Some of these tales, including my personal favorite, are actually ballads. One thing you can be sure of is that in almost all cases there is a lesson to be learned. As I said before, you may recognize some of these as faerietales your mother or father read to you when you were a child, though not quite as they are here. I am striving to find these tales in their original form, or as close as possible. In many cases this does mean the happy ending you expect is not actually there. An example of this, though I don't know it's origination at this time, is Beauty and the Beast. In it's orginal form, the Beast does indeed, tragically so, die. His death served as a lesson to the children who were told this tale. Over time Beauty and the Beast was altered to have a happy ending to suit the changed perspective of societies. So, if you come across a faerietale you grew up hearing, and it seems different here, keep this in mind. As I said, I am striving to put them up in their original, or as close to original as possible, form.
However, while keeping close to the original faerie tale, I, as a Bard in training, will be attempting to add my own artistic flair. It is for this reason that you will come across many versions of the same faerietale. While the lesson, the core, and the characters are never changed, each individual Bard adds his/her own flair to each tale told, in a sense personalizing it. As a matter of fact, it is the Bard's equivalent of the artist signature. Those tales that I do not feel I can benefit by adding my own touch, or prefer in their original form I will leave be. (Artist perogative...he he)
Also, at this time I would like to ask that if you have a favorite faerietale that you know to be of Gaelic origin, and do not see it here, please e-mail it to me. I will quite happily add it to what I hope will be an every growing selection. Understand that if I cannot trace it back to Gaelic origin I will not be able to place it here as this site is dedicated to Gaelic Traditionalism, but suggestions are always more than welcome.
Now, sit back, pick a tale, and allow it to transport you through time and space to a period we only dream of, an age of magic, honor, beauty, and true love...
Saorla Fey McCarty
