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Dobhar-chú
Ireland's water hound is half-dog, half-otter, and entirely deadly. A 1722 gravestone shows a man killing one—after it murdered his wife. The creature's mate pursued him for twenty miles before he killed it too.
Ancient - Present
Ireland
100+ witnesses
The Dobhar-chú is Ireland’s most dangerous water creature.
The Legend
According to Irish folklore:
The Dobhar-chú:
- “Water hound” in Irish
- Half-dog, half-otter
- Extremely aggressive
- Lives in lakes
- Kills humans
The Description
Described as:
- Size of large dog
- Otter-like body
- Dog-like head
- White with dark markings
- Cross on back
The Gravestone
In Conwall Cemetery:
- Grace Connolly’s grave
- Dated 1722
- Shows creature’s image
- Killed by husband
- After it murdered Grace
The Chase
The story tells:
- Grace killed by dobhar-chú
- At Glenade Lake
- Husband killed creature
- Its whistle summoned mate
- Mate chased him 20 miles
The Second Kill
The pursuit ended:
- Husband and friend rode hard
- Set up ambush
- Killed second creature
- Escaped with lives
- Story preserved in stone
Other Sightings
Reports continue:
- In Irish lakes
- Large otter-like creatures
- Aggressive behavior
- Unusual appearances
- Sightings ongoing