Buy new:
-62% $11.29
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
$11.29 with 62 percent savings
List Price: $29.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Saturday, May 18. Order within 6 hrs 27 mins
Only 20 left in stock (more on the way).
$$11.29 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.29
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$8.47
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Saturday, May 18. Order within 6 hrs 27 mins
Only 3 left in stock - order soon.
$$11.29 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$11.29
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

T. W. Rolleston
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Celtic Myths and Legends (Celtic, Irish) Paperback – November 1, 1990

by T. W. Rolleston (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 122 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$11.29","priceAmount":11.29,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"11","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"29","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"1uo95zs6pqpP7foecAtD4PD3SlZnf9lf%2BW0bHLvGgrMLoMvYmEOlbv8AsCBXdZ%2FNxzSJnL4nrCl4dIakK37XWlWJ6xCyCgm1OvDJe5N%2FQPtWtla3n%2Fof0m2WITjrar79iWr5dokIcrk%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$8.47","priceAmount":8.47,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"47","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"1uo95zs6pqpP7foecAtD4PD3SlZnf9lf7JKgwqRnUMHXXsBM5EA0JAZYIcEpUwqQ%2FXwUtEXh6xqy2TKckbK%2B%2F7L87Q9y5YO3lmAdqWS3HEXMICdRogm6ZzM1dB2V8A5DZJF8eZzwQ6yPpa5%2F2RgoxubXg1u615EOPmFTeU7hFOTBu8VCZSa97Vvtuj9mP65c","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

This splendidly illustrated study by the distinguished Celticist T. W. Rolleston masterfully retells the great Celtic myths and illuminates the world that spawned them. Focusing principally on Irish myths, the book first takes up the history and religion of the Celts, the myths of the Irish invasion and the early Milesian kings.
What follows is pure enchantment as you enter the timeless world of heroic tales centered around the Ulster king Conor mac Nessa and the Red Branch Order of chivalry (Ultonian cycle). These are followed by the tales of the Ossianic cycle, which center on the figure of Finn mac Cumhal, whose son Oisín (or Ossian) was a poet and warrior, and the traditional author of most of the tales. Next comes a summary of the Voyage of Maeldūn, a brilliant and curious piece of invention that exemplifies the genre of "wonder-voyages" — adventures purely in the region of romance, out of earthly space and time. Finally, the author recounts a selection of the myths and tales of the Cymry (Welsh).
In these pages, readers will delight in the favorite and familiar tales of Cuchulain, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the Grail, Deirdre, and many more figures that haunt the shadowy, twilight world of Celtic legend. The magic of that world is further brought to life in more than 50 imaginative full-page illustrations by Stephen Reid, Arthur G. Bell, and the famed illustrator J. C. Leyendecker. Reprinted here in its first paperback edition, Celtic Myths and Legends also includes several helpful genealogical tables: Gods of the House of Dōn, Gods of the House of Llyr, and Arthur and His Kin, as well as a useful glossary.

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    528 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dover Publications
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 1990
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.2 x 8.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0486265072
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0486265070
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

Celtic Myths and Legends (Celtic, Irish)
$11.29
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
Only 20 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Irish Fairy Tales and Folklore
$13.49
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Mammoth Book of Celtic Myths and Legends (Mammoth Books)
$11.49
Get it as soon as Tuesday, May 21
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by Sarahs Bookshop and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Reprint edition (November 1, 1990)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 528 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486265072
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486265070
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.37 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.2 x 8.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
T. W. Rolleston

T. W. Rolleston

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
122 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Phantom Queen
5.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful introduction to the Celtic myths
Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2005
Verified Purchase
This book is meant to give the reader a general conception of the subject of the Celtic myths. The stories are too abundant to be added in their full content in a volume of this size.

Celtic Myths and Legends breaks the myths into eight chapters starting with Celts in Ancient History, Religion of the Celts and takes the reader on a trip through the Irish Invasion Myths, Early Milesian Kings, Ultonian Cycle, Ossianic Cycle, Voyage of Maeldun and Myths and Tales of the Cymry. There is a brief, but insightful explanation of the Arthurian Myths. The numerous black and white illustrations reveal the rich clothing and armor of the ancient Celts.

I have read many books on the Celtic myths and this one was the most helpful to me. I like the way the stories are broken up into shorter paragraphs with subtitles to make them easier to read and understand. There are dates given as to when these tales may have been written and when some of the legendary characters may have lived. The dates were really helpful to me and made it easier for me to understand the stories. It is interesting to see how the stories change as Christianity takes over. I think this is a great book for students and general readers who are interested in the Celtic myths.
24 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Andy
5.0 out of 5 stars Celtic Mythology - Both Poetic and Intellectual
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2018
Verified Purchase
My favourite book of Celtic myth and culture. Of the three books I own concentrating on Celtic myth, one is completely storytelling and is great fun, one is far more academic and is more of an encyclopedia with an emphasis on archaeology and cultural aspects of the mythology, but this book is the perfect blend. Beautiful poetic tales, and some cultured insight into the background of the Celtic history. An older book, and very modest, but in my opinion this one best suited my taste, I actually enjoyed the vintage quality as it has a very similar feel to reading Bullfinch's Mythology. A great collection at a great price.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
DogMom
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
Fun to read, and informative. Nice illustrations. Recommend to my SCA friends, and history buffs.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Fan reader
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
A good read
Helpful
 Report
Pamela Canizales
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
Love this book.
Helpful
 Report
James D. Charles
5.0 out of 5 stars True and comprehensive classic
Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2011
I first came across this classic work by TW Rolleston about ten years ago, when I was travelling through Ireland. When I went back to the small, used book shop to buy the volume, it was gone.
Months later, back in the USA, I came across this excellent paperback edition. Because it is so thorough, well written, well researched and informative, it has become one of my favorite books.
One nice factor with the paperback reprint is that it contains most of the original illustrations from various talented artists. Buy this book and you will rapidly fall in love with it.

Vis a vis the comment by one reviewer about Rolleston's comments on the aryan origins of the Celts and hair color, I think that younger person is unaware that before the 1940s, most scientists and historians used the term "Aryan" for the group of invaders who came down out of the Caucasus mountains at the start of the Bronze Age bringing thier sun-worshipping culture with them. While todays historians and archeologists call that tribe "Indo-Europeans" the thing is that those people- the ancestors of the Celts, Teutons and Hellenic Greeks, called themselves Aryans.
Something that reviewer does not understand is that prior to the industrial era, many people and cultures were not as diverse now. If you go back far enough, what you find is that many large groups of people in the Iron Age were of similar types.
For example, the Irish people tended to be tall, pale and black haired and blue eyed as they were descended from Celt Iberians. The "Black Irish" as they were once called were known as "Milsians". They seem to have displaced earlier Celtic peoples in Ireland who were tall and pale and blonde.
In Briton and Gaul, most Celts were tall, pale and blonde as many contemporary authors such as Ceasar and Tacitus attest. The Milsians brought dark hair into the islands with them from Celt-Iberia. A thousand years ago, you could look at a Celt and tell if he or she were of Brythonic, Welsh or Irish stock due to the hair color. Note that the Highland Scots were also descended from Milsian Irish from Dalreada.
The much vaunted red hair that modern Irish folk are famous for actually came late to Ireland with the Vikings. In fact, go back to the 11th and 12th century and what you find is that a red-haired Irishman was considered to be a Norseman. By the time the Normans arrived in Ireland the old Irish had a phrase for that- "Red hair was Ireland's gift from the Vikings."
Note that the Highland Scots clans descended from Norse stock, such as the MacGregors and the MacDonalds were known for red hair, but the MacKenzies and the old Irish descent clans were usually described as dark haired.

In todays world where we have less interbreeding and more diversity it is uncommon to come upon large groups of people with similar traits. 1000 years ago it was entirely common. Even today in some rural parts of eastern Kentucky it is not uncommon to find that the Irish families tend to be brunettes and the families with English surnames are often blonde or red haired.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Joseph Garratt
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I was expecting
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
Maybe i misunderstood the books description but it is a historical take on the Celtics instead of discussing celtic mythology. Not bad just not what I was expecting.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
melinda
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2014
great addition to my library
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
Helen Hanrahan
5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting and had lots of information.
Reviewed in Canada on December 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
Well written and the information was helpful.
Report
L1pst3r
5.0 out of 5 stars Nichts zu bemängeln.
Reviewed in Germany on March 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
Sehr spannend zu lesen!
Report
:)
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great!
Report
Kurt Benoit
5.0 out of 5 stars Happy with puchase
Reviewed in Canada on July 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
Awesome
Report
Ron
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
A good read.
2 people found this helpful
 Report