The Dullahan, The Headless Horseman Creature From Irish Folklore
Public DomainAn 1834 illustration of the Dullahan, a terrifying creature from Irish mythology.
Much like the famous figure from Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Dullahan is a horrifying headless horseman. And like the banshee, this spectral figure serves as a harbinger of death and misfortune.
Often depicted riding a black steed through the night, the Dullahan carries its severed head under its arm. This head is said to have skin like moldy cheese, and a grotesque grin stretching from ear to ear.
According to legend, the Dullahan can see vast distances with its glowing eyes, which scour the land for those approaching death. He also wields a whip fashioned from a human spine. Those who bear witness to the Dullahan are often struck blind by his whip, or paralyzed with fear.
Seeing a Dullahan is said to be an omen of imminent death. According to folklore, this headless horseman rides through the night, calling out the names of those who are about to die. Once a name is spoken, that person’s fate is sealed.
The Dullahan is said to be particularly active on certain nights of the year, such as Samhain. During these times, locals are advised to stay indoors and avoid traveling alone after the sun has set. However, for those who dare to tempt fate, it is said that the Dullahan can be repelled by gold, and so many travelers will carry a gold coin or piece of jewelry with them for protection.
It’s unclear where the legend of the Dullahan initially began, but some folklorists have linked the legend to the Celtic harvest god Crom Dubh, who was said to demand human sacrifices in the form of decapitation. The Dullahan also has links to the once prevalent practice of headhunting, with some stories depicting the Dullahan as a slain warrior searching for his lost head.
