Ireland is known for its many myths, horror tales and legends which date back to the earliest days of the Emerald Isle. Banshees, Púcas and Changelings are just some of the prominent tales that used to strike fear into locals. Some older people still fear them today. Here are 7 Irish horror myths that you hope aren't true!
1. Samuel Page.
Samuel Page’s story recalls the mysterious disappearance of the Dublin blacksmith in the 1800s. He lived a normal family life during the day with his wife, Sarah, and their two daughters, Becka and Hannah. However, by night the Page family ran a satanic cult from their basement and when their evil practices were unveiled, their house was burned to the ground by locals! The bodies of Samuel’s wife and two daughters were found, but after weeks of searching for his body, the authorities failed to recover any remains. Page’s spirit is rumoured to have appeared before residents of Dublin City over the past couple of centuries in different forms but always cloaked with his face hidden by a terrifying woven mask. The cult he established is even said to live on in secret today.
To fully grasp the terror Samuel’s tale, you can visit Samuel Page’s Nightmare this October in the RDS in Ballsbridge! The guys at Damnation have given the venue a spectacular makeover for October to provide thrill-seekers and horror fans with the chance to delve deep into Samuel Page’s Nightmare, offering an unmatched experience and fright-night you won’t get anywhere else. The story of Samuel’s wicked ways bursts into life with actors, professionally designed sets, costumes and terrifying scenes! Be warned, it is not for the faint hearted!
You can purchase tickets here for as little as €17
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2. The Banshee.
The Banshee was a woman who carried an omen of death with her. Apparently she appeared in many different elements. Sometimes the Banshee would appear as an old woman dressed in rags, sometimes you would see her as a young and beautiful girl and sometimes you would see her as a wash woman, ringing out bloody clothing. Whenever she was seen, she let out a horrible shriek and legend has it that this cry brought death to any family that heard it. King James I of Scotland thought he was approached by a Banshee. Shortly after, he died at the Earl of Atholl.
3. Púcas.
The Púca is a distinct type of fairy - one hell bent on creating havoc in the mortal world. The Pooka appeared at night across rural Ireland and by the sea. On a good day, the Pooka would cause destruction on a farm, tearing down fences and disrupting the animals. On a bad day, the Pooka would stand outside the farmhouse and call the people outside by name. If anyone came out, the Pooka would carry them away. The Pookas also loved to mess with the ships pulling away from Ireland, and were blamed for many shipwrecks along the rocky coast.
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4. Changelings.
As legend has it, female fairies often gave birth to deformed children. Since the fairies prefer visually pleasing babies, they would go into the mortal world and swap with a healthy human baby, leaving behind a changeling. While the changeling looked like a human baby, it carried none of the same emotional characteristics. It was only happy when misfortune or grief happened in the house. The changeling legend has lasted for centuries. William Shakespeare talks of a changeling in his play, “A Midsummer’s Night Dream.”
5. Leprachauns.
According to folklore, the Leprechaun was once part of a community called "Luchor-pan" or the wee bodies. Over time, the name became corrupted and this corruption gave rise to the notion that "brog" or shoe was part of the name. Thus, Leprechauns became shoemakers to the Good People, as well as the protector of their treasures. Leprechauns were then identified with some very anti-social personality traits, including irascibility, cunning, double-talk and a liking for their own company.
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6. The Dearg-Dur.
The Dearg-Dur is Ireland’s legendary vampire. According to some tales, it can take the shape of a pale young woman who lingers in graveyards at night waiting for unwary passers-by. Her beauty is irresistibly seductive, but when she kisses, she feeds on blood, draining the life from her victim. Supposedly, it can only be defeated when one builds a cairn of stones over its grave.
7. The Dullahan.
The Dullahan is a headless horseman who rides an equally headless horse during the dead of night. Clad in flowing black robes, the Dullahan has no head on his shoulders. He carries it with him in his hand, and because he is endowed with supernatural sight, he will hold the head up high. This allows him to see great distances, even on the darkest night. Wherever he stops, a mortal dies.
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