Book excerpt: Dáithí Ó hÓgáin, one of Ireland's leading folklorists, gives a lively and informative account of the widespread folk beliefs of Ireland in Irish Superstitions, this popular guide to Irish superstitions, old wives' tales and other spooky stuff from the Irish countryside. Irish Superstitions includes a list of good-luck charms, spells, soothsayings and other irrational but charming and creative folk beliefs. There are stories of leprechauns and sprites, ghosts, the evil eye and wise women's curses. There are also charms and spells to make crops grow, to keep cattle healthy, to ensure safe childbirth, and to fulfil many other longed-for desires. Most of the superstitions are of pagan origin; many were overlaid with popular Christian belief. Irish Superstitions: Table of Contents Foreword — The Mind Engaged - Man the Summation of All Things - The World Around Us - Ourselves and the Others - Rules and Practices of Life