Mythology has many origins, some of the most notable being Greek, Norse, or Egyptian. I think most people can say they have heard of Zeus and Athena or Thor and Loki (even if their knowledge is Marvel-based).
There is one mythology that I believe contends for a top spot on that list. Unfortunately, some don’t realize that their favorite fantasy creatures are a product of these particular mythological tales that were said to be recorded by medieval monks around the 8th century.
So if you are like me and love all things fantasy but aren’t familiar with the origins of some of the coolest creatures–here are a few popular ones inspired by Irish Mythology. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!
Banshee
The Irish translation of the term Banshee is ‘woman of the fairy mound.’ Sounds innocent enough, right? No…not in the slightest. In fact, Banshees are one of the most terrifying creatures in pop culture, and the first one I remember was in the iconic TV series known as Charmed. In this particular episode, the three witch sisters encountered a woman with a deadly scream that terrorized those in pain. She was a human who became a Banshee after experiencing overwhelming grief.
A few other places you may have seen a Banshee might be in the show Supernatural, as Dean and Sam faced it, no doubt, or perhaps while playing Mass Effect and having to restart the game because you were defeated by its piercing scream.
All of the pop culture references have similarities to the real creature of Irish lore, but none of them were quite accurate. The Banshee is a woman, and she does have an ear-piercing scream, but according to Irish Mythology, she wails outside one’s home to warn them of an upcoming death of a loved one. So… while she doesn’t actually hurt anyone, her presence signifies something equally as bad. All in all–I wouldn’t say she’s my favorite mythological creature, but she is certainly a scream.
The Fae/Faeries
For anyone who is part of the BookTok world–you have heard of Faeries or Fae, and you know that they are nothing like Tinkerbell. In fact, the terms fairy and faerie have evolved into two very different beings. Fairies are cute and tiny with idyllic motives, while faeries have more of an archaic connotation associated with very powerful, sometimes terrifying (and no, not always modelesque in nature) beings.
In Irish and Celtic Mythology, the Fae were known as the Aos Sí, which translates to ‘people of the fairy mounds,’ and are said to have descended from Irish gods known as the Tuatha Dé Danann. Many modern takes on the Fae follow a similar structure, but typically they all have their own unique histories. In recent years, there has been an explosion of books referencing Fae, the most popular probably being A Court of Thorns and Roses. But many other TV series and movies revolve around faeries as well… like did anyone realize that Maleficent was in a world with faeries, and she seemed a bit fae-like herself? One of the more literal references appears in the graphic novel and TV series Sandman, where the Fae have their own world ruled by a Fae queen — these are the more modern Fae who are all flawlessly beautiful.
All in all, some faeries are grotesque and terrifying, others have bat wings and tattoos–but all have evolved from the people of the fairy mounds.
Leprechaun
Unfortunately, I have a bit of a negative bias towards this particular creature after growing up watching horror movies based on a dark version of it, but I have to admit, it is probably the most well-known Irish mythological being. The Leprechaun, originally known as the Lúchorpán, was a solitary fairy cobbler. But what exactly is a cobbler? It was essentially the fairy’s shoemaker. The myth was that if you could follow the sound of the hammer tapping, it would lead you to his tiny shoe-creating hideaway, where there was gold hidden. The problem was that they were very cunning and easily tricked everyone out of finding it, usually by disappearing.
My favorite movie referencing this trickster aired on Disney 25 years ago and is known as “Luck of the Irish.” It follows a high school boy who realizes that he is half Leprechaun in his attempt to thwart a villain named Seamus, who is attempting to steal coins to become all-powerful. Surprisingly, this Leprechaun story does have a connection to the original mythology, as the villain is referenced as Far Darrig, which was said to be a mischievous fairy known for its bargains and dark tricks, and Seamus fit the build.
Whether you know it from a cereal box or from seeing it pop up at the store every March–I’m sure the majority of us have come across a version of this lucky shoemaker.
Púca
Similar to the Leprechaun, Irish Mythology often references a creature that is well-versed in the deceptive arts, so to speak. The Púca’s key attribute is its ability to shapeshift– sometimes into a dark horse, a misshapen goblin, or, if you’re in Prythian, perhaps your own father.
Mythologically, the Púca weren’t said to be good or bad because sometimes they used their abilities for good, and sometimes, if they were in a bad mood, they might use them for evil. Sometimes they offered advice, and sometimes they would lead someone into a death trap. Their unpredictability, combined with their ability to transform, makes them the perfect creatures to include in a fantasy world.
Some may recognize the Púca from the first installment of A Court of Thorns and Roses, when the Púca lures Feyre out into the garden pretending to be her father, and she follows (despite the fact that it was highly unlikely for him to be there). Another Púca interpretation that might not be as well known is the character Puck in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Puck is a fairy servant to the Fairy King, Oberon. Similar to the mythological Púca, Puck shapeshifts and provides misleading information, but doesn’t seem as dangerous as the Púca that attempts to lure Feyre to her death.
Irish Mythology is clearly the unsung hero behind some of our most intriguing, mischievous, and versatile fantasy creatures, and each of them has helped shape the fantasy worlds we love. From Shakespeare to BookTok to Disney Channel original films — these creatures have embedded themselves deeply into modern storytelling, and I can’t wait to see how they continue to evolve.
