The Folklore of Ireland

The Selkie: Seal People of Ireland

The selkie – also called the seal people, or the mermaid – is a marine legend that tells of people who are half-fish, and half-human.

In the water, they are seals, but on land, they can shed their skin and take on human form. They inhabit the shores of Ireland and Scotland. And for some reason, they are irresistible to ordinary humans, who are apt to fall in love with the seal people.

Meet the Selkies

Dracula’s Irish Origins

October is often lauded as the creepiest month of the year. Ireland takes it one step further as the originator of Halloween. According to Ireland’s Celtic calendar, October 31st marks the end of autumn, meaning the first of November is the start of winter. On the eve between these two seasons, the ‘curtain’ between our world and the world of the spirits is at its thinnest. This means that for one night only, certain determined spirits have the ability to cross the threshold into our world.

Ireland is also the originator of one of the world’s most famous monster stories. Aside from Frankenstein, Dublin-born Bram Stooker’s Dracula is the most famous monster tale of all time. Certainly, Dracula is the most famous vampire, giving rise to a vampire horror subgenre that is still immensely popular today. There are a number of myths and legends in Ireland that may have spawned such a myth – because Stoker never actually stepped foot in Transylvania. Instead, it was Ireland’s dark past and vampiric monsters that inspired his iconic tale.

Meet Dracula’s Inspirations

Irish Fairies

Ah, the wee folk of Ireland. Read here to find out more about Irish fairies, where to find them in Ireland, myths and legends about the wee folk, and more about the tradition of oral storytelling.

Meet the Fairies

Warrior Queen Maeve

The daughter of the High King of Ireland, Queen Maeve is renowned as a warrior queen of great strength, resilience, and ruthlessness. With a name said to mean “intoxicating,” she wielded enormous power and sway during her reign.

Known for her “pillow talk” with her husband Aillil, they argued about who held the most wealth. After listing out everything they each owned, it seemed they were equal…except for a single large bull which Aillil possessed. Competitive to the core, Maeve was determined not to be beaten, leading to the infamous Cattle Raid of Cooley.

Find out the consequences of the pillow talk, the outcome of the Cattle Raid of Cooley, and the location of Maeve’s glorious final resting place (hint: it’s pictured) in our blog.

Meet Maeve