Gregory Butt

This evaluation covers the webpage Tir Nan Og – Land of the Irish Faerie Folk found at the following URL: http://members.aol.com/skyvoyagr/irishfey.htm. The evaluation is based mainly on [^the] authenticity of the legends in relation to the book Faeries written by Brian Froud and Alan Lee. Some of the other criteria involve the presentation of the material and the relevancy of the links listed.

This particular website displays a decent amount of information concerning faerie-lore relative to Ireland. Although it mainly deals with specific faeries, there is a portion dedicated to the Tuatha de Danann. According to Brian Froud and Alan Lee, the authors of Faeries, this fantasized ancient race used to govern the faerie island of Tir Nan Og before they were defeated by the Milesians. Those of the Tuatha de Danann that didn’t flee Ireland settles underneath hollow hills, or Raths, where they became known as the Daoine Sidhe. References to an ancient race of giants could refer to the Tuatha de Danann[^comma] as they were originally gigantic, but one must be careful to remember that they are a part of Irish legend. They diminished in size as their legends grew weak and Christianity became more popular in the land. Finvarra (referred to as Fin Bheara) was considered both the king of the Tuatha de Danann and the High King of the Irish faeries.

A few of the more popular faeries are depicted here as well, including the Bean Sidhe (banshee) and the Leprechaun. Most of the descriptions for the faeries covered in this site are confirmed if not derived from Faeries.

While the site limits itself to Irish faerie-lore and more specifically those faeries typically associated with the faerie island of Tir Nan Og, the material displayed is quite comprehensive and complete in summary form. [?The lack of legends to support these faeries can be disturbing if not foolish.]

The inclusion of a MIDI version of Tschaikowsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies could be considered a nice touch, but I took it as [I’m not sure this is the word you want, though I agree with the “annoying” characterization=>]garish and annoying. The artwork, with a few exceptions, portrays a fantastic touch to the vividness of the faeries. A few of the pieces were taken directly from Froud’s sketches in Faeries.

This site appears to exist more for the purposes of pleasure rather than academic research[^comma] as shown by the many fortune-telling links placed at the bottom of the page. I found most of the links appeal to personal interest as opposed to historical and literary credibility. The inclusion of the Fairy Ring my lead one to other relevant sites[^comma] but I found this one to be the most accurate as far as authentic legend is concerned.

Froud, Brian & Alan Lee. Faeries. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1978.