Catch a glimpse of the spirit of Ireland in the entertaining company of professional storyteller Doreen McBride as she recounts the local tales, ancient and modern, of County Louth. You will hear of the doomed love of Lassara and her harpist who haunt the waters of Carlingford Lough, of the origin of the River Boyne and of the jumping church at Kildemock. You will also discover St Brigid's association with Faughart, how the Hound of Ulster recovered from war wounds on the Death Mound of Du Largy, and where you might find leprechaun gold. And on the way you will encounter a killer cat, a fairy horse and the Salmon of Knowledge - as well as some talkative toes.From age-old legends and fantastical myths, to amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales, this collection is a heady mix of bloodthirsty, funny, passionate and moving stories. It will take you into a remarkable world where you can let your imagination run wild.

Fermanagh's culture, heritage, characters and stories set it apart from the rest of the world. Every mountain, tree, lake, stream, rock, stone and character tells a tale. There are the strange stories of mythical creatures, such as the Shining Folk that lurk under the surface of Lough Erne, and the fairies that taught the unruly wee Meg Barnileg a lesson. There are spooky tales of the Cooneen poltergeist that haunted the Murphy family and the ghost of Belleek Pottery. And there are the 'pants', or tall tales, that the locals love to retell, such as the stories about 'educated' Irish pigs who understood three languages, talking horses or the pike who went 'fishing' for squirrels.All these stories and more are featured in this unique collection which will take you deep into the heart of this historic county.

How did the lady of Dunluce Castle react when the kitchen fell into the sea while the cook was making dinner? Why did Finn McCool build the Giant's Causeway and where did he hide when the giant Cuculan wanted to fight? Northern Ireland is full of fairies and fun, witches and wizards, myth and mystery and lots of scary ghosts. Here the award-winning storyteller, Doreen McBride, who learnt stories at her grandmother's knee, retells some of favourite tales that are associated with her homeland.

How did a tiny wren manage to be crowned King of the Birds? Why did giant Finn McCool's favourite dogs change into mountains? What happened to turn a friendly cat into a cruel fiend who plotted to destroy mankind? Irish Animal Tales for Children is packed with ghostly goings-on, weird characters and wonderful animals. Irreverently told by award-winning storyteller Doreen McBride, these stories are not for the faint of heart!

Did you know?

• The world's worst novelist, Amanda McKittrick Ros, was born near Ballynahinch.
• The entire Kilkeel fishing fleet was sunk by a German U-boat on 30 May 1918 without the loss of a single life.
• Sir Hans Sloane, whose collection formed the foundation of the British Museum, was born in Killyleagh.

The Little Book of County Down is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about this ancient county of Northern Ireland. Here you will find out about Co. Down's history, its literary heritage, its churches and castles, its festivals and fairs, and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women.

A reliable and quirky guide, this little reference book can be dipped into time and again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage and the secrets of this fascinating county.

It is not generally known that the German submarine fleet surrendered on the banks of Lough Foyle and now lies at the bottom of the sea near its entrance, or that the Bismarck was spotted by a plane stationed at St Angelo Airport in County Fermanagh, or that Northern Ireland was the first place in Europe to host American troops.President Roosevelt is recorded to have said that the Allies could not have won the Second World War without the contribution made by Northern Ireland. Memory of that contribution, and the human cost, is faithfully recorded here for the first time, after numerous interviews with a range of people who have stories to tell.

Did You Know

• Van Morrison wrote 'Brown Eyed Girl' on a piano in Derrygonnelly

• Paddy Monaghan, from Ederney, befriended Mohammad Ali and became known as Paddy-Ali

• St Molaise brought soil containing blood from early Christian martyrs from the Colosseum in Rome and placed it on Devonian Island

• Natives of Fermanagh had boats called cots, which were shaped like spoons without handles. They are the only boats in the world to be preserved during winter by being scuttled

The Little Book of Fermanagh is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange and entertaining facts about County Fermanagh.

Here you will find out about the county's industrial past, its proud sporting heritage, its arts and culture and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. Through quaint villages and bustling towns, this book takes the reader on a journey through County Fermanagh and its vibrant past.

A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about this colourful county.

The Little Book of County Down is a compendium of fascinating, obscure, strange, and entertaining facts about this ancient county. Here you will find out about Co.Down's history, its literary heritage, its churches and castles, its festivals and fairs, and its famous (and occasionally infamous) men and women. A reliable reference book and a quirky guide, this can be dipped into time and time again to reveal something new about the people, the heritage, and the secrets of this fascinating county.

Banbridge gets its name from the bridge built across the River Bann in 1712. It's a thriving modern town, rife with history and culture, surrounded by beautiful scenery that provided an iconic location for the internationally acclaimed television series Game of Thrones. It's the setting of the well-known folk song 'The Star of the County Down', contains Europe's first flyover bridge and an ancient church founded by St Patrick himself.Travel from Ballievey along the Lower Bann, discover ancient Celtic sites, the remains of old linen mills and a Second World War aeroplane factory. Look, too, for the famous names attached to Banbridge, including Ernest Walton, the first person to see an artificially split atom; F.E. McWilliam, the renowned sculptor; and Captain Francis Crozier, the explorer who discovered the North West Passage.