We all know about vampires and werewolves, or at least we think we do. The legends and myths that inspired these monsters are sometimes surprisingly different, but no less chilling. In this series of posts, Monster Monday, we’ll investigate the monsters that have informed our modern notions, as well as some lesser known monsters. Today, we talk about the Gancanagh.

In Irish folklore, a gancanagh is a male fairy that seduces women. The name gancanagh comes from Irish Gaelic for “love talker.” Generally a gancanagh appears as an extremely handsome man. He is generally seen lounging in the countryside, idly smoking a pipe. He will try to seduce any woman who comes by. Generally, however, it is not considered fortunate to encounter a gancanagh, because he secretes a substance from his skin and with one touch, any woman will became addicted, falling irrevocably in love. However, being a fairy, a gancanagh is flighty and capricious and will not stay with one woman for long, and when he leaves, the woman usually dies of a broken heart.