The Purcell Papers are a collection of thirteen Gothic

Gothic fiction

Gothic fiction, sometimes referred to as Gothic horror, is a genre or mode of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. Gothicism's origin is attributed to English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto, subtitled "A Gothic Story"...

, supernatural, historical and humorous short stories by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (1814-73) originally written for the Dublin University Magazine

Dublin University Magazine

The Dublin University Magazine was an independent literary cultural and political magazine published in Dublin from 1833 to 1882. It started out as a magazine of political commentary but increasingly became devoted to literature.-Early days:...

. The first twelve were written between 1838-40 and purport to be extracts from the 'MS. Papers of the late Rev. Francis Purcell, of Drumcoolagh', a Catholic priest. The thirteenth and last tale on the collection, Billy Maloney's Taste of Love and Glory dates from 1850 and is not connected with Father Purcell. The tales comprise:

Vol 1

• The Ghost and the Bone-Setter (first published January 1838)
• The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh (March 1838)
• The Last Heir of Castle Connor (June 1838)
• The Drunkard's Dream (August 1838)

Vol 2

• Passage in the Secret History of an Irish Countess (November 1838)
• The Bridal of Carrigvarah (April 1839)
• Strange Event in the Life of Schalken the Painter (May 1839)
• Scraps of Hibernian Ballads (June 1839)

Vol 3

• Jim Sulivan's Adventures in the Great Snow (July 1839)
• A Chapter in the History of a Tyrone Family (October 1839)
• An Adventure of Hardress Fitzgerald, a Royalist Captain (February 1840)
• The Quare Gander (October 1840)
• Billy Maloney's Taste of Love and Glory (June 1850)

External links

Complete text of The Purcell Papers