| These are references to some very good English translations of
insular Celtic myths. These books should be readily available in
bookshops, and are not expensive.
All contain the necessary information, notes and maps to put the
myths in the context of the civilization that created them.
The aim of the translators was to stick as close as possible to
the original texts, modifying them only when these become very
ambiguous, or contradictory. In this case, the necessary foot-
notes are included, that explain what was done and why.
In each of these books you 'll also find a number of other references
to works on Celtic mythology.
So here they are:
1) The T�in, T. Kinsella, The Dolmen Press, Dublin 1969.
-> The Cattle Raid of Cooley, based mainly on the version
of the Book of The Dun Cow and the Yellow Book of Lecan, with
some additions from the Book of Leinster.
2) Early Irish Myths and Sagas, Penguin Books, 1981
translated by Jeffrey Gantz
-> From the series of Penguin Classics. It contains the following
tales from the Ulster cycle:
The Wooing of �ta�n
The Destruction of Da Derga's Hostel
The Dream of �engus
The Cattle Raid of Fr�ech
The labour Pains of the Ulaid & The Twins of Macha
The Birth of C� Chulaind
The Boyhood Deeds of C� Chulaind
The Death of A�fe's Only Son
The Tale of Macc Da Th�'s Pig
The Intoxication of the Ulaid
Bricriu's Feast
The Exile of the Sons of Uisliu
3) The Mabinogion, Penguin Books, 1976
translated by Jeffrey Gantz
-> The Welsh myths from the Red Book of Hergest, also in the Penguin
Classics series.
4) The Larousse Encyclopedia of mythology gives a general description
of the Celtic mythology, both on the continent and on the British
Isles.
-- And now a question from my side :
I know of one translation of the Book of Invasions of Ireland:
"Lebor Gab�la �renn, five volumes, translated and edited by
R.A.S. Macalister, Dublin, Irish Texts Society, 1938-1954"
This seems not to be obtainable anymore. I know they have
it in the library of the University of Antwerp, (That's were I
live BTW)
but I 'd prefer to own a copy to be able to read it at ease.
Does anyone know of other translations ? (Either in English, French
or German )
Thanks.
Leo.
|
| Some rather readable re-tellings of Irish mythology and legends
have been recently reprinted (beat that, Agnew :-):
Gods and Fighting Men, The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and of
the Fianna of Ireland. (myths of the previous rulers of Ireland
who went underground at their defeat and the Fionn McCumhal cycle)
Cuchulain (hero of the Ulster cycle; I prefer the previous book
since this tale was created for the nobility)
- both are by Augusta Gregory, Macmillan of Canada
Irish Fairy Tales (enjoyable tales spanning a story of the settlements
of Ireland to an incarnation of Fionn McCumhal)
- James Stevens, Macmillan Co.
|