Abhartach
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Abhartach (pronounced
Legend
There is a place in the parish of Errigal in Londonderry, called Slaghtaverty, but it ought to have been called Laghtaverty, the laght or sepulchral monument of the abhartach [avartagh] or dwarf (see p. 61, supra). This dwarf was a magician, and a dreadful tyrant, and after having perpetrated great cruelties on the people he was at last vanquished and slain by a neighbouring chieftain; some say by Fionn Mac Cumhail. He was buried in a standing posture, but the very next day he appeared in his old haunts, more cruel and vigorous than ever. And the chief slew him a second time and buried him as before, but again he escaped from the grave, and spread terror through the whole country. The chief then consulted a druid, and according to his directions, he slew the dwarf a third time, and buried him in the same place, with his head downwards; which subdued his magical power, so that he never again appeared on earth. The laght raised over the dwarf is still there, and you may hear the legend with much detail from the natives of the place, one of whom told it to me.
— Joyce, The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places[1]
Alternate Version
In some modern versions of the story Abhartach rises from his grave to drink the blood of his subjects,
Alternative origin of Dracula
Since 1958, it has been frequently claimed that the vampiric antagonist of
An alternative inspiration for Stoker's story was put forward by Bob Curran, lecturer in Celtic History and Folklore at the
Recent folklore
Abhartach's grave is now known as Slaghtaverty Dolmen, and is locally referred to as "The Giant’s Grave". It comprises a large rock and two smaller rocks under a hawthorn.[8] The dolmen is located in the townland of Slaghtaverty (Irish: Sleacht Aibheartaigh), just north of Maghera in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Modern depictions
Abhartach serves as the antagonist in the 2021 Irish film
References
- ^ a b Joyce, Patrick (1875). The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places. Internet Archive: McGlashan & Gill. p. 319.
- ^ a b Curran, Bob (Summer 2000). "Was Dracula an Irishman?". History Ireland. 8 (2).
- ISBN 978-0-312-36880-7.
- ^ ISBN 1-56414-807-6.
- ^ Miller, Elizabeth, ed. (1998). Dracula: The Shade and the Shadow. Westcliff-on-Sea: Desert Island Books.
- ISBN 9780786434107.
- ^ Wilkinson, William (1820). An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia. London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown. pp. 18–19.
- ISBN 0-9760827-3-X.(PDF sample)