Fear Gorta
The Hungry Man—an emaciated phantom who walks the roads during famine. Give him food or coin, and you receive good fortune. Refuse him, and you'll know hunger yourself.
The Fear Gorta (Man of Hunger) is a phantom from Irish folklore associated with famine and charity.
The Legend
According to Irish tradition, the Fear Gorta is an emaciated specter who appears during famines. He begs for food or alms, blesses those who give, and curses those who refuse.
Appearance
The Fear Gorta appears as a starving, skeletal and wasted man in ragged clothing. Sometimes he’s covered in grass, and his eyes are full of hunger.
The Test
When encountered, he approaches asking for food. Any small gift suffices. A single coin brings luck, and a morsel of food brings prosperity. Refusal brings misfortune.
The Blessing
If you give, good luck follows. Your crops will flourish, you’ll never go hungry, fortune favors the generous, and you gain protection from famine.
The Curse
If you refuse, bad luck descends. You may starve yourself, your harvests fail, and misfortune follows. The curse can last for generations.
The Great Famine
During the Famine (1845-1852), many reported seeing the Fear Gorta walking the roads of Ireland, testing the hearts of men. Some say he still appears when hunger threatens the land.
Sources
- Irish folklore collections
The Fear Gorta walks Ireland’s roads when hunger comes. He tests hearts with empty palms. Give, and prosper. Refuse, and know his curse. During the Great Famine, he walked often. Those who saw him and gave found their larders never truly empty.