fear gorta

"Man of hunger." A benevolent fairy in Hiberno-English tradition who roams the land in times of famine. He appears as a pale, emaciated figure who is so weak and thin that he can barely lift his alms cup. He wears only a few clothes, even in winter times. He rewards those who help him with good luck.

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Stories about the fear gorta may have originated during the Famine times in Ireland (c. 1846-1848), which was called the Great Hunger (An Gorta Mór).

References

Sources

  • MacKillop, James. (2004). Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc.
  • Yeats, W.B. (ed.). (1888). Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry. London: W. Scott, p. 81.