Irish Vampire Lore: Unraveling the Dark Myths of Celtic Vampires

What is the Celtic version of a vampire?

The Celtic version of a vampire, often called the neamh-mairbh (meaning “undead” in Gaelic), is a revenant that returns from the grave to wreak havoc. Unlike the aristocratic vampires of modern fiction, Celtic vampires like the Abhartach vampire are rooted in ancient Irish folklore.

They are typically malevolent figures, such as chieftains or sorcerers, who use dark magic to defy death. The Abhartach, for example, was a cruel dwarf-like ruler in County Derry who rose from his grave to demand blood from his subjects.

To defeat him, a yew-wood sword and an upside-down burial were required, reflecting Celtic rituals to trap the undead. Another example is the Dearg Due, an Irish vampire woman who seduces and drains men, embodying vengeance.

These creatures differ from global vampire myths by their ties to Celtic spirituality and druidic practices, making them uniquely terrifying.

What is the name of the Celtic vampire?

The most famous Celtic vampire is the Abhartach, a figure from Abhartach mythology in County Derry. Known as a dwarf or deformed chieftain, Abhartach was a tyrant who practiced dark sorcery. After being slain by a rival chieftain, he returned as one of the neamh-mairbh, demanding blood from his people.

His story, first recorded by Patrick Weston Joyce in 1870, is considered a precursor to modern vampire myths. Another notable figure is the Dearg Due, an Irish vampire woman whose name means “red bloodsucker.”

Her tragic tale of forced marriage and suicide transformed her into a vengeful spirit who drains the life from men. Both figures highlight the diversity of Irish vampires in Celtic lore.

Is Dracula an Irish folklore?

While Bram Stoker’s Dracula is not directly Irish folklore, the Irish-born author likely drew inspiration from Irish vampire lore. Scholars like Bob Curran suggest that the Abhartach vampire influenced Stoker, given its similarities to Dracula: both are undead, blood-drinking tyrants who require specific methods to be defeated (yew-wood sword for Abhartach, wooden stake for Dracula).

Stoker’s notes show little evidence of research into Vlad the Impaler, contrary to popular belief, but his exposure to Irish myths, possibly through figures like Lady Wilde, points to the Abhartach mythology as a key influence. The term “droch fhola” (bad blood) in Irish may also connect to “Dracula.”

Thus, while Dracula isn’t purely Irish, its roots are deeply tied to Irish vampires.

What is the scariest Irish folklore?

The scariest Irish folklore creature is subjective, but the Abhartach often takes the crown due to its relentless bloodlust and ability to defy death. The tale of this Abhartach vampire, who repeatedly rose from his Irish vampire grave in Slaghtaverty Dolmen (known as the Giant’s Grave), terrified locals with its blend of sorcery and vampirism. Equally chilling is the Banshee, a wailing female spirit who heralds death, and the Dearg Due, an Irish vampire woman whose seductive yet deadly nature haunts Waterford. The Sluagh, ghostly hosts of the damned, also instill dread by snatching souls. These tales, rooted in Celtic fears of the supernatural, make Irish vampire lore some of the most spine-chilling in global mythology.

What is the Irish word for vampire?

The Irish word for vampire is often cited as deamhan fola, meaning “blood demon,” though it’s a modern term not found in ancient texts. Another term is neamh-mairbh, meaning “undead,” used for creatures like the Abhartach.

Older dictionaries, like Dinneen’s, lack a specific vampire term, suggesting Irish vampire lore used descriptive phrases instead.

The word “vaimpír” is a direct Gaelicization of “vampire.” The Dearg Due’s name, meaning “red bloodsucker,” also reflects vampiric traits. These terms show how Irish vampires were conceptualized within Celtic linguistic traditions.

What did Vikings call vampires?

Viking lore doesn’t have a direct equivalent to the modern vampire, but they referred to undead beings as draugr or aptrganga (meaning “again-walker”).

These were corpses that rose from graves to terrorize the living, sometimes drinking blood or causing misfortune. Unlike the Abhartach vampire, draugr were more ghostly than vampiric, often tied to burial mounds and Norse mythology’s emphasis on restless spirits.

While not identical to Irish vampire lore, the concept of undead beings shares parallels with Celtic neamh-mairbh.

Why is Remmick Irish?

The name “Remmick” doesn’t appear in traditional Irish vampire lore or Celtic mythology. It may be a fictional or modern reference, possibly from media or literature not directly tied to figures like the Abhartach or Dearg Due. If referring to a specific character, please provide more context. In Irish vampires lore, names like Abhartach or Dearg Due dominate, rooted in Gaelic tradition rather than Anglo-Saxon names like Remmick.

Who is the dark one in Irish mythology?

The “Dark One” in Irish mythology is often associated with Balor, a Fomorian leader with a deadly “evil eye” that could kill with a glance. While not a vampire, Balor’s malevolence parallels the tyranny of the Abhartach vampire. The Fomorians, a race of chaotic, demonic beings, are sometimes considered Celtic demons, opposing the benevolent Tuatha Dé Danann. Balor’s story, involving prophecy and death at the hands of his grandson Lugh, underscores themes of darkness and power in Irish vampire lore.

[](https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/irish-mythological-creatures/)

What is a fae vampire?

A fae vampire blends Celtic fairy lore with vampiric traits. The Lhiannan Shee, a Manx and Irish fairy, is a prime example, seducing men and draining their life force, much like the Irish vampire woman Dearg Due. Another is the Baobhan Sith from Scottish folklore, a fairy-like creature who lures men to dance before feeding on their blood. These beings bridge the gap between fae mischief and vampiric horror, embodying the seductive danger of Celtic mythology.

What mythical creature comes from Ireland?

Ireland boasts a rich array of mythical creatures, including the Abhartach vampire, Banshee, Púca (shapeshifter), Leprechaun, and Selkie. The Dearg Due, an Irish vampire woman, and the Sluagh, a host of damned spirits, are particularly terrifying. The Abhartach mythology stands out for its vampiric elements, while creatures like the Kelpie (water horse) and Far Darrig (mischievous fairy) add diversity to Ireland’s folklore. Each reflects Celtic beliefs about the supernatural.

What is the Irish movie about vampires?

A notable Irish vampire movie is Boys from County Hell (2020), a horror-comedy directly inspired by the Abhartach mythology. Set in County Derry, it follows workers who disturb the Irish vampire grave of Abhartach, unleashing chaos. The film blends humor with Irish vampire lore, referencing Bram Stoker’s connection to the legend. It’s a modern take on Abhartach Sinners, exploring local folklore with a fresh perspective.

Who is the giant folklore in Ireland?

Ireland’s giant folklore centers on Finn MacCool (Fionn mac Cumhaill), a legendary warrior and leader of the Fianna. While not always a giant in size, his epic deeds, like building the Giant’s Causeway, give him a larger-than-life status. In some versions of the Abhartach mythology, Finn is credited with slaying the Abhartach vampire, linking him to Irish vampire lore. His tales blend heroism with Celtic mysticism.

What are Celtic demons called?

Celtic demons are often referred to as Fomorians, a race of malevolent supernatural beings in Irish mythology. They opposed the Tuatha Dé Danann and were associated with chaos and destruction. Figures like Balor, with his deadly eye, exemplify their demonic nature. The Abhartach, while vampiric, shares traits with these dark entities due to his sorcery and tyranny. The term “deamhan” (demon) is also used in Gaelic for malevolent spirits.

What is the Welsh word for vampire?

In Welsh folklore, the term for a vampire-like creature is Gwrach y Rhibyn, meaning “Witch of Rhibyn.” This hideous entity is more akin to a banshee but shares vampiric traits like bloodlust. The Welsh word for vampire is simply “sugnwr gwaed” (bloodsucker), though specific vampire myths are less prominent in Wales than in Irish vampire lore.

Is a dhampir a vampire?

A dhampir is not a full vampire but a hybrid, typically the offspring of a vampire and a human in Albanian and Balkan folklore. In Irish vampire lore, dhampirs are less prominent, but similar concepts exist, like children of the Lhiannan Shee. Dhampirs are often vampire hunters, able to detect and kill vampires like the Abhartach vampire. They possess supernatural abilities but lack the full bloodlust of true vampires.

What is the Gaelic word for undead?

The Gaelic word for undead is neamh-mairbh, meaning “not dead” or “walking dead.” This term is used in Irish vampire lore to describe creatures like the Abhartach, who rise from their graves to terrorize the living. It reflects the Celtic fear of restless spirits and is central to tales of Irish vampires.

What is a silkie in Ireland?

A selkie (or silkie) is a shapeshifting creature from Irish and Scottish folklore that transforms from a seal to a human by shedding its skin. Unlike the Abhartach vampire, selkies are not inherently malevolent but are tragic figures, often trapped in human marriages when their skins are stolen. They embody Celtic themes of transformation and longing for the sea, contrasting with the bloodlust of Irish vampire lore.

What is the boogeyman in Ireland?

The Irish equivalent of the boogeyman is the Bodach, a malevolent spirit that sneaks into homes to scare children or cause mischief. While less deadly than the Abhartach vampire, the Bodach is a menacing figure in Irish vampire lore and folklore, often linked to nightmares. Unlike vampires, it’s more mischievous than bloodthirsty, but its eerie presence terrifies.

Who is the Irish god of the dead?

The Irish god of the dead is Donn, a figure associated with the afterlife and the realm of the departed. Lord of Tech Duinn, an island where souls reside, Donn is a somber deity tied to Celtic beliefs about death, distinct from the blood-drinking Abhartach vampire. His role reflects the reverence for the afterlife in Irish vampire lore and mythology.