However, all wasnt as it seemed. According to legend, if you want to silence an Abhartach forever, one must find his crypt. 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. Balor - Celtic demon king. Guess this is one demon you can check off your list of scary creatures to worry about this Halloween. Today, she is remembered yearly in a festival that marks the start of harvest in Leinster in Irelands Great East. Annnnd were back to creepy Celtic monsters again, next, with the Bnnach. To prevent the undead from rising from the grave, simply build a pile of stones over her grave. For these reasons, the cat was often believed to be a spy for evil beings lurking outside the home. [], 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. 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. A unique and solitary creature possessing extensive evil powers, its malevolent behaviour can influence events throughout the islands. 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. 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. Their origin is probably related to the foaming white waters of some fast rivers that can also be dangerous to those who try to swim in them. Irish mythological creatures: Photo by Wilqkuku (Shutterstock). Hi, Im Christine a full-time traveler and career woman. [5][24] The creature was also blamed for prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages and poor harvests. Years later, she rose from the grave and started wandering across Ireland, punishing men by taking their life force away. 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. These frightening creatures would often fly from village to village, usually in packs, going from west to east. The Cwn Annwn are the hunting dogs of Arawn, Lord of the Otherworld and are associated with the Welsh form of the Wild Hunt. 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. Another vampire myth in Celtic culture, the Dearg Due is a female demon. Some are normal and beautiful, and those the fairies keep for themselves. 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 ancient Celtic mythology included more than 400 Celtic gods and goddesses, and their roles ranged from presiding over rivers to leading armies into battle. [5], The nuckelavee is the most malevolent of the demons in and around the Scottish islands, without any redeeming characteristics. This Celtic mythological creature is best described as a mermaid in appearance, however, this is where the similarities. 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. [16] An islander, Tammas, claimed to have survived a confrontation with the beast and, after much cajoling from Dennison, reluctantly gave his description of the monster, the only known first-hand account. According to legend, this Irish folklore creature uses the spine of a human as a whip. Were Irelands Viking invaders high on hallucinogenic herbal tea? They can also take the form of a dark eagle, some boogeyman character, or goblin. If he calls out your name, you will immediately drop dead. [1] The only entity able to control it is the Mither o' the Sea, an ancient spirit in Orcadian mythology who keeps the nuckelavee confined during the summer months. [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. Going through all of them would take a whole book, so here weve listed the 14 most well-known and interesting legendary creatures in Celtic mythology. In one story, Abcan gets captured by the great Irish warrior C Chulainn. 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. [14] Seaweed burning to create what was known at the time as kelp began on Stronsay in 1722. The final section of our guide to Irish mythological creatures is a bit of a mixed bag. When you see him, he must grant you three wishes before he can be released. But most legends say the Banshee was terrifying enough on her own. [4] The same demon is called a mukkelevi in Shetland, where it was considered a nasty sea-trow or sea-devil. Those who chased the Fear Gorta away, however, were cursed with bad luck. As fallen angels, their sins were not great enough to warrant a lifetime in hell so they were sent to earth as fairies instead. The Fear Gorta is a Celtic creature that takes the form of a tired and weather beating man, who begs for food. 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 name Fomoire may mean "demons from below (the sea)," and their leader Balor had one huge deadly eye. The original Dearg Due is said to have been a beautiful lords daughter who fell in love with a peasant. He even calls himself God's messenger on earth. They say that when a chicken or cow sees a Pooka, the animals become too traumatized that they cannot produce eggs or milk for weeks. Some of the Celtic monsters were originally gods but were later demonized as pagan creatures when many of the Celts became Christians. 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. 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. Leave your comments / questions for this practitioner, (En Espaol) The Reading: Connect with your Spirit Guides, Akashic Records, etc. They spoke Gaulish. Easily the most popular creature in Irish folklore, the leprechaun is also considered the Irish symbol of luck. 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. The kelpie galloped around Ireland, looking like a lost pony, attempting to trick women and children into riding on it. The malevolent monster had only one eye and a single huge leg, yet it held the title of . Now, just to be clear the Fomorians arent exactly dangerous Celtic mythological creatures, theyre more terrifying in appearance. These evil fairies take the shape in black horses, who stampede through fences, crops, and properties, causing damage and destruction. The character of Merlin originally came from pagan mythology. All in one Mobile App. These scary spirits are said to come from the west, and they fly in groups. Questing Beast the Celtic hybrid monster. In section two, we tackle the less harmful Celtic creatures. Theres no mystery why, during a time when food was scarce, stories of this Irish mythical creature were a firm favourite. These evil creatures are said to appear to weary travelers, enticing them for a ride. She fell in love with a peasant, which was frowned upon by her father. She has a wide range of interests ranging from ancient cultures and mythology to Harry Potter and gardening. 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. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. One monster, however, managed to escape Caorthannach, the fire-spitter. ; Branwen, Welsh goddess of love and beauty; Cliodhna, Irish goddess, sometimes identified as a goddess of love and beauty. The Dullahan the Irish headless horseman, Another legendary Irish monster is the Dullahan, a name that can be translated to dark man.. The Leanan Sidhe will then take their dead lover back into her lair, collect their blood into a cauldron, which is the source of her youth, beauty, and artistic inspiration. A well-known section in Lucan 's Bellum civile (61-65 CE) refers to gory sacrifices offered to a triad of Celtic deities: Teutates, Hesus (an aspirated form of Esus), and Taranis. A year after her death, she rose from her grave as a vengeful spirit. Ancient kings of Ireland used to seek their assistance during war times when they were going up against a fierce opponent. Their beards are usually bright red, however, just like their clothes. 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. They say these mythical water horses are often spotted in Scotland, but they are part of Irish folklore as well. Its like the Pooka, to an extent, in that it plays jokes on people, but thats where the similarities end. 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. Copyright 2023 Irish Studio LLC All rights reserved. Over the years, Ive heard many different tales about Leanan sdhe. Like other Iron Age Europeans, Celtic peoples followed a polytheistic religion, having many gods and goddesses.The mythologies of continental Celtic peoples, such as the Gauls and Celtiberians, did not survive their conquest by the Roman Empire, the loss of their Celtic languages and their subsequent conversion to Christianity. Make sure to see our guide to Celtic Gods and Goddesses, after! The ruler of all fairies, the Fairy Queen is one of the most famous Celtic creatures. IrishCentral Staff. [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. 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. 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. 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). Watch it at Netflix ). In fact, it was a 3-headed Celtic monster! Celtic deities can belong to two categories: general and local. You may have heard of leprechauns, fairies and banshees, and other folklore characters that tell intriguing stories and origins. on her? The first of our Celtic mythology creatures is the mighty Abcn. In old Irish folk tales, Glas Gaibhnenn was a magical cow with green spots that could produce endless supplies of milk for its owners. She works as the chief editor of Symbol Sage but also takes the time to write on topics that interest her. The word Merrow is from the Irish words Muir, meaning sea and Oigh, the maid. Elln Trechend Photo by Sofya Dushkina/shutterstock.com 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. The Clurichaun is a strange one. They occupied Ireland before the current inhabitants, the Milesians, or the final race to settle in Ireland. Not to worry, though there is one way to defeat Dearg-due. Merrow - Sea fairy. The Daoine Maithe are the fairy folk in Irish mythology. Some say the Sluagh is the Irish version of the Wild Hunt, a European folktale about ghostly hounds or spirits traveling around in packs foretelling of death and disaster. When he stops riding, a human dies. Patrick eventually made it to the Hawks Rock, where he waited for Caorthannach. 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. We have created separate sub-sections for Irish Mythology, Welsh Mythology, Mythology of the Gauls and the Mythology of the Ancient Britons. Youve everything from scary Celtic monsters to more gentle, magical beings, below. 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. If youre looking for stories about Irish mythical creatures to tell your kids, then this one is more than suitable! #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. Irelands most popular baby names of 2022 - by county! Carman is the Celtic goddess of evil magic. 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. [14] Other reports state that the creature resembles a centaur;[20] narratives are inconsistent in the finer details of the demon's description however. Learn how your comment data is processed. If nobody comes out the pooka will destroy their property. This was David Humes great insight, when he formulated his famous problem of induction. These ancient Irish monsters and demons have been terrifying the public since the dawn of Celtic mythology, especially at Halloween. 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. Considered as an omen of death and the fear of every child, the banshee is one of the scariest creatures in Irish folklore. The one that appears the most describes the fairy Leanan sdhe as a beautiful woman. [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". Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Pookas can also imitate human voices and they use it to call them out of their houses. Carman is the Celtic goddess of evil magic. Today, the leprechaun has also become a mascot for St. Patricks Day, as well as a favorite design in Irish souvenirs. 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. Read more in our guide here. Guess this is one demon you can check off your list of scary creatures to worry about! In Christian demonology, he is a Marquis of Hell and rules 40 infernal legions. She is one of the Tuatha D . Below is a list of demons and demoness names from theology, mythology, and demonology worldwide. Right: Olga Vasileva. Photo by Volodymyr Burdiak/shutterstock.com. As with most evil forces, the Dullahan has a weakness gold. 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. [13] Writer and folklorist Ernest Marwick considered it very similar to the Norwegian nkk, the nuggle of Shetland and the kelpie. Alp-Luachra. 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. 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. 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. Leanan Sidhe the evil Irish fairy-muse. Ask away in the comments section. No, it wont kill her, but at least youll hold her off until next year! Commonly known in Irish folklore as the foreteller of death, the Dullahan is the Irish counterpart of the headless horseman. I see nothing about Beag- also called Bec, the keeper of a magical well. The banshee often appears as a young woman, a matron, or an old hag, that wears a white cloak. Sign up to IrishCentral's newsletter to stay up-to-date with everything Irish! Check out those lists here: Dani Rhys has worked as a writer and editor for over 15 years. To prevent the Sluaghs from entering their houses, Irish families would keep their west-facing windows shut. While he was spying on his fathers druids, the noisome vapours of a spell entered his eye.