The Names Upon the Harp: Irish Myths and Legends

by Marie Heaney

Book Overview

This collection of Irish folktales, compiled by respected folklorist Marie Heaney, is enhanced by Lynch's stunning artwork. Tales include The Birth of Cuchulain and Finn and the Salmon of Knowledge.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0590680528
• ISBN13: 9780590680523
• Release Date: November 2000
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 1.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.8" x 11.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

Irish Myths

I have read bought this book before for some ffriends and they liked it so I bought it again for another Irish friend who likes Irish history and such....It arrived in great shape..no shipping problems and came quickly...

"You and I Leave Names Upon the Harp..."

"The Names Upon the Harp" is a collection of Irish legends from the three main cycles set down by scholars to classify the ancient manuscripts that record the tales: the Mythological Cycle, the Ulster Cycle and the Fenian Cycle. As retold by Marie Heaney, she begins each part with an introduction to that particular cycle and then launches into her favourite stories from that area.The Mythological Cycle concerns the Tuatha Da Danaan, who were some of the early occupants of Ireland who defeated the Fomorians and were later in turn defeated by the Milesians who drove them underground. Heaney thus includes the stories that best describe these two events: "Moytura" that recounts how the Fomorian Balor of the Evil Eye was killed by his grandson Lugh, and "The Children of Lir", who were changed into swans by their stepmother and forced to live on until the peal of a bell rang in the new faith.The Ulster Cycle concerns the doings of King Conor Mac Nessa and his court at their home of Emain Macha, including "The Birth of Cuchulainn", the strongest warrior of all, "Bricriu's Feast", who attempted to cause competition and strife between the warriors, and "Deirdre of the Sorrows" who was the Irish version of Blodewynn, Gwynevere and Helen: a beautiful woman caught between the love of two men who eventually causes their downfall.Lastly, the Finn Cycle is of the Fianna Warriors and the bloodline of their leader Finn Mac Cumhaill: "Finn and the Salmon of Knowledge" tells of his upbringing and the gaining of his wisdom, "The Enchanted Deer" tells of his love affair with Sadb, a beautiful woman cursed in the form of a deer, and "Oisin in the Land of Youth", the story of Finn's son who travels to Ti Na N-Og with his beloved, only to return back to Ireland to find many thousands of years have past. The Finn Cycle also includes a poem "Summer", translated from the Irish by Seamus Heaney.Therefore, the book covers a wide range of the mythology canon of Ireland, but one wishes that there had been more to fill in the blanks between each myth - often fascinating characters and plot points are introduced only to fall by the wayside, and often drastically important stories are left out entirely: Cuchulainn's death for example. Likewise, although Heaney tells the stories adequately, there is no sense of age or importance in her narrative. The people and events are told straightforwardly, but there is no mystery, no poetry, no sense of the *timelessness* of these great stories. One senses that she wrote for the benefit of introducing children to the myths, but it becomes clear early on that these stories are definitely *not* suitable for young children. P. J. Lynch uses watercolours to capture the images of the stories, and here is where the true strength of the book lies. I have always been a huge fan of this artist, and "The Names Upon the Harp" might just be his best work. The landscapes of Ireland are just what they should be: mysterious and dark, cold and misty, rock-s

Great Book for Mythology Lovers

This book is filled with amazingly beautiful illustrations and well written stories about some of Ireland's most famous heros and heroines. It is divided into three parts highlighting three major sections of Ireland's mythology and each part has a forward giving you some background information about the stories contained in it. One of my favorite parts are the tales about Cuchullainn, the Hound of Ulster. Another great thing about the book is the pronunciation guide at the back to help you pronounce the strange names of Ireland's ancestors. It also includes a list of other books you can find for other stories about Irish Legends. Although parts of the book are somewhat bloody I find them necissary for the history and not at all overdone. This is a well-rounded book: good writing, wonderful presentation, and amazing illustrations. Enjoy!

The Names Upon the Harp

This book is Irish legend at its detailed, grizzly best; lots of tribal-type violence, featuring huge warriors who fight bloody battles (with or without their heads on...), disfunctional families(including grandfathers attempting to murder grandsons and children changed into swans by evil stepmothers). These very Irish stories are probably meant for those over age 8 or 9 years. These are the "campfire" stories that keep superstition alive, and wee Irish children behaving themselves.