Skip to main content

Distributed for University College Dublin Press

What Irish Proverbs Tell Us About Ourselves

What can we learn from the folk wisdom of our ancestors? For centuries, Irish proverbs or seanfhocail have provided memorable insights into everyday experiences such as love, marriage, happiness and death. In doing so, they give us a unique insight into human nature as well as an understanding of the lives and outlook of our forebears. But is such "timeless wisdom" still relevant in the modern world - or merely the dying echo of a bygone era? In this fascinating book, Aidan Moran and Michael O’Connell reflect on this question and provide a systematic exploration of the psychology of Irish proverbs. In particular, the authors examine a wealth of Irish wisdom about food, drink, weather, money, markets, land, health, happiness, love, marriage and death - all the essentials of life! Thoroughly researched and written in a lively, accessible style, the book is enriched by a selection of beautiful photographs. Often provocative, sometimes witty but never dull, these proverbs will encourage you to slow down and look at the world in a different way.This book is an essential purchase for students of Irish society, people who share a love of folklore, and anyone who is interested in learning more about the meaning and significance of Irish proverbs.

208 pages | © 2006

Sociology:


University College Dublin Press image

View all books from University College Dublin Press

Table of Contents

Foreword by Tina Hickey Psychology and the study of proverbs Proverbs and Irish Society Food and Drink Weather lore - signs and proverbs Money markets and land Between two worlds - Irish proverbs about health, happiness and death Love and marriage poking fun and drawing comparisons - Triad proverbs References Index.

Be the first to know

Get the latest updates on new releases, special offers, and media highlights when you subscribe to our email lists!

Sign up here for updates about the Press