Far more than just a faint echo of the past, Ireland’s fairy forts are still vibrantly alive. 

The traditions connected to them are so powerful that, even today, people rarely interfere with Irish fairy forts or fairy trees. They aren’t built on; roads curve around them; farmers don’t plough over them 

The most numerous ancient remains in Ireland today, numbering up to 50,000 or more, these enigmatic mounds and grassy banks seem to call out to us from an earlier time. So, what are they, who built them and what were they for? And how have so many survived for so long?

With evocative photographs by Richard Mills, master folklorist Jo Kerrigan explores the origins of these mysterious circular structures: the stories and legends, the history and archaeology, the living traditions and practices connected to them. And reminds us of the dangers of disturbing the ancient spirits dwelling beneath.

a wonderful and magical publication

a fabulous, really lovely book to even just flick through

Jo Kerrigan grew up amid the wild beauties of West Cork; after working in the UK as writer, academic and journalist, she returned home to the place she loved best. She now writes regularly for a range of publications, including The Irish Examiner and the Evening Echo as well as international magazines, and operates a very popular online weblog. Richard Mills, born in Provence, moved to West Cork at the age of 16. Since then he has combined the career of press photographer with The Irish Examiner and Evening Echo, with that of keen wildlife photographer, garnering many national and international awards and seeing his images published across the world. He has also been the subject of a TV programme by the wildlife film maker, Eamon de Buitlear.