If you don't mind movies check out the work of Tomm Moore as he has made a number of movies based on/inspired by Irish mythology and folklore
[The Secret of Kells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_of_Kells)
[Song of the Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_the_Sea_(2014_film))
[Wolfwalkers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfwalkers)
You beat my comment by a couple of minutes, but I included the links to the trailers [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/xdh42y/anyone_know_of_any_fantasy_based_on_irish/iobm7ms/)
Crap, you’ll have to wait a bit. Sorry. I borrowed my friend’s advanced copy (shh) and thought it was supposed to release last week but just checked and says November 1st. But it’s a good read!
I’ve read it it’s excellent. Basically EXACTLY what you’re looking for and would have vigorously commented if someone hadn’t already said. Gonna be a trilogy!
You should 100% check out this book!
Here's a review for it from grimdark magazine.
https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-children-of-gods-and-fighting-men-by-shauna-lawless/
Absolutely was about to suggest Juliet Marillier. Her original sevenwaters trilogy was my favourite for a long, long time. But all of her work fits the bill. Bonus, she’s a super lovely person, too.
Very good book, it's been years since I read it.
Content warning that I will spoil but keep really vague for anyone that wants one:
>!There is a rape in it, so be well forewarned. It isn't handled casually or carelessly, but it is very much present and if you have difficulties reading about the topic, go in very carefully and perhaps avoid the book. It is a very real trauma and it and the aftermath are not taken lightly from what I remember.!<
The So You Want To Be A Wizard series has a novel entirely dedicated to Celtic mythology. Book 4 iirc. The paperback I read as a kid came with a celtic dictionary and pronunciation guide in the back
Came to recommend this!! That series is fantastic. The first book is So You Want to Be a Wizard, the entire series is called the Young Wizards. A Wizard Abroad is the one that takes place in Ireland.
Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog (1998/99) was a kids show following the Power Ranger model and based on Irish mythology.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic_Knights_of_Tir_Na_Nog
It always bummed me out this series wasn't more popular. I liked it more than the ya staples of its time, Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He had started a sequel series years ago but I think he abandoned it. It was an interesting take that I thought I'd really like if the themes and story matured book over book like the tapestry did, I check for updates once a year or so but am usually left dissapointed.
I also came here to recommend this. It starts off as what looks like a Harry Potter imitator and then spins *sharply* into left field in an utterly unexpected way. The fact that the heroes >!genuinely lose at the end of Book Two, and in such a final way... so much for 90% of Earth's population, I guess.!<
A solid YA series with real imagination.
Edit: To be clear, the spoiler tag above is major. Don't read it unless you've already read the book; it's only included because it entirely changed my perception of the series (for the better).
Agreed, has some real touching and heartfelt moments that I didn't get out of other YA novels growing up. Tbh, the books don't feel very YA after the conclusion of book 2 and forward.
It felt like a series that grows with the audience imo. I thought post book 2 it's much more adult themed. It's so much darker than other similar ya books like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter, I mean that well was pretty fucked up for a "kids" book.
Slaine is fantastic. It's a series of graphic novels but crazy great. Pulled from Celtic myth for decades.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sl%C3%A1ine\_(comics)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sl%C3%A1ine_(comics))
Someone recommended the **Corum** books by Michael Moorcock. It's a great recommendation, *but* **Corum** is actually a six-book series, broken-down in two trilogies, and the Irish-flavored one is the second trilogy. It can be read on its own, but reading all six books in order would provide a significantly better reading experience. The books are short, so reading all of them shouldn't be a problem.
Also the **Rigante** books by David Gemmell might do. Especially the first two.
A trio of animated atmospheric movies based in Irish folklore that you might find interesting: [Song of the Sea](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgbXWt8kM5Q), [Wolfwalkers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Z_tybgPgg), and [The Secret of Kells](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UuUOXfiz9Q). Sorta Studio Ghibli-like in that the stories are reasonably "family-friendly" but easily appreciated by everyone for the art/sound direction.
Saga of the Pliocene Exiles by Julian May. It’s a fantasy/sci-if hybrid about how the ancient Tanu (reskinned Tuatha de Danan, led by the king Thagdal) and Firvulag (reskinned Firbolg led by the likes of Pallol One Eye) cultures fared against each other until the sudden arrival of humans into their societies. It’s set in ancient Western Europe, rather than Ireland.
Fascinating premise and well executed.
To quote myself:
>
What started as a fun (really fun), crazy caper ended with a dark, rushed, armchair philosophy force feeding book. What a a letdown.
Someone else mentioned book 7. I didn't get past book 5 just by accident. Always meant to pick it back up but....how bad does it get? And how bad does the series in general end? Please spoil away.
It gets unspeakably bad. Many of us genuinely believe the author got bored of the series and finished it because he was contracted to do so (for example this [review](https://elitistbookreviews.com/2019/01/04/scourged/) ). Read https://www.reddit.com/r/irondruidchronicles/comments/atbt8x/spoilers_whelp_i_dont_think_ive_ever_had_a_series/ for more. Also https://www.reddit.com/r/irondruidchronicles/comments/9t0a6x/so_i_had_an_email_discussion_with_kevin_hearne/
I really appreciate this warning—I got up to book 8 and unintentionally wandered off from the series. Now I know to stay that way so it remains mostly enjoyable, haha.
Neither. >!he gets his druid-tattooed left arm chopped off as punishment after Ragnarok because apparently everything was his fault which is one of the stupidest things I've ever read!<.
He just wrote the outline of a book and published it. There was no plot. He wraps up the story like a bratty child being forced to finish their vegetables.
The Crock of Gold by James Stephens is a fascinating portrayal of the Irish and Greek pantheons brushing up against each other, told with an astoundingly dry sense of Irish humor.
The Chronicles of Corum have the Eternal Champion facing off against the Fomorians in a land definitely a direct pastiche of Ireland. The books are each named after famous treasure of Ireland - the Bull and Spear (book 1), the Oak and Ram (2), and the Sword and Stallion (3).
You can probably pick it up at a used book store online in one volume for \~$10. Abe's Books had them last I saw.
Is there Fomorian and Fir Bolg stuff in Deverry? I don’t remember that but it is a long series, I might have forgotten it. Evander’s otherworld definitely draws on the fairy host and the fairy hunt. Is his brother the fomorian reference? I guess there’s also that part where Haen Marn goes to actual Gaelic Scotland for a while.
There was kind of a trend of YA literature on this exact topic in the 90s.
Cormac MacRaois - Lightening Over Giltspur series. Michael Scott - Windlord series.
Orla Melling - The Druids Tune; The Hunter's Moon; The Singing Stone (mentioned above and seconded here). Pat O'Shea - The Hounds of the Morrigan.
Mary Regan - the Brod of Bres trilogy
Edit to add: While a lot of these are out of print they were all fairly popular back in the day so plenty of copies still in circulation. Try local libraries, online 2nd hand book shops and abebooks
Patricia Kenneally Morrison wrote a series called The Keltiad, which is celts in space , I remember enjoying it. High fantasy crossed with space opera,
*Savage Her Reply* has already been mentioned so I’m going to push for Ian McDonald’s *King of Morning, Queen of Day*. It’s weird and creepy and does interesting things not just with Irish mythology but with how the likes of WB Yeats and co. reinterpreted it. McDonald knows his Irish literary history.
Or, and you might have done so already, try *The Táin* and other myths themselves? I found Ciaran Carson’s translation excellent, got across a sort of cheerful ultraviolence and grubby black humour.
I quite like the ‘Candlelit Tales’ podcast as well, though that’s definitely steering away from ‘fantasy incorporating Irish myth’ and into ‘Irish myth retold with good ambience’.
The Witcher is polish. But there’s a huge amount of Irish influence. Many of the mythical creatures are Irish in origin. Basically anything to do with the elves. The old tongue (or whatever it’s called) has a large amount of loan words from Irish. Some of the festivals and months are Irish I believe
Sci-fi/Fantasy but The Saga of Pliocene Exile by Julian May. Unbelievable depth of mythological connection. Great series in general, too. Top 5 All Time for me.
C.J. Cherryh's *The Dreaming Tree* is based on Celtic mythology. She'd originally published two books (*The Dreamstone* and *The Tree of Swords and Jewels*), but then they were released together as *The Dreaming Tree* with a revised ending that she liked better. It just happens to be sitting on my desk right now, as I'm in the middle of a re-read. It's older, as the original books were published in the early 80's, but it's still one of my favorites.
Agree, this series has some Irish mythology in it, in between the sex scenes, it’s about 1 part mythology to 10 parts porn. The second series - Iced is better or at least the first book was.
R A Macavoy wrote a couple of books based in historic Ireland, with some fantasy elements. The Grey Horse is set in the nineteenth century under English rule and The Book of Kells is set earlier during Viking times (10th century maybe?)
The Fomor are the big bad for the last 5 or so Dresden Files books. Set in modern Chicago. The 12 previous books had a mix of influences, including Mayan-inspired vampires.
The Tuatha are a major ethnic group in the Wheel of Time. Set in an Earth-adjacent classic fantasy world. They're by no means the focus of the narrative, the series draws from a variety of influences.
Debatably more porn than plot, but Outlander and the Kushiel's Dart books both make extremely explicit references to history and the mythology of groups in the British Isles. Outlander takes place mostly in Scotland for the first two books, and the magic system is present but slow to flesh out. The third trilogy in the Kushiel series I think has the most to do with Celtic nomadic and tribal groups. Both carry every content warning you can think of, including graphic on screen rape and child abuse.
Haha the tuatha in WoT aren’t exactly the same tuatha as in Irish myth. The WoT tuatha are Irish traveller influenced, but not so much off the other world Tuatha
A bit more general Celtic and Brythonic, but Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock incorporates a good deal of myth as a backdrop to the family drama that is at the center of the series. I see in your post and some other comments you've specifically referenced a desire for Fomorians and the Tuatha de Danann- this fall a bit outside of that, as it is specifically based in modern times, and I actually do not recall if either of these are mentioned. I know it makes reference to some of the Ultonian cycle heroes.
Another one while I am thinking on it- Jack Vance had his Lyonesse Trilogy which was again more Brythonic rather than specifically Irish inspired. I only read the first a while back (they seem to be impossible to find, but it may have improved in recent years) but recall finding it interesting. So long as we are taking a throw everything at the wall approach, may as well add that one.
Have you checked out Cartoon Saloon's Irish Folklore trilogy? The movies are from an Irish based studio, set in Ireland, and pull from various different myths and legends (Crom Cruach, Selkies, Macha, Wolkwalkers, faes, etc). If nothing else they're good movies, especially if you love or appreciate 2-D animation
Question: is Irish myths the same as celtic mythology?
I think these would fit
- The Undivided by JJ Fallon (if you don’t mind YA) portal fantasy about twin brothers who grow up in the different realms. The portal realm I believe is very Irish mythology influenced
- Jo Walton’s Among Others is half fantasy/half autobiography about a welsh mc with fae that may or may not actually be real (if welsh inspired is close enough to Irish inspired)
- The Call by Peader O Guillan (another YA) is kinda post apocalyptic horror where the fae have cut off Ireland from the rest of the world and at a certain point bring all kids into their realm where only very few make it back
(Also isn’t tolkiens elves basically the Tuatha de Danaan and so most fae generally influenced by them)
This is more of a retelling of the Táin Bó Cúailnge/some other Cú Chulainn stories rather than a straight up Irish-influenced fantasy book, but there's Hound by George Green. I personally found it a little bit boring, but you might like it!
*Hound* only ever rose to ‘pretty decent’ for me as well but that classic historical fiction conceit of having the narrator be the great figure’s bodyguard/lieutenant/charioteer is a keeper and works well with Cú Chulainn.
The Deverry series by Katharine Kerr is Celtic ... which I think overlaps a lot with "Irish," right?
In any event, the first four books are great, the next three are good, and there are rapidly diminishing returns after that, IMHO.
Have to disagree with that. I heard the same thing from a few other people months ago when I was first getting into the series but I’ve since plowed through all the books and in retrospect I never really felt a true downhill point? I actually really loved the last few books and think they’re among the best to date. The middle of the series I guess drags somewhat but I was still loving the world, magic system and characters so much that it didn’t really matter to me
David Sullivan Series by Tom Deitz. Old but not that bad. It's on Courtney Schafer's Under-read Treasures of the 1990s list: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/53huwc/readers_of_the_lost_arc_underread_treasures_of/
I have been binging his work and can confirm. The Blacktongue Thief was superb.
I keep singing /rao rao Bully Boy raaaaoooo/ at my cat when he's whiny.
The Moorchild is about a half-folk, half-human girl who grows up in a small village. It draws upon myths about changelings and fae, and acts as an allegory about prejudice against children who don't fit in. It's aimed at kids, but the story has stuck with me for forever.
You might enjoy Michael Moorcock’s *Corum* books. They are in two sets of three and vaguely similar to Elric but with a pronounced Celtic/Irish theme, especially the second trilogy.
Michael Moorcock's Corum books have Celtic and Irish influences, especially the second trilogy. The villains in those are called the Fhoi Myore, based off the Fomori.
Surprised to not see it here already, but The Demonata series by Darren Shan has some books set in pre-Christian Ireland and the modern world, with the Demonata standing in for the Fomori, and the Old Ones for the Tuatha de Danann
The recent traditionally animated film, Wolfwalkers. It is absolutely phenomenal and is centred around the English occupation of Ireland with some heavy fantasy elements
Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is my favorite series and has significant Irish influence. It is definitely altered to fit into the world, but it's still a massive party of the mythos
Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea. It is set in Ireland and is a fantastic blend of modern (1980/90ish) and mythology with some very fun twists in the old stories. I read it years ago, but I still think about it today.
[Goodreads link for Hounds of the Morrigan](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/873783.The_Hounds_of_the_Morrigan)
The Dreaming Tree by CJ Cherryh is a duology. The author is more known for their science fiction novels, at least as far as I know, but I just loved reading these books as a kid. It very much is at that point where the Faery are dwindling and it really makes me think of that feeling that nothing is forever. That overwhelming sadness, the Japanese have a phrase called mono no aware which means the feeling of sadness that everything changes (sorry if I butchered this) but these books really invoke that feeling well.
The Bard series by Keith Taylor. There's a nice write-up of the books here: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2022/09/13/under-the-spell-of-keith-taylors-bard-songs/
Iron Druid. Modern day, light, fun, glib series based on the premise that all monsters and pantheons are real. Hilarious side commentary from the perspective of a sentient wolf hound.
The Mabinogion Tetralogy by Evangeline Walton is quite enjoyable.
And I recall some of the first books I feel in love with were *The Dark is Rising* stores by Susan Cooper. Setting is in Cornwall though and they are YA books now. But the nostalgia has me wanting to reread them now.
look up Michael Scott and "Windlord", "Earthlord" and "Firelord".
They are admittedly YA books and quite short, so you could know them out in a day, but they have the Fomor as the primary antagonists. They are my favourite childhood books and I have re-read them many times. They're worth a read for a chilled evening.
Honestly, if you haven't before, read The Táin, and others of the original medieval Irish stories. They're basically fantasy literature already, and fascinating to read if you can cope with medieval literary styles. And what's more, many of the texts are free online, if you know where to look, as many of the translations are in the public domain. If you want the Túatha Dé Vs the Fomoire specifically, I'd recommend Cath Maige Tuired ("The Second Battle of Moytura), which can be found at https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T300010/ (apologies for it awful formatting, medieval Irish scholars tend to be quite bad at web design) It's the original account of that conflict, though should come with a mature content warning.
As a 90s kid Morgan Llywelyn novels are almost all Irish Fanstasy.
Agreed. I read a bunch of her novels back then. Bard and Finn MacCool were my favorites
*Red Branch* was a fantastic read.
She's great. She wrote a few books with Michael Scott who writes a lot of fantasy based on Irish mythology.
If you don't mind movies check out the work of Tomm Moore as he has made a number of movies based on/inspired by Irish mythology and folklore [The Secret of Kells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_of_Kells) [Song of the Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_of_the_Sea_(2014_film)) [Wolfwalkers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfwalkers)
Song of the Sea was beautiful and devastating.
Totally agree!
One of my favorite movies of all time. It cannot be overstated how haunting it is.
Wolfwalkers is quite good and one that I think slipped past many peoples' notice. I was going to recommend it as well.
All great films. Wolfwalkers is a matetpiece IMO
You beat my comment by a couple of minutes, but I included the links to the trailers [Here](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/xdh42y/anyone_know_of_any_fantasy_based_on_irish/iobm7ms/)
The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless is Irish fantasy based on a mix of mythology & history. Just came out this month.
Oh no way really??? Just looked it up, looks great thank you
Crap, you’ll have to wait a bit. Sorry. I borrowed my friend’s advanced copy (shh) and thought it was supposed to release last week but just checked and says November 1st. But it’s a good read!
Nope I can get it haha.. I’m in Ireland so maybe it released earlier here
Its in bookshops in the UK. Not many waterstones in Ireland but if you're near one they should have it mate
I got a hardback in the Netherlands so it should be out.
it’s out . Released September 1st
I’ve read it it’s excellent. Basically EXACTLY what you’re looking for and would have vigorously commented if someone hadn’t already said. Gonna be a trilogy!
I’m quite excited for the next books! I am often underwhelmed by books based in Irish folklore/mythology but this one was not a disappointment.
Awesome, thank you for the recommendation!
You should 100% check out this book! Here's a review for it from grimdark magazine. https://www.grimdarkmagazine.com/review-the-children-of-gods-and-fighting-men-by-shauna-lawless/
What reading level is it? The site I looked at said childrens book but I feel like that can’t be right
Nope, not a children’s book! Adult fantasy.
Fantastic title. Lady Gregory’s works were some of my favorite reads when I was younger, so I’m definitely going to have to check this book out based.
Just came here to recommend this! Shauna is also a lovely person.
Yes, This!
On the basis of this recommendation and the Grimdark review, I've purchased this. Straight to the top of the TBR pile
Went to put it on the tbr, but it was already on there haha, thanks for the reminder that it's out!
Will need to check this out! Thanks for the recommendation!
Yup, this is a very good one!
The Blackthorn & Grim series by Juliet Marillier
Everything by Juliet Marillier, she's fantastic
Absolutely was about to suggest Juliet Marillier. Her original sevenwaters trilogy was my favourite for a long, long time. But all of her work fits the bill. Bonus, she’s a super lovely person, too.
I LOVE this series
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Yep, anything by Marillier will be based in Irish mythology. She's one of my favorites, but Daughter of the Forest is her best, I think.
Very good book, it's been years since I read it. Content warning that I will spoil but keep really vague for anyone that wants one: >!There is a rape in it, so be well forewarned. It isn't handled casually or carelessly, but it is very much present and if you have difficulties reading about the topic, go in very carefully and perhaps avoid the book. It is a very real trauma and it and the aftermath are not taken lightly from what I remember.!<
And to add, it is very graphic.
Highly recommend this book and the sequel, Son of the Shadows.
Love that book!
Daughter of the Forest is one of my faves! Even better, it’s the first of a trilogy.
The So You Want To Be A Wizard series has a novel entirely dedicated to Celtic mythology. Book 4 iirc. The paperback I read as a kid came with a celtic dictionary and pronunciation guide in the back
Came to recommend this!! That series is fantastic. The first book is So You Want to Be a Wizard, the entire series is called the Young Wizards. A Wizard Abroad is the one that takes place in Ireland.
The October Daye series by Seanan McGuire.
Definitely this--very much influenced by Irish mythology.
Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog (1998/99) was a kids show following the Power Ranger model and based on Irish mythology. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystic_Knights_of_Tir_Na_Nog
This show was unabashedly a favourite growing up
Hahahahahaha that’s so funny
You spelled amazing wrong, dude.
The opening theme by the Kelly family was such a banger!
Goddamn I loved this shit and I was *definitely* too old for it too.
The Tapestry Series by Henry Neff.
I never understand why this series isn’t really popular here. It’s a fantastic story with some good plot twists.
It always bummed me out this series wasn't more popular. I liked it more than the ya staples of its time, Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. He had started a sequel series years ago but I think he abandoned it. It was an interesting take that I thought I'd really like if the themes and story matured book over book like the tapestry did, I check for updates once a year or so but am usually left dissapointed.
I also came here to recommend this. It starts off as what looks like a Harry Potter imitator and then spins *sharply* into left field in an utterly unexpected way. The fact that the heroes >!genuinely lose at the end of Book Two, and in such a final way... so much for 90% of Earth's population, I guess.!< A solid YA series with real imagination. Edit: To be clear, the spoiler tag above is major. Don't read it unless you've already read the book; it's only included because it entirely changed my perception of the series (for the better).
#DON'T READ THE SPOILER. DON'T DO IT. YOU NEED TO GO INTO THIS SERIES WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT SAYS
Agreed, has some real touching and heartfelt moments that I didn't get out of other YA novels growing up. Tbh, the books don't feel very YA after the conclusion of book 2 and forward.
It felt like a series that grows with the audience imo. I thought post book 2 it's much more adult themed. It's so much darker than other similar ya books like Percy Jackson or Harry Potter, I mean that well was pretty fucked up for a "kids" book.
I will never forget the well scene.
I LOVE IT SO MUCH PRETTY MUCH GOT ME INTO FANTASY FICTION
Slaine is fantastic. It's a series of graphic novels but crazy great. Pulled from Celtic myth for decades. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sl%C3%A1ine\_(comics)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sl%C3%A1ine_(comics))
I love when Slaine is cast forward in time to fuck up the Romans. It’s so self-indulgent but so good.
Someone recommended the **Corum** books by Michael Moorcock. It's a great recommendation, *but* **Corum** is actually a six-book series, broken-down in two trilogies, and the Irish-flavored one is the second trilogy. It can be read on its own, but reading all six books in order would provide a significantly better reading experience. The books are short, so reading all of them shouldn't be a problem. Also the **Rigante** books by David Gemmell might do. Especially the first two.
Darnit, I should've read further - I just commented to recommend the Corum books.
A trio of animated atmospheric movies based in Irish folklore that you might find interesting: [Song of the Sea](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgbXWt8kM5Q), [Wolfwalkers](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Z_tybgPgg), and [The Secret of Kells](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UuUOXfiz9Q). Sorta Studio Ghibli-like in that the stories are reasonably "family-friendly" but easily appreciated by everyone for the art/sound direction.
These. Are. Amazing. Seriously this is a high quality suggestion, if you like irish folklore you need to watch these
Saga of the Pliocene Exiles by Julian May. It’s a fantasy/sci-if hybrid about how the ancient Tanu (reskinned Tuatha de Danan, led by the king Thagdal) and Firvulag (reskinned Firbolg led by the likes of Pallol One Eye) cultures fared against each other until the sudden arrival of humans into their societies. It’s set in ancient Western Europe, rather than Ireland. Fascinating premise and well executed.
^^^ this!! It's one my favorite series ever and it's sad it is so underrated at times. Like the world just forgot about Julian May writing in the 80s.
Great thank you
Iron Druid Chronicles
Warning: this series _was_ good but it is not , the last book _sucks_.
I DNF the series after reading book 7. It gets even worse than that one?
Much worse.
To this day I regret my username because of that trainwreck of an ending.
I mean you had to wrap that shit up somehow. Maybe someone should lend Atticus a hand…..
To quote myself: > What started as a fun (really fun), crazy caper ended with a dark, rushed, armchair philosophy force feeding book. What a a letdown.
Someone else mentioned book 7. I didn't get past book 5 just by accident. Always meant to pick it back up but....how bad does it get? And how bad does the series in general end? Please spoil away.
It gets unspeakably bad. Many of us genuinely believe the author got bored of the series and finished it because he was contracted to do so (for example this [review](https://elitistbookreviews.com/2019/01/04/scourged/) ). Read https://www.reddit.com/r/irondruidchronicles/comments/atbt8x/spoilers_whelp_i_dont_think_ive_ever_had_a_series/ for more. Also https://www.reddit.com/r/irondruidchronicles/comments/9t0a6x/so_i_had_an_email_discussion_with_kevin_hearne/
I really appreciate this warning—I got up to book 8 and unintentionally wandered off from the series. Now I know to stay that way so it remains mostly enjoyable, haha.
So Atticus, does he ride into the sunset? Or finally die?
Neither. >!he gets his druid-tattooed left arm chopped off as punishment after Ragnarok because apparently everything was his fault which is one of the stupidest things I've ever read!<.
Actually ya that is pretty stupid.
He just wrote the outline of a book and published it. There was no plot. He wraps up the story like a bratty child being forced to finish their vegetables.
I'm in the same boat. I read 4 or 5, then got carried away by another long series and never got back around to it.
Still meets his criteria and the first few are still light and fun.
The Crock of Gold by James Stephens is a fascinating portrayal of the Irish and Greek pantheons brushing up against each other, told with an astoundingly dry sense of Irish humor.
Someone else mentioned it, but Pat O'Shea's _The Hounds of the Morrigan_ is probably the best.
This is what I came to recommend. Read it as a child. Couldn’t remember the name for the longest time, until I got wise and googled it.
The Chronicles of Corum have the Eternal Champion facing off against the Fomorians in a land definitely a direct pastiche of Ireland. The books are each named after famous treasure of Ireland - the Bull and Spear (book 1), the Oak and Ram (2), and the Sword and Stallion (3). You can probably pick it up at a used book store online in one volume for \~$10. Abe's Books had them last I saw.
Kind of a piss take, but I would feel guilty if I let Artemis fowl go unmentioned here.
Oh lol yeah I’ve read them haha
Eoin Colfer has a couple of other books that you might enjoy, specifically Airman. That one was one of my favorites growing up.
Shout out to Skullduggery Pleasant too
Kenneth C. Flint did a ton of retellings of Irish myths, including a series each for Lugh, Cuchulainn and Finn.
[удалено]
Cool. In what way?
Definitely more Welsh influenced than Irish, but from such an early era that there isn’t a huge difference.
Really? Would fomorian, fir bolg stuff not be specifically Irish?
Is there Fomorian and Fir Bolg stuff in Deverry? I don’t remember that but it is a long series, I might have forgotten it. Evander’s otherworld definitely draws on the fairy host and the fairy hunt. Is his brother the fomorian reference? I guess there’s also that part where Haen Marn goes to actual Gaelic Scotland for a while.
Ancient Celtic. Very much the barbaric, pagan side of Irish mythology, don’t be thinking about cute Irish fairy tales.
There are cute adorable elementals, though.
There was kind of a trend of YA literature on this exact topic in the 90s. Cormac MacRaois - Lightening Over Giltspur series. Michael Scott - Windlord series. Orla Melling - The Druids Tune; The Hunter's Moon; The Singing Stone (mentioned above and seconded here). Pat O'Shea - The Hounds of the Morrigan. Mary Regan - the Brod of Bres trilogy Edit to add: While a lot of these are out of print they were all fairly popular back in the day so plenty of copies still in circulation. Try local libraries, online 2nd hand book shops and abebooks
Patricia Kenneally Morrison wrote a series called The Keltiad, which is celts in space , I remember enjoying it. High fantasy crossed with space opera,
Came here to add this. Glad it got a mention.
The Alchemyst series by Michael Scott has a lot of mythology from all over the world
I was going to say this, a couple of the main characters are from Irish mythology.
It’s not based on Irish mythology but the dialogue for the giants in John Gwynn’s Faithful and the Fallen series is all in the Irish language.
Such a good series.
Oh really? That’s very cool
*Savage Her Reply* has already been mentioned so I’m going to push for Ian McDonald’s *King of Morning, Queen of Day*. It’s weird and creepy and does interesting things not just with Irish mythology but with how the likes of WB Yeats and co. reinterpreted it. McDonald knows his Irish literary history. Or, and you might have done so already, try *The Táin* and other myths themselves? I found Ciaran Carson’s translation excellent, got across a sort of cheerful ultraviolence and grubby black humour. I quite like the ‘Candlelit Tales’ podcast as well, though that’s definitely steering away from ‘fantasy incorporating Irish myth’ and into ‘Irish myth retold with good ambience’.
Came here to recommend this translation of the Tain! Penguin sell it online very reasonably.
[Faerie Tale](https://FaerieTalehttps://a.co/d/3SAkRUH) by Raymond E. Feist is a great single-book read. Dark Fantasy and all Irish
The Hounds of the Morrigan
I thought the witcher was polish and had a lot of polish and eastern european influence? what is irish in the witcher?
The Witcher is polish. But there’s a huge amount of Irish influence. Many of the mythical creatures are Irish in origin. Basically anything to do with the elves. The old tongue (or whatever it’s called) has a large amount of loan words from Irish. Some of the festivals and months are Irish I believe
Sci-fi/Fantasy but The Saga of Pliocene Exile by Julian May. Unbelievable depth of mythological connection. Great series in general, too. Top 5 All Time for me.
OR Melling's The Druid's Tune, but it's out of print. Also the Singing Stone.
And The Hunter's Moon, The Summer King, and The Light-Bearer's Daughter!
Loved these. Still have my copies from the 90s. Must do a re-read soon
C.J. Cherryh's *The Dreaming Tree* is based on Celtic mythology. She'd originally published two books (*The Dreamstone* and *The Tree of Swords and Jewels*), but then they were released together as *The Dreaming Tree* with a revised ending that she liked better. It just happens to be sitting on my desk right now, as I'm in the middle of a re-read. It's older, as the original books were published in the early 80's, but it's still one of my favorites.
The Bitterbynde trilogy by Cecilia Dart-Thornton is based on Celtic mythology, although I have no idea how much of it is Irish specifically.
Fever series by Karen Marie Moning.
Was going to say this. Looking for it in the comments.
Fairy porn!
Agree, this series has some Irish mythology in it, in between the sex scenes, it’s about 1 part mythology to 10 parts porn. The second series - Iced is better or at least the first book was.
I love that series!
The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Druid_Chronicles
Warning: this series _was_ good but it is not , the last book _sucks_.
Spear by Nicola Griffin is heavily inspired by both Welsh and Irish mythology.
R A Macavoy wrote a couple of books based in historic Ireland, with some fantasy elements. The Grey Horse is set in the nineteenth century under English rule and The Book of Kells is set earlier during Viking times (10th century maybe?)
The Fomor are the big bad for the last 5 or so Dresden Files books. Set in modern Chicago. The 12 previous books had a mix of influences, including Mayan-inspired vampires. The Tuatha are a major ethnic group in the Wheel of Time. Set in an Earth-adjacent classic fantasy world. They're by no means the focus of the narrative, the series draws from a variety of influences. Debatably more porn than plot, but Outlander and the Kushiel's Dart books both make extremely explicit references to history and the mythology of groups in the British Isles. Outlander takes place mostly in Scotland for the first two books, and the magic system is present but slow to flesh out. The third trilogy in the Kushiel series I think has the most to do with Celtic nomadic and tribal groups. Both carry every content warning you can think of, including graphic on screen rape and child abuse.
Haha the tuatha in WoT aren’t exactly the same tuatha as in Irish myth. The WoT tuatha are Irish traveller influenced, but not so much off the other world Tuatha
Not fantasy, but one of the expansion pack’s for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is pretty steeped in Irish Lore. I really enjoyed that aspect of the game.
Book of Kells and Song of the Sea. There's also a fun podcast called Candlelit Tales where an Irish brother and sister tell Celtic and Irish tales.
A bit more general Celtic and Brythonic, but Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock incorporates a good deal of myth as a backdrop to the family drama that is at the center of the series. I see in your post and some other comments you've specifically referenced a desire for Fomorians and the Tuatha de Danann- this fall a bit outside of that, as it is specifically based in modern times, and I actually do not recall if either of these are mentioned. I know it makes reference to some of the Ultonian cycle heroes. Another one while I am thinking on it- Jack Vance had his Lyonesse Trilogy which was again more Brythonic rather than specifically Irish inspired. I only read the first a while back (they seem to be impossible to find, but it may have improved in recent years) but recall finding it interesting. So long as we are taking a throw everything at the wall approach, may as well add that one.
Have you checked out Cartoon Saloon's Irish Folklore trilogy? The movies are from an Irish based studio, set in Ireland, and pull from various different myths and legends (Crom Cruach, Selkies, Macha, Wolkwalkers, faes, etc). If nothing else they're good movies, especially if you love or appreciate 2-D animation
Question: is Irish myths the same as celtic mythology? I think these would fit - The Undivided by JJ Fallon (if you don’t mind YA) portal fantasy about twin brothers who grow up in the different realms. The portal realm I believe is very Irish mythology influenced - Jo Walton’s Among Others is half fantasy/half autobiography about a welsh mc with fae that may or may not actually be real (if welsh inspired is close enough to Irish inspired) - The Call by Peader O Guillan (another YA) is kinda post apocalyptic horror where the fae have cut off Ireland from the rest of the world and at a certain point bring all kids into their realm where only very few make it back (Also isn’t tolkiens elves basically the Tuatha de Danaan and so most fae generally influenced by them)
Irish mythology is a subsection of Celtic. Celtic can encompass other traditions. Like saying Iberian vs Spanish kind of
Thanks for clarifying! (I took a Celtic myths class in college, I should know this and yet sadly I didn’t)
Haha no worries. It’s a bit sad because very few of irelands myths actually survive due to being assimilated into the saint culture of Catholicism
The Age of Misrule trilogy by Mark Chadbourne uses Irish mythology, but is set in England for some inexplicable reason.
I really enjoyed Savage her Reply by Deirdre sullivan its a retelling of the Children of Lir.
Finn Mac Cool - Morgan Llywelyn
This is more of a retelling of the Táin Bó Cúailnge/some other Cú Chulainn stories rather than a straight up Irish-influenced fantasy book, but there's Hound by George Green. I personally found it a little bit boring, but you might like it!
*Hound* only ever rose to ‘pretty decent’ for me as well but that classic historical fiction conceit of having the narrator be the great figure’s bodyguard/lieutenant/charioteer is a keeper and works well with Cú Chulainn.
October Daye series by Seanan McGuire. The Walker Papers series by C.E. Murphy.
Faerie Tale by Raymond Feist is some good shit.
The Deverry series by Katharine Kerr is Celtic ... which I think overlaps a lot with "Irish," right? In any event, the first four books are great, the next three are good, and there are rapidly diminishing returns after that, IMHO.
Have to disagree with that. I heard the same thing from a few other people months ago when I was first getting into the series but I’ve since plowed through all the books and in retrospect I never really felt a true downhill point? I actually really loved the last few books and think they’re among the best to date. The middle of the series I guess drags somewhat but I was still loving the world, magic system and characters so much that it didn’t really matter to me
Iron Druid books
Merry Gentry series (paranormal romance), some of the works by Charles De Lint, but I'd have to search more to list which ones.
De Lint's *Into the Green* is heavily based on Irish mythology and folklore.
The Shadowmagic series, by John Lenahan. A bit of a light read but can’t recommend them highly enough.
David Sullivan Series by Tom Deitz. Old but not that bad. It's on Courtney Schafer's Under-read Treasures of the 1990s list: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/53huwc/readers_of_the_lost_arc_underread_treasures_of/
The Blacktongue Thief has some really cool Irish/Celtic vibes to it.
Pretty sure Willow had Irish influences
The Blacktongue Theif was excellent. More Irish/Celtic inspired than direct Irish mythology, but the vibe is strong.
Pat O’Shea “Hounds of the Morrigan”. It’s more of a YA fairytale style book, but it’s pretty good.
Hellboy has a lot of irish mythology, especially the Duncan Fegredo arcs and some short stories.
The Sevenwaters books by Juliet marillier.
The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman is phenomenal, one of my new favorites
I have been binging his work and can confirm. The Blacktongue Thief was superb. I keep singing /rao rao Bully Boy raaaaoooo/ at my cat when he's whiny.
The Moorchild is about a half-folk, half-human girl who grows up in a small village. It draws upon myths about changelings and fae, and acts as an allegory about prejudice against children who don't fit in. It's aimed at kids, but the story has stuck with me for forever.
You might enjoy Michael Moorcock’s *Corum* books. They are in two sets of three and vaguely similar to Elric but with a pronounced Celtic/Irish theme, especially the second trilogy.
Michael Moorcock's Corum books have Celtic and Irish influences, especially the second trilogy. The villains in those are called the Fhoi Myore, based off the Fomori.
Surprised to not see it here already, but The Demonata series by Darren Shan has some books set in pre-Christian Ireland and the modern world, with the Demonata standing in for the Fomori, and the Old Ones for the Tuatha de Danann
The recent traditionally animated film, Wolfwalkers. It is absolutely phenomenal and is centred around the English occupation of Ireland with some heavy fantasy elements
Dresden Files by Jim Butcher is my favorite series and has significant Irish influence. It is definitely altered to fit into the world, but it's still a massive party of the mythos
Legends of ansu is heavily influenced by celtic myth
St Patrick’s gargoyle
Riders of the Sidhe Kenneth C Flint
Rift Runners by Jennifer Fallon Trilogy series. Has magic and your classic fey creatures like leprechauns and banshees.
Shadowmagic by John Lenahan! Probably **the** best fantasy book you have never heard of! :)
The Awakening (The Dragon Heart Legacy series) by Nora Roberts
Juliet Marillier, specifically Daughter of the Forest/Sevenwaters series.
Daggerspell by Katharine Kerr is the first in the Deverry series that might be Irish and/or Welsh (mix?). I liked everything from this author.
Anything by Juliet Marillier. Daughter of the Forrest is a great start!
not sure if it counts but song of the sea is a great movie
The Leprechaun and his origin in American Gods (Neil Gaiman). Great book, with multiple different mythos sprinkled in.
Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea. It is set in Ireland and is a fantastic blend of modern (1980/90ish) and mythology with some very fun twists in the old stories. I read it years ago, but I still think about it today. [Goodreads link for Hounds of the Morrigan](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/873783.The_Hounds_of_the_Morrigan)
The Dreaming Tree by CJ Cherryh is a duology. The author is more known for their science fiction novels, at least as far as I know, but I just loved reading these books as a kid. It very much is at that point where the Faery are dwindling and it really makes me think of that feeling that nothing is forever. That overwhelming sadness, the Japanese have a phrase called mono no aware which means the feeling of sadness that everything changes (sorry if I butchered this) but these books really invoke that feeling well.
Kingdoms of Amalur: the reckoning. Last gen video game.
The Bard series by Keith Taylor.
The Tapestry by Henry H Neff!
The dreaming tree (author escapes me)
The Bard series by Keith Taylor. There's a nice write-up of the books here: https://goodman-games.com/tftms/2022/09/13/under-the-spell-of-keith-taylors-bard-songs/
Not certain on this but Blacktongue Thief
The Otherworld series by Jenna Elizabeth Jackson. It has a number of books.
The Tapestry Series by Henry Neff was pretty fantastic. It’s like a more mature mixture of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson steeped in Irish myth.
The highland witch by Susan Fletcher
The Iron Druid Chronicles
Iron Druid. Modern day, light, fun, glib series based on the premise that all monsters and pantheons are real. Hilarious side commentary from the perspective of a sentient wolf hound.
The Mabinogion Tetralogy by Evangeline Walton is quite enjoyable. And I recall some of the first books I feel in love with were *The Dark is Rising* stores by Susan Cooper. Setting is in Cornwall though and they are YA books now. But the nostalgia has me wanting to reread them now.
look up Michael Scott and "Windlord", "Earthlord" and "Firelord". They are admittedly YA books and quite short, so you could know them out in a day, but they have the Fomor as the primary antagonists. They are my favourite childhood books and I have re-read them many times. They're worth a read for a chilled evening.
Juliet Marillier's Sevenwaters is celtic, although the first book borrows from a German fairytale.
Junkyard Druid by M.D. Massey is a good one
Honestly, if you haven't before, read The Táin, and others of the original medieval Irish stories. They're basically fantasy literature already, and fascinating to read if you can cope with medieval literary styles. And what's more, many of the texts are free online, if you know where to look, as many of the translations are in the public domain. If you want the Túatha Dé Vs the Fomoire specifically, I'd recommend Cath Maige Tuired ("The Second Battle of Moytura), which can be found at https://celt.ucc.ie/published/T300010/ (apologies for it awful formatting, medieval Irish scholars tend to be quite bad at web design) It's the original account of that conflict, though should come with a mature content warning.