I’ll never forget the stories of my wife’s cousin, "Uncle" Charles, who’d pour a cup of coffee, light up his favorite pipe, and begin to recall his seafaring days in the US Navy as we both sat at his small dining room table under the dim light of a homemade Tiffany-like lamp. If stories within our lifetime can impact us and stay with us so long, what kind of story would it have to be to survive over two thousand years of human history? Just such a story is the legend of Deirdre of the Sorrows. My first encounter with this legend was actually musical in nature. In a little shop outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, I first heard the music of A Celtic Tale by Hearts of Space, and the sound captured my imagination. Not even knowing what the music was about, I bought the cassette and began investigating the tale of Deirdre of the Sorrows that had inspired this music. After reading many versions of this tale and looking at the archeological evidence from this time period in Northern Ireland, a more complete story started to formulate itself in my mind. A dark and powerful druid prophesizes that the most beautiful woman in the world will be born, marry one of three highly admired young brothers in Ireland, and eventually cause the downfall of the kingdom. Instead of killing the baby when she was born, the king decides to raise the girl and marry her on her sixteenth birthday to nullify the prophecy . . . like that was going to work! Well, you can imagine . . . no, wait. You don’’t have to——just read the story!

     David Riley is a professor of entomology at the University of Georgia who, apart from his scientific pursuits, developed an interest in Irish music and Irish stories at a very early age. He was the seventh born in a family of eleven children, a product of two Irish family lines, the Morans and the Rileys. By the time he entered the university, he had already developed some Irish ticks, like wearing an Irish tweed cap. David finished his bachelor’s degree in Georgia and went into the Peace Corps in South America, leaving his English-speaking country behind along with his hat in the university lab where he worked. It was a new life in Ecuador——new sights, new sounds, and new experiences. After two eventful years in the high Andes, he returned. With the small savings garnered from Peace Corps, he decided to fulfill his lifelong dream of seeing the Emerald Isle of Ireland. The bed-and-breakfast in Waterford had everything that David had ever imagined about Ireland——a kindly red-haired owner with her amicable husband, an incredibly hearty breakfast, unbelievable hospitality, and, to top it off, a musician’s pub just down the street. The pub was like a scene out of The Quiet Man, singing and drinking Guinness, and everyone got a chance to perform. David returned to the USA, earned his master’s degree at NCSU, and pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Florida. There, he met his future wife, Angie.Angelika Schmid-Riley, book illustrator and the author’s spouse, also has a deep interest in Celtic lore and fairy folk. She provided the black-and-white illustrations for each chapter heading.

        Order A Celtic Tale from the publisher at https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=46877, or from your local bookstore.

  
                    Read an Excerpt of A Celtic Tale Below

                                     Chapter 8

     Naisi and his men were thoroughly impressed by the overturned ships made into crannogs. Deirdre had already grown used to them, but they were definitely the most impressive structures in the little valley. With the decorating that Deirdre and the women had done inside and out, the structures really were befitting of the royal clan of Usna. Deirdre took Naisi by the hand to proudly show him their new home; and when they arrived at the central chamber of the central crannog, Deirdre and Naisi’s private chamber, Naisi turned to his brothers and the men trailing behind and motioned them not to follow. Ardan chuckled and said, "Way to go, little brother. Back off, men! Give the man some space. He hasn’t seen his wife all summer!" And with that, the men continued on toward the barrels of mead, laughing and joking.
     Once Naisi and Deirdre closed the door to their chamber, Naisi circled his arms around Deirdre and drew her toward him. He could smell the light perfume of her hair as he looked deeply into her eyes. He simply said, "I missed you so much, my Deirdre." But before he could continue, Deirdre kissed im full on the lips, pulled back, and just put her finger to his lips to shush him. She pulled him down to their bed, and they renewed their passion that had been suspended for far too much time for such young lovers. Many hours later, Naisi kissed Deirdre on the head, waking her up. He murmured, "Are you ready to celebrate?" Deirdre smiled broadly and giggled.
     "Okay, husband, and just what is it that you know about parties? Were you ‘partying’ with all the young ladies at King Clyde’s court?" she questioned him with a sly grin.
     "Now, sweet pea, do you really think that there is a woman in all of the lands of all of the kingdoms in the world that could hold a candle to you? Don’t you know that kingdoms have been split asunder for your beauty?" Naisi grinned, taking her hand and kissing it. Naisi had meant this as a high compliment, but Deirdre suddenly had a slight melancholy look in her eyes.

                  Advertising       Privacy Policy       Copyright       Terms & Conditions       Unsubscribe