Dingle Folk Tales By Luke Eastwood

This is the latest book from author Luke Eastwood, who has previously had success with titles such as “Kerry Folk Tales”, “The Journey” and “The Druid’s Primer”. “Dingle Folk Tales“ covers the pre-Christian era of magic and mythology right up to Fungie the dolphin, of modern times. This collection has been compiled over 2 years from local people, ancient books, the Duchas Schools’ Collection and also exclusive interviews with individuals directly involved in some of the stories - from all over the Dingle peninsula. Many of the stories, that were in an antiquated or difficult to read style have been completely rewritten in modern English, as well as a couple that have been translated from Gaeilge (Irish) the language spoken on the western half of the Dingle peninsula. The collection also includes a complete original translation of “The Battle Of Ventry” from 1885.

Dingle or Corca Dhuibhne, as the peninsula is called in the Irish language, is an extraordinary place. With just two roads in and out of the long, thin peninsula, that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. It is an isolated place that has a history, customs and stories all of its own. The whole peninsula is full of historical places, many reaching back into the neolithic past, before even the Celts arrived on these shores. This collection brings together history and tales from all across the Dingle area, from top to bottom, and ranging from the dim and distant past, right up to the current times. Dingle is a special place, with a strange, unique history and charm - as this book will reveal. This collection features illustration from Bob Ó Cathail and Elena Danaan.

Reviews...

...he has brought together history and tales from all across the Dingle area, from top to bottom, and ranging from the dim and distant past, right up to the current times. Over the course of the book, Luke sheds light on many a topic including a chapter on the last knights of Kerry and Rathinane Castle, the wren boys of Dingle, the Dunquin catastrophe and the Battle of Ventry, to name but a few. The Kerryman

Eastwood’s collection is both comprehensive and wide ranging, and are retellings of older tales and more recent ones. There are tales that read like history lessons, including one of feuding, rebellion and the end of a local dynasty in the time of Elizabeth I; what happened during the Potato Famine; a tale of a native Arctic and Antarctic explorer; a medieval brooch; and fascinating tale of intrigue daring by a local man to save Marie Antoinette and bring her to Dingle, which failed. The book ends with a long involved tale concerning the Battle of Ventry I found them well paced and held my attention throughout. This collection would appeal to anyone who are interested in folk tales, particularly in Irish folk tales, or who have ancestry traceable to the southwest corner of Ireland. The Druid Network

Eastwood weaves a rich mosaic of Tales that not only touch on the antiquity of this place but include accounts running up to the very recent past. One moment you will be reading a tale of fairies, leprechauns or witches drawn from the rich oral traditions, then you will turn the page to read the story of Fungie the dolphin, who was a famous resident of Dingle harbour. Shamanism Books

A new book from a very accomplished author covers the pre-Christian era of magic and mythology in Dingle right up to the modern day influence of Fungie the dolphin. Killarney Today