Original Author: Lady Augusta Gregory
First Edition: 1902-1904
Description
Irish Myths and Legends is the modern collective title given to Lady Augusta Gregory’s retellings of Ireland’s mythological cycles. Although now often published as a single volume, the work originally appeared as two separate books: Gods and Fighting Men (1902) and Cuchulain of Muirthemne (1904). Together, these books present the great mythic narratives of Ireland — the coming of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the deeds of Lugh and Manannán, the tragedy of the Children of Lir, and the heroic exploits of Cú Chulainn and the Fianna. Modern editions combine these two works into one unified collection, offering readers a sweeping journey through Ireland’s mythic past. Lady Gregory’s prose, shaped by the voices of Irish storytellers, remains one of the most influential and accessible gateways into the island’s legendary heritage.
Where to Find This Work
Irish Myths and Legends
Summary: This 456‑page hardcover is a full, unified edition of Lady Gregory’s mythological corpus, originally titled Gods and Fighting Men in 1904 . It presents the complete mythological and Fianna cycles as gathered by Gregory from Irish oral storytellers at the end of the nineteenth century. The description confirms the book is divided into two major parts:
Part I: The coming of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the lives of Manannán and Lugh, and the tragedy of the Children of Lir.
Part II: The exploits of Finn Mac Cumhal, the Fianna, Oisín, and the love story of Diarmuid and Gráinne.
These tales are described as whimsical, tragic, astounding, and ever familiar, forming an essential part of Ireland’s literary heritage and preserving centuries of mythic tradition in a single comprehensive volume .
Publication Date: 31 May 2022
Irish Myths and Legends
Credit: W. B. Yeats
Summary: This edition is a small, abridged gift‑book version of Lady Gregory’s Irish Myths and Legends. It presents a brief selection of stories from her larger mythological corpus in a compact format, designed more as a souvenir or sampler than as a complete text. Only a handful of tales are included, and much of the original material from Gods and Fighting Men and Cuchulain of Muirthemne is omitted. Because of its size and scope, this edition is best understood as an introductory, highly condensed version of Gregory’s work rather than a full reading copy.
Publication Date: 3 February 1998
Irish Myths and Legends: Deluxe Hardcover (Gods and Fighting Men) by Lady Augusta Gregory
Credit: W. B. Yeats
Summary: This deluxe hardcover is a modern, beautifully produced edition of Gods and Fighting Men, presenting the mythological and heroic cycles of Ireland in a single elegant volume. The listing describes it as a collection of gods, heroes, ancient magic, and battles fought in shadow and legend, capturing the mythic past of Ireland through Gregory’s retellings . It includes the great cycles of Irish mythology — the deeds of Cú Chulainn, the exploits of Finn MacCool, and the traditions of the Tuatha Dé Danann — retold with Gregory’s characteristic clarity and elegance, preserving the richness of Ireland’s oral storytelling heritage while making it accessible to modern readers . This edition emphasizes high‑quality production, presenting the legends in a handsome hardcover format that honors one of the most important works of Irish folklore ever published.
Publication Date: 1 March 2026
Book Information:
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A Book of Saints and Wonders
Summary:
A collection of Irish saints' lives, legends, miracles, and folklore retold by Lady Gregory. Bringing together stories from Ireland's religious and cultural traditions, the work offers readers an accessible introduction to the people, places, and beliefs that shaped medieval Irish spirituality and folklore.
