The Festival of Lughnasa. A Study of the Survival of the Celtic Festival of the Beginning of Harvest. Oxford University Press, 1962. First Edition. Pp xii, 697. Large 8vo. Green buckram, title in gilt to spine, illustrated dust jacket. Jacket chipped along edges, small dent to centre of spine, gift inscription to front free endpaper.

Illustrated with fifteen-plates & a folded map at rear.

A work regarded as one of the most important contributions to Irish studies since its publication. Lughnasa, the Celtic harvest festival, at the end of July, is a celebration of the outwitting of Crom Dubh, a Pre-Christian God associated with the Celts.

Journalist, folklorist & translator, Máire MacNeill was a member of the Irish Folklore Commission from 1935 to 1949. A daughter of Eoin Mac Néill (Gaelic revivalist, nationalist and politician) she lived in Boston for a number of years before returning home in 1967.

Typed note signed by the author loosely inserted.