One great Celtic short fantasy story is 'The Salmon of Knowledge'. It's a tale full of magic and wisdom. The salmon in the story is a symbol of knowledge and those who seek it go through various adventures.
There is also 'The Wooing of Etain'. This story involves a complex web of love, magic, and reincarnation in the Celtic mythological world. It has elements of otherworldly beings and the power of love that transcends different forms and lifetimes.
One famous short Celtic story is 'The Salmon of Knowledge'. In this story, Fionn Mac Cumhaill sought the wisdom held by the Salmon of Knowledge. After catching and cooking it, he burned his thumb while testing if it was cooked. He put his thumb in his mouth and thus gained the fish's knowledge.
I'd recommend 'The Salmon of Knowledge'. The concept of gaining wisdom through tasting a special fish is easy to understand. And the character of Fionn mac Cumhaill is really interesting. It can be a great introduction to Celtic short stories as it doesn't have overly complex themes or a large number of characters.
One great hounded Celtic fantasy novel is 'The Book of Kells' by R.A. MacAvoy. It weaves together Celtic mythology and magic in a really engaging way.
Another is the tale of 'Cú Chulainn's Rage'. While not a typical horror story, it has some scary elements. Cú Chulainn was a great Celtic hero. In his 'Rage' mode, he became a terrifying and uncontrollable force. He would transform into a grotesque and fearsome figure, killing many without mercy. His rage was so intense that it was a horror to behold.
Magic is a very common theme. For example, in many stories there are magical creatures like fairies or druids with special powers.
One great celtic historical fantasy novel is 'The Mists of Avalon' by Marion Zimmer Bradley. It weaves together Arthurian legend with Celtic mythology in a very engaging way.
The 'Sevenwaters' series by Juliet Marillier can also be considered. It often features elements related to prophecy and is deeply rooted in Celtic mythology. There are strong family ties and the characters are often part of a greater destiny as if they were children of prophecy in their own right. The detailed descriptions of the Celtic - like landscapes and cultures make it a great read for those interested in this genre.
One great award - winning Celtic fantasy novel is 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. It has a richly detailed world and a compelling protagonist.
One well - known Celtic hero Cuchulain - related fantasy novel is 'The Táin'. It vividly portrays the heroic deeds of Cuchulain in a myth - filled and action - packed story. The descriptions of battles and his superhuman feats are quite engaging.
I would recommend 'The Black Dog of the Fae' which is a lesser - known but very interesting Celtic Fae story. It has elements of horror and mystery. 'The Fae's Gift' is also a good one. It focuses on a human receiving a gift from the Fae and the unforeseen events that unfold. Also, 'The Lady of the Lake', which has strong Fae elements in the Celtic context, is worth reading.