Seanch-E

Seanch-E is a mixed media platform which curates and stores local Irish Mythological stories in the form of video and animation.

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Myth: Fairies
Location: Rathlin Island, Antrim

Myth: Hellhound
Location: Tydavnet, Monaghan

It is said that the Hellhound of Tydavnet originated from the 18th century. A man by the name of Skelton was the owner of the only inn in Tydavnet. He was a wealthy man and his money was guarded by hounds in the cellar of the inn. Fairs were often held in the town of Tydavnet, but what the people of the village did not know was that Skelton would look for travellers at these fairs. He would offer them a bed in his inn and in the middle of the night the bed would drop through a trap door that lead to the cellar. These travllers would be eaten alive by his hounds. Skelton was eventually caught red handed and was sentenced to death but before he was hung he said, “You haven't seen the last of me yet, I'll be around for time to come”. From then on a large hound was often seen roaming the town of Tydavnet, and people believed it was the soul of Skelton who could never be at rest.

The Aos Sí is the Irish term for a supernatural race in Irish mythology, comparable to the fairies or elves. Aos sí are seen as fierce guardians of their abodes, whether a fairy fort, a fairy ring, a special tree (often a hawthorn), or in this case a cave. The fairie's obsession with youth and their powers are a common theme in Irish folklore. The most popular example being of Fionn Mac Cumhaill turning into an old man upon returning from Tír na nÓg. But the story of the old man in the cave appears to be unique to Rathlin Island. Rathlin has a rich history of folklore ranging from fishing stories to tales of witches on the island. The old man of Rathlin is a small part in the vast wealth of Irish tradition on the island.

Myth: Hare
Location: Sliabh Luachra, Kerry

In Celtic mythology, the hare has links to the supernatural world. The legend of the old woman and the hare is a common story found in many parts of Ireland, with this specific version being common in the south west. Various local and individual traits change from version to version, but the main tale always involves an old woman who transforms into a hare by night, to steal milk from cows under the cover of darkness. In some versions, the hare is caught by the farmers and left bleeding from the foot or the head in some way. When the hare escapes, the thievery is traced back to the old woman as she is bleeding from the same spot as the hare was. While this version is less gruesome, it still has the same eerie supernatural feel that all versions of this story hold.

Myth: Witches
Location: Gormanston, Meath

Witches have always had a prevalence in Irish mythology. Stories of Cailleacha, meaning old woman or hag in Irish, date back to the 8th and 9th century. Closely associated with fairies, Cailleacha are said to have many supernatural powers. Also sometimes being described as a single deity, Cailleacha are believed to rule over storms and the winter season period of Samhain. As can be seen in the story of the witch at Gormanston, they also have certain powers over woodland creatures and the fauna of Ireland, especially foxes. This is said to stem from the fact that a foxe's howl is eerily similar to the scream of a woman. But perhaps this could also mean that wherever there are foxes, witches are always close by.

About Seanch-E

James Duff

Oliver White

Joe Monahan

Iarlaith Behan

Niall Rushe