Long before Count Dracula, something in the north of Ireland refused to stay buried.
Abhartach, the dwarf chieftain of Slaghtaverty in County Londonderry, was a magician and a tyrant. Killed once, he rose again. Killed twice, he rose again. Only a yew wood blade, an upside-down grave and a heavy stone finally held him, and locals still say not to move it.
This week on Freaky Folklore, we dig into the Irish vampire legend and follow it from Patrick Weston Joyce's 1870 account to Bob Curran's retelling of the bowl of blood. We also ask whether Bram Stoker may have drawn on it for Dracula. We separate what is documented from what is argued and what is campfire story, then close with a tale about the morning after the burial.
Is Abhartach the seed of Dracula, or just another monster in a land that has plenty? Tell me what you think in the comments.
Freaky Folklore is part of the Eeriecast Network.
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