This is where youll find the faeries that you wouldnt want to run into a dark alley and the Irish vampire that you wouldnt want to run into anywhere! The list of most terrifying beasts and spirits from Celtic mythology, just in time for Halloween. Curious how these Celtic creatures compare to Greek, Norse or Japanese mythological creatures? Read More. The Fear Gorta is a Celtic creature that takes the form of a tired and weather beating man, who begs for food. Last updated in October 2022. Right, its time for some less creepy Celtic Mythological Creatures. Privacy Policy. The faeries are a huge part of Irish folklore and are split into two categories. The leprechaun is often described to be a small, jolly elf-like creature with a ginger beard and green hat. Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. The Pooka is a different but equally terrifying mythological horse. The Brythonic peoples, descendants of the Celtic Britons, inhabited western Britain (mainly Wales, Cumbria and Cornwall) and Brittany. Merrows have the ability to do so thanks to their magical clothes. Ireland Travel Guides was born because of this passion and hopefully, in some little ways, this website will be able to help you on your next trip to Ireland. Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning "red blood sucker," is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. Today, the leprechaun has also become a mascot for St. Patricks Day, as well as a favorite design in Irish souvenirs. A general term for most fairy folk, the Daoine Maithe are usually human-like, have supernatural abilities, and are usually good and kind-hearted. Aibell is one of a number of Irish mythology creatures that uses music to defeat their enemies. A year after her death, she rose from her grave as a vengeful spirit. Fandom Apps Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. Now the Fomori have returned to their waters and transformed into sea monsters who prey on humans. Read more in our guide here. In a nutshell, this is one of a number of Irish folklore creatures that closely resemble people that youll find in towns and villages across the world. These creatures, especially the Merrows are amazing swimmers, and this ability is said to come from their clothing, which varies depending on which part of Ireland youre in. Aamon, (Christian Origin) comes from Christian demonology. Failinis was a dog who fought in many battles. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. The Gods told us to do it. [13] Writer and folklorist Ernest Marwick considered it very similar to the Norwegian nkk, the nuggle of Shetland and the kelpie. Often referred to as the Queen of Winter, Cailleach is one of the great Celtic mythological creatures. As the demon approached, he jumped out from his hiding spot and banished her from Ireland with a single word. Farewell Its been a while, but Beck and Kip are still in my heart and drifting in between short story drabbles in my free time. Celtic mythology is full of unique creatures, many of which have influenced modern day pop culture and are still mentioned in books, movies, video games and songs. Elln Trechend Photo by Sofya Dushkina/shutterstock.com British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest"[1] of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles. Caorthannach the Celtic fire-spitter. There was also a fairy cat that was known as the King of the Cats. Unlike leprechauns, who just chill in the woods near their pots of gold, the Far Darrig roam around with giant burlap sacks, looking to kidnap people. Another key difference between the Dullahan and the banshee is that the headless horseman does not hesitate to harm onlookers with his whip. Fomoire, also spelled Fomhoire, in Irish myth, a race of demonic beings who posed a threat to the inhabitants of Ireland until they were defeated by the god-race, the Tuatha D Danann. Ladies, take note meet a guy with seaweed on his head on Halloween night, dont go home with him! Merrow-men, on the other hand, are said to be hideous and ugly. The Celtiberians and Gallaecians were ancient Celtic peoples in Iberia. Riding a black horse and covered with a black cape, the Dullahan roams the fields at night. This beast appears not only in the legends of King Arthur but also in Edmund Spensers epic tale The Faerie Queene, which in part, tackles the troubled relationship between England and Ireland in the 16th century. The Questing Beast, known to be quick, was hunted down by many a knight, and in Celtic myth was chased by King Pellinore, an Arthurian character. Celtic MythologyCeltic Mythology in ContextAdventure, heroism, romance, and magic are a few of the elements that make Celtic mythology one of the most entrancing mythologies of Europe. Dearg Due - the Irish vampire. Here are some of these Irish mythological creatures, and their origin stories that you may not have heard of. Usually black, these mythic horses ride across the fields of Ireland at night, stampede over crops, fences, and peoples properties, they scare farm animals from producing milk or eggs for weeks, and they cause a lot of other mischief along the way. Female merrows are very desirable brides as they are said to be stunningly beautiful, as well as rich because of all the treasures theyve collected from the bottom of the sea. Read more about the Banshee here. This is why they are called changelings. Some stories represent the creature with the form of a vulture, while others describe it as a fire-breathing dragon. The God of Death would provide his Fomori with victims, but the evil race was left to their own devices when Balor was killed by his son Lug, who shot him with a slingshot. Since publishing a large number of Irish folklore and Irish mythology guides, weve received countless emails about Irish folklore creatures. Now, just to be clear the Fomorians arent exactly dangerous Celtic mythological creatures, theyre more terrifying in appearance. Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. [14] Other reports state that the creature resembles a centaur;[20] narratives are inconsistent in the finer details of the demon's description however. I see nothing about Beag- also called Bec, the keeper of a magical well. In Scottish folklore, she is said to be one with the immense ability to influence the weather. [15] The monster described by Tammas has two heads;[18] the equine head has an enormous gaping mouth that exudes a pungent, toxic vapour, and a single giant eye like a burning red flame. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water! The Celtic deities are known from a variety of sources such as written Celtic mythology, ancient places of worship, statues, engravings, religious objects, as well as place and personal names. Everybody sits in the jail of his own thoughts. The Tuatha D Danann of Irish mythology, who were commonly interpreted as divinities or deified ancestors, were downgraded in Christian writings to, at best "fallen angels", or mere mortals, or even portrayed as demons. @IrishCentral. These were a race of gigantic warriors who liked nothing better than to invade somewhere, pillage it and then gloat horribly. The saint is said to have stood on the mountain now known as Croagh Patrick and expelled all the serpents and demons out of the Emerald Isle into the sea to drown. But most legends say the Banshee was terrifying enough on her own. All Rights Reserved. A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:24pm PDT. The first section of our guide is dedicated to Celtic mythological creatures that veer towards the terrifying side of things. Now known as Dearg-due, the vampire rises once a year, using her beauty to lure men to their deaths. My readings are very dynamic and profound. Photo by Shvaygert Ekaterina/shutterstock. If you read our guide to the Cattle Raid of Cooley, one of the most famous battles in Irish Folklore, you may be familiar with this fella. Truthfully, he was much less a king than a vengeful protector spirit . They take to the waters, jumps high then submerges, bringing the traveler along with them to drown. Portrayed as a little person but in green, the leprechaun sports a glorious orange beard and a big green hat, usually adorned with a four-leaf clover. The ruler of all fairies, the Fairy Queen is one of the most famous Celtic creatures. A post shared by Emlyn Boyle Artist (@emlyn_artist76) on Jan 24, 2018 at 1:50pm PST. A cat could also be a spirit, an evil fairy, a shapeshifting witch, a demon, or the devil himself in disguise. Some Irish mythology creatures, like the Pooka, have a nice, fun tale tied to them while others, like the Abhartach, are nothing short of terrifying! Dearg-due means red bloodsucker, and in Irish folklore, it refers to a female demon that seduces men and then sucks and drains them of their blood. Most Popular Superstitions, 5 Popular Halloween Symbols, Origins, and Traditions, 15 Powerful Symbols of Hope and What They Stand For. Descriptions of her appearance vary, from an ugly old hag to a beautiful young woman, but all agree that the creatures blood curdling wail will be heard three times before someone dies. Celtic mythology is so rich that even though we have access to just a fraction that has survived through the ages, that fraction still contains dozens of different unique and fantastic myths and mythological creatures. And you cant mention the fairies without first introducing the fairy queen. Her name literally translates as Red Bloodsucker and shes said to lure men by seducing them in the night before biting them and sucking away their blood. She represented the circle of life and was associated with both birth and death. Balor- Celtic Demon King. Although youll often hear the Oilliphist described as a Celtic monster, it was said to take on the appearance of a dragon. The Dullahan rides a headless black horse with flaming eyes, carrying his head under one arm. The author was, of course, born in Dublin. She would make the artist her lover, sharing with them her intelligence, creativity and magic, but when she left, the men would be so depressed, theyd die. Updates? When you see him, he must grant you three wishes before he can be released. yeah I was a very tired lad. Then she would leave them and make those men so depressed they would die. A post shared by Morgana das Fadas (@morgana.das.fadas) on May 15, 2020 at 7:44am PDT. The Dullahan can also foreshadow deaths. According to Irish folklore, Sluagh is dead sinners that come back as malicious spirits. The fairy was a beautiful woman who was said to give inspiration to poets and musicians but at the price of their lives. They are both a muse and demon, said to prey on artists, musicians, and writers looking for inspiration. Its like the Pooka, to an extent, in that it plays jokes on people, but thats where the similarities end. According to the Celtic legend, an Irish woman who was known throughout the country for her beauty fell in love with a local peasant, which was unacceptable to her father. One of the most recognizable Celtic creatures, having made a guest appearance in Darby OGill and the Little People and all, the Banshee is a female spirit whose wail, if heard outside of a house, foretells the death of one of its inhabitants. She fell in love with a peasant, which was frowned upon by her father. Balor had one huge leg and, with his one evil eye, could kill someone just by peering at them. Banshee - the Irish wailing ghost Liscorn37 These fine fellows, ancient Irish monsters and demons, have been terrifying the public since the dawn of Celtic mythology, especially at Halloween. 12 Fascinating(and Scary) Irish Mythological Creatures, 12 Best Irish BeersThat You Must Try In Ireland, 6. If he calls out your name, you will immediately drop dead. Regardless of how she looks, its her wail that sends shivers up the spine of many, as it signals impending doom. One of the most common questions we get in relation to Irish mythology revolves around Irish Mythological Creatures (or Celtic mythological creatures). In hindsight, maybe the Man-Wolves of Ossory should have been put with the Celtic monsters at the beginning. Caorthannach, thought by some to be the devils mother, is a demon that was fought off by St. Patrick when he banished the snakes out of Ireland. In old Irish folk tales, Glas Gaibhnenn was a magical cow with green spots that could produce endless supplies of milk for its owners. There is another legend that says Carman cursed Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish. Balor can kill someone just by staring at them with his evil eye, so he kept it closed most of the time, so as not to constantly be tripping over dead bodies. A famous Irish creature that some say teams up with the Dullahan is the Banshee. While typically good, the Daoine Maithe can become vengeful if they are mistreated by people. A tip to artists: perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration, rather than risking falling into the evil hands of the Leanan Sidhe! If youre looking for stories about Irish mythical creatures to tell your kids, then this one is more than suitable! Sometimes they wear white, and other times they are adorned in grey or black. Learn more about our mission. If a woman hopped on, the monster would then run into the water, drowning its victim, and then would take her to its lair to eat her. She stands in the shadows of the better-known Abhartach, but shes none the less terrifying, in our opinion. The nuckelavee (/ n k l v i /) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. The Dearg Due is one of several Irish mythical creatures / Irish monsters whose characteristics resemble that of a vampire. The ancient Celts had hundreds of deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. Ghosts, fairies, goblins - Irish old timers share Halloween memories, The most haunted spots in Ireland to visit this Halloween, How File Na Marbh or 'Feast of the Dead' became Halloween, The scariest Irish spirits and monsters for Halloween, International Irish Coffee Day: The history and recipe of Irish coffee. Leanan Sidhe the evil Irish fairy-muse. Patrick eventually made it to the Hawks Rock, where he waited for Caorthannach. The Kelpie myth is very common in Scotland but it also exists in Ireland. This term actually has offensive origins. The kelpie is a monster right out of Celtic myth. All in one Mobile App. The malevolent monster had only one eye and a single huge leg, yet it held the title of . Youve everything from scary Celtic monsters to more gentle, magical beings, below. This culture was in its prime during the Iron age, but much of the mythology was lost due to the Roman Empires conquest over Europe and the various tribes of Celts that were spread across the continent. The scariest monsters and demons from Celtic mythology. Curiously, Pookas are also shapeshifters and can sometimes appear as black eagles or as goblins. I think the one I be most terrified in was The Dearg Due because I had been livin in that same village. To prevent the undead from rising from the grave, simply build a pile of stones over her grave. The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land despite being predominantly a sea-dweller. These airborne shrieking demons may have had a goat-like appearance and were associated with violence and death. It is said that the Abhartach was Bram Stokers inspiration for his novel, Dracula. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [], 30 Best Things To Do In Dublin, Ireland - Ireland Travel Guides, [] Museum, contrary to other museums, is specifically for those who are interested to know more about Irish folklore, mythology, and legends. Specific dates are not given for exactly when Traill Dennison gathered the tales but his various transcripts were published between 1880 and 1894. In Irish folklore, these elf-like creatures are tricksters who cannot be trusted and will deceive you whenever possible. The Dullahan rides a black horse with flaming eyes, while he carries his severed head under one arm. It is believed that whoever listened to her play would die rather sooner than later. In Celtic mythology, Balor is the name of the evil version of the god of death. First up is arguably the scariest of the many Irish mythology creatures / Irish monsters the Abhartach. You must be wise in making these wishes though because he might trick you. These spirits come from the west, flying in groups like flocks of birds, and try to enter a house where someone is dying to take away that persons soul. 9. The Gancanagh is another strange one, and arguably falls into the Celtic monsters category, thanks to how his victims end up. Have a question about Celtic folklore creatures that we havent answered? He was invincible and could destroy any wild beast that he crossed paths with. In essence, the Fear Gorta myth served to teach people to always be kind and generous, even to those who seem unappealing to them. She was buried near Strongbows Tree in Waterford, and one night, she rose from her grave to seek revenge on her father and husband, sucking their blood until they dropped dead. The creature is scared of the substance, so any lonely travelers would be wise to have some on him in case they have a run-in with this headless horror! [5], Samuel Hibbert, an antiquarian of the early nineteenth century, considered the component nuck of the nuckelavee's name to be cognate with both the Nick in Old Nick, a name sometimes given to the Devil of Christian belief, and with the Latin necare, to kill. They can also speak the human tongue and use that skill to lure travelers or farmers in the night. The Leanan Sidhe appear to these hapless souls, offer inspiration by asking them to be her lover. Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning red blood sucker, is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. [27][28][29][30] Established Orcadian tales were strongly influenced by Scandinavian mythology with a blending of traditional Celtic stories,[31] so the nuckelavee may have its roots in a mythical creature imported by the Norsemen fused with a traditional Celtic water horse.[3]. 10. Photo left: R. de Moraine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. A supernatural being with long snouts and skinny tails, the Far Darrig are actually closely related to leprechauns in Irish mythology. Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. Balor - Celtic demon king. Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples. The fiercest and the largest bull in Irish mythology, Donn Cailnge used to roam the vast forests of the Cooley Peninsula. Rebeccas armature of Abhartach #initialproject #modelmaking #sculpy #abhartach #vampire #armature #irish #folklore #sculpture, A post shared by Model Makers (@4thyearmodelmakers) on Nov 21, 2019 at 11:12am PST. When I was a kid I saw a grey head with pointed wooden spikes all over it looking over a falling tree it was human form head ,,it was like pinhead from hellraiser but grey like wood ,,can anyone help me name it ,,was over 45 years ago and I still remember it as if yesterday. Ireland is a lush, green isle thats rich and abundant in so many ways. [4] The same demon is called a mukkelevi in Shetland, where it was considered a nasty sea-trow or sea-devil. Nevertheless, thanks to some archeological evidence, written Roman sources, and the still-surviving Celtic myths in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and Britain, we know of quite a few beautiful Celtic myths, awesome gods, and many of the fascinating legendary creatures of Celtic mythology. Another snake-like evil Celtic creature is the Questing Beast, a monster with the head of a snake, the body of a leopard, the backside of a lion, and the hooves of a deer. The Leanan sdhe was known to spark up relationships with humans. When he stops riding, a human dies. We usually associate vampires with Romania, as the inspiration of Bram Stokers Dracula was likely Vlad the Impaler. Aos S translates to people of the mound. Ancient Origins - The Fomorians: Destructive Giants of Irish Legend. *Originally published in January 2014. No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! The Irish demon would sometimes transform into a handsome man to lure women to its trap, but a telltale sign that it was a kelpie was if that man had kelp in its hair.
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