Spirit Beings
Redcap: The Murderous Goblin of the Borders in Folklore
Redcap folklore describes a murderous goblin of ruined Border towers who dyes his cap in the blood of victims - recorded by…
Section
Category: <span>Myth & Folklore</span>
Celtic legend, gods, heroes and spirit beings — each story traced to the tradition it belongs to, the text it was first written down in, and its date.
Spirit Beings
The Nuckelavee: Orkney’s Monster from the Sea
The nuckelavee is Orkney's skinless horse-and-rider sea demon, held off only by fresh water - the honest, sourced account.
Myth & Folklore
Geis: The Binding Taboo in Irish Myth
What is a geis? A binding taboo in Irish myth whose breaking, as with Cú Chulainn, spells doom.
Celtic Legends
The Salmon of Knowledge (An Bradan Feasa), Honestly Sourced
The Salmon of Knowledge honestly sourced: the hazels of wisdom, Finnegas, and how young Fionn burned his thumb, from the medieval text…
Myth & Folklore
Celtic vs Norse Mythology: The Key Differences
Celtic vs Norse mythology differs above all in sources: scattered Celtic manuscripts against a comparatively unified Norse corpus.
Celtic Legends
Ceridwen and the Cauldron of Inspiration, Honestly Dated
The Ceridwen cauldron story: the brew of Awen, Gwion Bach, the shapeshifting chase, and the rebirth of Taliesin, honestly dated.
Spirit Beings
Abhartach: The Irish Undead and the Dracula Question
The abhartach is an undead tyrant of Co. Derry lore, recorded in 1875 - and the claim he inspired Dracula is a…
Spirit Beings
Bean Nighe: The Washer at the Ford
The bean nighe is the Washer at the Ford, seen laundering the grave-clothes of the doomed - a death omen, honestly sourced.
Celtic Legends
Aengus Og: The Irish God of Love, Honestly Sourced
Aengus Og honestly sourced: the Irish god of love and youth, son of the Dagda, his home at Bru na Boinne, and…
Myth & Folklore
Sidhe vs Fairies: What the Words Actually Mean
Sidhe vs fairies is a translation problem: sidhe names the Irish mounds and their people, while fairy is an English umbrella.