Abhartach facts for kids

Abhartach (pronounced "Avartagh") is an old Irish legend about a powerful dwarf. His name means "dwarf" in the Irish language. This spooky story was first written down in a book by Patrick Weston Joyce in 1875. It's important not to mix up Abhartach with another character named Abartach, who is linked to the famous Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill.

The Legend of Abhartach

The legend of Abhartach comes from a place in Derry, Ireland, called Slaghtaverty. People used to call it Laghtaverty, which means "the grave of the dwarf."

Abhartach was a very powerful wizard and a cruel ruler. He treated people badly. Eventually, a brave local leader, some say it was Fionn Mac Cumhaill, fought and killed him. Abhartach was buried standing up.

But the very next day, something terrifying happened! Abhartach came back to life, even stronger and meaner than before. He started scaring everyone again. The chief had to kill him a second time and bury him in the same way. But again, Abhartach escaped his grave and caused more fear across the land.

The chief was desperate. He asked a wise druid (a kind of ancient Celtic priest or magician) for advice. The druid told him how to stop Abhartach for good. The chief killed the dwarf a third time. This time, he buried Abhartach upside down in the same spot. This special burial finally broke Abhartach's magic, and he never came back to life again.

Other Versions of the Story

In some newer versions of the story, Abhartach rises from his grave to drink the blood of people. The chief who defeats him is sometimes called Cathain. Instead of a druid, the hero might ask an early Christian saint for help.

The saint explains that Abhartach is one of the neamh-mairbh, which means "walking dead." To stop him, the saint advises using a sword made of yew wood. Abhartach must be buried upside down. His grave should be surrounded by thorns, and a large stone placed on top.

Abhartach and Dracula

Have you heard of Dracula? He is a famous vampire character from a novel written by Bram Stoker. For a long time, many people thought Stoker based Dracula on a real person named Vlad the Impaler. Vlad III was a prince from a place called Walachia, known for his harsh punishments.

However, in 1998, a professor named Elizabeth Miller looked closely at Bram Stoker's notes. She found that Stoker didn't have much detailed information about Vlad III. While he knew a few facts, there's no proof he knew about Vlad's cruelty or his famous impalement method.

So, where did Stoker get his ideas? Another idea comes from Bob Curran, a history expert. He suggested in 2000 that Stoker might have been inspired by the legend of Abhartach! Curran has written more about this idea, suggesting that the old Irish tale could have influenced the creation of the world's most famous vampire.

Abhartach's Grave Today

Abhartach's grave is still known today as Slaghtaverty Dolmen. Locals often call it "The Giant’s Grave." It's a special type of ancient stone monument.

The grave is made up of a large rock and two smaller rocks, with a hawthorn tree growing nearby. You can find this dolmen in a small area called Slaghtaverty, just north of Maghera in County Londonderry, Ireland.