HERE is a book full of newsy and interesting tidbits, forgotten facts and historical details that amaze and amuse: Iontais na hEireann, by Seamas O Maitiu (An Gum, £2.50), is a collection of did you know stories, with illustrations by Pieter Sluis, aimed at young teenagers, but this adult reader found the book pacey and good fun.
We learn how the Tuatha De Dannan came to Ireland on a cloud of fog, which eclipsed the sun for three days. We read about Arkle, who was born at 3.30 am on April 19th, 1957, and reared on Mary Baker's farm in Naul, Co Dublin, and how snow was falling on the famous Cheltenham racecourse under the Cotswolds in 1964 when the horses (Arkle amongst them) came out for the beginning of that first big race for the Gold Cup. Arkle won again in 1965 and 1966.
Another story opens with a grurf demand - "show us where the stallion is." James Fitzpatrick, the chief groom, writes the author, understood the question. He took the men immediately to Shergar's stable. He wasn't going to take any chances. They wore balaclavas and they had guns ... And we're off on the trail of that particular mystery.
There are 20 stories, and each one is told with relish. The action packed openings are good, and we are drawn in immediately. The descriptions and dialogue place us right at a particular time and place in history. A little glossary of the more difficult words in translation is given along the margins in each story.
Daoine agus Deithe, by Aine Ni Ghlinn, with evocative, magical illustrations by Finbarr O'Connor (An Gum, £2.50), is a selection of beautiful ancient folk stories from places as far flung as Mexico, Africa, Peru, Egypt, Greece, Japan and India. The tales are colourful, vivid and sharply detailed. Some of them, such as "Romalas agus Reamas" and "Bosca Phandora", will be well known, but there are also lesser known fables, such as the story of Scar, a young "Red Indian" boy who won the admiration of the Sun King because of his bravery and eventually married the chiefs daughter.
In this book also, like the others in this series, the most difficult words are in English along the margins of each story.