Phil Purcel, the Pig-Driver; the Geography of an Irish Oath; the Lianhan Shee: Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, the Works Of: William Carleton, Volume Three

This is Volume 3 of William Carleton's monumental collection of Irish peasant tales, first published in the mid-19th century when Ireland was still largely a rural, agricultural society. Carleton, often called the Walter Scott of Ireland, drew on his own Ulster upbringing to create stories that pulse with authentic folk voice, wry humor, and startling emotional depth. Phil Purcel, the Pig-Driver introduces one of Carleton's most vivid characters: a roguish pig-jobber whose cunning and humor make him irresistible despite his knavish ways. His misadventures driving pigs to English markets become vehicles for sharp social commentary, illuminating how Irish peasants were perceived by outsiders while celebrating the irrepressible wit and resourcefulness of the native character. The volume also includes The Geography of an Irish Oath, a wickedly funny exploration of how peasants deploy colorful curses as both art form and social currency, and The Lianhan Shee, a tale of fairy folklore that reveals the supernatural beliefs woven into everyday rural life. These stories preserve a world of oral tradition, cunning traders, and ancient superstitions rendered with affection, satire, and undeniable narrative force.