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The top ten scariest monsters and demons from Celtic myth - PHOTOS

The monsters of Ireland's ancient past from the Dearg Due to the Questing Beast

IrishCentral Staff Writers,

Published Monday, May 13, 2013, 12:51 PM

Updated Monday, May 13, 2013, 12:51 PM

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Balor – the Celtic demon king Balor is the demonic God of Death in Celtic mythology. Sporting one eye and a single gigantic leg, the evil creature was King of the Fomori, demons who lived in the dark depths of lakes and seas

Photo by Google Images

10. Questing Beast – the Celtic hybrid monster

Another snake-like evil Celtic creature is the Questing Beast, a monster with the head of a snake, the body of a leopard, the backside of a lion and the hooves of a deer.

The beast’s constant cry was said to sound like the bark of 30 dogs.

The Questing Beast, known to be quick, was hunted down by many a knight, and in Celtic myth was chased by King Pellinore, an Arthurian character.

This beast appears not only in the legends of King Arhtur, but also in Edmund Spenser’s epic tale “The Faerie Queene,” which in part, tackles the troubled relationship between England and Ireland in the 16th century.

This is one scary creature you don’t have to worry about this Halloween – unless you dress up as a knight.

PHOTOS - The scariest demons from Celtic myth slideshow

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19 Comments

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belfast | Nov 19, 2012, 05:52 PM EST

what about maggie thatcher the bigest mass murderer of them al

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herselfathome | Nov 14, 2012, 07:29 PM EST

Please let us have the truth on this subject. The lady in question died of septicaemia. Her pregnancy was not a factor in her death, nor would an abortion have saved her. She was in the early stages of miscarrying her baby. An aided abortion would have placed much too much stress on her already weak condition. Please wait for the results of the investigation before passing judgement.

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Butch1 | Nov 13, 2012, 09:28 AM EST

My favorite is the Pooka which unfortunately wasn't listed.

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WoundedKnee | Oct 30, 2012, 04:23 AM EDT

citizenwhy: You are wrong about the Tuatha De Danann and the poster is right. There are no "ancient ones" (whatever that means) in Celtic mythology. There are, on the other hand, lots of Tuatha De Danaan figures in Celtic tradition. Dagda is one, and Nuada Silver Hand is another, and there are plenty others.

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POL O L | Sep 19, 2012, 12:21 PM EDT

My Wife!

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warlocks | Sep 13, 2012, 11:24 PM EDT

hey as a kid i loved those Irish Fables after all they are the past History of Irish folklaw almost every country in Europe had their own Spookie stories.

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Tom Mo | Sep 10, 2012, 08:17 PM EDT

Any of you remember reading Kitty The Hare in Boy's Own? The Banshee etc. That was before we had wireless, TV, cel phones, bottled water etc. Ah those were the days. Sitting by the fire, the wind howling outside and listening to my grandmother reading Kitty The Hare. Scared the bejeasus out of me and my sister. I guess that sort of thing would be considered child abuse by the liberals today. Molair.

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CitizenWhy | Aug 08, 2012, 09:45 AM EDT

@TuathadeDanaan. The "ancient ones" in Celtic myth were personifications of wind, fire, water, cold, elemental states of nature, their role somewhat akin to the Jewish angel of death. Nothing to do with the DeDanaan. I presume, with your name, that you joke about the Last Rites.

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Laurie Lindgren | Aug 06, 2012, 11:41 PM EDT

Very Interesting, I loved that vampire story!

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Belphagor | Aug 03, 2012, 04:19 PM EDT

You forgot Adams and McGuinness, Mass Murderers and thats no fable.

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TuathadeDanann | Aug 20, 2011, 10:07 AM EDT

Citizenwhy... I'm thinking maybe she was on about the Tuatha De Dannan, who were in Celtic myths... but they might've been afterwards. Also, what're the Last Rites? Anyway... I'm using the Caorthannach in one of my stories, as a good guy 'coz I like fire.

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halloweenfan | Aug 01, 2011, 12:46 AM EDT

Enjoyed it very much, I can incorporate a couple of them into a story I am writing...but if the Dullahan's horse is headless, how can one tell its eyes are flaming?

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Agusfang | Jun 15, 2011, 06:15 PM EDT

I enjoyed the read about Irish/Celtic monsters. I love the lore and mythology of ancient Ireland and the people who have inhabited her.

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harryfee | May 11, 2011, 08:41 AM EDT

sirpeter, yeah, its called alimony in the states

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Ladylannae | Feb 19, 2011, 10:51 PM EST

God, as a young girl I use to have some pretty awful nightmares about the Banshee.

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