Seeing What's Hidden [2026]

Manchán Magan''s final book a luminous journey into Ireland''s ancient ways of knowing, myth and landscape. Shop now at Chapters Bookstore, free delivery.

"As transcendent and miraculous as you''d expect the final book in a landmark trilogy.

In his final book, Manchán Magan implores us even dares us to move from the limited rational world into a more expansive, spiritual one. To become re-enchanted. To understand that there are more ways of seeing and more ways of knowing, and to uncover the interconnectedness between all things.

Seeing What''s Hidden explores how ancient Irish culture holds deep resonances with other indigenous worldviews a way of perceiving land, language, nature and spirit as inseparable. Drawing on mythology, early law, folklore and placenames, Magan traces how Ireland''s forests, sacred trees and landscapes shaped the Irish psyche with such resilience that many of these beliefs and customs endure to this day. He asks us to look again, so that we too might rediscover our cultural inheritance and chart our course forward from here.

Lyrical, profound and quietly radical, it''s a fitting final work from one of Ireland''s most beloved writers and thinkers the author of Thirty-Two Words for Field and Listen to the Land Speak. A must-read for anyone drawn to Irish mythology, the Irish language and the deep roots of Irish culture.

A brand-new 2026 release, it sits alongside the best of our Irish interest and heritage titles and our wider Irish books range. Shop more new releases at Chapters Bookstore. Available now.

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FAQs

"What is Seeing What''s Hidden by Manchán Magan about?
It explores how ancient Irish culture shares deep resonances with indigenous worldviews, perceiving land, language, nature and spirit as inseparable. Drawing on mythology, early law, folklore and placenames, Magan invites readers to rediscover Ireland''s cultural inheritance and reconnect with older ways of seeing and knowing."

"Is Seeing What''s Hidden part of a trilogy?
Yes. It''s the final book in Manchán Magan''s landmark trilogy exploring Irish culture, language and spirituality, following his earlier explorations of the connections between Ireland and other ancient traditions. It can also be read and enjoyed on its own."

"Who was Manchán Magan?
Manchán Magan (1970–2025) was a much-loved Irish author, broadcaster and documentary maker, known for celebrating the Irish language, landscape and heritage in bestselling books such as Thirty-Two Words for Field. Seeing What''s Hidden is his final book."

"Where should a beginner start with Irish mythology?
A good entry point is an accessible overview or retelling rather than the dense original sources, since the myths vary by region and can feel intimidating at first. Many readers begin with the famous tales like the Táin through a modern retelling, then move on to the four cycles and folklore collections as their interest grows."

"What is the difference between Irish mythology and Irish folklore?
Irish mythology refers to the ancient body of stories about gods and heroes, traditionally grouped into four cycles the Mythological, Ulster, Fenian and Historical (Kings'') cycles. Folklore is generally later and more local: the fairies, banshees and leprechauns of popular tradition, passed down through communities rather than the early myth cycles."