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Púca
Ireland's shapeshifting trickster. The Púca appears as a dark horse, a goblin, or a monstrous creature. It can speak human language and offers wild midnight rides—but you may never return the same.
Ancient - Present
Ireland
500+ witnesses
The Púca (also Pooka) is a shape-shifting creature from Irish folklore, part of the fairy world.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Púca:
- Is a shape-shifter
- Can be helpful or harmful
- Often appears as a dark horse
- Can speak human language
- A trickster spirit
Appearances
The Púca commonly takes form of:
- A black horse with golden eyes
- A goblin demanding share of crops
- A rabbit, goat, or dog
- An eagle or bat
- A horrifying monster
The Horse Form
As a horse:
- Appears on November 1st especially
- Offers rides to travelers
- Takes them on wild journeys
- Through thorns and mud
- Returns them changed or not at all
Behavior
The Púca may:
- Help farmers with harvest
- Demand offerings of crops
- Play pranks on travelers
- Give prophecies
- Destroy property if insulted
Samhain Connection
On Samhain (Halloween):
- The Púca is most active
- Farmers leave offerings
- The Púca may bless or curse
- All unharvested crops belong to it
- Never eat blackberries after October 31
Famous Púca Sites
Locations include:
- The Púca’s Hollow
- Carlingford, County Louth
- Various hills and standing stones
- Pools and waterfalls
- Ancient fairy forts