The Abhartach is a malevolent figure from Irish folklore, often considered one of the earliest inspirations for the modern vampire myth. Originating from the rich mythological traditions of Ireland, the Abhartach is a dark and eerie character whose story blends themes of sorcery, resurrection, and bloodlust.
Origins and Etymology[]
The name Abhartach (also spelled Avartagh or Abhartagh) comes from old Irish, possibly translating to “dwarf” or “distorted person.” He is said to have been a chieftain or petty king in the region now known as County Derry in Northern Ireland. The tale of the Abhartach was first recorded in detail by 19th-century historian Patrick Weston Joyce in his book The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places (1875).
The Legend[]
According to legend, the Abhartach was a cruel and powerful sorcerer who ruled over his people with tyranny. The people, desperate to be rid of him, enlisted the help of a local warrior—sometimes identified as the chieftain Catháin or O’Kane—to kill him.
The warrior succeeded in slaying the Abhartach and buried him upright, as was the custom for nobles. However, the next day, Abhartach mysteriously returned from the grave, demanding a bowl of blood from his subjects to sustain his unnatural life. Shocked and terrified, the warrior killed him again and buried him deeper—but Abhartach kept returning, each time more powerful than before.
It was eventually discovered that Abhartach was one of the neamh-mairbh (the undead), and that conventional means would not keep him in the grave. On the advice of a druid or Christian saint (depending on the version), the warrior was instructed to kill Abhartach with a sword made of yew wood, bury him upside down, and surround the grave with thorns and a heavy stone slab. This finally imprisoned the vampire beneath the earth.
The Abhartach and Vampire Lore[]
Many folklorists and historians consider the Abhartach to be a possible precursor to the modern vampire archetype. Notably, the story predates Bram Stoker’s Dracula by several centuries, and some scholars speculate that Stoker—an Irishman—might have drawn inspiration from the Abhartach legend when crafting his iconic vampire.
The themes of blood-drinking, undead resurrection, and magical containment are all motifs commonly found in vampire mythology around the world, but the Abhartach stands out due to its Celtic roots and unique burial instructions.
Slaghtaverty Dolmen: The Abhartach’s Grave[]
Today, the supposed burial site of Abhartach is marked by a megalith known as the Slaghtaverty Dolmen or The Giant’s Grave, located near Garvagh in County Derry. Local tradition holds that the grave should never be disturbed, and stories abound of misfortune befalling those who attempt to move the stone or tamper with the site.
Some locals still avoid the area, and tales of ghostly sightings and unexplained phenomena persist, keeping the legend of the Abhartach alive into modern times.
Cultural Impact[]
Although not as widely known as Dracula or other classic vampire figures, the Abhartach has inspired a number of creative works in literature, film, and folklore studies. He serves as a reminder that the vampire myth has deep and diverse roots, not confined solely to Eastern Europe.
In recent years, renewed interest in Irish folklore and horror has brought the Abhartach into the spotlight once again, especially among those fascinated by the origins of vampire legends.
An Alternative Origin of Dracula: The Legend of Abhartach[]
Since 1958, many have believed that the vampire Count Dracula from Bram Stoker's 1897 novel was largely inspired by Vlad III, Prince of Wallachia—also known as Vlad the Impaler. He earned his nickname from his brutal method of executing enemies by impalement. This theory was popularized by the 1972 book In Search of Dracula by Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally, and has influenced several film adaptations that link Vlad III directly to the fictional Dracula.
However, this connection has been questioned. In 1998, Dracula scholar Professor Elizabeth Miller published an essay in her book Dracula: The Shade and the Shadow, where she pointed out that Stoker’s own research notes show little evidence he knew much about Vlad the Impaler. While Stoker did refer to a few facts taken from William Wilkinson’s 1820 book An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, such as Vlad’s name, his war against the Turks, and mention of his brother (misidentified as "Bladus"), there is no mention of Vlad's infamous cruelty, impalement, or detailed life story.
An alternative theory was proposed by Bob Curran, a folklore expert and lecturer in Celtic History at the University of Ulster. In a 2000 article for History Ireland magazine, Curran suggested that Stoker may have drawn inspiration from a much older Irish legend—that of Abhartach, a bloodthirsty undead figure from Irish folklore. Curran expanded on this idea in his 2005 book Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures That Stalk the Night, where he describes a fuller version of the Abhartach legend.
Abhartach in Irish Folklore[]
According to legend, Abhartach was a cruel chieftain and dark sorcerer who returned from the grave to drink the blood of the living. His story is sometimes viewed as an early vampire myth and could have reached Stoker—an Irishman—through local folklore traditions.
Slaghtaverty Dolmen: Abhartach’s Grave[]
The site believed to be Abhartach’s final resting place is called Slaghtaverty Dolmen, also known locally as The Giant’s Grave. It consists of one large boulder flanked by two smaller stones beneath a hawthorn tree. The grave is located in Slaghtaverty (Irish: Sleacht Aibheartaigh), just north of the town of Maghera in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
Modern Depictions[]
The legend of Abhartach has seen a resurgence in popular culture. In the 2021 Irish horror film Boys from County Hell, Abhartach appears as a terrifying vampire-like creature who drains people’s blood simply by being near them. In the film, he is eventually defeated by the chieftain Ó Catháin, echoing the ancient folklore.
References[]
- Joyce, Patrick Weston. The Origin and History of Irish Names of Places. Dublin, 1875.
- Ó Crualaoich, Gearóid. The Book of Irish Curses. Gill & Macmillan, 1998.
- Curran, Bob. Vampires: A Field Guide to the Creatures That Stalk the Night. New Page Books, 2005.