Irish Folklore – The Fearful Far Darrig.
A Far Darrig - Beware the sound of strange laughter in the night.
There are many different Aos Sí - fairy folk - in Irish folklore. The whole country is rich with legends of these strange beings: some benevolent and helpful to humans, others darker and more solitary. It is to this latter group that the Far Darrig belong.
Tales of the Far Darrig and their mischief can be found throughout Ireland, though these troublesome goblins are most common in the west and south, particularly in the counties of Cork, Clare, and Kerry.
In Irish, the Far Darrig are known as Fear Dearg, meaning “Red Man”, a reference to their fondness for red clothing. They are sometimes called “Rat Boys”, as they are believed to have dark, hairy skin, long snouts, and thin tails. Depending on the source, these rattish qualities may be understated, giving them a more human appearance - but whatever form they take, they are regarded as eaters of carrion.
Of the many solitary and ill-natured fairies that haunt Ireland’s shores, there are few more wretched than the Far Darrig. He is believed to preside over evil dreams. Some stories claim he was once a mortal man who stumbled into fairyland by mistake and now tries - through tricks and warnings - to prevent others from making the same mistake.
Most active during winter, the Far Darrig delights in startling unsuspecting households by banging on their doors in the dead of night, demanding entrance and a place by the fire. To refuse such a request was considered perilous: you might awaken to find your child stolen and a changeling left in its place, or discover that your cattle had mysteriously sickened.
Should you ever encounter a Far Darrig, you would be wise to treat him with the utmost politeness, lest you fall victim to one of his cruel practical jokes. A favoured trick is to persuade an unwitting person to carry a corpse on their back and, in a gruesome twist, convince them it is merely meat, urging them to roast it on a spit.
One tale tells of a Far Darrig who disguised himself as a farmer and tricked a group of men into helping him harvest his field. They laboured diligently, only to discover that they had been gathering pebbles rather than grain. The Far Darrig, delighted with his deception, vanished into thin air, leaving the men thoroughly bewildered.
Another story describes the Far Darrig leading a band of travellers astray in the mountains. He coaxed them into a bog, where he entertained them with wild tales and strange songs. As the travellers grew increasingly intoxicated, the Far Darrig slipped away, leaving them stranded in the marshy darkness.
So take care when wandering Ireland’s lonely places, and listen closely for laughter carried on the wind. This is one creature you would do well not to meet - especially alone.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I hope you enjoyed this little legend from the Emerald Isle. With the festive season rapidly approaching, if you’re a lover of classic Christmas ghost stories, I’ve compiled a collection of some of the finest seasonal tales of terror ever told - Pocket Christmas Horror. It makes the perfect companion for these long, dark evenings. Please consider picking up a copy-link below.
Alternatively, you’ll find plenty of free stories, written by yours truly, in the downloads section of this website.
Until next week-stay spooky.
Sources
Wikipedia
OxfordReference.com
HorrorChronicles.com
BellaTerreno.com
