While fairies or their equivalent appear in the folklore of many cultures, nowhere have they been as embraced and celebrated as in Celtic lands. From Ireland and Scotland to Wales and even the Celtic-influenced areas of Western France, the stories of these mystical creatures—fair, willowy and tall, and fully infused with the primal essence of magic—permeate the landscape. This masterwork of faerie lore begins with the Book of Invasions, which chronicles the first arrival in Ireland of the Tuatha, the earliest Irish clans. It reflects their sometimes comical, sometimes terrifying interactions with humans, and describes the impact of early Christianity on fairy beliefs. There’s also fairy tales from the Victorian era, and even modern encounters with the legendary creatures, all revealing much about the romantic Celtic soul.