The Crock of Gold by James Stephens (1912)

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                                  James Stephens

                                     Dublin

                                  1870 to 1950

 Between 1903 when George's Moore's Untilled Field was first published and 1914 when Dubliners was first published James Stephen's The Crock of Gold was published, 1912.   A few people still read, I do and admire them greatly, the stories of Moore.  Dubliners is the uncontested most influential short story collection of all time.  Stephens' novel, Crock of Gold is an odd combination of Irish folklore, philosophy and adventure.  Most would say it is a throwback to pre-modern Irish literature.  I suspect few out side of those totally into Irish literature still read this strange  book.  Parts of it were interesting, I enjoy stories involving leprechauns and their cousins and they do play heavily in this story.  All and all I am glad I read this work (maybe 180 pages) but I do not push it to others.  

Mel u

"The Story of Tuan MacCairill" in Irish Fairy Tales by James Stephens

"The Story of Tuan MacCairill" by James Stephens (1920, 22 pages, included in Irish Fairy Tales)

The Irish Quarter:  A Celebration of the Irish Short Story

March 11 to July 1

Resources and Ideas

Please consider joining us for The  Irish Quarter, Year Two   All you need do is post on one short story by an Irish author and send me a comment or an email and I will include it in the master post at the end of the challenge.   There are links to 1000s of stories, old and new, on the resources page.  Guest Posts are also welcome.


James Stephens (1882 to 1950-Dublin) is now most read for his retelling of Irish fairy tales and myths in his Irish Fairy Tales.   He published several novels and in his day was a well known poet.   His best known novel is Crock of Gold.

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Stephens began his literary career through a series of poems that appeared in a  Sinn Féin publication.    Through this he came to the attention of  George William Russell (who was sometimes known as "A. E. Russell) a leading writer, theosophist, and advocate of Irish Nationalism.   Through this contact Stephens was able to begin publishing plays and short stories.   He eventually became friends with James Joyce who at one time suggested to Stephens that he might help him complete Finnegan's Wake.   (I have previously posted on his short story, "A Rhinoceros, Some Ladies, and a Horse", centering on a young boy's first job, working as general helper at a Dublin theatrical agency.)


The stories in Irish Fairy Tales are mostly retelling of mythical tales about ancient Ireland, its mythical warriors, queens, and kings with lots of supernatural elements thrown in.   Most of the stories are set in Medieval Ireland.   The success of these stories in 1920 is, I think, related to the demand of the Irish that they be set free.   These stories helped rebuild the pride of the Irish in their past, in a time when the Irish ruled themselves.  

"My stories go back 5000
years"-Eachna

There are only two real characters is "The Story of Tuan MacCairill.   One is an abbot who was very shocked when he heard there were people in the vicinity  that still worshiped the old Gods. He finds that one of the local leaders, a much admired warrior and local king, Tuan MacCairill does not believe in the Gospel and follows old animistic ways.   He goes to his house and obtains admission and after a long conversation he seems to convince him of the truth of the Gospels.  The Tuan reveals to the abbot that he is in fact one of the original settlers of Ireland and is hundreds of years old.  He has lived in the forms of many animals in order to escape his enemies.   He began human again when he was, while in the form of a salmon, eaten by a queen who then subsequently gave birth to him in human form.   


This an interesting story.   Maybe it is in part now kind of a historical piece mainly but I liked it a lot and will read more of his Irish Fairy Tales.  


You can download Irish Fairy Tales from Manybooks for free.   


Mel u

"A Rhinoceros, Some Ladies, and A Horse" by James Stephens

"A Rhinoceros, Some Ladies, and A Horse" by James Stephens (1947, 22  pages)

Irish Short Story Week Year II

March 12 to March 22

Historic Stories Day

Resources and Ideas for Irish Short Story Week

Please consider joining us for Irish Short Story Week Year Two, March 12 to March 22.   All you need do is post on one short story by an Irish author and send me a comment or an email and I will include it in the master post at the end of the challenge.  


James Stephens (1882 to 1950-Dublin) is now most read for his retelling of Irish fairy tales and myths in his Irish Fairy Tales.   He published several novels and in his day was a well known poet.   His best known novel is Crock of Gold.

Stephens began his literary career through a series of poems that appeared in a  Sinn Féin publication.    Through this he came to the attention of  George William Russell (who was sometimes known as "A. E. Russell) a leading writer, theosophist, and advocate of Irish Nationalism.   Through this contact Stephens was able to begin publishing plays and short stories.   He eventually became friends with James Joyce who at one time suggested to Stephens that he might help him complete Finnegan's Wake.   

Frank O'Connor thought  "A Rhinoceros, Some Ladies, and a Horse" warranted inclusion in his collection Classic Irish Short Stories.  It first appeared in The American Mercury magazine in 1947.  

The story is told from the point of a young boy, fifteen or so at most,  working for a theatrical agency in Dublin as an errand boy.   He seems to be on his own and he lives in a rooming house.    This was his first job ever and he loved running errands for the two men who owned the agency.   He would sit in the office when there were no errands waiting for instructions.   The most exciting thing that happened during the day was when a "musical hall lady" came into the agency.   Everybody in the office went crazy when one walked in.   Music hall ladies were kind of exempt from the strict standards of refined behavior and dress other women were expected to follow.    

The fun of the story is seeing things from the point of view of the young boy.   His encounter with a rhinoceros is hilarious and his close encounter with a music hall lady who he thinks is in love with him is really perfect.     There is a lot to be learned about how a

Dublin theatrical agency worked, how boarding house ladies exploited young residents and about the life of Dublin in this story.

You can download a number of his works here,  

I will read more by Stephens soon.

Mel u