If you thought vampires were an exclusively Transylvanian affair, think again! Ireland has its own bloodthirsty monster: Abhartach (pronounced: Ah-ver-tach). No, it’s not the name of a new trendy drink in Dublin’s pubs, but a legend that can send shivers down the spines of even the bravest Irishman. This creature from Irish mythology is even said to have inspired the author of Dracula: Irish writer Bram Stoker!
So, grab yourself a cup of tea (or why not a Guinness?) and let us tell you the scariest story of all… which surely gave life to the Transylvanian vampire folklore of today!
Abhartach – © Алексей Иванов
Did you know? For some experts, Abhartach is the very origin of the vampire myth. Although little-known, this character from Irish mythology proves fascinating, as his comparison with the image of the contemporary vampire coincides so closely today.
So without further ado, here’s a glimpse of his legend:
Its history goes back a long way. At that time, a man by the name of Abhartach ruled as tyrannical clan chief over lands in Northern Ireland, on the Slaghtaverty side. Violent and cruel, he brought fear and devastation to his kingdom.
His subjects hoped every day for a liberator to come and deliver them from the yoke of this terrifying man. Until one day, a warrior named Cathain seemed to hear their prayers. The people hired him and gave him the delicate mission of killing Abhartach.
For the soldier, the mission was a success: he killed Abhartach with a sword and buried him on his land.
But here’s the thing…
Abhartach seemed gifted with supernatural powers and had a habit of returning from the dead. Yes, you read that right. This gentleman wasn’t the type to let death stop him from continuing his mischief.
From his grave, he dug greedily into the earth. His fingers scraped the earth until he could extricate himself completely from his grave. Ready to take revenge and torment his people once again, Abhartach hadn’t really changed… except that he was now seized by an irresistible desire for blood!
But Cathain was not to be denied, as he killed Abhartach again and buried him in his grave.
In vain!
Abhartachrre made his appearance a few hours later, as if nothing had happened… ready to take revenge and drink the blood of his people.
His subjects, at their wits’ end, decided to call in a druid to find a way of getting rid of their cumbersome leader for good. The Druid, after consulting his colleagues, came up with the solution.
Abhartach was to be killed with a yew-wood sword, then buried upside down.
Only then could he never return. And guess what? It worked!
So Cathain returned with a yew-wood sword, killed the creature and buried it upside down. Victory was won: never again would the people of Slaghtaverty see this strange vampire…
The legend of Abhartach is often cited as a possible inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Although it remains open to debate, the legend continues to fascinate and terrify.
It has to be said that the Abhartach and Dracula share some striking similarities. Both are authoritarian figures who return from the dead and feed on the blood of the living. Both are also creatures that can only be killed in very specific ways.
For Dracula, you need a wooden stake through the heart, while for the Abhartach, a rowan wood sword and special orientation in his grave are required.
In both cases, the vampire serves as a metaphor for issues of power, tyranny and exploitation. It’s a way of examining society’s fears and anxieties. Perhaps Stoker, aware of these themes, drew on the Abhartach legend to construct his own metaphorical monster.
This character is often revived on the occasion of Samain in Ireland. On this occasion, some Irish people dress up as this terrifying creature, making a nice nod to Ireland’s cultural heritage.
If you’re visiting Ireland, you can even visit the supposed tomb of Abhartach! Located in County Derry, it’s sure to attract fans of the paranormal and spooky stories! But be careful; if you decide to pay him a visit, don’t forget your yew-wood sword – you never know!
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