Abhartach: The Irish Vampire

 

Abhartach: The Irish Vampire

 

Longbefore Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Vlad the Impaler, there was a monster known asAbhartach, the Irish Vampire. Although not appearing in written records until 1870when Patrick Weston Joyce wrote about him in his book, The Origin and Historyof Irish Names of Places, there is an oral history of this creature dating backto the fourth or fifth century.

Abhartachwas, according to legend, a dwarf, a magician, a chieftain, who terrorized hispeople. Tired of his way, they asked the hero Fionn Mac Cumhail (Finn McCool)to help them. Fionn slew the man and buried him, standing up. The next day, theAbhartach was back, demanding blood from his people. Fionn again killed thecreature and again buried him, standing up. Again, the Abhartach returned.

Finally,Fionn consulted a druid who told him to kill the monster with a sword made fromyew and bury him upside down. This seems to have done the trick, and he has notbeen seen since!

The legend of the Abhartach is from a small parish in Londonderry called, Slaghtaverty. There is a dolmon (standing stone) which is said to mark the vampire's burial spot. The word Abhartach means dwarf in old Irish. Some scholars believe that Bram Stoker heard of this legend and it was the inspiration for his Dracula story. 

But… The Abhartach makes and appearance in book three of The Midsummer Women, TheFairy Witch. How will Hannah stop him? Find out soon.