The Pooka is a different but equally terrifying mythological horse. Many view them as a type of fairy, which is logical in a sense as the word banshee comes bean sidhe or fairy woman in Gaelic. The Gaels inhabited Ireland and parts of western Scotland. Merrow - Sea fairy. Instead, they wander around, carrying their rotting flesh from village to village, asking strangers for food. But the strange thing about this pony is that its mane would always be dripping with water. Celtic. He even calls himself God's messenger on earth. Aibell is one of a number of Irish mythology creatures that uses music to defeat their enemies. 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. This rich man treated her terribly and she eventually committed suicide. In Irish folklore, Bnnach are a supernatural race that were known to haunt battlefields. Youve everything from scary Celtic monsters to more gentle, magical beings, below. A post shared by Tami Wicinas (@twicinas) on Oct 10, 2019 at 11:59pm PDT. Contrary to popular belief, the Leprechaun has nothing to do with the term the Luck of the Irish. The Dearg Due is one of several Irish mythical creatures / Irish monsters whose characteristics resemble that of a vampire. Fandom Apps Take your favorite fandoms with you and never miss a beat. The tale of the Abhartach is one thats hard to debunk, and many believe that its real. [14] Marwick also only mentions one head with a single red eye, and he borrows some of Tammas's characterisation by recording the creature's mouth as "like a whale's". [14] Other reports state that the creature resembles a centaur;[20] narratives are inconsistent in the finer details of the demon's description however. Regardless of how she looks, its her wail that sends shivers up the spine of many, as it signals impending doom. When he stops riding, a human dies. The author was, of course, born in Dublin. They are fairies, usually resemble humans, and possess supernatural abilities. Photo by Volodymyr Burdiak/shutterstock.com. My readings are very dynamic and profound. Love Irish history? In fact, it was a 3-headed Celtic monster! Ancient Origins - The Fomorians: Destructive Giants of Irish Legend. Sometimes they wear white, and other times they are adorned in grey or black. [15], The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and it was considered responsible for epidemics and drought. 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. Share your favorite stories with other history buffs in the IrishCentral History Facebook group. Such people would then usually take their own lives. The leader of supernatural creatures called the Fomorians, Balor of the Evil Eye, one of many Irish demons, was, unsurprisingly enough, a giant with a large eye. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. Ah, the Dearg Due. Said to be the scariest type of fairy in Irish folklore, the Pooka are primarily creatures of the night. The Leanan Sidhe is another Irish folklore creature that resembles a vampire. [21][22] The nuckelavee was said to have infected horses on Stronsay with the deadly disease known as mortasheen,[d] to demonstrate its fury and exact its revenge against the islanders for burning seaweed; the infection subsequently spread to all the other islands involved in the industry. Researchers believe they originated from a branch of the great Celtic race, which passed through Europe, rounded the continent's shores, and finally, made Ireland their resting place. 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, Once a powerful people who dominated much of Europe, the Celts were reduced to a few small groups after the Roman invasions. 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. Morrigan (phantom queen) or Mrrgan (great queen) is a figure from Irish mythology who appears to have been a goddess, though not referred to as such explicitly in later text. The Morrigan is the term given to Goddess Morrigan, one of the triple Goddesses in Celtic mythology. ; Asmodeus, Demon of Lust from the Ars Goetia and Medieval Demonology. 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. The list of most terrifying beasts and spirits from Celtic mythology, just in time for Halloween. The base Kelpie myth shows them as beautiful and captivating creatures that attract travelers and children by offering them a ride on their back. While he was spying on his fathers druids, the noisome vapours of a spell entered his eye. The first section of our guide is dedicated to Celtic mythological creatures that veer towards the terrifying side of things. ; Branwen, Welsh goddess of love and beauty; Cliodhna, Irish goddess, sometimes identified as a goddess of love and beauty. These Celtic folklore creatures can be very protective and can appear in a form of either beautiful or grotesque creatures. This destructive witch roamed around with her three evil sons: Dub (darkness in Irish), Dother (evil) and Dain (violence), destroying anything or anyone in their path. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. 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. Dearg Due - the Irish vampire. @IrishCentral. Any info. 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. Instead, they are the children of fairies, such as the Far Darrig or often even adult fairies that look like babies. Both a muse and a demon, Leanan Sidhe is another one of Irelands mythological vampires. Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. ine, Irish goddess of love, summer, wealth, and sovereignty; possibly originally a sun goddess. This is one scary creature you dont have to worry about this Halloween unless you dress up as a knight. The ancient Celtic texts which give the most insight into their mythology and folklore are largely transcriptions of oral histories dating from the middle ages. They have human-like legs and huge, flat feet and webbed fingers. According to Irish folklore, Sluagh is dead sinners that come back as malicious spirits. They are wicked, violent tricksters who are different forms depending on which part of Ireland youre hearing a Pooka story from. The Brythonic peoples, descendants of the Celtic Britons, inhabited western Britain (mainly Wales, Cumbria and Cornwall) and Brittany. She fell in love with a peasant, which was frowned upon by her father. 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. 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. Despite their name, the changelings are not actual shapeshifters. Some versions of this legend say that the Dullahan throws buckets of blood at people he passes, while others say he simply calls out the name of the mortal that will soon die. When they encountered people, the Sluagh would instantly try to kill them and take their souls. Mythology Bestiary - The incredible Creatures of Celtic Mythology and Folklore - Balor - Kelps - Leprechaun - Selkie - Leanan Sidhe - Banshee - Spriggan - Sl. 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. Not to be confused with a mermaid or merman, a merrow is an intriguing creature from Irish folklores that are said to live underwater. They go to houses where someone is about to die or dying to steal that persons soul. The character of Merlin originally came from pagan mythology. Some regions say its a red-feathered cap that gives them their water magic, while others claim that its a sealskin cape. demon 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. We usually associate vampires with Romania, as the inspiration of Bram Stokers Dracula was likely Vlad the Impaler. 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. They spoke Goidelic languages. Sign up now for weekly facts, the latest blogs, and interesting features. The fearless Failinis was one of a number of Celtic mythology animals that could go toe-to-toe with the fiercest of warriors. The Irish version of zombies, the Fear Gorta are not your typical, dumb, brain-eating monsters. http://www.classics.upenn.edu/myth/php/tools/dictionary.php?regexp=RHEA&method=standard, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_Celtic_deities&oldid=1139194287, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Adsagsona - Gallic goddess of magic named on the, Cissonia - a Gallic goddess of trade, companion of, Matronae Dervonnae - Gallic mother goddesses in, Matronae Vediantiae (Deae Vediantiae) - Gallic mother goddesses in, Seixomniai Leuciticai - a Celtic goddess, equated with, Bergimus - a mountain god of Cisalpine Gaul, Brasennus - a god known from a lone inscription in Cisalpine Gaul, Cuslanus - a god in Cisalpine Gaul associated with, Deus Ducavavius - a god known from a lone inscription in Cisalpine Gaul, Deus Orevaius - a god known from a lone inscription at, Paronnus - a god known from a lone inscription at, Besencl (Besenclae) - a community and house protector, Erbina - a goddess of wild animals, hunting, and domestic security, Laneana (Laneanis) - a goddess of springs and floods, Reva (Reua) - personification of water flows, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 21:59. 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. Once a traveler hops on, the horse takes them on the last ride of their life. [7] There was also a fairy cat that was known as the King of the Cats. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. Not all Irish folklore creatures are sinister, there are those that are actually generally good such as the Daoine Maithe. Specific dates are not given for exactly when Traill Dennison gathered the tales but his various transcripts were published between 1880 and 1894. Ancient kings of Ireland used to seek their assistance during war times when they were going up against a fierce opponent. However, all wasnt as it seemed. The Fear Gorta is a Celtic creature that takes the form of a tired and weather beating man, who begs for food. Spread throughout the St. Patricks Festival Week are various activities and events like [], 10 Things To Do In Lahinch - Ireland Travel Guides, [] to legend, an old hag, Mal of Malbay, fell in love with the Irish mythology hero, Cu Chulainn. While Unseelie fairies have dark agendas and are known to be troublesome, Seelie fairies are helpful and happy. There are stories that say the Dullahan throws blood at people he passes or announces the name of the person thats about to die. 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. Below, Ive popped in the most FAQs that weve received. The old tales call Carman or Carmun as the Celtic goddess of evil magic. A particularly gruesome detail is that the nuckelavee has no skin;[19] black blood courses through yellow veins, and the pale sinews and powerful muscles are visible as a pulsating mass. The Muckie was a mysterious Irish mythical creature thats said to inhabit the Lakes of Killarney in Ireland, earning it comparisons with Scotlands Lough Ness Monster. Orcadian folklore had a strong Scandinavian influence, and it may be that the nuckelavee is a composite of a water horse from Celtic mythology and a creature imported by the Norsemen. If he calls out your name, you will immediately drop dead. Theres much of Celtic mythology thats been lost over the ages. The pair is said to whip the horses with a human spinal cord. 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. You must be wise in making these wishes though because he might trick you. [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. The merrow is said to be half fish (from the waist down) and half beautiful woman (from the waist up) and, according to legend, is friendly and modest. Since publishing a large number of Irish folklore and Irish mythology guides, weve received countless emails about Irish folklore creatures. Irish mythological creatures: Photo by Wilqkuku (Shutterstock). Ladies, take note if meet a guy with seaweed on his head, dont go home with him! Photo by Ververidis Vasilis/shutterstock.com. [11][b], The nuckelavee is a mythical sea-creature that appears as a horse-like demon when it ventures onto land. Have a question about Celtic folklore creatures that we havent answered? In exchange, the Fear Gorta (also often referred to as man of hunger) offers fortunes to those that offer assistance or kindness. The Gancanagh was known to seduce both men and women with what were said to be addictive toxins that emitted a powerful, alluring scent. The Pooka has the power of human speech and it loves to confuse and terrify people. The Dullahan rides a headless black horse with flaming eyes, carrying his head under one arm. More often than not they would try to invade peoples homes and attack older, dying people as they were an easier score. The Dullahan rides a headless black horse with flaming eyes, carrying his head under one arm. I see nothing about Beag- also called Bec, the keeper of a magical well. The pursuit was a long one, and Caorthannach knew St. Patrick would need water to quench his thirst along the way, so she spit fire as she fled, and poisoned every well she passed. In the guide below, youll discover 32 Irish mythological creatures along with some snappy information on each one. In common with many other sea-monsters, it is unable to tolerate fresh water, therefore, those it is pursuing have only to cross a river or stream to be rid of it. She works as the chief editor of Symbol Sage but also takes the time to write on topics that interest her. The kelpie is a monster right out of Celtic myth. She fell in love with a peasant, which was frowned upon by her father. Copyright Symbol Sage 2022 All Rights Reserved. 2022 Wasai LLC. Our next creature, the Dullahan, is a faerie that youd struggle to describe as happy, as it takes the form of a headless rider on a black horse. Today, she is remembered yearly in a festival that marks the start of harvest in Leinster in Irelands Great East. Though theyre not so much demons, Sluagh are scary creatures that hunt down souls. In Ireland, there are those who claim to be descendants of merrows who were caught by fishermen in their nets. Elln Trechend Photo by Sofya Dushkina/shutterstock.com Today, the leprechaun has also become a mascot for St. Patricks Day, as well as a favorite design in Irish souvenirs. These small faeries usually wear red caps and coats and, similar to the Clurichaun, love to play practical jokes on humans. Right, its time for some less creepy Celtic Mythological Creatures. While they may have been the major Celtic gods and goddesses, that does not cancel out the importance of other deities of Irish mythology, like Bres or Medb, or Epona. 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. The fairy was a beautiful woman who was said to give inspiration to poets and musicians but at the price of their lives. Everybody sits in the jail of his own thoughts. The Fear Gorta is one of a number of Celtic folklore creatures that emerged during the time of the famine in Ireland. Pookas can also imitate human voices and they use it to call them out of their houses. This creature made its abode in Irish streams and rivers and any place where green life grew from water. Now, just to be clear the Fomorians arent exactly dangerous Celtic mythological creatures, theyre more terrifying in appearance. The Irish symbol of luck, leprechauns are probably the most famous Celtic mythological creature. These frightening creatures would often fly from village to village, usually in packs, going from west to east. Balor is the demonic God of Death in Celtic mythology. They can also take the form of a dark eagle, some boogeyman character, or goblin. 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! However, eerily, the sonar encountered a large solid mass, which has fuelled speculation that the lake is inhabited by one of the last remaining Celtic mythological creatures. These scary spirits are said to come from the west, and they fly in groups. [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. Babalon, Thelemic godform of lust, carnality and the liberated woman. These airborne shrieking demons may have had a goat-like appearance and were associated with violence and death. The Gauls inhabited the region corresponding to modern-day France, Belgium, Switzerland, southern and western Germany, Luxembourg and northern Italy. British folklorist Katharine Briggs called it "the nastiest" of all the demons of Scotland's Northern Isles.The nuckelavee's breath was thought to wilt crops and sicken livestock, and the creature was held responsible for droughts and epidemics on land . Now known as Dearg-due, the vampire rises once a year, using her beauty to lure men to their deaths. She would share with them her creativity, intellect, and magic. 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. 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. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. 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. Right Eye. 2015 2023 Core Spirit. Aos S translates to people of the mound. Her name translates to red bloodsucker and, according to legend, shes a cunning vampire who seduces men and drains them of their blood. Often named Titanian or Mab, she is often described as both seductive and beautiful. Scholars have traced his origins back to various figures from the Celtic tradition, but he is most closely associated with the early Welsh Myrddin. #oc #beckandkip #mermaid #merrow #sunset #ocean #aesthetic #digitalart #digitalillustration #illustration #art #artistsoninstagram #lgbtq, A post shared by Katie (@elentori) on Mar 11, 2020 at 8:26am PDT. The interesting bit to this story is that the lovers of Leanan sdhe were said to have lived inspired lives. 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. Those that fell victim to his seductive charm ended up passing away not long after. 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 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. Caornach According to ancient Irish folklore, a Caornach is the mother of demons and deathly spirits. Watch it at Netflix ). She can be an old woman with frightening eyes, a pale lady in a white dress, or a beautiful woman wearing a shroud. The other story says that fairies are from the magical being called Tuatha D Danann. 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. Some tales describe the Bodach as a Celtic creature that plays tricks on kids. He denounces the demons who fathered him and lives his life as a good Christian hero. She holds a Masters degree in Linguistics and Education, and has also studied Political Science, Ancient History and Literature. Read More. 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. The original Dearg Due is said to have been a beautiful lords daughter who fell in love with a peasant. It is uncertain why Jo Ben compiled the manuscript. He was invincible and could destroy any wild beast that he crossed paths with. Patrick eventually made it to the Hawks Rock, where he waited for Caorthannach. Not all fairy children are changelings. But despite living in several countries, my love for Ireland remains the same. The Far Darrig are just as short and also sport some stylish beards. Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. I could also sha. Perhaps itd be a good idea to stay away from any bodies of water this Halloween! A year after her death, she rose from her grave as a vengeful spirit. The only way to stop him was to kill him again, and to bury him vertically and upside down. The Church nicked some of their Gods for promotional sainthood purposes and thus began the conversion process. Now the Fomori have returned to their waters and transformed into sea monsters who prey on humans. Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. Omissions? All Rights Reserved. Not to worry, though there is one way to defeat Dearg-due. The motif of Man-Wolves of Ossory is quite strong in Irish mythology and many old tales revolved around these tribes of wolf-men. The ancient Celts had hundreds of Irish mythical deities, but as with most cultures, they had their demons as well. Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. In fact, their name translates as Red Man from Gaelic. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. Rather than directly suck the blood of her victims, Leanan Sidhe got creative and collected their blood in a giant red cauldron, which was the source of her beauty and artistic inspiration. The scariest monsters and demons from Celtic mythology. 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. The Bodach, The Man-Wolves of Ossory, The Sluagh and Bnnach. Many of these myths were suppressed by Roman conquerors, with their first widespread recordings dating from the early medieval period. 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. Dont worry if you dont know exactly what kind of reading you need. The Daoine Maithe are usually kind creatures but becomes cruel when mistreated. According to legend, if you want to silence an Abhartach forever, one must find his crypt. The most famous myths about leprechauns claim that they have pots of gold hidden at the end of rainbows. On This Day: Arthur Guinness, founder of the Dublin brewery, died in 1803. These were a race of gigantic warriors who liked nothing better than to invade somewhere, pillage it and then gloat horribly. In Celtic mythology, Balor is the name of the evil version of the god of death.
