SOURCE: Pyle, Hilary. “Irish Epic.” In James Stephens: His Work and an Account of His Life, pp. 91–107. London, 1965.

In the following essay, Pyle provides biographical information surrounding the creation and publication of Irish Fairy Tales.

More than eight hundred years ago a famous saint informed the world that the language spoken in heaven was Gaelic, and, presumably, he had information on the point. He was not an Irishman, and he had no reason to exalt Fodhla above the other nations of the earth, and therefore, his statement may be accepted on its merits, the more particularly as no other saint has denied it, and every Irish person is prepared to credit it.

—The Demi-Gods

The job in the National Gallery, though it did not tie Stephens greatly, overworked him since the Director was away frequently and the burden of the responsibility fell on the registrar. He had left...