Irish Folklore Characters

Celtic mythology stories are rich in folklore characters including irish mythological gods and goddesses.

Irish folklore characters. 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. The banshee is a mythical figure from irish folklore that was said to be the sign of a death in the family. Here are some of these irish gods explained. According to irish folklore butterflies are said to move between worlds and bring messages and warnings. Blaí briugu ulster warrior with a geis which requires him to sleep with any woman who stays at his hostel unaccompanied. Her appearance generally foretells the death of another usually a family member. 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.

They are said to be souls waiting to be reborn on earth. In irish folklore a banshee is a spirit who appears in the form of a cloaked wailing woman. Ireland s ancient societies the celtics and the druids believed in magical powers and these beliefs have been carried forward to this day. The geographical tales dindshenchas emphasize the importance of female divinities and powerful ancestors while the historical tradition focuses on the colonizers inventors or male warriors with the female characters only intervening in episodes. Stories of fairies playing pranks warriors with ultimate knowledge and a lot other irish myths and legends are strange. Butterflies with dark wings were said to warn of bad news such as an attack or failed crop while white and yellow butterflies were told to bring good news such as a birth or success. Athirne poet and satirist in the court of conchobar mac nessa.

The long history of ireland is replete with ancient folklore and mythology. Like many other irish folklore creatures different areas of ireland claim that pookas have different forms. Women from the terrifying to the heroic were instrumental in ancient irish mythology. Bricriu hospitaller troublemaker and poet. Their strong character and powerful presence has set the tone throughout irish history and persists even today. Here we take a look at some of the top. Divinity in irish mythology.

The word derives from the irish bean sí meaning the fairy woman as legend.