Comhfhocail – Compound Words

Being a coastal island, Ireland has developed a close relationship with ‘na rónta’ (seals) throughout its history. Sometimes the bane of fishermen, sometimes a source of food and supplies in difficult times, and sometimes simply a creature to be admired, the species has always had a place in the imagination of the Irish people. In total, it’s not surprising that there is such a rich folklore of seals in Ireland.

While the typical Halloween images of witches, skeletons and zombies may seem fairly mundane to us now, those in Ancient Ireland believed themselves to be vexed by certain malicious characters they sought not to cross. This article will give a brief overview of three supernatural beings in Irish folklore—the headless and terrifying Dúlachán, the mischievous púca and the deformed, vampiric Abhartach— as well as other legends they may have inspired. These malevolent figures offer an insight into both the fears and creativity of those living in an older Ireland.

Just as the Olympics are based on a Greek sporting contest that took place in the 8th century BC, so did Ireland revive an ancient tradition upon becoming a free state in the 1920s. The Tailteann Games, held in 1924, 1928 and 1932, helped establish Ireland on the international stage after coming out of The War for Independence and The Irish Civil War. Although short-lived, the revival of the Tailteann Games promoted Irish culture and art, while encouraging much needed tourism into the country.