Ireland in Love

This is a collection of Ireland's unusual love traditions. It tells readers of how purple orchids were used in "coaxing" women in Kerry, and how white gander droppings were employed to secure the love of a man in Cork. The volume brings together a variety of original texts which offer advice, help or amusement on such questions as telling the future, casting charms, laying curses and matchmaking. It also contains a selection of songs, sayings, quotations and poems, including excerpts from "Midnight Court". Anthony Bluett is the author of "Things Irish" and the editor of "Favourite Irish Stories".