Irish Folklore Characters

Irish folklore stories by claddagh design on nov 2 2017 12 35 am in history ireland 2 story telling is a hugely important part of irish culture and heritage.

Irish folklore characters. Here we take a look at some of the top. The banshee is a mythical figure from irish folklore that was said to be the sign of a death in the family. Athirne poet and satirist in the court of conchobar mac nessa. The word derives from the irish bean sí meaning the fairy woman as legend.

The term came to english from the old irish term ben side meaning woman of the fairy mound a reference to ireland s numerous tumuli or earth mounds which are common throughout the irish countryside. Her appearance generally foretells the death of another usually a family member. Bricriu hospitaller troublemaker and poet. Blaí briugu ulster warrior with a geis which requires him to sleep with any woman who stays at his hostel unaccompanied.

Women from the terrifying to the heroic were instrumental in ancient irish mythology. Stories of fairies playing pranks warriors with ultimate knowledge and a lot other irish myths and legends are strange. Their strong character and powerful presence has set the tone throughout irish history and persists even today. In county wexford pookas are said to take the form of large dark eagles while in laois pookas take the form of a terrifying boogeyman character.

Ireland s ancient societies the celtics and the druids believed in magical powers and these beliefs have been carried forward to this day. Amergin mac eccit poet and warrior in the court of conchobar mac nessa. In irish folklore a banshee is a spirit who appears in the form of a cloaked wailing woman. Celtic mythology stories are rich in folklore characters including irish mythological gods and goddesses.

Here are some of these irish gods explained. According to irish folklore butterflies are said to move between worlds and bring messages and warnings. The long history of ireland is replete with ancient folklore and mythology. Depending on the sources the importance of gods and goddesses in irish mythology varies.

Like many other irish folklore creatures different areas of ireland claim that pookas have different forms. They are said to be souls waiting to be reborn on earth.