Wolf-Men and Water Hounds: The Myths, Monsters and Magic of Ireland

By Manchán Magan, illustrated by Steve Doogan. Published by Gill. 

Hardcover, 64 pages, B&W, 2023. 

Uncover the secrets of our island in this engrossing look at magical landmarks across the country. Travelling province by province through Ireland, Manchán outlines the stories most closely associated with each site, focussing on a specific beast or creature from legend and highlighting a magical word or phrase in Irish alongside.

Discover the dobharchú or water hound of Achill Island; the enchanted sow Cailcheir of Sligo’s Keash Caves; the Burren’s ollphéist or great serpent; the Caoránach or hairy worm of Lough Derg; the one-eyed salmon of Ballyshannon; and the man wolves of Ossory, County Kilkenny, amongst many others. This stunning gift book is a feast for the eyes for Manchán fans of all ages.

Manchán Magan was a writer and documentary-maker. His groundbreaking book Thirty-Two Words for Field led the way for the recent revival of the Irish language. He wrote occasionally for the Irish Times, reported on travel for various radio programmes, and presented dozens of documentaries on issues of world culture for TG4, RTÉ and the Travel Channel. Manchán lived in an oak wood, with bees, hens, and occasionally pigs, in a grass-roofed house near Lough Lene, Co Westmeath. He passed away in October 2025.

Steve Doogan works in a wide variety of media and styles. The Secrets of the Land is his second collaboration with Manchán Magan.