The oldest body of Celtic myths derived from the Heroic Age is found only in the early medieval period of Ireland. As Christianity began to take hold, the gods and goddesses were slowly eliminated as such from the culture.
What has survived includes material related to the Tuatha Dé Danann and the Fomorians, which forms the basis of the text “The Battle of Mag Tuireadh,” as well as parts of (“The Book of Invasions”). The Tuatha Dé represent the functions of human society, such as royalty, craftsmanship, and warfare, while the Fomorians represent chaos and the wild.
Irish Celtic myths are full of strange and wonderful (and some terrifying) creatures. Here are some famous Celtic myths you may not have heard of and your favorite legendary Celtic creatures:
1. Leprechauns
The leprechaun is undoubtedly the most famous Celtic mythological creature of all. But popular culture has stripped the leprechaun of its traditional Irish roots. The leprechaun did not start life as a cereal mascot or an icon of a horror movie, but was a shoemaker. Like the modernized leprechaun, the traditional ones appear as old men in green clothes and buckled shoes.
Celtic myths say that this famous trickster collects gold and hides it at the end of a rainbow. If you are lucky enough to catch a leprechaun, he must grant you three wishes before he can be released. However, use them wisely, as leprechauns are tricky creatures.
One Celtic myth tells of a man who captured a leprechaun and wished to be taken to the gold. The leprechaun showed the man the tree under which the gold was hidden, but the man did not have a shovel to uncover the treasure. He released the leprechaun and marked the tree with his garter so he could go get a shovel. However, when he returned, he discovered that all the trees in the area had an identical garter tied to them.
The moral of this Celtic myth is:getting rich quick never works!
2. Banshee
In Celtic mythology, the name banshee derives from the Irish bean-sidhe, meaning fairy woman. The banshee is an ancient spirit that warns of death. It can only warn five great Irish families (the O’Neils, O’Bryons, O’Conners, O’Gradys, and Kavanaghs), and therefore the banshee has become a symbol of wealth and prestige.
According to Celtic myths, its appearance or cry warns of imminent death. It can appear in various forms: a young woman, a majestic matron, or a withered witch. Some Celtic myths say that the soul in torment can appear as a raven, weasel, or stoat: all animals associated with witchcraft.
The banshee can be seen by rivers washing the blood from the clothes of those who are about to die. Passersby may ask the name of the person who is going to die. They are also allowed to ask the banshee three questions, but only after she has asked them three questions.
It is said that King James I of Scotland was confronted by a soul in torment shortly before his death.
3. Pooka
The pooka is a much-feared type of fairy from Irish Celtic mythology. They are deceitful, violent creatures that emerge only at night. Pookas often take the form of a black horse that runs through the night, trampling fences, property, and crops. If chickens or cows see a pooka, they will be too traumatized to produce eggs or milk for weeks.
As is true of many creatures in Celtic folklore, different areas of Ireland claim that pookas have different forms. According to Celtic myths, in County Wexford, pookas are said to take the form of large dark eagles, while in Laois, pookas take the form of a terrifying character.
In Celtic mythology, pookas are also said to be shape-shifters. While they take the form of a horse to cause nighttime destruction, they will take the form of a leprechaun to claim a share of the harvest. Farmers used to leave a portion of their harvest in their fields as the Pooka’s share in an attempt to appease them.
Pookas are said to have mastered human speech. They use this to call out the names of their victims one by one from outside their homes. If the person emerges, the Pooka drags them away, but if no one comes out, the Pooka will destroy the property.
Many believe that Puck, from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was based on a Pooka. The similarities in name and mischievous behavior certainly support this theory.
4. Merrow
Merrows are a type of mermaid in Celtic mythology. The name merrow translates to “sea maiden.” They should not be confused with mermaids, as they have human-like legs instead of a tail. However, there are some key differences between a merrow and a mermaid; merrows have larger, flatter feet and webbed toes to help them swim.
In Celtic mythology, it is said that merrows’ ability to travel through water comes from their clothing, which varies from region to region. Some say their abilities come from a red feather cap, while others claim it comes from a sealskin cloak. Either way, in order for them to walk on land, they must abandon their cap or cloak. If a man finds and hides these garments, the merrow is forced to become his wife and cannot return to the ocean.
Merrows are desirable brides because of their extreme beauty and riches gathered from the bottom of the ocean. However, as soon as they find their garments again, they are overwhelmed by the need to return to the sea and will leave their husband and children.
In Celtic myths, many families claim to be descendants of merrows caught by fishermen.
5. Kelpie
Kelpies are evil water spirits that haunt rivers and lakes in Celtic mythology. They often appear as a pony or horse with a perpetually wet, matted mane. Their cute, scruffy appearance attracts people, often children, to turn their backs on them. Once the poor rider is on its back, the kelpie’s skin becomes sticky and traps its victim. The kelpie then rides into the water, drowning its victim. They eat the victim, leaving only the heart and liver.
In Celtic myths, kelpies are said to appear as incredibly handsome men and, less frequently, as beautiful women. Similar to merrows, kelpies can become trapped on land in human form if a person steals and hides their silver bridle. There are many stories of women who marry kelpies in human form.
Irish parents often use this Celtic myth to keep children away from water.
6. Mutants in Celtic Mythology
Mutants exist in Celtic mythology. A mutant can be one of three things:
The baby of an Irish fairy: according to Celtic myths, fairy births are difficult and often result in deformity. Adult fairies are obsessed with beauty, so they will try to swap their child for a human baby.
Other Celtic myths say that they can also be an old fairy disguised as an infant.
And finally, it is also said that they are objects made to look like babies by fairy magic.
All mutants have old, wrinkled, yellow skin and squeak all day and night. They feed on good fortune and find joy in the misfortune that befalls their adoptive family. Truly every parent’s nightmare.
As mutants grow older, they are drawn to musical instruments. They have a fascinating ability that leaves anyone who hears them play spellbound.
7. FarDarrig
In Celtic mythology, the FarDarrig is a type of fairy closely related to goblins. Their name translates to “red man,” which is fitting since they wear a red cape and hat. This may sound like cheerful creatures, but they are definitely not. They are horrifying practical jokers.
FarDarrigs carry a human-sized burlap sack ready to kidnap people. They trap their victims in a room and use their ventriloquist skills to project inhuman noises around their victim. Their most terrifying noise is the laugh of a dead man. FarDarrigs have also been linked to the theft of human babies to be replaced by mutants. They are associated with nightmares and find delight in terror.
There are Celtic myths that say the FarDarrig lure men to their home and make them cook their dinner, only to discover that the dinner is a witch skewered and cooking over the fire.
There is a sure way to avoid falling prey to the FarDarrigs’ tricks: you must say“you will not mock me”before you are trapped. However, this is much harder than it sounds, as the FarDarrigs set well-hidden traps. You will be trapped before you even realize what is happening.
8. Fear Gorta
In Celtic mythology, Fear Gortas appear as walking corpses. With their protruding bones, deathly pallor, bluish skin, and rotting flesh, they are truly a terrifying sight. They wander during times of famine, asking anyone they encounter for food.
Those who give food to the Fear Gorta are rewarded with wealth and prosperity for life, while those who do not will suffer bad luck and poverty.
Other Celtic myths say that the Miedo Gorta is a cursed patch of grass on a grave, and anyone who steps on it is cursed with eternal hunger. If this hunger is not satisfied with food, the person will die.
9. Dullahan
A Dullahan, also known as a headless horseman. This Celtic myth is another Irish omen of death. The Dullahan is a headless man riding a black horse with a black cloak. In his left hand he holds a human spine by a whip and in his right hand he holds his smiling head.
According to Celtic myths, the Dullahan rides to the area where death will take place and calls out the name of the person who will soon die. The story says that if you see a Dullahan, someone in the area will die imminently. The Dullahan raises his head high in any direction to observe death.
Dullahan are not friendly to onlookers. If a Dullahan catches you looking, it will blind you in one eye with its whip or cover you in blood. There have been countless reports of Dullahan sightings just before a local death.
10. The Abhartach
Celtic myths tell of a magical Irish tyrant who imposed great cruelty on his people. Fortunately, he was killed and buried standing up. However, the relief was short-lived. The next day, the dwarf rose from the grave, using his magical powers, more cruel and vicious than ever.
Abhartach is known to drink the blood of his victims. Some say he is the inspiration behind Dracula. There is only one way to stop Abhartach: you must kill him and bury him upside down.
Therefore, the next time you visit Ireland, be sure to remember our advice, otherwise you could fall prey to a FarDarrig or the Abhartach.
