Cleveland Comhra: The Dearg Due
Celtic Vampire Folklore: The Tale of Mairenn
Vampire stories are abundant in Celtic folklore, and Ireland has its share of them. These tales have existed long before Fanu gave us Carmilla or Stoker introduced us to Dracula. It’s very possible that these old stories influenced Ireland’s famous horror writers.
The following is my version of the story of the Waterford vampire, as I shared it with my granddaughter, my accomplice in all things horror. It is a tale of love, betrayal, and revenge.
The Legend of the Waterford Vampire
In the actual tales, our vampire is not named, but the circumstances that created her are strikingly similar. The Irish name for the vampire varies but translates to the same meaning: Red Thirst.
Bhí sé in Éirinn fadó – It was long ago in Ireland, in the area now known as Waterford, that an overly ambitious chieftain lived. A greedy little man, he craved wealth and power above all else. Feared by his men and family, he was a tyrant.
His wife, beaten down and resigned, dutifully raised their five sons and three daughters with little interaction from their father. Among their children was Mairenn, the eldest daughter.
Mairenn’s Beauty and Kindness
Mairenn, with her deep red hair and sparkling green eyes, was admired by all. Her outer beauty paled in comparison to her inner kindness. Generous and beloved, she was a role model for the children in the village.
Many young men sought her hand, but her heart belonged to Bran, a simple, strong farm laborer. The two courted traditionally, strolling through the rolling hills, dreaming of a shared life, a small farm, and children to whom they’d sing ancestral songs.
A Cruel Twist of Fate
Arranged marriages were common in early Ireland, and Mairenn’s father had no interest in her happiness—only the fortunes her marriage could bring him. He arranged for her to wed a much older, wealthy clan chieftain in exchange for gold and land.
Despite her mother’s pleas, Mairenn was sent away, leaving her and Bran heartbroken. Her new husband, cold and cruel, treated her as a possession, frequently beating or cutting her for his amusement. He often locked her in a castle tower, mocking her when she wasn’t imprisoned.
At first, Mairenn prayed Bran would rescue her. But Bran, misled by lies of her happiness, ceased his search. Over time, Mairenn’s despair turned into consuming hatred.
Transformation into the Red Thirst
Locked away, Mairenn gave up hope. She stopped eating and drinking, slipping into an eternal sleep. Her family collected her body and buried her beneath Strongbow’s Tree, mourned deeply by Bran and the villagers.
But hatred had consumed her soul. On the anniversary of her death, Mairenn rose from the earth, no longer the kind woman she once was. She had become something evil: a predator with an insatiable thirst for blood.
Revenge and the Dearg Díoltas
Mairenn first sought her father. Entering his room, she drained his life force with her lips before moving on to her husband’s castle. There, she slaughtered her husband in his drunken stupor.
The villagers spoke of her vengeful acts, but as months passed, the tales were forgotten. Yet, Mairenn’s thirst remained. She became the Dearg Díoltas, luring young men with her beauty before draining their blood.
The Villagers’ Attempts to Stop Her
In desperation, the villagers piled heavy stones upon her grave, believing this would keep her from rising. While this worked for a time, the practice ceased as those who remembered her grew old and passed away.
Today, the exact location of Strongbow’s Tree is unknown. Some believe an ancient oak near Reginald’s Tower may mark her resting place. To this day, locals pile stones on the grave in the oak’s shadow—just in case she decides to rise again during the darkest hour of the night.
Happy Halloween!
Bob Carney is a student of Irish history and language and teaches the Speak Irish Cleveland class held every Tuesday at PJ McIntyre’s. He is also active in Irish Wolfhound and Irish dog organizations. Bob resides with his wife Mary, hounds Rían, Aisling, and Draoi, and terrier Doolin. Contact him at [email protected].
