Book excerpt: A classic in its field, this charming work by a noted scholar explores traditional Irish customs and activities—from thatching a roof, churning butter, cultivating and harvesting crops, making pots and pans and building furniture to behavior at weddings, wakes, festivals, and funerals. "For all its learning, the book is popular in the best way, and admirably illustrated. . . ."—Times Literary Supplement. (London)