The beasts constant cry was said to sound like the bark of 30 dogs. Here are some of these Irish mythological creatures, and their origin stories that you may not have heard of. Elln Trechend Photo by Sofya Dushkina/shutterstock.com Sporting one eye and a single gigantic leg, the evil creature was King of the Fomori, demons who lived in the dark depths of lakes and seas. Their names and attributes varied between languages and locations, with some deities worshipped by all tribes while others were specific to a particular region or people. He just keeps on riding, the horse keeps on running but when they stop a human dies. [11][b], The nuckelavee is a mythical sea-creature that appears as a horse-like demon when it ventures onto land. A year after her death, she rose from her grave as a vengeful spirit. The local deities from Celtic nature worship were the spirits of a particular feature of the landscape, such as mountains, trees, or rivers, and thus were generally only known by the locals in the surrounding areas. Morrigan is a demon in the series. These replacement babies are said to cry all day and all night, to grow into ugly and deformed people, and to cause bad luck to the adopted family. The Irish word for demon is "deamhan" and it is certainly well used because Celtic mythology has always feared an array of evil forces, monsters, demons, They were pastoral people of Greek or Eastern origin. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. Abbadon, (Christian Origin) comes from Christian demonology. Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. These frightening creatures would often fly from village to village, usually in packs, going from west to east. She is one of the Tuatha D . He encounters himself, his musings and emotions as something isolated from the rest-a sort of optical dream of , Unfortunate it may be, but despite the spectacular successes of modern science, there is no ultimate foundation for our knowledge of the world. Years later, she rose from the grave and started wandering across Ireland, punishing men by taking their life force away. Now, just to be clear the Fomorians arent exactly dangerous Celtic mythological creatures, theyre more terrifying in appearance. Were Irelands Viking invaders high on hallucinogenic herbal tea? "Can't beat a good Irish pub" - David Beckham celebrates son's birthday in Dublin, Irish citizen's Australian visa nixed over Russian spy allegations, UPDATE: Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murdering wife and son, WATCH: Irish bishop's funeral held in Los Angeles today, Brian Donnelly, Irish American visa hero, has died, Sunak's Northern Ireland deal is a solid one, Irish bishops memorial services underway in LA as murder investigation continues. The pungent smoke emitted during the process was believed to enrage the nuckelavee,[5] resulting in a wild rampage of plague, the deaths of cattle and the destruction of crops. The creature is scared of the substance, so any lonely travelers this Halloween night would be wise to have some on him in case they have a run-in with this headless horror! Yes, Dracula himself is an Irish creation (Irishman Bram Stoker created the monster in his masterpiece novel), but theres also a vampire that resides right smack in the middle of Ireland. However, not long after falling in love with Leanan sdhe, its lovers passed away. Many of these myths were suppressed by Roman conquerors, with their first widespread recordings dating from the early medieval period. The evil fire-spitter drowned in the ocean, leaving a swell behind that created the famous Hawks Well. She was then forced to marry a rich man. Scholars have traced his origins back to various figures from the Celtic tradition, but he is most closely associated with the early Welsh Myrddin. Celtic mythology is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. 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, they'd die. The Daoine Maithe are the fairy folk in Irish mythology. Often referred to as the Queen of Winter, Cailleach is one of the great Celtic mythological creatures. They spoke Gaulish. Often portrayed in contemporary fantasy fiction and video games, this foreteller of death is the Irish version of the headless horseman. 10. If youre looking for stories about Irish mythical creatures to tell your kids, then this one is more than suitable! Another key difference between the Dullahan and the banshee is that the headless horseman does not hesitate to harm onlookers with his whip. [5], The nuckelavee is the most malevolent of the demons in and around the Scottish islands, without any redeeming characteristics. This is one scary creature you dont have to worry about this Halloween unless you dress up as a knight. To stop the Sluagh from invading ones home, people usually kept their westward windows shut. There is another legend that says Carman cursed Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish. 12 Fascinating(and Scary) Irish Mythological Creatures, 12 Best Irish BeersThat You Must Try In Ireland, 6. Contrary to popular belief, the Leprechaun has nothing to do with the term the Luck of the Irish. [4] The male torso has no legs, but its arms can reach the ground from its position on top of the equine body, the legs of which have fin like appendages. Now, its widely known that Bram Stokers Dracula has close ties to Ireland. Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. 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. She can be an old woman with frightening eyes, a pale lady in a white dress, or a beautiful woman wearing a shroud. Balor had one huge leg and, with his one evil eye, could kill someone just by peering at them. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. A general term for most fairy folk, the Daoine Maithe are usually human-like, have supernatural abilities, and are usually good and kind-hearted. [], 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. 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! Make sure to see our guide to Celtic Gods and Goddesses, after! If a human emerges, he will be dragged outside and killed. Interetingly enough, back in 2003 scientists conducted a number of scans using sonar technology to understand more about the lakes fish population. First up is arguably the scariest of the many Irish mythology creatures / Irish monsters the Abhartach. Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. The faeries are a huge part of Irish folklore and are split into two categories. Often portrayed in contemporary fantasy fiction and video games, this foreteller of death is the Irish version of the headless horseman. The Daoine Maithe are usually kind creatures but becomes cruel when mistreated. In Christian demonology, he is a Marquis of Hell and rules 40 infernal legions. 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. Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning "red blood sucker," is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. 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! [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. In this guide, we tell the story of this Celtic mythological creature, and offer insight into where in Ireland it roamed (and where its now buried). Once a traveler hops on, the horse takes them on the last ride of their life. The malevolent monster had only one eye and a single huge leg, yet it held the title of . [15], No tales describe what form the nuckelavee takes when in the sea,[4] but its appearance on land has been recounted in graphic detail. The demon slid down a mountain away from the saint, but Patrick spotted her and chased her down upon the fastest horse in Ireland, which was brought to him. However, its not Dracula that were referring to, here. Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning red blood sucker, is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. These evil fairies take the shape in black horses, who stampede through fences, crops, and properties, causing damage and destruction. These evil creatures are said to appear to weary travelers, enticing them for a ride. Whatever the case, a merrow can choose to abandon his or her magical clothes and live on land with humans. Those who chased the Fear Gorta away, however, were cursed with bad luck. 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. 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. The ancient Celts had hundreds of Irish mythical deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. 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. These were a race of gigantic warriors who liked nothing better than to invade somewhere, pillage it and then gloat horribly. All Rights Reserved. on her? 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. If you read our guide to Irish Mythology, youll know that theres plenty of Irish mythological creatures that were known to be fierce in battle. Just like mermaids, merrows usually live in the water. The Celtic Britons inhabited most of the island of Great Britain and spoke Common Brittonic or British. ; Esoteric. . Balor is the demonic God of Death in Celtic mythology. Some stories represent the creature with the form of a vulture, while others describe it as a fire-breathing dragon. Now the Fomori have returned to their waters and transformed into sea monsters who prey on humans. The Dullahan rides a headless black horse with flaming eyes, carrying his head under one arm. Irelands most popular baby names of 2022 - by county! General deities were known by the Celts throughout large regions, and are the gods and goddesses called upon for protection, healing, luck, and honour. Irish mythological creatures: Photo by Wilqkuku (Shutterstock). The Oilliphist used to inhabit the dark, murky waters of many lakes and rivers across Ireland and many Irish warriors ended up fighting these Celtic folklore creatures. One of the popular spirit names. Another possible theory, however, is that Bram Stroker took the idea from the Irish Abhartach. Natural beauty, a long tumultuous history, castles, beer, whiskey, Halloween, and fascinating mythology. The name Fomoire may mean demons from below (the sea), and their leader Balor had one huge deadly eye. ; Branwen, Welsh goddess of love and beauty; Cliodhna, Irish goddess, sometimes identified as a goddess of love and beauty. They go to houses where someone is about to die or dying to steal that persons soul. Cat sth This mythological creature is seen mainly in Scottish folklore, although does make an appearance in Irish. 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. Below, Ive popped in the most FAQs that weve received. Both have a very strong desire to return to the sea when they are on land, so when someone traps them on land they usually try to hide their red-feathered hat or sealskin cape. The Pooka (or Puca) is one of several Irish mythological creatures that doesnt get half the attention that it deserves. 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. Several versions of the Banshee legend say the feared ghost rode alongside the Dullahan in a black cart drawn by six black horses. Those who werent repulsed by the protruding bones and blueish skin of the walking dead and gave them food, were rewarded with prosperity and wealth. Privacy Policy. The Gauls inhabited the region corresponding to modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, Luxembourg and northern Italy. More ghosts rather than demons or spirits, the Sluagh are said to be the souls of dead sinners. The pursuit was a long one, and Caorthannach knew St. Patrick would need water to quench his thirst along the way, so she spitfire as she fled, and poisoned every well she passed. Some are normal and beautiful, and those the fairies keep for themselves. Instead, they wander around, carrying their rotting flesh from village to village, asking strangers for food. More often than not they would try to invade peoples homes and attack older, dying people as they were an easier score. Celtic. Right: Olga Vasileva. Omissions? Although youll often hear the Oilliphist described as a Celtic monster, it was said to take on the appearance of a dragon. This term actually has offensive origins. Learn how your comment data is processed. When he stops riding, a human dies. Said to be the scariest type of fairy in Irish folklore, the Pooka are primarily creatures of the night. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually it appears in the form of a horse. The demon slid down a mountain away from the saint, but Patrick spotted her, and chased her down upon the fastest horse in Ireland, which was brought to him. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. The character of Merlin originally came from pagan mythology. In Ireland of old, the Alp-Luachra was one of the most dreaded of all the fairy folk. As with similar malevolent entities such as the kelpie, it possibly offered an explanation for incidents that islanders in ancient times could not otherwise understand. The most important of the gods, Lugh (see Lugus), is the offspring of the marriage of a god, Cian, and the daughter of the monstrous Balor, and it is stated that originally the gods and the Fomoire were allies. ; Asmodeus, Demon of Lust from the Ars Goetia and Medieval Demonology. The ancient Celts had. Updates? This is why they are called changelings. Dearg-due, an Irish name meaning "red blood sucker," is a female demon that seduces men and then drains them of their blood. Who is the Morrigan? In the guide below, youll discover 32 Irish mythological creatures along with some snappy information on each one. Marrow-men are horribly ugly male sea-creatures, while the females or the Merrows are absolutely beautiful. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:24pm PDT. Commonly known in Irish folklore as the foreteller of death, the Dullahan is the Irish counterpart of the headless horseman. Ancient kings of Ireland used to seek their assistance during war times when they were going up against a fierce opponent. Ah, the Dearg Due. The leprechaun is often described to be a small, jolly elf-like creature with a ginger beard and green hat. However, theyre also said to be drawn toward musical instruments and to have excellent musical skill logical, given that they are fairies. 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. Ladies, take note meet a guy with seaweed on his head on Halloween night, dont go home with him! [4] The same demon is called a mukkelevi in Shetland, where it was considered a nasty sea-trow or sea-devil. 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. A famous Irish creature that some say teams up with the Dullahan is the Banshee. The kelpie galloped around Ireland, looking like a lost pony, attempting to trick women and children into riding on it. Like all fairies, these dogs are more spectral hounds than demonic. Sluaghs were one of a handful of Irish mythical creatures that well and truly creeped me out as a child, after hearing stories about them from friends. Science and religion have been at divisive odds during Earths entire existenceuntil recently, that is. Some of the Celtic monsters were originally gods, but were later demonized as pagan creatures when many of the Celts became Christians. 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. Though the saint was desperately thirsty, he refused to drink from the poisoned wells and prayed for guidance. The Irish word fordemon is "deamhan" and it is certainly well used because Celtic mythology has always feared an array of evil forces, monsters, demons, and ghosts. This mischievous little fella is said to bring either good or bad fortune and it can appear in various animal forms, though he always wears a dark coat. [14] It was often found in the vicinity of a beach, but would never come ashore if it was raining. Once a powerful people who dominated much of Europe, the Celts were reduced to a few small groups after the Roman invasions. 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. The Leanan sdhe was known to spark up relationships with humans. The product soda ash was an alkali mainly used to treat acidic soil,[5][14] although as time went on its commercial importance in soap and glass manufacture increased. 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. Photo left: zef art Right: John Duncan (1911). Photo by Kiselev Andrey Valerevich/shutterstock.com. The Pooka, The Leprechaun, The Fairy Queen and Glas Gaibhnenn. The leanan sidhe would seduce them and would offer to be their muse, fueling their creativity by using her magic. Despite their name, the changelings are not actual shapeshifters. Last updated in October 2022. Such people would then usually take their own lives. The Sluagh - Celtic monster. Morrigan, sometimes known as Morrigu, was an Irish goddess of death on the battlefield who help the Tuatha De Danann at . Oct 28, 2022 . The Gaels inhabited Ireland and parts of western Scotland. The Banshee is one of the better-known of the many Irish mythological creatures / Irish monsters, mainly due to the popularity of storytelling in Irish culture. Riding a black horse and covered with a black cape, the Dullahan roams the fields at night. Her name literally translates as "Red Bloodsucker" and she's said to lure men by seducing them in the night before biting them and sucking away their blood. Banshee - the Irish wailing ghost. 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. These small faeries usually wear red caps and coats and, similar to the Clurichaun, love to play practical jokes on humans. 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. Today, the leprechaun has also become a mascot for St. Patricks Day, as well as a favorite design in Irish souvenirs. Dad forced her into an arranged marriage with a rich man who treated her terribly, and eventually, she commits suicide. The Celtic culture has always feared an array of evil forces. The scariest monsters and demons from Celtic mythology | Core Spirit Read Books Error 403: unknown fetch error Back Home 403 Home Booking Appointments Relieve Stress Cope with Anxiety Eat Healthier Talk to a Psychologist Change Your Life with Coaching Look Into the Future Try Energy Healing Fairies are easily the best known of the many Irish folklore creatures, and theyre presences has been seen in everything from Disney movies to video games. Leprechauns are not the only magical little people in Celtic mythology. While he was spying on his fathers druids, the noisome vapours of a spell entered his eye. Now the Fomori have returned to their waters and transformed into sea monsters who prey on humans. [5][24] The creature was also blamed for prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and poor harvests. The ancient Celts had hundreds of deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. According to legend, if a human did something to offend them, they wouldnt hesitate in seeking painful revenge. [6], Stories of mythical Orcadian demons are recorded in the 16th-century Latin manuscripts of Jo Ben,[a] who may have been referring to the nuckelavee in his description of the Orkney island of Stronsay. To prevent the Sluaghs from entering their houses, Irish families would keep their west-facing windows shut. A person is a piece of the entire called by us Universe, a section restricted in existence. Just like vampires, the Abhartach walked the land at night, killing folks and drinking their blood. [14] Seaweed burning to create what was known at the time as kelp began on Stronsay in 1722. Now, like many Irish mythological creatures, the form of Elln Trechend changes depending on the tale. Now, if youve spent any time reading about Irish folklore, youll know that there are quite a few Irish mythological creatures out there, and that they, ehm,vary in their type. The Morrigan is the term given to Goddess Morrigan, one of the triple Goddesses in Celtic mythology. The one that appears the most describes the fairy Leanan sdhe as a beautiful woman. Though theyre not so much demons, Sluagh are scary creatures that hunt down souls. Some of the Celtic monsters were originally gods but were later demonized as pagan creatures when many of the Celts became Christians. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. Not all Irish folklore creatures are sinister, there are those that are actually generally good such as the Daoine Maithe. They believed in a life after death, for they buried food, weapons, and ornaments with the dead. These Celtic monsters were restless spirits that were said to be neither welcome in hell or heaven, so they were left to roam the lands. Some tales describe the Bodach as a Celtic creature that plays tricks on kids. Some versions of this legend say that the Dullahan throws buckets of blood at people he passes, while other say he simply calls out the name of the mortal that will soon die. [10] Dennison transcribed much of the information available about traditional tales told on Orkney, but to an extent romanticised and systematically altered certain elements of the stories in the process of transforming them into prose. Failinis was a dog who fought in many battles. The motif of Man-Wolves of Ossory is quite strong in Irish mythology and many old tales revolved around these tribes of wolf-men. Unfortunately, that is not uncommon given how often people take them for Far Darrig or other malevolent creatures. 2. To prevent the undead from rising from the grave, simply build a pile of stones over her grave. The late 19th century saw an upsurge of interest in transcribing folklore, but the recorders used inconsistent spelling and frequently anglicised words, thus the same entity could be given different names. Irish tales tell many tales of these creatures who were one of the earliest races to settle in Ireland, along with the mighty Tuatha D Danann. Check out those lists here: Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. Most Popular Superstitions, 5 Popular Halloween Symbols, Origins, and Traditions, 15 Powerful Symbols of Hope and What They Stand For. The Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. However, when a merrow finds her cap or cape again, she is overtaken by the desire to return to the water and leave her husband and children. A race of supernatural giants, Fomorians are often described as hideous-looking monsters who came from the sea/underworld. They are not exactly demons, they are more like dead sinners that come back from the grave and roam the kind of the living as malicious spirits. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. 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. Photo by Volodymyr Burdiak/shutterstock.com. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. If ever you see a soaking wet horse during a hike, best to avoid them and keep walking. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water! In old Irish folk tales, Glas Gaibhnenn was a magical cow with green spots that could produce endless supplies of milk for its owners. Here are some notable demons from Celtic mythology: Cwn Annwn (Welsh hellhounds): Yes, they really do exist outside of the TV show, Supernatural (great show, by the way. The scariest monsters and demons from Celtic mythology. Pca - the Irish Ghost. But the strange thing about this pony is that its mane would always be dripping with water. Curiously, Pookas are also shapeshifters and can sometimes appear as black eagles or as goblins. The Irish demon would sometimes transform into a handsome man to lure women into its trap, but a telltale sign that it was a kelpie was if that man had kelp in its hair. Banshees can also take the form of a crow, stoat or weasel which are known to be associated with witchcraft. 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. Also known as The Dwarf King, the Abhartach was a magical Irish dwarf tyrant who rose from his grave after he was killed by the people.