Ireland is renowned for some mystical and quirky creatures, but like all countries, there are some obscure ones that you should know more about.
Every country in the world has some sort of fantastical tale to tell, going through many generations and imitations. They become as engrained in society as an accent or general tradition.
Ireland is rich with stories, perhaps being one of the countries that enchants fascination and imagination at the same time. Yes, there are the classic Banshees and leprechauns that automatically cross one’s mind, but there are many more to discover.
You probably already know a few, and some are even shared with Scotland. Here are five BIZARRE creatures from Irish folklore you didn’t know existed.
5. The Oilliphéist — a monumental dragon
It is easy to affiliate dragons with English legends and high fantasy, but Ireland actually has one of its own. Known as the ‘The Great Sea Monster of the Shannon,’ this creature’s story merges with the chronology of St. Patrick.
When St. Patrick went to clear the island of all serpents, it was said that the Oilliphéist made haste to escape that fate. The effort led to the formation of the now infamous River Shannon! Yet, St Patrick never explicitly banished it, but rather it is said to have headed to Lough Dearg.
This makes a fun bit of creative history about how Ireland’s geography was formed, mixing a religious figure with a bit of folklore. Depictions of this creature range from a classic dragon, to a snake-like form. Either way, mainstream media does not cover the story too often.
4. Hare Witches — shapeshifters of nature
Ever see a hare running across a country lane? Well, even those creatures have a fun connection to Irish folklore. Witches are a prominent part of old stories, and the Irish have an original twist.
It was believed that witches would transform into hares to indulge in stealing milk. There is a fun story about a farmer discovering that a neighbouring old woman is the hare when knocking on her door to enquire about her seeing it.
So, if you ever see a wild hare running around a cattle field, who knows what it is up to? There are so many tales about hares in Irish culture that it is worth taking a deep dive into. Maybe they are not as ordinary as you may think.
3. The Leannán Sídhe — to live for love
Síbhe means ‘Irish Fairy Being’ and is pronounced as ‘Shee’. It is an abstract term as Ireland is full of fairy folklore, but the word can be affiliated with fairy mounds and individuals who are described as fairies.
It is said that although the Irish simply say ‘fairy’ in their general dialect, it is believed that calling them such can be seen as rude. Therefore, the Irish fairies receive individual, descriptive terms to honour them.
The Leannán Sídhe is even better, being a dark fairy lover. It is said to be a beautiful woman. You will live a happy but short life with her. Once you die, she owns you. Your job is to find her somebody else to devote herself to. So, essentially, it is a rather skewed tale of love, letting go and obsession.
2. The Bodach is visiting — shut your windows and doors
Forget annoying neighbours. There are more bizarre creatures from Ireland. This part of Gaelic folklore is an amusing one. In the form of an elderly man with a malevolent spirit, he is there to scare misbehaving children or irritate people.
Think about the Boogeyman but a little quirkier. Scotland depicts him as ghoulish in appearance. Ireland keeps with the old man. He is going to make sure nobody gets a comfortable night’s sleep. Meet Ireland’s most horrifying, infuriating figure.
A bit of a trickster, he will put burglars to shame. If he sees a chimney or open access into a home, he is coming in. Getting rid of him is not going to be easy.
So, if you feel something constantly poking you while you rest, it is best not to turn around. It might be time to block up the chimney and think about solar power instead for insulation.
2. The Far Darrig — far-fetched and ridiculous
This piece of folklore varies between Irish locations, so it can be mean-spirited in one place while it is playful in another region. It is linked to those who are travelling, and how the Far Darrig can trick them into going off the beaten track. Most of the time, it leads to people’s deaths.
The name translates into the ‘Red Man,’ so retains a little horror in its appearance. Some say that it is not too dissimilar to a leprechaun, being a stout, mystical looking individual. He will play tricks, pull pranks and be very mischievous.
This piece of folklore falls into the fairy category. Many of Ireland’s tales belong to that species, but the individual personalities are what make them so rare and interesting.
If you are ever on a journey and come across a little man in a red outfit, giving obscure and strange directions, be alert. It might be him!
1. Meet the Dobhar-Chú — not a friendly dog
Folklore is not folklore without an enigmatic animal. The Dobhar-Chú is said to be a very large dog with an appearance that matches almost an otter. It was said to have killed in the 1700s, and has been ‘sighted’ numerous times. Though, its features make it very questionable that it ever existed.
Known to be vicious and living in the waters, it is said to be in many lakes nationwide. Due to its recency to have been seen, it adds a bit of fun to a mythology that such a creature might exist. If you have an open mind or big imagination, you might get to see it.
The name is quite literal when translated. It means ‘water hound’ and is a shared creature with Scotland as well. It is one of the bizarre creatures to research for its historical claims as well.
