Pca - the Irish Ghost. Mythology Bestiary - The incredible Creatures of Celtic Mythology and Folklore - Balor - Kelps - Leprechaun - Selkie - Leanan Sidhe - Banshee - Spriggan - Sl. We exist to make planning your Irish Road Trip easy. The Church nicked some of their Gods for promotional sainthood purposes and thus began the conversion process. Read more in our guide here. The poems, sagas, and recorded oral histories of Celtic mythology. Scariest monsters and demons from Celtic myth for Halloween - IrishCentral 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. But most legends say the Banshee was terrifying enough on her own. Updates? Truthfully, he was much less a king than a vengeful protector spirit . 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. Balor is the demonic God of Death in Celtic mythology. 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. 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. An evil cousin to the banshee or the bean sidhe, the leanan sidhe is said to be a malicious fairy or demon who seduces aspiring authors and musicians. Leanan Sidhe the evil Irish fairy-muse. 500+ Demon Names From Theology, Mythology, And Fiction Although Im from the Philippines, my location independent career took me to over 40 countries for the past 8 years. Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. 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. A person is a piece of the entire called by us Universe, a section restricted in existence. Top 10 Celtic Monsters! - Celtic Life International The kelpie is a monster right out of Celtic myth. [3] Traill Dennison only describes a man's head with a "mouth projected like that of a pig". By Mythopedia Staff Last updated on Dec. 1st, 2021 Celtic Pantheon Arawn 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. 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. In Irish folklore, these elf-like creatures are tricksters who cannot be trusted and will deceive you whenever possible. List of love and lust deities - Wikipedia Read More. A general term for most fairy folk, the Daoine Maithe are usually human-like, have supernatural abilities, and are usually good and kind-hearted. Interetingly enough, back in 2003 scientists conducted a number of scans using sonar technology to understand more about the lakes fish population. Ireland Travel Guides aims to help travelers to find their way for the first time in Ireland. They are wicked, violent tricksters who are different forms depending on which part of Ireland youre hearing a Pooka story from. [26] Tammas managed to escape from the nuckelavee after he inadvertently splashed it with water from the loch he was alongside; this briefly distracted the monster, allowing Tammas to run over to a nearby channel of fresh water and jump to safety on the opposite bank. 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. Dad forced her into an arranged marriage with a rich man who treated her terribly, and eventually she commit suicide. A tip to artists: perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration, rather than risk falling into the evil hands of the Leanan Sidhe! 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. We usually associate vampires with Romania, as the inspiration of Bram Stokers Dracula was likely Vlad the Impaler. 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. The nuckelavee (/ n k l v i /) or nuckalavee is a horse-like demon from Orcadian folklore that combines equine and human elements. The Reading: Connect with your Spirit Guides, Akashic Records, Higher-Self, etc. Celtic Mythology | Encyclopedia.com I think the one I'd be more afraid to see would have to be The Far Darrig,because of it seems that he like's to play his food be for he attacks his prey and finish him/her off and that why I feel afraid of The Far Darrig, also could you give facts about why it is a myth. Watch it at Netflix ). Here are some of these Irish mythological creatures, and their origin stories that you may not have heard of. Right: Olga Vasileva. When a deformed fairy is born, however, which apparently common for them, the fairies would steal a human child and put their deformed child in its place. [7] Leanan Sidhe the Evil Irish Fairy-Muse, A post shared by Emlyn Boyle Artist (@emlyn_artist76), A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun), A post shared by Amelia Leonards (@amelialeonardsart), A post shared by Morgana das Fadas (@morgana.das.fadas), A post shared by Tami Wicinas (@twicinas). The Gaels inhabited Ireland and parts of western Scotland. 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. They spoke Hispano-Celtic languages. Morrigan, sometimes known as Morrigu, was an Irish goddess of death on the battlefield who help the Tuatha De Danann at . The kelpie is a monster right out of Celtic myth. 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. You must be wise in making these wishes though because he might trick you. There are stories that say the Dullahan throws blood at people he passes or announces the name of the person thats about to die. ; Branwen, Welsh goddess of love and beauty; Cliodhna, Irish goddess, sometimes identified as a goddess of love and beauty. Some stories represent the creature with the form of a vulture, while others describe it as a fire-breathing dragon. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 2022 Wasai LLC. Irish mythological creatures: Photo by Wilqkuku (Shutterstock). Make sure to see our guide to Celtic Gods and Goddesses, after! In fact, it was a 3-headed Celtic monster! 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 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. [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. As is the case with many tales from Irish folklore, the story behind some of these creatures differs, depending on whos telling it. 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. *Originally published in January 2014. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. ; Asmodeus, Demon of Lust from the Ars Goetia and Medieval Demonology. Carman put a blight on Irelands crops and terrorized the Irish until the Tuatha De Danann, the peoples of the goddess Danu, used their magic to fight and defeat her, and drove her sons across the sea. 2015 2023 Core Spirit. After all, mythology is storytelling at its finest. Celtic | Mythology Explained 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. Babalon, Thelemic godform of lust, carnality and the liberated woman. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. She was then forced to marry a rich man. An omen of death, just like the banshee, the Dullahan is the Irish headless horseman. 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 one that appears the most describes the fairy Leanan sdhe as a beautiful woman. The origin of this creature is told in the Celtic legend about a woman who was known all over Ireland for her beauty. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! All Rights Reserved. She is the Celtic goddess of battle, death, fate, strife, and fertility. Celtic mythology is the body of myths belonging to the Celtic peoples. Merrows have the ability to do so thanks to their magical clothes. Several versions of the Banshee legend say the feared ghost rode alongside the Dullahan in a black cart drawn by six black horses. Sluaghs are heightening creatures that hunt down souls. 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, she is remembered yearly in a festival that marks the start of harvest in Leinster in Irelands Great East. A post shared by Alison Johnstun (@alisonjohnstun) on Mar 17, 2020 at 10:24pm PDT. A cat could also be a spirit, an evil fairy, a shapeshifting witch, a demon, or the devil himself in disguise. 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. These Celtic folklore creatures can be very protective and can appear in a form of either beautiful or grotesque creatures. Elln Trechend was a true Celtic monster. Though theyre not so much demons, Sluagh are scary creatures that hunt down souls. IrishCentral has hunted down the ten most frightening of these Celtic and Irish demons and monsters: 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. Another possible theory, however, is that Bram Stroker took the idea from the Irish Abhartach. 31 Irish Mythological Creatures (Tales Told By An Irishman) One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. Once the person climbs on top of the horse, however, they get glued to the animal and the Kelpie delves deep into the water, drowning its victim. [14] The torso has a large head possibly as much as 3 feet (90 centimetres) in diameter that rolls back and forth. In this article, well be going over some of the most legendary Celtic mythological creatures. The leanan sidhe would seduce them and would offer to be their muse, fueling their creativity by using her magic. Although youll often hear the Oilliphist described as a Celtic monster, it was said to take on the appearance of a dragon. Elln Trechend Photo by Sofya Dushkina/shutterstock.com Everybody sits in the jail of his own thoughts. 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. The first section of our guide is dedicated to Celtic mythological creatures that veer towards the terrifying side of things. [14] It was often found in the vicinity of a beach, but would never come ashore if it was raining. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. Riding a black horse and covered with a black cape, the Dullahan roams the fields at night. What Is a Hellhound? A Guide to the Demonic Dog of Mythology As the demon approached, he jumped out from his hiding spot and banished her from Ireland with a single word. The old tales call Carman or Carmun as the Celtic goddess of evil magic. In this article we will explore Irish monsters and Celtic folklore creatures including: The Leprechaun Creatures similar to the Leprechaun The Banshee The Dullahan - The origin of the headless horseman Changelings The Pca / Pooka - The trickster spirit Failnis - Wolves in Irish folklore Fear Gorta - The Hungry man The fearless Failinis was one of a number of Celtic mythology animals that could go toe-to-toe with the fiercest of warriors. Photo by Ververidis Vasilis/shutterstock.com. According to legend, the Sluaghs were angry about their fate and would snatch the soul of anyone with who they cross paths. She chased the Cu Chulainn one day but lost her footing while crossing the sea stacks [], 10 Best Museums in Dublin, Ireland - Ireland Travel Guides, [] to its smallest and most detailed gardens, these museums will not only showcase Dublin and Irelands hidden folklore and history but also inspire people to love and preserve the untold beauty of the emerald []. The creature can take on multiple shapes, but usually it appears in the form of a horse. It also went by the name of Joint-eater, Just-halver, Art-Luachra, Airc-Luachra, and Doichi-Luachair. [25] In common with other mythical sea-monsters, with the possible exception of kelpies and the nuggle of Shetland, it is unable to wade through fresh flowing water,[19] therefore it can be escaped by crossing a stream. She prowls around with her three equally evil sons Dub (darkness in Irish), Dother (evil), and Dain (violence), and their mission is always to cause destruction and devastation. When he stops riding, a human dies. so I would be terrified every night stayin up to make sure that she didn't call me. The fiercest and the largest bull in Irish mythology, Donn Cailnge used to roam the vast forests of the Cooley Peninsula. 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! The m. While typically good, the Daoine Maithe can become vengeful if they are mistreated by people. Once those authors or musicians reached the peak of their creativity, however, the leanan sidhe would suddenly leave them, plunging them into a much deeper depression than they were in previously. 10. They believed in a life after death, for they buried food, weapons, and ornaments with the dead. Considered as an omen of death and the fear of every child, the banshee is one of the scariest creatures in Irish folklore. Ladies, take note if meet a guy with seaweed on his head, dont go home with him! Some Irish families would keep their west-facing windows shut at all times to keep the Sluagh out of their homes. 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. Celtic Mythology - Mythopedia Caorthannach the Celtic fire-spitter. 9. Sounds a little bit like the story of Tir Na Nog, right?! Questing Beast the Celtic hybrid monster. These ancient Irish monsters and demons have been terrifying the public since the dawn of Celtic mythology, especially at Halloween. Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. The Kelpie is an evil water spirit, typically portrayed as a white horse that swims in rivers or lakes. When they encountered people, the Sluagh would instantly try to kill them and take their souls. 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. In fact, their name translates as Red Man from Gaelic. To prevent the undead from rising from the grave, simply build a pile of stones over her grave. Irish Folklore: Mythical Monsters and Terrifying Creatures - ConnollyCove However, theyre also said to be drawn toward musical instruments and to have excellent musical skill logical, given that they are fairies. Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. Photo by Shvaygert Ekaterina/shutterstock. Celtic mythology is the collection of stories and folklore from various ancient Celtic cultures like the Irish, the Welsh, and the Gauls. One of the most common questions we get in relation to, 17 Easy St. Patricks Day Cocktails + Drinks, 73 Funny St. Patricks Day Jokes For Adults And Kids, Our Favourite St. Patrick Legends And Stories. 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. 2. 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. Like the evilest creatures in Irish folklore though, the Dullahan has a weakness and it is gold. The original Dearg Due is said to have been a beautiful lord's daughter who fell in love with a peasant. 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. It is said that the Abhartach was Bram Stokers inspiration for his novel, Dracula. IrishCentral has hunted down the 10 most frightening of these Celtic and Irish demons and monsters. 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. As alluded to by Traill Dennison, to whom the story was told, Tammas's account bears a certain resemblance to the events in, "Jo Benn's 1529 Description of North Ronaldsay", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nuckelavee&oldid=1141494086, Articles containing Scottish Gaelic-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 09:56. More ghosts rather than demons or spirits, the Sluagh are said to be the souls of dead sinners. A tip to artists: perhaps you should look elsewhere for inspiration, rather than risking falling into the evil hands of the Leanan Sidhe!