crossed lovers from warring kingdoms: Tristan, nephew of the King of Cornwall, and Eseult, an Irish princess. The two fall in love at first sight, but there’s a catch. Eseult is sailing from Ireland to take part in a political marriage between Ireland and Cornwall, yes, but it’s Tristan’s uncle to whom she is betrothed.
This soap-opera level of drama has kept audiences hooked for centuries, and now Kristina Pérez has added an additional twist in her novel Sweet Black Waves. Sailing along with Eseult is her lady-in-waiting Branwen, who has come to Cornwall only out of loyalty for her best friend. She’ll never forgive the Cornish raiders who murdered her family, and her hatred extends to all those who call the land home. But when Branwen and Tristan meet as strangers, unaware of the complicated history between them, sparks immediately start flying. Now Branwen is stuck with an impossible question — will she remain loyal to her princess and her nation, or her heart? This historical fantasy combines magic, myth and romance in a high stakes struggle for peace.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
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To the Waters and the Wild
by S.C. McGrath (Seanachie Press)
Jean M. Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear merges with Irish mythology in this immersive historical fantasy. The narrative begins in 1st century Eire (the Gaeilge word for Ireland), where men hone their battlefield skills and women tend to the village homes. Amidst this uncompromising dichotomy is Keelin, a gifted young woman who refuses to be put in a box. She practices sword fighting with her childhood friend, learns healing and horsemanship and takes on the responsibilities of a priestess of the Dagda.
The Dagda isn’t solely bound to the world of To the Waters and the Wild — he is also an integral figure in real-life Irish mythology. A beloved patriarch, he appears in countless legends and is looked to as a benevolent protector of the Irish people. S.C. McGrath adopts these tales into her own novel, stressing how important the priestesses of the Dagda were for the community’s peace of mind during difficult times. And those difficult times are looming — as tensions from overseas threaten to crash upon the shores of Eire, Keelin must help unite her people against the danger and do everything in her power to save her country… all while challenging the oppressive rules that very society has put in place.
Check out our full review of To the Waters and the Wild here.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
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Savage Her Reply
by Deirdre Sullivan (Little Island)
Winner of the 2020 Irish Book Awards, Savage Her Reply is a powerful examination of one of Irish mythology’s most infamous figures. In the old tale of The Children of Lir, a witch named Aife marries King Lir, who already has four children from his previous marriage. Resentful of the attention that the children receive, Aife transforms them into undying swans so that they may never reunite with their father. The children stay in this cursed form for 900 years until the spell is finally broken.
With such dark origins, you may think it impossible to craft a sympathetic retelling. But Deirdre Sullivan does exactly that; through the lens of her storytelling Aife becomes a nuanced character, a woman in a world too small to hold her potential. Though we may not be able to excuse her actions throughout the story, with Sullivan’s help, we can understand them. The novel has been compared to Madeline Miller’s Circe, and readers of both will be quick to see why. With chilling severity and searing prose, Savage Her Reply will linger in the minds of readers long after the last page.
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The Harp of Kings
by Juliet Marillier (Ace Books)
Juliet Marillier is an Irish legend in her own right. The author to the beloved Sevenwaters novels is now back with a new trilogy, the aptly named Warrior Bards series. In the opening book we meet Liobhan, an expert bard able to dominate foes using her voice and whistle. But Liobhan has further ambitions — rather than just continuing to play music, she desperately wants to train amongst the elite warriors of Swan Island and become a warrior bard. As she fights for a spot amongst the ranks, she’s chosen for a top-secret mission for the crown. The legendary harp of kings is missing, and if it’s not played at the upcoming coronation the ceremony will be illegitimate. It’s of the utmost importance that Liobhan locate the harp and return it to its rightful place at court — otherwise the country will surely dissolve into civil unrest.
We’ve already met the Dagda, but what do you know about the Irish god’s legendary harp? One of his many magical possessions, the Uaithne is an enchanted harp that plays stirring music, bringing crowds to tears or joyful laughter with a single note. It could also inspire troops in battle, making it an integral weapon of war — and a constant target for theft by the Dagda’s enemies. Using this ancient legend, Marillier weaves an intricate story of magic, political intrigue and one warrior’s ambition to leave her mark on the world.
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Bookshop
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater (Scholastic)
“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.”
With this haunting first line, renowned author Maggie Stiefvater lures readers into the violent and beautiful world of Thisby, a small island on the Irish coast. Every November the island hosts a legendary horse race that brings thousands of tourists flocking to catch a glimpse. But this race is no Kentucky Derby — rather than riding thoroughbreds, the jockeys of Thisby ride water horses.
Based on the Irish legends of the each-uisce (better known by their Scottish name of the kelpie), these ethereal creatures emerge from the ocean every year to charge through the race with supernatural speed. But in their power lies a danger — these beasts may turn on their riders at a moment’s notice and devolve into a frenzy of bloodlust. It takes a skilled hand to ride the water horses, but even then, survival is far from certain.
This is the predicament our two main characters find themselves in: Sean, the returning champion looking to triumph once again, and Puck, a novice rider and the first girl to ever participate in the race. With atmospheric prose and heart-pounding tension, Stiefvater’s writing is just as otherworldly as the story she crafts.
Fionn: Defence of Ráth Bládhma by Brian O’Sullivan
To the Waters and the Wild by S.C. McGrath
A Far Wilder Magic
by Allison Saft (Wednesday Books)
In the small town of Wickdon, dark academia and magic collide as a common goal brings two unlikely souls together. Whenever the legendary hala — the world’s last known mythical creature — is spotted, the Halfmoon Hunt will surely follow. Margaret Welty and Weston Winters are two social outcasts of Wickdon, desperate to claim the event’s prize. Despite an unpleasant first meeting, the two begrudgingly agree to register as a team for the Halfmoon Hunt in the hopes of succeeding against all odds.
The tournament bears a striking resemblance to The Wild Hunt, a staple feature of mythology that stretches across Northwest Europe from Germany to Ireland. The supernatural hunt endangers the lives of any humans who witness it — similar to the hala, whose mere presence invokes great danger for any hunter caught in its vicinity. But between Maggie’s skills as a sharpshooter and Wes’s alchemy, the two hope to have a shot at winning the prize and gaining acceptance.
Author Allison Saft crafts spellbinding imagery and a compelling romance while also discussing difficult topics like religious persecution and complicated family dynamics. Altogether, A Far Wilder Magic is a multifaceted and captivating read with a magic all its own.
Read our full review of A Far Wilder Magic here.
Savage Her Reply by Deirdre Sullivan
Fionn: Defence of Ráth Bládhma
by Brian O’Sullivan (Irish Imbas Books)
Fionn mac Cumhaill — also known as Finn McCool to us English-speakers — is a truly legendary character in Irish mythology. His tales of heroism are so beloved that The Fenian Cycle, one of the key groupings of ancient Irish legends, is dedicated solely to him and his loyal warriors. This stockpile of stories provides rich inspiration for Brian O’Sullivan’s historical fantasy novel. His reimagining of the ancient legend, however, starts before Fionn’s rise to greatness. In 192 A.D., the Emerald Isle is awash with bloodshed as neighboring clans battle over territory and raiders strike innocent villages.
One tucked-away village, Ráth Bládhma, has managed to avoid the worst of the fighting. It’s in no small part to Bodhmhall, the druid and leader of the community, as well as her lover, the woman warrior Liath Luachra. But the two can only protect the town from the inevitable for so long — and when an unexpected figure comes seeking shelter, the women have no idea that they are harboring one of Ireland’s most formidable and dangerous fighters.
Through his tireless dedication to depicting the plights of the ancient Irish, Brian O’Sullivan has created an authentic look into the lives of the ancient Celts — with an added touch of magic, of course. The result is a vivid look into Iron Age Ireland and the people who withstood adversity against all odds.
The Harp of Kings by Juliet Marillier
Sweet Black Waves
by Kristina Pérez (Square Fish Books)
Long before Romeo and Juliet, there was another tragic love story that ancient people loved to lament over. The story of Tristan and Eseult features two star-crossed lovers from warring kingdoms: Tristan, nephew of the King of Cornwall, and Eseult, an Irish princess. The two fall in love at first sight, but there’s a catch. Eseult is sailing from Ireland to take part in a political marriage between Ireland and Cornwall, yes, but it’s Tristan’s uncle to whom she is betrothed.
This soap-opera level of drama has kept audiences hooked for centuries, and now Kristina Pérez has added an additional twist in her novel Sweet Black Waves. Sailing along with Eseult is her lady-in-waiting Branwen, who has come to Cornwall only out of loyalty for her best friend. She’ll never forgive the Cornish raiders who murdered her family, and her hatred extends to all those who call the land home. But when Branwen and Tristan meet as strangers, unaware of the complicated history between them, sparks immediately start flying. Now Branwen is stuck with an impossible question — will she remain loyal to her princess and her nation, or her heart? This historical fantasy combines magic, myth and romance in a high stakes struggle for peace.
To the Waters and the Wild
by S.C. McGrath (Seanachie Press)
Jean M. Auel’s Clan of the Cave Bear merges with Irish mythology in this immersive historical fantasy. The narrative begins in 1st century Eire (the Gaeilge word for Ireland), where men hone their battlefield skills and women tend to the village homes. Amidst this uncompromising dichotomy is Keelin, a gifted young woman who refuses to be put in a box. She practices sword fighting with her childhood friend, learns healing and horsemanship and takes on the responsibilities of a priestess of the Dagda.
The Dagda isn’t solely bound to the world of To the Waters and the Wild — he is also an integral figure in real-life Irish mythology. A beloved patriarch, he appears in countless legends and is looked to as a benevolent protector of the Irish people. S.C. McGrath adopts these tales into her own novel, stressing how important the priestesses of the Dagda were for the community’s peace of mind during difficult times. And those difficult times are looming — as tensions from overseas threaten to crash upon the shores of Eire, Keelin must help unite her people against the danger and do everything in her power to save her country… all while challenging the oppressive rules that very society has put in place.
Savage Her Reply
by Deirdre Sullivan (Little Island)
Winner of the 2020 Irish Book Awards, Savage Her Reply is a powerful examination of one of Irish mythology’s most infamous figures. In the old tale of The Children of Lir, a witch named Aife marries King Lir, who already has four children from his previous marriage. Resentful of the attention that the children receive, Aife transforms them into undying swans so that they may never reunite with their father. The children stay in this cursed form for 900 years until the spell is finally broken.
With such dark origins, you may think it impossible to craft a sympathetic retelling. But Deirdre Sullivan does exactly that; through the lens of her storytelling Aife becomes a nuanced character, a woman in a world too small to hold her potential. Though we may not be able to excuse her actions throughout the story, with Sullivan’s help, we can understand them. The novel has been compared to Madeline Miller’s Circe, and readers of both will be quick to see why. With chilling severity and searing prose, Savage Her Reply will linger in the minds of readers long after the last page.
The Harp of Kings
by Juliet Marillier (Ace Books)
Juliet Marillier is an Irish legend in her own right. The author to the beloved Sevenwaters novels is now back with a new trilogy, the aptly named Warrior Bards series. In the opening book we meet Liobhan, an expert bard able to dominate foes using her voice and whistle. But Liobhan has further ambitions — rather than just continuing to play music, she desperately wants to train amongst the elite warriors of Swan Island and become a warrior bard. As she fights for a spot amongst the ranks, she’s chosen for a top-secret mission for the crown. The legendary harp of kings is missing, and if it’s not played at the upcoming coronation the ceremony will be illegitimate. It’s of the utmost importance that Liobhan locate the harp and return it to its rightful place at court — otherwise the country will surely dissolve into civil unrest.
We’ve already met the Dagda, but what do you know about the Irish god’s legendary harp? One of his many magical possessions, the Uaithne is an enchanted harp that plays stirring music, bringing crowds to tears or joyful laughter with a single note. It could also inspire troops in battle, making it an integral weapon of war — and a constant target for theft by the Dagda’s enemies. Using this ancient legend, Marillier weaves an intricate story of magic, political intrigue and one warrior’s ambition to leave her mark on the world.
