Can you recommend some interesting 'old irish fairy stories'?

Sure. One of the well - known Old Irish Stories is 'The Táin Bó Cúailnge'. It's an epic tale full of heroic deeds, battles, and mythical creatures. Another great one is 'The Voyage of Bran'. It involves a magical journey across the sea.

Sure. 'The Ghost in the Mill' is a great one. It tells about a spooky presence in an old mill that haunts the workers at night.

One famous Old Irish Christmas story is about the Christmas Cat. It was said that the cat would prowl on Christmas night and those who didn't have new clothes would be in danger. Another is the story of St. Stephen's Day, which has its own traditions in Irish Christmas lore. There are also tales of how the Irish would celebrate Christmas with their unique feasts and family gatherings, including the sharing of special Christmas breads.

There's also 'The Salmon of Knowledge'. In this story, the young hero Fionn mac Cumhaill catches the Salmon of Knowledge. As he's cooking it, he burns his thumb and sucks on it, thereby gaining all the knowledge in the world. This story shows the Irish respect for knowledge and the power it holds.

One main theme is magic. The fairies in these stories possess all kinds of magical powers, like turning people into animals or creating illusions. Another theme is nature. The fairies are closely related to nature, living in forests, near rivers or in mounds. For example, in many stories, the fairies' power is connected to the seasons and the growth of plants.

Well, there are quite a few. 'The Tale of Mac Da Thó's Pig' is a rather humorous one. It shows the social interactions and rivalries in old Irish society. Then there's 'The Cattle Raid of Cooley' which, although it can be seen as more of an epic, has short story - like elements and is a wonderful example of Old Irish storytelling. There's also 'The Adventures of Nera' which is full of mystery and the supernatural.

The Táin Bó Cúailnge is also an important Old Irish War Story. It involves a great cattle raid. There are heroic characters like Cú Chulainn, who displays extraordinary combat skills and courage. The story is full of battles, strategies, and also elements of the supernatural. It gives us a glimpse into the military and cultural aspects of old Ireland.

One well - known Old Irish love story is the tale of Diarmuid and Gráinne. Diarmuid was a handsome warrior, and Gráinne, the daughter of a king, fell in love with him. They had to flee from Gráinne's betrothed, Fionn Mac Cumhaill, and faced many adventures together.

Sure. One popular Irish bedtime story is 'The Children of Lir'. It's about four children who are turned into swans by their jealous stepmother. They endure many years of exile on the lakes and seas of Ireland. Another is 'Finn MacCool and the Giant's Causeway'. Finn was a great hero in Irish mythology, and the story of how he built the Giant's Causeway is really fascinating.

One well - known Irish Christmas story is 'The Night Before Christmas in Ireland'. It often features Irish traditions like leaving out a mince pie for Santa. Another is 'The Christmas Miracle in an Irish Village' which tells about how a small Irish community comes together during the holiday season to help a family in need.